Winter brings a special charm to many corners of Europe, especially when traveling with the family. Beyond the capitals famous for their Christmas markets and classic attractions, there are also lesser-known destinations, but ideal for holidays with children.
December is a special month for any family. In addition to the festive atmosphere, the rush for gifts and the hope for a better year, both children and parents benefit from free days that they want to make the most of in the most pleasant way. And vacations in Europe are a handy solution especially for those who can afford or have managed to plan their trip in advance. There are countries, dream regions, where family vacations make all the money. And we’re talking magical locations that bring the spirit of Christmas of yesteryear.
The capital of Christmas on the shores of the Adriatic
Perhaps the most beautiful place to spend Christmas or at least the period leading up to this holiday is Zagreb, the capital of Croatia. A location often undervalued by Romanians and the summit not as expensive as other destinations in Western Europe.
Zagreb is a vibrant, lively city, an incredible mix of cultures where the sophisticated attitude of Central Europe blends perfectly with the relaxed charm of the Adriatic. Zagreb impresses with its architecture, traditions but above all with the fact that it is a true cultural hub, hosting a thriving creative scene, countless cultural institutions and also some of the country’s best restaurants.
Well, in December, the capital of Croatia shines. Three years in a row, Zagreb received the title of the city with the most beautiful Christmas market in Europe, by European Best Destination. And that’s because for a family with children, Christmas in Zagreb is a spectacular experience. Croatia’s capital is completely transformed into an enchanting winter wonderland. No fewer than 25 Christmas markets are open in the city, spread across the most important urban areas, from pedestrian streets to squares and community agoras.
Each fair, in each location, has its own unique theme and atmosphere. On the charming stalls you can find handicrafts, Christmas tree ornaments, books in several languages, sweets as well as stalls with local food and aromatic mulled wine. Twinkling lights, colorful ornaments and seasonal decorations round out a daily schedule of outdoor entertainment and performances.
Importantly, the town and the fairs themselves offer a multitude of activities for all ages, from various traditional craft workshops to interactive theater, dance and music performances. The same can be said about the things sold at the stalls. They are for all ages and above all represent the joy of universal childhood, without gadgets, only with toys that have fascinated children for millennia. Among the items you can find are decorative ornaments, candles, ceramics, jewellery, woolen scarves and hats, a wide range of toys and much more. Also popular souvenirs from northern Croatia can be found, some hand-carved wooden toys from the Hrvatsko Zagorje region. This craft, developed in the 19th century by villagers along the pilgrimage route to the shrine of Our Lady of the Snows, is included in the UNESCO heritage.
The toys, made of soft wood, represent a multitude of objects and creatures from whistles, horses, roosters, birds, butterflies or doll furniture and spinning dancers. Cut and carved by men and hand-painted by village women, no two toys are alike. At the same time, the sweet round cake called Licitar, in the shape of a red heart, which has become a symbol of Croatia, should not be missed. These brightly painted cakes date back to the 13th century. At the time they were edible, but now they are mainly ornamental. And they find their place on UNESCO’s representative list. Beyond wooden toys, clothes and hand-made jewelry, in Zagreb, around Christmas, you can’t go hungry. It is full of food stalls. Local products such as kobasice (homemade pork sausages), their sarma variant, strukli (baked dough filled with cottage cheese and cream) and fritule (small fried dough balls dusted with powdered sugar and occasionally covered in chocolate or caramel) are not to be missed.
There are also hot drinks, such as kuhano vino (a type of mulled wine), but also spirits, such as rakija (a type of brandy), with a variety of flavors. Besides shopping and eating, every year brings new ways to enjoy the Christmas atmosphere in Zagreb, with many concerts, activities, games and entertainment. Annual attractions include the open-air skating rink in the “King Tomislav” Square, the nativity scene with real characters played out in front of the Zagreb Cathedral, and the imaginative themed installations in the Grič Tunnel. Numerous stages in the city host live concerts. Even public transport in Zagreb transforms in December.
