Zagreb Advent and Christmas markets: a walking route
Zagreb Advent starts on Saturday, 28 November 2026, and runs until 7 January 2027. From 25 to 27 November the locations are already open, before the official opening. The City of Zagreb and the Zagreb Tourist Board publish the daily programme on adventzagreb.hr.
Advent is not one market but a series of locations across the centre. Most are in Donji grad (the Lower Town); the quieter part is up in Gornji grad (the Upper Town). You can walk all of it. The route below runs from south to north, from the Main Station to the viewpoint on Strossmayer Promenade.
King Tomislav Square
The square in front of the Main Station turns into an ice rink in winter. Last year it hosted the Ice Park, with skating and a show on ice on opening day. If you arrive by train, this is the first thing you see.
Zrinjevac
A park with plane trees and a music pavilion, just north of King Tomislav Square. In December it is full of lights and stalls, and it can be the most crowded part of Advent, especially on Friday and Saturday evenings. For a calmer visit, come on a weekday before dark.
Ban Jelačić Square
The city's main square. Food and drink stalls are on the square and along Gajeva and Bogovićeva streets. Last year Advent opened with the lighting of the first Advent candle at the Manduševac fountain.
Funicular and the Upper Town
From Ilica, turn into Tomićeva Street. The funicular takes you up to Lotrščak Tower in about a minute. At the top are Strossmayer Promenade and Plato Gradec, with views over the rooftops of the Lower Town. Advent up here is quieter and slower than on the squares below. Last year, from 13 December, the Upper Town hosted ZagreBal, an open-air dance.
Practical tips
- The busiest times are Friday and Saturday evenings. Last year the streets around Zrinjevac and King Tomislav Square were closed to cars in the evening, so walking or taking the tram is the easiest way into the centre.
- December in Zagreb is usually around freezing. Dress for a few hours outdoors.
- The button below opens these stops in the planner, which puts them in order and shows the walk on a map.
Where to stay near Advent
Two of our apartments in Donji grad are within walking distance of every location. BlueDahlia is 4 minutes from the Main Station, in front of which is King Tomislav Square. SilverShine is 13 minutes from Ban Jelačić Square. Booking directly on our website is 10% cheaper than our base price on booking platforms.
Stops on this route
- King Tomislav Square
- Zrinjevac park
- Ban Jelačić Square
- The funicular
- Lotrščak Tower
- Strossmayer promenade