Europe Christmas Markets: Budapest to Zagreb
Europe Christmas Markets: Budapest to Zagreb
8 Days Starting in Budapest, Hungary and ending in Zagreb, Croatia
Visiting: Budapest, Graz, Ljubljana, Bled, Zagreb
Tour operator:
Tour code:
WMSC
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 12
Age range:
15-99
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on a magical journey through the heart of Europe with the "Europe Christmas Markets: Budapest to Zagreb" tour. Experience the enchanting allure of Christmas markets across Hungary, Austria, Slovenia, and Croatia. Begin in Budapest, where the city transforms into a winter wonderland, and indulge in local treats like chimney cakes and mulled wine. Traverse to Graz, exploring its 14 festive markets, and ascend to Schlosberg Castle for breathtaking views. In Ljubljana, wander along the riverbank market, then venture to the fairy tale-like Lake Bled. Conclude in Zagreb, where the Advent Festival illuminates the city with festive cheer. Travel by local transport, savor traditional cuisines, and immerse yourself in the rich cultural tapestry of these vibrant cities. This tour promises a delightful blend of holiday spirit, scenic beauty, and cultural exploration.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Budapest
Location: Budapest
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: hotel
Szia! Welcome to Budapest, Hungary's intoxicating capital. Make your own way to the hotel, where your trip begins with a 6 pm welcome meeting. There are no planned activities for today, but if you arrive early, there is plenty to do and see. This historic city, complete with hilltop castle overlooking the Danube, is beautiful any time of the year, but it becomes even more magical at Christmas time when it's draped in lights and dusted with snow. Perhaps get a first impression of the city on an afternoon stroll, taking in its charming mix of Roman, Gothic and Turkish architecture, or head to Fishermen’s Bastion – a white-stoned, seven-towered structure that looks straight from a fairy tale – for the best view of Budapest. After your important evening meeting, perhaps head out with your new travel buddies and tour leader for dinner, then take a night walk along the Danube River to see the surrounding buildings and bridges lit up in lights. Not to be missed are Budapest's funky 'ruin pubs'.
Day 2: Budapest
Location: Budapest
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: hotel
Get acquainted with Budapest on a morning orientation walk with your tour leader, finishing with a visit to the Budapest Christmas Fair at Vorosmarty Square. Not only is this the oldest and biggest Christmas market in Budapest, it is frequently cited as one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in the world. Discover why as you browse wooden stalls selling local handcrafts, as your senses are treated to wafts of fresh Hungarian pastries (like chimney cakes and home-made strudel), dodolle (potato dumplings), grilled sausage, paprika-infused goulash and other various street foods fill the air. Don’t miss sampling a freshly baked chimney cake (Kurtoskalacs) or dough shaped as a cone, covered in sugar and cinnamon. Enjoy an included food tasting and a warming glass of mulled wine in the market. Afterwards, you have a free afternoon to further explore on your own. You might want to check out some of the smaller markets scattered around the city – head to Deak Ferenc Steet (frequently called Fashion Street), Varoshaza Park, St. Stephen’s Basilica, Erzsebet Square and Gozsdu Udvar to find just a few – or jump on a tram and make your way to City Park for outdoor ice skating in front on the gorgeous Vajdahunyad Castle. Follow this is a warm soak in the Budapest baths. Keep the Christmas spirit going in the evening, taking in festival music at one of the many venues in town.
Included Activities:
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Day 3: Graz
Location: Graz
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: hotel
Travel by train to Graz (about 6 hours). Austria’s second largest city has no less than 14 Christmas markets open over the holiday season. Start off with a visit to the main one at Hauptplatz square in front of the town hall. Find vendors selling a mix of traditional Austrian handicrafts and culinary treats, a towering Christmas tree decked in lights and a carousel for the young at heart.After take a spectacular funicular ride up to The Schlosberg Castle for a visit and to experience some high-altitude Christmas Markets that are right inside. On your way down you can choose to either go on food, via the WW2 tunnel or as an optional activity, should you feel more adventurous, via the tallest indoor slide in the world. The slide is 64m tall and more than 170m long. In the evening, an advent calendar is projected on the town hall to great effect. Afterwards, enjoy free time to explore a few more of the markets scattered around town; all 14 are within easy walking distance.
