Menu Close

Christmas in Split - spending Christmas in Croatia

Advertisement

This year it was Christmas in Split for us. We love this amazing Croatian city and have been here several times, but this was the first time we visited the city in winter. It was a cosy and slightly different Christmas.

Tweet
Share
Share
Pin
Share
Share

Christmas in Split - with a nice climate

One of the reasons for celebrating Christmas in Split was to experience a milder climate and a little more sunlight. Croatia is located in southern Europe and Split offered around 15 degrees during the day and sun mixed with clouds. Really nice!

Many restaurants keep their outdoor seating open in winter, and it looks cosy, doesn't it? Some have heat lamps around the tables, which also makes it warm and cosy.

restaurang

In general, it's great that people are hanging out so much outdoors, which is easier when the climate is a bit milder. It also turned out that many people were really dressed up during Christmas, so it was fun to just stand and watch people. A bit like a fashion show!

Jul i Split

A city decorated for Christmas

Split also turned out to be a very well-decorated city. Everywhere you see Christmas trees, garlands, gnomes and various decorations that are lit up in the evening. Nice!

Jul i Split

Christmas in Split - with market and events

Along the entire promenade we found a Christmas market with stalls, where you can buy things like crafts, delicacies and the popular pastry "fritule", which resembles doughnuts.

Jul i Split

There was also a skating rink in one part of town, which was very popular, especially with families with children.

Jul i Split med skridskoåkning

Next to it was an area with tables and food tents, where you could buy everything from sushi to grilled food.

Jul i Split

This place was also open in the evening and even on Christmas Day evening, when many other restaurants were closed. On Christmas Eve, many Croatians go out on the town, but on Christmas Day they are often at home with their families.

Jul i Split

A Christmas shop

We also found a wonderfully charming shop, selling handcrafted Christmas decorations made in Croatia. The shop, which just seems to be called the "Christmas shop" is open all year round, although of course it was high season at this time.

The city's shops were open on Christmas Eve, but were closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

WIFI.se

Croatian Christmas food - and respite from Christmas food

What about the food? Well, as a tourist you mostly eat what is usually on the menus - meat, fish, pasta, risotto, hamburgers - but we actually got to try a Croatian Christmas dish as well. It was not really planned, but when we visited the traditional restaurant Konoba Varos on Christmas Eve, they told us that they had prepared a Christmas dish for the day. Did we want to try it? Yes, we did!

The dish "bakalar" is very similar to what is called "bacalhau" in Portugal. This is salted and dried cod, which we had in a kind of stew. This will not be our favourite dish, but so interesting to try. In addition, the restaurant was incredibly cosy, the wine very good and the atmosphere great.

bakalar

Otherwise, we ate anything but traditional Christmas food. As an example, we can show a fantastic tray that we were served at the restaurant of the hotel where we stayed, that is, Radisson Blu Resort & Spa. Croatians really know how to use air-dried ham and good cheeses!

kroatiska delikatesser

Christmas in Split - more than just Christmas

In a way, we can say that we celebrated Christmas in Split, but at the same time we perhaps travelled to Croatia more for a change of scenery and travel experiences than to celebrate Christmas. Split is a fantastically beautiful and historically interesting city, and it is incredibly cosy just to stroll in all the old charming quarters.

Kroatien

Among other things, we went on a guided tour inside the city centre, and discovered several nice walking paths around it.

Kroatien

We also spent some time at the hotel, Radisson Blu Resort & Spa, which is nicely located by the sea and has a lovely spa, among other things. We will tell you more about this soon!

Radisson Blu Resort & Spa

More to see and do in the neighbourhood

Split has a fantastic location in Croatia. First of all, you can experience the city itself Split. In the neighbourhood, you can make excursions to fantastic places such as the wonderful Island of Brac, the beautiful national park Krka or special locations such as the pirate city Omiš or the city of knights Sinj.

Kroatien
All our top tips about Croatia. Click on the image!

Subscribe to our newsletter