Best Christmas lights Zagreb Croatia
Best Christmas lights Zagreb Croatia
Advent 2015 in Zagreb Croatia
Advent 2015 in Zagreb Croatia

Travelers, tourists – people in the know when it comes to these matters have on the European Best Destinationsportal voted the Croatian capital Zagreb the ‘Best European Christmas Market’ (in Europe). So, Zagreb has beaten the off the likes of London, Vienna, Berlin, Stockholm, Strasbourg, Brussels, Manchester and Nuremberg  …

Every year the Christmas program in the Croatian capital has got better and better, earning the city a nomination among 20 European cities this year. Voting has ended and it was Zagreb who received the most number of votes from travelers. A total of 101,703 votes from 176 countries were received, with Zagreb getting over 30,000 of them.

European Best Destination Christmas Markets Zagreb Croatia
European Best Destination
Christmas Markets
Zagreb Croatia



The centre stages, featuring a diverse musical programme, will be in Zagreb’s main square of Ban Josip Jelačić and the nearby Zrinjevac Park. From November 28th until the beginning of January, Zagreb’s most beautiful park will also feature dance events, while traditional delicacies as well as original gifts and local souvenirs typical of Zagreb will be on sale at numerous stands aligning the park promenade. The traditional Christmas Fair will take place during Advent in the streets surrounding the Jelačić Square, and the young ones can take a ride in the Jolly Christmas Tram with Santa Clause, fairies, elves and many other cheerful characters. All the visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy the somewhat-forgotten specialties of Zagreb, warm up with a cup of hot chocolate or mulled wine, or buy unique souvenirs and Christmas decorations for their loved onesis how the Croatian capital was described to voters.

Zagreb was voted number 1, with Strasbourg in second spot, Aachen third spot,  Colmar 4th spot, Brussels 5th spot, Leipzig sixth spot, Rothernburg ob der Tauber seventh spot, Nuremberg eighth spot, Lille ninth spot, Dresden tenth spot.

 WOW! CONGRATULATIONS ZAGREB!

Advent2015 Zagreb Croatia Screenshot6

Here are more photos of Zagreb’s breathtaking images of Advent, Christmas cheer, Joy, togetherness – enjoy! I hope these photos envelop you with love, giving, caring, human warmth and pure joy – PLEASE CLICK ON PHOTOS TO ENLARGE AND ENJOY THEIR FULL SPLENDOUR. Ina Vukic, Prof. (Zgb), B.A., M.A.Ps. (Syd)

Traditional Croatian Licitar Heart For a "Merry Christmas"
Traditional Croatian Licitar Heart
For a “Merry Christmas”

 

Amazing Advent 2015 Zagreb Croatia
Amazing Advent 2015
Zagreb Croatia
Zagreb Croatia Christmas Markets 2015
Zagreb Croatia
Christmas Markets 2015
Zagreb Croatia 2015 Christmas Markets
Zagreb Croatia
2015 Christmas Markets
Ice Rink at King Tomislav Square Zagreb Croatia
Ice Rink at
King Tomislav Square
Zagreb Croatia
Advent 2015 Zagreb Croatia
Advent 2015
Zagreb Croatia
Advent 2015 Zagreb Croatia
Advent 2015
Zagreb Croatia

 

Advent 2015 Zagreb Croatia Christmas Markets
Advent 2015
Zagreb Croatia
Christmas Markets

 

Advent 2015 in Zagreb Croatia
Advent 2015 in Zagreb Croatia

 

Ice-Skating at King Tomislav Square Zagreb Croatia Christmas 2015
Ice-Skating at
King Tomislav Square
Zagreb Croatia
Christmas 2015

 

Zagreb Croatia 2015 Christmas Markets
Zagreb Croatia
2015 Christmas Markets

 

Zagreb Croatia 2015 Christmas Markets
Zagreb Croatia 2015
Christmas Markets

 

Zagreb Croatia 2015 Christmas Markets
Zagreb Croatia 2015
Christmas Markets

 

Ice Rink for Christmas season Zagreb Croatia King Tomislav Square
Ice Rink for Christmas season
Zagreb Croatia King Tomislav Square

 

Zagreb Christmas Markets 2015
Zagreb Christmas Markets 2015

71 responses to “Croatian Capital Beats All In Christmas Markets”

    1. inavukic Avatar

      Full of charm, too – thanks Robert 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  1. vesna Avatar

    I can confirm that! Zagreb looks beautiful – even for us who live here :-). Way to go, Zagreb!

    Like

    1. inavukic Avatar

      I think so too, Vesna – cheers and thank you! I have spent quite a few years living in Zagreb and I adore its charms 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. vesna Avatar

        Yes! And I forget to tell you: thank you for spreading around the world the beautiful image of Zagreb.