More precisely, the Christmas tram, which runs along Praška Street, connecting Ban Jelačić Square with Zrinjevac, is driven by Santa Claus himself. And if you’ve still made it to Zagreb, it’s worth a trip to Varazdin, a picturesque and beautifully preserved baroque town affectionately called “the city where angels sleep.” Once the capital of Croatia for a short time, this splendid little town has a lot to offer the curious traveler, from the charming center to the museums, churches and medieval castle. Trakošćan Castle can also be visited, located on the banks of the Drava River, in the Krapina-Zagorje region, about an hour north of Zagreb. Originally built in the late 13th century, the castle is a cultural treasure, built into a fairytale landscape. It is open as a museum and is full of baroque furniture as well as historical weapons.
The singing tree, the Christmas village and one of the biggest fairs in Europe
For those who still prefer snow-laden Central European experiences and the atmosphere of the Alps, then Zurich can become a dream destination. And that’s because Christmas in Zurich is straight out of a fairy tale, with sparkling fir trees, mulled wine, Christmas lights, tasty traditional dishes and the sound of carols in the cool, fresh mountain air. Zurich is a suitable destination for the whole family. And that’s because it has not one, but four main Christmas markets. We no longer count the smallest ones. The most impressive Christmas market in Zurich is Wienachtsdorf, the “Christmas Village”. It is located by the shores of Lake Zurich in Sechseläutenplatz, in front of the Zurich Opera House. The village consists of over a hundred cottages, stalls and workshops offering culinary delights, local handicrafts and more. At the same time, an ice rink was set up in the “village” where children can have fun with giant toy penguins.
Another attraction is the “Fondue Hut” where they sell traditional Swiss food and a lot of glüwein (red wine, sweetened with lots of spices and citrus). Interesting and also not to be missed is the “Singing Christmas Tree” and the Weihnachtsmart which is right next to the shopping street Bahnhofstrasse, where there is a famous urban installation called “Lucy Lights” in Zurich.
It’s a giant net of lights, named ‘Lucy’ after the Beatles song ‘Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds’. Each LED bulb (approx. 12000) is surrounded by cut glass crystal to create a romantic Christmas diamond and star effect. The Zurich train station is home to the city’s most central Christmas market, but also the largest indoor Christmas market in Europe. Impressive is the 10-meter high tree decorated with thousands of Swarovski crystals.
The magic of winter at the Arctic Circle
Beyond Christmas markets and urban fun, those seeking the authenticity of the winter atmosphere can find it above the Arctic Circle in Tromso, a gateway to Norway’s arctic wilderness, where snow-covered landscapes stretch from the city’s vibrant harbor to the rugged peaks of the Lyngen Alps. The interplay between the polar twilight and the aurora borealis transforms the region into a land of changing colors and fresh, invigorating air. An experience hard to describe in words, both for children and adults. Here, nature sets the tone and everyone lives to its rhythm, from the gentle silence of falling snow to the distant calls of seabirds along the fjords.
Tromso’s unique blend of urban culture and untouched nature makes it an exceptional destination for those looking for authentic arctic adventures. For example, in Tromso you have the opportunity to live incredible experiences going with dog sleds, through birch forests but also on the immensity of the polar tundra. The adventurous get the famous “snowshoes” with which they can walk through wild areas along the ridges and Ersfjordbotn discovering panoramic views of the mountains and fjords. On this occasion you can go fishing on the huge frozen lakes. Every experience is shaped by arctic light, from the soft pastels of midday to the electric green of the nighttime aurora. Obviously, in Tromso you can practice winter sports, especially cross-country skiing, with incredible laps on the frozen lakes or on the slopes of Kvaløya, where the sea glistens in the sky.
All these adventures can be practiced without emotions considering that tourists can rely on experienced and highly skilled local guides, licensed professionals who put safety first, providing high quality equipment adapted to sub-zero temperatures and variable conditions. Participants receive detailed instruction on technique and safety, and the guides adapt the routes according to the weather and the ability of the group. The logistics are perfect, with transport to remote departure points and warm shelters along the way. The ideal season for winter experiences in Tromso is from the end of November to the beginning of April, when the snow cover is thick enough and the polar night brings the magic of the aurora borealis. Most activities are accessible to beginners, with guides providing instruction and support.
