winter in croatia and slovenia

No crowds in the city centers, no waiting for the restaurant, and more affordable accommodation prices –sounds like a dream? It is a reality, it’s called the winter season in Croatia, and these are just some of its good sides. If we add to it manifestations and festivities which are happening only in the winter months and a lot of snow for different activities, we hope we got at least a glimpse of your attention. Here are some of the best things to do or sites to visit during the wintertime in Croatia:

Skiing

Croatia has something that is rarely found, and that is the possibility to ski on the mountain and enjoy coffee by the sea, all on the same day. Croatian ski resorts are not large, but they are well-equipped and offer everything for skiers, both beginners and experienced ones. In addition, there are ski resorts in Slovenia nearby, giving plenty of options to choose from.

Sljeme ski resort

Sljeme is the top of Medvednica, a mountain above Zagreb, located at 1033 meters above sea level. An asphalt road and numerous hiking trails lead to it, which is why it is a popular weekend destination for many recreationists. For skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts, Sljeme offers 4000 meters of ski trails arranged in the family, blue, red, and green downhill. The trails are reachable by two ski lifts and one triple chair lift. The Snow Queen Trophy is the slalom race of the World Ski Cup, which has been held on Sljeme every year since 2005. Attracting up to 30.000 spectators, this is one of the most-watched World Cup races on the World Cup calendar.

Ski resort Begovo Razdolje

Located on the western slopes of Bjelolasica (1078 meters above sea level), Begovo Razdolje is the only inhabited place in Croatia above a thousand meters. The top of the ski resort can be reached by the ski lift, and the trail will satisfy the needs of beginners as well as demanding skiers. In addition to the ski resort, there is also a toboggan run for children and a ski school. Begovo Razdolje’s advantage is the closeness of the sea. It takes just one hour to get to coastal Rijeka.

Ski resort Platak

Situated only 25 km northeast of Rijeka, this small family-friendly ski resort offers many opportunities for recreation and relaxation throughout the year. From the top of the Platak chairlift (1363 meters), you can enjoy the sea view. The ski slopes are arranged in the length of nine kilometers and are not interconnected. A two-seater chairlift will take you to the top of the ski resort. Platak also offers a ski and snowboard school and a 10-kilometer cross-country ski and walking trail.

Mariborsko pohorje ski resort

Thanks to its beautiful nature and the rich offer of skiing and hiking trails, this destination, located near the Slovenian town of Maribor, is a real magnet for all winter sports lovers. In total, it offers more than 40 kilometers of well-maintained trails for skiers of all skills and ages and 22 ski lifts. While you ski on Pohorje slopes, it can happen that you see roe deer running between the snowy branches of the tall trees.

Kranjska gora ski resort

This is one of the most beloved Slovenian ski resorts, located in the Gorenjska (Upper Carniola) region. Its 20 km of slopes and 17 ski lifts line from the inclines of Vitranc to Kranjska Gora. In addition to skiing, there are several other programs, such as cross-country skiing, ice climbing, sledding, snow biking, skating, zip-lining, and winter hiking, making it a true paradise for active vacations.

Castles under the snow

Castles of continental Croatia

If you prefer easy walks rather than sports activities and can listen to stories for hours, this is a great destination for you. Green hills, rivers, forests, museums, trails, vineyards and wine routes, delicious food, dear people, and interesting legends are just some of the short lines to describe continental Croatia. This attractive and still unexplored tourist destination is rich in castles and forts, and here are some of the most famous ones:

Veliki Tabor

Architecturally perfectly integrated into the nature that surrounds it, Veliki Tabor is an extremely valuable monument of Croatian culture. It was built around the 15th century and, due to its distinctive appearance, can be found on many brochures and posters. Within the castle, there is a museum with interesting artifacts from every days life open to visitors.

Trakošćan castle

Located by the lake and wrapped in solitude, this gorgeous small castle really looks like one from the fairytale, and if it is covered by snow, the experience is even more intense. Originally built in the 13th century as part of the defense system, Trakošćan got its present appearance in the 19th century when it was restored into a residential castle. Today, Trakošćan is a protected historical ensemble, and it consists of a castle, a building next to it, a park, and a forest park with a lake. The castle also has a museum with a permanent exhibition that contains some enjoyable historical pieces, including a real knight’s armor.

