Month guide · Zagreb · Croatia
Zagreb in December
What December is really like in Zagreb: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Miroslav.vajdic, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
December is one of the best months to visit Zagreb. Expect average highs of 5°C (41°F), lows of -1°C (30°F), about 11 rainy days and roughly 8.7 hours of daylight. Advent makes this one of the busiest months, with lights, concerts and food stalls; book hotels early for weekends.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 5°C (41°F) / -1°C (30°F)
- Rainy days
- About 11
- Daylight
- About 8.7 hours
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in December
December is the 11th-warmest month in Zagreb: days average 5°C (41°F) against a yearly average high of 17°C (63°F), and nights fall to about -1°C (30°F). Rain falls on roughly 11 of its 31 days. Compared with November (10°C (50°F)), December is cooler; by January highs stay near 4°C (39°F).
- Sunrise (15 December)
- About 07:31
- Sunset (15 December)
- About 16:12
- Daylight
- About 8.7 hours
Winter (December–February). Cold with occasional snow; December is lively with Advent markets, while January and February are the quietest and lowest-priced months.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, December rates 4 for crowds (the peak is December at 4) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in December). Book accommodation early: December is one of the pricier months.
Events in December
- Advent in Zagreb — Christmas markets in parks and squares (usually late November to early January)
- Ice skating at King Tomislav Square (usually in Advent)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in December
With cold days, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
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Historic site · Gornji Grad (Upper Town)
Grič Tunnel
A 350-metre tunnel dug under the Upper Town as a Second World War air-raid shelter now serves as a pedestrian shortcut between Mesnička Street and Radićeva Street, and it occasionally hosts exhibitions and events.
- Time needed
- 15 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
Museum · Trešnjevka
Technical Museum Nikola Tesla
Time your visit to catch one of the guided tours of the mine or the Tesla demonstrations.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Rainy day
- History
Gallery · Novi Zagreb
Museum of Contemporary Art
Croatia's largest modern museum building, opened in 2009 in Novi Zagreb, displays Croatian and international art from the 1950s onwards.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Rainy day
- Kids
- Architecture
Museum · Donji Grad (Lower Town)
Museum of Illusions
Visit early or on a weekday, as the rooms get crowded at weekends and the illusions work best with space for photos.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Rainy day
What to pack
For highs near 5°C, lows near -1°C and 11 wet days: a warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; shoes with good grip for icy pavements; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is December a good time to visit Zagreb?
One of the best months to visit Zagreb, with 2 notable events on the calendar. The other best months are May–June and September–October. Compare every month.
Zagreb in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is December a good time to visit Zagreb?
It is one of the best months to visit Zagreb. Advent makes this one of the busiest months, with lights, concerts and food stalls; book hotels early for weekends.
+How warm is Zagreb in December?
Average highs are around 5°C (41°F) and lows around -1°C (30°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Zagreb in December?
Expect rain on about 11 days of the month.