Included Activities:
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Day 4: Ljubljana
Location: Ljubljana
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: hotel
Travel by train to Slovenia’s capital, Ljubljana (about 3.5 hours). Set amongst grand lakes and mountains, Slovenia’s picturesque towns offer an idyllic backdrop at any time of year. But in winter, the spectacular scenery becomes even more captivating with a dusting of snow and frost-covered trees. Upon arrival, set out to explore the town with your leader and visit the main Christmas market on the banks of Ljubljanica river. Perhaps head out to Metelkova Mesto in the evening to experience the local nightlife.
Included Activities:
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Day 5: Bled / Ljubljana
Location: Bled
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: hotel
Today you’ll take a one-hour bus ride to the lakeside town of Bled. Gifted with immense natural beauty, Bled ranks among the most beautiful alpine resorts in the world; its fairy tale-like scenery – which includes an 11th-century cliff-top castle, a stunning lake and a picturesque island topped with a church – is a dream to explore. Depending on the weather, you can choose to visit Bled Castle, join your leader on a 6-kilometre/4-mile walk around the lake or climb to Ojstrica viewpoint for some amazing vistas. Warm up with coffee or hot chocolate and a slice of kremsnita (Bled’s famous cream cake) before taking the public bus back to Ljubljana.
Included Activities:
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Day 6: Zagreb
Location: Zagreb
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: hotel
Travel to Zagreb this morning (about 2.5 hours by train). Nestled below Mt Medvednica, Croatia’s thriving capital is an exciting winter destination. A month-long Advent festival transforms the city into an illuminated winter wonderland, complete with acres of fairy-lights, huge Christmas trees, nativity scenes, temporary ice rinks, mulled wine stalls and igloo-shaped rakija (a potent local drop) bars. The Christmas market here is considered among the best in Europe. Head out on an evening walking tour to see the city in full Christmas splendour. A local guide will provide an insight into Croatian Christmas tradition, such as why Croatian’s used to keep their turkeys out on their balconies before Christmas dinner.
Included Activities:
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Day 7: Mt Medvednica / Zagreb
Location: Zagreb
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Lunch
Take in the panoramic view of Zagreb on the cable car ride to Sljeme, the summit of Medvednica mountain. If you weren’t fortunate enough to see snow at previous destinations on this trip, you’ll likely get the chance to experience a true winter wonderland here in the mountains, which always see a fair bit of snow during the winter. Savour the snow-covered sights on a short walk with your tour leader, before enjoying a traditional Croatian lunch. Feast on local specialties like soup, meat stew or sarma (cabbage rolls stuffed with meat), then return to Zagreb for your final night.
Included Activities:
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Day 8: Zagreb
Location: Zagreb
Your festive adventure come to an end after breakfast. There are no planned activities for today.
What's Included
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Accommodation
Hotel (7 nights) -
Meals
7 breakfasts, 1 lunches -
Budapest - Christmas Snacks and Mulled Wine Tasting
Enjoy a tasting of Christmas snacks and mulled wine in Budapest.
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Budapest - Leader-led orientation walk
Participate in a leader-led orientation walk in Budapest.
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Budapest - Christmas Market
Visit the Christmas Market in Budapest.
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Graz - Christmas Market Visit
Explore the Christmas Market in Graz.
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Graz - Schlosberg Castle Visit and Funicular Ride
Visit Schlosberg Castle and enjoy a funicular ride in Graz.
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Ljubljana - Christmas Market
Visit the Christmas Market in Ljubljana.
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Bled - Day Trip to Lake Bled
Take a day trip to explore the scenic Lake Bled.
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Zagreb - Walking Tour of Christmas Markets with Local Guide
Join a walking tour of Zagreb's Christmas Markets with a local guide.
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Zagreb - Cable car to Sljeme
Take a cable car ride to Sljeme in Zagreb.
What's Not Included
Single SupplementA single supplement is bookable on this trip, subject to availability.
