The magic has begun!

In December, the build-up to Christmas starts in earnest. An increasing number of guests from Croatia as well as abroad are lured to Zagreb by its mesmerizing holiday atmosphere. The time of Advent, between Christmas and the New Year, truly is magical in the Croatian capital.

Zrinjevac Park, Flower Square, the Square of Ban Josip Jelačić, the plateau in front of the cathedral, the Home of Croatian Artists, Tomićeva Street leading up to the funicular… Numerous locations in the city centre offer an advent atmosphere and programmes adapted for all ages, tastes, gastronomic preferences and other holiday affinities.

If you like classical music or jazz, we advise you to visit the Flower Square, while the romantic sounds of waltzes, evergreens and classics can be enjoyed at Zrinjevac Park. For those who like making their own gifts or finding unconventional gifts hand made by artists, the best address is the Home of Croatian Artists. For those who wish to experience 1950s Zagreb, which was so excellently portrayed in the best Croatian film of all times – Tko pjeva zlo ne misli (He Who Sings Means no Harm), a short journey in a time-machine from Tomićeva Street, beneath the funicular, will take you right there…

The best part of the Christmas build-up story in Zagreb is that you do not have to choose, as you can visit all of these locations during a pleasant stroll, while profiting from excellent shopping opportunities and snack breaks along the way.

Several sentences hardly suffice to describe all of Zagreb’s holiday season events which is why much more information can be found online at www.adventzagreb.com. Diverse programmes on Zagreb’s squares, as well as in theatres and clubs, and New Year’s Eve parties galore at hotels and restaurants, are all a real opportunity to ring in the New Year 2014 in a merry and relaxed state of mind. This is exactly what we should do, bearing in mind the symbolism of the event which says that the way you start a year says a lot about how that year will go.