Where to Go Christmas Shopping in Zagreb, Croatia
Zagreb springs to life in the run-up to Christmas. It’s not only the Advent celebrations, the yuletide stalls around the city centre, public skating rink and seasonal entertainment, but the installations, decorations and shop windows. To complement the Christmas gifts, quirkier design boutiques and delicatessens offer uniquely Croatian styles, tastes and flavours.
Advent market
As part of the now extensive Advent in Zagreb celebrations that transform the city centre from late November until early January, rustic cabins are set up along four streets near the main square, Jelačić. Lining Bogovićeva, Gajeva, Petrićeva and Varšavska, vendors offer hand-crafted artefacts, woolen goods, gifts and souvenirs. There’s also mulled wine, sausages and roast chestnuts, imbuing the whole scene with yuletide aromas.
1. Love, Ana
If you’re looking for completely original, oftentimes zany, household items that you can take home, the award-winning outlet for the design studio of Ana Tevšić Nauković and team should be on your itinerary. Love, Ana is full of bright ideas, from bucket bags to cone-shaped hand mirrors, customised beanbags and traveller lamps.
Love, Ana, Dežmanov prolaz 4, Zagreb, Croatia, +385 1 5801 675
https://www.instagram.com/p/BaLok4fjGah/
3. Konzum
To find cold cuts, cheeses, preserves, wines and sundry tasty domestic products, you needn’t splash out at an expensive delicatessen. Pop into any branch of nationwide supermarket chain Konzum – such as the one on downtown Praška – and you can pick up a range of quality Croatian goodies at everyday prices.
Konzum, Praška 10, Zagreb, Croatia, +385 800 400 000
4. Dolac market
Market, Market
In the run-up to Christmas, Zagreb’s Dolac market, behind the main square, stocks more than the usual apples and carrots. Wooden toys, souvenirs bearing the Croatian flag and cute little gifts can also be found – plus preserves and easy-to-carry foodstuffs, honeys, lace and perhaps the odd home-made grappa hiding under some stallholder’s regular wares.
Dolac 9, Zagreb, Croatia, +385 1 6422 501
5. Take me home
Shop
6. Ljevak
Bookstore
7. Karma
Store
8. Boudoir
Funky, quirky Boudoir is where to come for beautiful lace dresses and unique ladies’ headgear, as well as contemporary fashions. Run by equally idiosyncratic twin sisters, Boudoir comes into its own when you’ve a special event to attend at New Year and nothing to go in.
Boudoir, Radićeva 22, Zagreb, Croatia, +385 91 481 3464
9. Bornstein
Bar, Croatian
10. Croata
For that touch of authenticity to your Christmas gift, Croata provides neckties and cravats from the country that invented them (cravat=Croatia). While you might not find any examples from the 1600s, when the French discovered them as essential attire for Croatian soldiers, you can choose among chic, contemporary designs, as well as accessories such as wallets, scarves and belts.
Croata, Oktogon Arcade, Ilica 5, Zagreb, Croatia, +385 1 6457 052
https://www.instagram.com/p/BaUSa-SgasN/?tagged=croata
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