        Like

      2. inavukic Avatar

        Oh, such a delight to make sure the whole world sees our beautiful Zagreb – and beyond, Vesna

        Liked by 1 person

    1. inavukic Avatar

      Cheers, Simona 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Wilbur's Travels Avatar

    Very impressive. On my list for next year!

    Like

    1. inavukic Avatar

      You will never regret it, Wilbur – memories of charm and smiles and good times will stay with you till you visit – again 😀

      Like

  3. sedge808 Avatar

    stunning photos. looks like a lot of fun.

    Like

    1. inavukic Avatar

      I love the fun with photos, as you may well know sedge808 😀

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Martina Ramsauer Avatar

    This is really a pleasure to read and look at the magnificent pictures.🌲

    Like

    1. inavukic Avatar

      So glad to know you feel as I do with these, Martina 🙂

      Like

  5. Andrew Petcher Avatar

    Well done Zagreb. Your post reminds me that this is a city that I need to visit!

    Like

    1. inavukic Avatar

      You should Andrew, it’s got so much history and beauty and arts…right up your alley I think 😀

      Liked by 1 person

    1. inavukic Avatar

      Cheers, Christoph 🙂

      Like

  6. Gallivanta Avatar

    Looks really lovely. 🙂

    Like

    1. inavukic Avatar

      Every little bit of them does, thanks Gallivanta 😀

      Liked by 1 person

  7. jasna guy Avatar

    Such a delight Ina, to read about beautiful cultural aspects amid the more difficult social and political issues. Makes one appreciate that bit of metaphoric blue sky! Thank you for always allowing these spaces; and thank you for being the ever-important witness to the harder realities.

    Like

    1. inavukic Avatar

      Thank you for the feedback, Jasna, much appreciated and yes, with a great deal of turmoil and instability – poliical and economic – it’s pure joy seeing that the cheer of Christmas makes such a grand entrance and hopefully will hold warmth for quite some time.

      Like

  8. Graham in Hats Avatar

    Great photographs and very colourful. Merry Christmas. 🙂

    Like

    1. inavukic Avatar

      Merry Christmas to you too, Graham – thank you

      Liked by 1 person

  9. Lisa Avatar
    Lisa

    Absolutely gorgeous!

    Like

    1. inavukic Avatar

      Thanks Lisa – love it 😀

      Liked by 1 person

  10. Helena Avatar

    I LOVE these pics!

    Like

    1. inavukic Avatar

      Thanks Helena – so glad you like them 🙂

      Like

  11. Veronika Avatar
    Veronika

    Ina thanks for posting. Lovely story.
    On another note, December 15 (yesterday)marks the feast day of the Drina River Martyrs…. Sisters from the Congregation of the Daughters of Divine Charity. The 5 nuns (Austrian, Slovenian, Hungarian, and Croatian background) were killed by Serbian Chetniks in Bosnia on Dec 15, 1941. (Note the date, because it speaks to the terrible crimes taking place by Serbian Chetniks (British Allies) during WW2.) Their bodies were dumped into the Drina River in the eastern Bosnian town of Gorazde. An eyewitness to the heinous crime was priest Don Anto Bakovic and he has written extensively about this. The sisters tried to avoid rape by the Chetniks so they jumped out of the window of the building they were being held captive. The Chetniks then slaughtered them and dumped their bodies in the river.
    The sisters were beatified in 2011.

    Like

    1. inavukic Avatar

      Such terrifying times, Veronika, and I do hope that the glory of Christmas that strengthens the resolve to believe also adds to the resolve never to forget the victims of Croatia’s fight for freedom and democracy.

      Like

    2. Tempus Fugit Avatar

      …there is a newsreel from that era called…”STRAZ NA DRINI”
      ..The Chetniks of WW2 and the Homeland War (and present day), are the most satanic, murderers of ALL time, and the way
      that they behaved in the Homeland War, Kosovo, Bosnia, Banat, etc., is the same way that they behaved during WW2, the Balkan Wars 1&2! Totally demonic..kind of the “devil in his last day”!

      Like

  12. milfordstreet Avatar

    Wow…It all looks so lovely. Just wonderful. Cheers!

    Like

    1. inavukic Avatar

      Cheers, Chris – I wish we could keep going with this cheer and festive mood all year round 😀 Hopefully in our hears and mind if not on streets 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  13. Tempus Fugit Avatar

    ..the FRONT page picture looks very “CHRISTMAS—Y”, and it should be a model poster picture for the Christmas season on American advertisement posters! …good pictures!

    Like

    1. inavukic Avatar

      A Perfect Picture Of Christmas, Tempus Fugit – cheers

      Like

  14. davidprosser Avatar

    It looks like a marvelous market, I’d love to visit. I haven’t been to any foreign Christmas Markets yet.
    xxx Massive Hugs xxx

    Like

    1. inavukic Avatar

      Well, well David, it seems you’ve just started making travel plans 😀

      Like

  15. Aquileana Avatar

    Zagreb is absolutely amazing… beautiful photographs, dear Ina… Wishing you a great Christmas and a happy new year… Love. Aquileana ✨☺️

    Like

    1. inavukic Avatar

      Thank you, Aquileana – you too have a great Christmas and a wonderful New Year!