Transport
TRANSPORT IN EUROPEHalf the fun of travel is the travelling itself, that's why we like to travel the local way – whether that means mingling with commuters on a local train, watching the scenery roll by from the window of a long distance bus, arriving on a high speed train in the city centre of your next destination, or navigating each city's public transport system. In Europe, you are guaranteed to travel by genuine local public transport wherever possible, which puts you right in the centre of the action.
Included Activities
Budapest - Christmas Snacks and Mulled Wine TastingBudapest - Christmas Market VisitGraz - Christmas Market VisitLjubljana - Christmas Market VisitBled - Day Trip to Lake BledZagreb - Walking Tour of Christmas Markets with Local GuideMt Medvednica - Mountain Day TripMt Medvednica - Cable CarMt Medvednica - Traditional Croatian Lunch
Accommodation
OCCASIONAL ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATIONThe style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline. On rare occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our usual accommodation. A similar standard of accommodation will be used in these instances.TWIN SHARE BASISAccommodation on this trip is on a twin/multishare basis. We pair up solo travellers with another traveller of the same gender as per the gender marker on each of their passports. Please note there may be times where facilities will be shared rather than ensuite and rare occasions when you share a room with passengers travelling on different Intrepid trips than your own.CHECK-IN TIMEThroughout the trip we request that our hotels prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination.PRE/POST TRIP ACCOMMODATIONIf you've purchased pre-trip or post-trip accommodation (if available), you may be required to change rooms from your trip accommodation for these extra nights.FACILITIESYour accommodation may not always have private en suite facilities or air-conditioning. European hotels generally don't provide kettles or fridges.
Important Information
1. A single supplement is bookable on this trip, subject to availability. Please speak to your agent for further information.
Mode of Transport
Travel throughout Europe using genuine local public transport, including local trains, long-distance buses, and city public transport systems. This approach ensures an authentic travel experience, putting you right in the center of the action.
Accommodation
Accommodation on this tour is on a twin/multishare basis, with occasional alternative arrangements due to availability. Facilities may be shared, and rooms may not always have private en suite facilities or air-conditioning. European hotels generally don't provide kettles or fridges.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of transportation is used during the tour?
The tour uses genuine local public transport wherever possible, including local trains, long-distance buses, and city public transport systems, allowing you to mingle with locals and experience the journey as part of the adventure.
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What can I expect from the accommodation during the tour?
Accommodation is on a twin/multishare basis, and solo travelers are paired with another traveler of the same gender. Facilities may be shared rather than ensuite, and on rare occasions, you might share a room with passengers from other tours. European hotels generally do not provide kettles or fridges.
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What is the highlight of the visit to Budapest's Christmas market?
The Budapest Christmas Fair at Vorosmarty Square is the oldest and biggest Christmas market in Budapest, known for its beauty. You can enjoy local handcrafts, Hungarian pastries like chimney cakes, and a variety of street foods, along with a tasting of Christmas snacks and mulled wine.
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What unique experience does Graz offer during the tour?
In Graz, you can visit the main Christmas market at Hauptplatz square and take a funicular ride to Schlosberg Castle, where you can explore high-altitude Christmas markets. There's also an optional experience of sliding down the tallest indoor slide in the world.
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What activities are included in the visit to Lake Bled?
At Lake Bled, you can visit Bled Castle, take a walk around the lake, or climb to the Ojstrica viewpoint for stunning views. You can also enjoy a slice of Bled's famous cream cake, kremsnita, before returning to Ljubljana.
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What can I expect from the Christmas markets in Zagreb?
Zagreb's Christmas market is part of a month-long Advent festival, transforming the city into a winter wonderland with fairy-lights, Christmas trees, nativity scenes, ice rinks, and mulled wine stalls. A local guide will provide insights into Croatian Christmas traditions during an evening walking tour.
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What is the experience like on Mt Medvednica near Zagreb?
You will take a cable car ride to Sljeme, the summit of Medvednica mountain, where you can enjoy snow-covered sights and a short walk. A traditional Croatian lunch featuring local specialties like soup, meat stew, or sarma is included.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room
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Free Date Changes
Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions