Three night Advent Christmas Fair in Zagreb

If you are a fan of traditional Christmas markets then this Christmas Fair in the often-underrated capital of Croatia ticks the box. Zagreb was voted the No 1 Christmas Market in Europe for three consecutive years (2016, 2017, 2018 by travellers online portal European Best Destinations). Zagreb may not be allowed to win again but that doesn’t stop visitors heading to this enchanting capital.

Advent on the main Ban Jelacic Square means huge, magically lit candles by the fountains, concerts for adults and children and The Advent House serving home-made seasonal food and drinks. Close by on Zrinjevac, the park (part of the famous “green horseshoe” of Zagreb) transforms into a classic Christmas scene.

Lights illuminate the plane trees, fountains and pathways while the central music pavilion sparkles as the stage for live music every evening and during the day at weekends. Traditional wooden huts sell seasonal food and hot drinks including mulled wine along with traditional wooden Christmas decorations and gifts. King Tomislav Square lights up too, featuring the very special and very large Ice Park ice rink (skate hire available) during the Advent period. The medieval Upper Town glitters too with festive decorations, music and the old cobbled streets positively twinkle.

Choose between two hotels; the sumptuous, pure luxury 5-star Esplanade Zagreb, and the traditional 4-star Astoria.

Itinerary includes:

• Return flights to Zagreb Airport
• Transfers
• 3 Nights at the Hotel Astoria, Zagreb (Bed and Breakfast)

For real Christmas Fair fans, we offer a unique two centre 3 NIGHTS ZAGREB FOLLOWED BY 3 NIGHTS ADVENT BY THE SEA IN OPATIJA FROM £1,178 PER PERSON (BASED ON 2 SHARING)

Opatija (started out as a winter resort and knows all about December celebrations. Advent By the Sea (01 December to 7 January) really is just that with much of the lungomare seaside promenade lit up by twinkling lights, the famous historic pavilion villas and Angiolina Park by the sea sparkle with the Nutcracker themed giant wooden figures, candles and twinkling everywhere. Wooden stalls and huts serve festive foods and drinks including mulled wines. Trees and fountains appear to waltz between changing colours . There are carol concerts and massive Christmas trees along the seafront and in the main square.

The famous open-air summer theatre transforms into an open-air ice rink right over the sea (skate hire available). Live music almost every night and many afternoons both in the decorated seaside pavilions and in the town squares.

New Year’s Eve fireworks over the Adriatic here are spectacular and appear to light up the whole Kvarner Bay.)

It is a two-hour taxi transfer from Zagreb to Opatija. There is also a once daily train service from Zagreb to Rijeka (then a 15-minute taxi ride from Rijeka to your hotel in Opatija.)  The train takes 4 hours, is something of a delightful time-warp experience and the ride is truly stunning, especially the latter part which traverses the Risnjak National Park finally the sparkling Adriatic Sea comes into view. Return to Zagreb for homeward flight is by private taxi.

3 nights on a bed and breakfast basis at the 4-star Hotel Astoria in Zagreb followed by 3 nights at the 4-star Admiral Hotel in Opatija (the 3-star Istria can also be booked).