      Like

  16. ranjaniravindran Avatar

    wow….!!!! spectacular :O :O

    Like

    1. inavukic Avatar

      Thanks Ranjani 😀

      Liked by 1 person

    1. inavukic Avatar

      Nicely done, Ian – thank you 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  17. Ace Worldwide News Group Avatar

    Fabulous post my Christmas post of year so far added it here 🎄FEATURED #Croatian Capital Beats All in 🎄#Christmas Markets 🎁 | ‘ Ace Friends News ‘
    https://acefriendsnews.wordpress.com/2015/12/18/%f0%9f%8e%84featured-croatian-capital-beats-all-in-%f0%9f%8e%84christmas-markets-%f0%9f%8e%81/

    Like

    1. inavukic Avatar

      Love the emojis, Ian – thank you 😀

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Ace Worldwide News Group Avatar

        Here’s one for you Ina 🌹

        Like

      2. inavukic Avatar

        Ha, so cool! Thank you – Ian 😀

        Liked by 1 person

  18. IdealisticRebel Avatar

    You are such a wonderful blogger, and I wanted you to know that I appreciate you, so I created an award for you! Please pick yours up at http://idealisticrebel.com/2015/12/17/the-dedicated-blogger-award-2/

    Like

    1. inavukic Avatar

      Thank you so very much Barbara – am so happy and pleased and honored

      Like

  19. Graham Stephen Avatar

    Looks like a wonderful market. Must be a delight to wander around there.

    Like

    1. inavukic Avatar

      I could spend hours upon hours in such places, Graham 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

    1. inavukic Avatar

      Love pretty, psychologistmimi 😀

      Like

  20. Kat Avatar
    Kat

    Congratulations Zagreb, you little hidden gem! Oh to be there right now.

    Like

    1. inavukic Avatar

      Ah, Kat – ’tis so lovely 😀

      Like

  21. blondieaka Avatar

    Wow that looks beautiful, I love Christmas markets have visited Leipzig and Brussels so think this will have to be on my to do list for next Christmas, it looks wonderful. I hope you have a great Christmas and a Happy New 2016 🙂

    Like

    1. inavukic Avatar

      Thank you, Carol – and a wonderful Christmas and New Year to you and yours!

      Liked by 1 person

  22. Mark Avatar
    Mark

    Absolutely beautiful pictures, Ina! Great job! I love seeing how other parts of the world celebrate Christmas. Merry Christmas!

    Like

    1. inavukic Avatar

      Merry Christmas, Mark – thank you

      Like

  23. khaled Avatar

    Merry Christmas dear professor

    Like

    1. inavukic Avatar

      Thank you Khaled – good and merry wishes to you too

      Liked by 1 person

  24. DBD Avatar

    Dear Ina: Sretan Božić i Nova godina! 🙂

    Like

    1. inavukic Avatar

      What a happy surprise DBD – Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to You also 😀 LOVE THE CROATIAN LANGUAGE VERSION 😀

      Like

  25. achal.yolo Avatar

    merry Christmas…god bless you

    Like

    1. inavukic Avatar

      Blessings, YOLO, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

      Liked by 1 person

  26. Heartafire Avatar
    Heartafire

    Lovely scenes, ina. Thank you!

    Like

    1. inavukic Avatar

      Cheers, Hollie 😀

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Heartafire Avatar
        Heartafire

        Cheers Inavukic! :-D. A lovely evening to you!

        Liked by 1 person

  27. dougstuber Avatar

    Nice to see that the economy is stabilizing. War has the nasty side effect of bad economies for a long time. When will the power of love win out?

    Like

    1. inavukic Avatar

      Let’s hope it will stabilise fully soon, Doug although chances seem slim but, hey, miracles have been known to happen 😀 As to the power of love winning – it has no chance of that unless we make it our business to see it so. I’m the first to enlist 🙂

      Like

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I’m Ina

I was born in Croatia and live Australia. I have been described as a prominent figure known for my contribution to the Croatian and wider societies, particularly in the context of Croatia’s transition from communism to democracy, as well as for my many years of work as a clinical psychologist and Chief Executive Officer of government-funded services for people with disabilities, including mental health services, in Australia. In 1995, the President of the Republic of Croatia awarded me two Medals of Honor, the Homeland War Memorial Medal and the Order of the Croatian Trefoil for her special merits and her contribution to the founding of the Republic of Croatia.  I have been a successful blogger since 2011 and write extensively in the English-language on issues related to Croatian current affairs and democracy, as well as the challenges Croatia faced and still faces in its transition from communism. My goal is to raise awareness of these connections and issues worldwide.