Zagreb Will Remain Directly Connected to Madrid This Winter

November the 1st, 2026 – Zagreb will remain directly connected to Madrid this winter as Croatia Airlines decides to keep the direct link between the two capital cities open outside of summer. The Spanish capital is one of the largest cities in the EU, a paradise for lovers of food, football, history and the irresistible Mediterranean lifestyle. Madrid, with an average altitude of 650 metres, is the second-highest capital in Europe after Andorra. Lana Mindoljevic writes for Putni kofer that this metropolis is now also available to Croatian travellers over winter. Croatia Airlines is, for the first time, opting to continue running its seasonal route between the Croatian and Spanish capitals even after the end of the summer timetable. FLIGHTS ARE ON MONDAYS, THURSDAYS AND SATURDAYS, WITH A BREAK DURING PART OF THE WINTER Direct flights between Zagreb and Madrid will operate until the 16th of January 2027, and then again from the 15th to the 27th of March 2027. In both periods they are scheduled three times a week, on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The only period without flights will therefore be from the 17th of January to the 14th of March. For all three days the departure and arrival times are the same. Departure from Zagreb is at 8:25, and the return from Madrid at 12:10. The flight lasts between two hours and 45 minutes and two hours and 55 minutes. Such a schedule allows, for example, departure on Thursday and return on Monday, with four overnight stays in Madrid. For a shorter break one can combine Saturday departure with return on Monday. The morning flight from Zagreb leaves a good part of the first day for getting to know the city, while on the last day one has to count on leaving for the airport during the morning. madrid is an excellent winter city break from zagreb Madrid is an excellent choice for travellers who like to combine art, architecture and good food. The winter months give a special rhythm to the visit: a colder morning can be spent in a museum, the sunny part of the day in a park, and the evening in one of the city taverns. Although we associate Spain with sun and a warm climate, in Madrid in winter you should not expect spring temperatures. A warm jacket and comfortable shoes are a mandatory part of the luggage. For art lovers the main asset is the famous museum triangle. The ‘Golden Triangle of Art’ consists of three renowned Madrid museums: Museo del Prado, Reina Sofía and Thyssen-Bornemisza, which are home to some of the world’s most valuable art collections. In the Prado one can see Velázquez’s “Las Meninas” (The Maids of Honour), Goya’s “Black Paintings” and Bosch’s “The Garden of Earthly Delights”. The Reina Sofía Museum holds Picasso’s “Guernica”, while Thyssen-Bornemisza offers an overview of European painting through different periods. Instead of trying to see everything in one day, choose the museum that interests you the most and leave it enough time. THE ROYAL PALACE IN WHICH NOBODY ACTUALLY LIVES A first visit to Madrid is hard to imagine without the Royal Palace, Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol. These places can be connected into a walk through the historic centre, with stops for coffee and exploring the surrounding streets. The Royal Palace is the official royal residence even though no one has lived in it since 1967. It has a huge courtyard and an incredible 3,418 rooms, and today it is used exclusively for state ceremonies. The building is open to the public, and for visitors to Madrid the changing of the guard, which takes place every Wednesday and Saturday, could also be interesting. TWO FAMOUS SQUARES THAT SHOULD NOT BE MISSED The famous Puerta del Sol square, translated as the Gate of the Sun or simply ‘Sol’, is an unmissable stop, and on it is the ‘centre of Spain’. Namely, on Sol, in front of the building of the Royal Post Office, there is the well-known plaque that marks ‘kilometre zero’ of all Spanish roads. In the centre of the square there is also a statue of King Charles III, but it is not the most popular statue on the square. It is overshadowed by the statue of a bear standing on its hind legs to feast on the fruits of the madroño tree, a sculpture that essentially symbolises the growth of the city. Plaza Mayor, a gigantic square in the very heart of Madrid, has always been the centre of events. Kings were crowned there, but heads were also cut off. Today coffee is often drunk and time is enjoyed surrounded by beautiful buildings. This very square is also home to the traditional Christmas market, which has been held there since 1860. For a quieter part of the day there is El Retiro park, one of the favourite city green destinations. Together with the Paseo del Prado area it is part of the UNESCO World Heritage. It is nice to fit it into a day dedicated to museums: after a few hours in front of paintings a walk in the open air will be welcome. Madrid is also discovered at the table. In the La Latina neighbourhood, especially around Cava Baja and Cava Alta streets, taverns and bars line up where you can try small bites and share several dishes. Croquettes, patatas bravas and potato tortilla are a good start to such a gastronomic tour. For a cold afternoon save a place for churros with thick hot chocolate, one of the recognisable Madrid sweet stops. If you stay in the city over Sunday, you can spend the morning at El Rastro, the famous flea market where clothes, records, antiques and various small items are browsed, and then continue for lunch in La Latina. the city of football Madrid is known as a city of football, and many visit it precisely to take a look at some of its famous stadiums. In the case of Real Madrid it is Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, which can hold 81 thousand people, and in the case of Atlético de Madrid Wanda Metropolitano. If you are a football lover, you can opt for one of the guided tours and look at the clubs’ memorabilia, jerseys and trophies in the museums on that topic. IN DECEMBER MADRID PUTS ON ITS FESTIVE ATTIRE… A trip in December brings an additional reason to come: illuminated streets, Christmas decorations and the traditional market on Plaza Mayor. A walk through the city then easily turns into an evening tour of festive scenes. For now it is known that Advent begins at the end of November and will last until the end of December, and besides the main location with more than 100 wooden stalls other locations in the city are also decorated. The post Zagreb Will Remain Directly Connected to Madrid This Winter appeared first on Total Croatia .