Successful Advent in Zagreb comes to an end

ZAGREB, 6 January 2019 – Advent in Zagreb came to an end in the Croatian capital on Sunday. 

The lighting of the first advent candle at Manduševac fountain on Ban Jelačić square signalled the start of Advent in Zagreb on 1 December and according to the reaction of visitors, traders and organisers, it has been a successful 37 days.  

Zagreb’s Christmas markets were voted the best in Europe for the past three years in a row and that has helped draw in the crowds with 13% more tourists visiting the city over the Advent period. 

Overnight stays were also up 15% from last year. 

Advent events were held around the city, such as Ban Jelačić square, Zrinjevac, Tomislavac, Bogovićeva street, Strossmayer, European square, Maksimir zoo and Tkalčićeva street.

With a wide gastro offering this year, more than half a billion euros was estimated to be spent over the Advent period in Zagreb. 

The largest number of tourists this Advent arrived from Bosnia and Herzegovina, followed by Austria, Slovenia and Italy. This year there were also a large increase in tourists from Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines.  

Advent in Zagreb has also been popular on the internet. 

“We got the analysis back that 38 million people from all over the world searched on Google for Advent in Zagreb. A lot more searches than Advent in Vienna or any other city which organises Christmas markets. This is a big thing and very positive,” Zagreb Tourist Board director Martina Bienenfeld said.