Ozalj Castle

This castle tells the story of the famous noble families Zrinski and Frankopan, who greatly marked Croatian history. Originally built as a stronghold, it has later been converted into a castle. It is situated in Ozalj, above the Kupa river, in an idyllic scenery that, in winter months, gets a thick layer of snow cover.

Slovenian castles

For all of you who want to explore castles slightly further, neighboring Slovenia has a rich list of its fortifications. Only an hour or two drive from the Croatian border, Celje castle, Mokrice castle, and Velenje castle are some of the magnificent buildings which are worth a visit.

Predjama castle

Once you see it, it’s easy to describe it as one of Slovenia’s most stunning castles. Situated within the cave mouth in the region of Inner Carniola, the stories about this Renaissance castle, its founder Erasmus of Lueg, and secret passageways can easily light the imagination. Postojna cave, only 9 kilometers from the castle, is a great additional attraction for all who decide to visit.

Romantic getaway

The biggest Croatian peninsula, Istria, is situated on a 3 hours road drive from Zagreb. Known as Terra Magica or the magical land, this region delights with its natural beauty as well as with its cultural heritage. Small and intimate towns with good food, a nice climate, and the sky so clear that you can gaze at the stars -is there anything better for an unforgettable Valentine’s Day?

And Istria offers plenty of great places. Rovinj and Poreč are two towns situated on the western coast, with a mild climate and friendly local people. It means that even if it’s winter, it won’t get too cold, which gives you plenty of opportunities to enjoy the city with your loved one. The church of St. Euphemia in Rovinj, Grotta Baredine, and Euphrasius basilica in Poreč are must-see places. It is always recommended to try some of the Istrian gastronomic delicacies like truffles, fuži, and pljukanci (Istrian pasta varieties) or Istrian boškarin.

Manifestations and activities

Mandarin harvest in the Neretva valley

An hour-and-a-half road drive south of Split brings a complete change of scenery: from the high mountain ridges to the vast plain of the Neretva Valley. Due to the rich soil and constant inflow of freshwater, this region is also called the Garden of Dubrovnik and is best known for over a million trees of its mandarins. Mandarin picking starts in late September, does not require any prior knowledge, and will provide you with an authentic experience of Neretva Valley – a territory with such a rich fauna that has two protected ornithological reserves.

Opuzen and Metković are the towns that lie on the banks of the Neretva river, and restaurants here offer traditional specialties of the region, such as frogs, eels, seafood, and the famous Neretvanski Brudet (Neretva fish stew).

New Year celebration in Fužine

If you want to say farewell to the Old Year twice, come to Fužine because the celebration of the New Year is at noon. This open-air celebration has become a tradition with a big Sylvester’s party on the central square. Live music, fireworks at noon, local delicacies, and a great atmosphere attract many visitors who want a good time.

Night of Museums

Night of museums is an annual event that takes place on the last Friday in January from 6 pm to 1 am. On that night, most of the museums, some art galleries, and other places of cultural importance offer free entry. The first museum night was held in 2005. and only six museums participated. Over the years, the number of museums has significantly increased, making the list of over 200 of them which can be visited without a fee. On this night, even the museums in small cities all over the country participate in the manifestation, enriching the offer of cultural content.

Festivity of St. Blaise

The beginning of February (3.2.) in Dubrovnik is reserved for the great Festivity of St. Blaise, the city’s Patron Saint. This is a thousand-year-old tradition with the obligatory procession through the beautiful street of Stradun led by the church dignitaries who carry a gilded relic of the saint. They are accompanied by citizens of the Dubrovnik region wearing rich folk costumes and numerous other guests. During the festivities, many secular activities are organized as well. Among the most exciting ones is firing the antique guns in the town’s port. The basic dish on this day is dubrovački makaruli, delicious pasta with beef sauce. Sporki means dirty because this is the meal from the times when meat was reserved only for the rich, meaning that makaruli were only dipped or soiled into the meat sauce.