Walk the ancient streets of the city’s Old Town and pause to admire some of its grand sights while enjoying local specialties paired with a glass of regional wine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This tour is a wonderful opportunity to engage with Dubrovnik’s rich gastronomic landscape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nContinuing your exploration of Croatian Christmas markets, I recommend you to read my Croatia Christmas Market guide.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Christmas in Dubrovnik<\/h2>\n\n\n\nFood Specialties<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Bakalar na Bijelo<\/strong>: A traditional dish enjoyed during the Christmas season, Bakalar na Bijelo is made of dried cod. The cod is soaked for days and then cooked with potatoes, garlic, and olive oil until it reaches a creamy, puree-like consistency. It is a staple in Croatian households, particularly on Christmas Eve.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSarma<\/strong>: Rolled cabbage leaves filled with a delicious mix of minced pork, rice, and various spices. The rolls are then cooked in a tomato sauce and often served with mashed potatoes. While traditionally made with meat, it can easily be adapted for vegetarians by using a filling of mushrooms, rice, and spices instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFritule<\/strong>: These are small doughnuts, often enjoyed during the Christmas season. They are typically flavoured with brandy and lemon zest, then sprinkled with powdered sugar. They’re a sweet treat you’d commonly find at home gatherings rather than at the Christmas market.<\/p>\n\n\n\nArancini<\/strong>: Not to be confused with the Italian rice balls of the same name, Croatian arancini are candied orange peels. The peels are soaked in water for a few days to reduce their bitterness, then boiled in sugar syrup. Once cooled, they’re coated in sugar, resulting in a sweet, citrusy treat that’s popular during Christmas.<\/p>\n\n\n\nMakovnja\u010da<\/strong>: This poppy seed roll is a traditional dessert in Croatia. It’s made by spreading a mixture of ground poppy seeds, sugar, and lemon zest on a thin layer of yeast dough, then rolling it up and baking it. The result is a delicious, slightly sweet roll that’s perfect for dessert or a snack.<\/p>\n\n\n\nKrpice sa zeljem<\/strong>: A hearty dish perfect for cold winter days, krpice sa zeljem consists of homemade pasta ribbons cooked with sauteed cabbage. While it’s a simple dish, the combination of pasta and cabbage, flavoured with garlic, black pepper, and sometimes a dash of vinegar, creates a comforting, satisfying meal. This dish can be enjoyed by vegetarians and is often served during the festive season.<\/p>\n\n\n\nRo\u017eata<\/strong>: A classic Dubrovnik dessert, Ro\u017eata is similar to a cr\u00e8me caramel or flan. Made with simple ingredients like milk, sugar, eggs, and a local sweet liqueur called ‘Rozalin’, it’s topped with caramel syrup and often garnished with candied orange peels. You might find this sweet treat at stalls selling home-cooked-style desserts.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSausages<\/strong>: A staple at many Christmas markets, you’re likely to come across a variety of sausages in Dubrovnik’s market stalls. These can range from international favourites like bratwurst to local varieties such as ‘kulen’, a spicy Croatian sausage made from minced pork.<\/p>\n\n\n\nCheeses<\/strong>: Croatia is known for its wide variety of cheeses, and several stalls at the Dubrovnik Christmas market display an impressive selection. Look out for ‘pa\u0161ki sir’, a hard sheep’s milk cheese from the Island of Pag, and ‘skuta’, a soft curd cheese that’s a Croatian delicacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\nKuhano Vino<\/strong>: This is the Croatian take on mulled wine. Made from local red or white wines, kuhano vino is heated and mixed with sugar and a blend of spices such as cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Sometimes, the addition of citrus fruits like oranges or lemons gives it an extra festive kick.<\/p>\n\n\n\nGifts and Stocking Fillers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Croatian Olive Oil<\/strong>: Croatia is famous for its high-quality olive oil. You’re likely to find beautifully packaged bottles of extra virgin olive oil, perfect for gifting. Look out for oils from the Dalmatian region, renowned for their quality and flavour.<\/p>\n\n\n\nHandmade Ornaments<\/strong>: At Dubrovnik’s Christmas market, you can find a variety of handmade Christmas decorations. These can range from intricately painted baubles to ornaments crafted from local materials such as wood, ceramics, or glass.<\/p>\n\n\n\nLace Products<\/strong>: The city of Dubrovnik and the nearby island of Pag are famous for traditional lace-making. You can find a wide range of items, from tablecloths and napkins to more contemporary products like lace jewellery, which make for unique and delicate gifts.<\/p>\n\n\n\nKonavle Embroidery<\/strong>: Originating from the Konavle region south of Dubrovnik, this traditional embroidery style is used to decorate clothing, especially the traditional costumes. Items adorned with this distinct, colourful needlework, such as scarves or decorative pieces, are both beautiful and representative of the area’s culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\nLocal Spirits<\/strong>: Croatian brandy, known as ‘rakija’, is a popular local product you might find in the market. Flavours can vary from classic grape to more unique infusions like fig, walnut, or honey. Beautifully packaged, they make great gifts for spirit enthusiasts.<\/p>\n\n\n\nTravel Information<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Visit Dubrovnik<\/a> is the city’s official website that provides a wealth of helpful resources and information for visitors to Dubrovnik, making it a handy tool to easily navigate the city and find events.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSustainability Tips<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Here are a few tips on how we can travel more responsibly in Dubrovnik at Christmas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Opt for Renewable Energy Hotels<\/strong>: Many hotels in Dubrovnik make use of solar panels for heating and electricity. By choosing accommodations that utilise renewable energy, you directly support sustainable practices in the tourism industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\nReduce Food Waste<\/strong>: To minimise food waste, try to plan your meals and portion sizes, particularly at the Christmas market, where the food is plentiful. Many stalls at the Dubrovnik market, like those serving fritule, prepare their food in small batches to avoid excess waste, so follow their example and only order what you can eat.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPractise Ethical Consumption<\/strong>: Support local artisans at the Christmas festival whenever possible instead of purchasing mass-produced items. Buying locally helps the economy and reduces the carbon footprint associated with transporting goods from overseas.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFollow a Sustainable Diet<\/strong>: Eating local and seasonal food is a great way to follow a sustainable diet. In Dubrovnik, you’ll find an abundance of fresh local produce, seafood, and traditional dishes at the Christmas market and local restaurants.<\/p>\n\n\n\nUse Sustainable Transport<\/strong>: Dubrovnik’s Old Town is a pedestrian-only zone, making walking the best mode of transport. Consider using public transport or renting a bicycle for longer distances to reduce your carbon footprint.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIf you would like to leave a review of Dubrovnik Xmas Market, comment below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Recommendations are independently chosen based on personal travel experiences and extensive research. This post contains affiliate links to hotels and tours in Dubrovnik, Croatia. This means I get a small commission from any bookings at no extra cost to you.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Dubrovnik’s atmosphere exudes a calm warmth even in winter, drawing you into its historic stone walls and scenic views of the Adriatic Sea. Dubrovnik Christmas Market and Winter Festival add to the city’s allure, inviting both locals and tourists to enjoy the traditional Croatian holiday spirit amidst the backdrop of this ancient city. In this…<\/p>\n
Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":13681,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nDubrovnik Christmas Market 2024: The Winter Festival<\/title>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n