A country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, Croatia has become a hugely popular destination in recent years thanks to its sandy beaches, sapphire seas and rich history dating back to Roman and Venetian times. A country that offers a never-ending stretch of coastline and over a thousand islands along its coast at the Adriatic Sea, a variety of medieval towns and villages, and a pleasant Mediterranean climate. In the continental areas, the terrain is varied with plains, lakes and rolling hills, while densely wooded mountains are found in Lika and Gorski Kotar, which are part of the Dinaric Alps. In contrast, the Adriatic coast region is a narrow coastal belt with rocky coastlines and lovely beaches.
Croatia has 3 differentiated climates: Istria, the Adriatic coast and the islands with mild winters and sunny and dry summers. The Dinaric Alps with cold and snowy winters and cool summers, leading to sporadical thunderstorms. Finally, in the interior areas of the country experience continental climate.
The best time of the year to visit Croatia is May/June and September/October when the weather is pleasant and sunny, but not too hot and the country is not crowded. This makes it ideal for swimming and sunbathing, as well as sightseeing, allowing you to make the most of Croatia. July and August are high season with plenty of international and local holiday-makers and can be very hot. From October to March, the coast can be very quiet and a number of hotels and tourist attractions may even be closed. However, the mild winters offer relaxed sightseeing opportunities in the historic centres of Dubrovnik, Split and Zadar. For making the most of Croatian beaches it is best to travel from mid to late May. The rainiest months are November and December.
Snorkelling and Diving: water temperatures start raising in June from the 17°/18° C, when days become regularly warm. The sea is the warmest during August with average temperatures around 24 ° C. In September the sea temperatures gradually and slowly decrease thanks to shorter and milder days, but typically remaining above the 20° C until early October.
Historical sites, ruins and old towns: the shoulder months of April, May, September and October are a great time to visit with a pleasant climate, clear skies and fewer crowds. This is also the best time to travel inland Istria and national park areas, like the Plitvice Lakes and the River Krka, since trees are at their best and visitor numbers are low.
Hiking: Croatia is home to incredible natural beauty, and it doesn’t end at the coast. Prime time for hiking in Croatia are late spring and early autumn, summer being generally hot and less pleasant. Local festivals and changing colours of vegetation make autumn a very interesting season.
Birdwatching: in Croatia is very interesting throughout the year with 390 bird species having been reported in Croatia. The liveliest seasons are spring and autumn. Autumn signals both the departure of species that nest in Croatia and the arrival of visitors from northern Europe and Asia, while in spring the species that spend their winters in warmer Africa return to nest.
The Croatian Kuna is the official currency. Typically, 7 to 8 Kuna per Euro and 6 to 7 Kuna per US Dollar.
Croatian is the official language, but English is widely spoken, specially in touristic areas. The majority of Croatians speak at least one foreign language.
Even prior to EU entry, many foreign visitors did not normally require visas to enter Croatia, only an ID until 90 days. Citizens of the U.K., EU countries, the U.S., Canada, Australia and New Zealand did not (and do not) need visas to visit Croatia. Visitors can visit Croatia for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
ATMs are now nearly everywhere in Croatia except the most remote and uninhabited islands. Just check the “bankomat” displays the logo of the card you are looking for. Visa, Mastercard, Cirrus, Plus, Maestro, and Eurocard are the most commonly accepted cash cards; American Express is slightly scarcer. Card payments are also widely accepted.
Cafes and restaurants are flexible and it is generally possible to eat and drink any time between 11:00 and 22:00. Small shops and department stores are generally open from 8:00 to 20:00, normally closing on Sunday, except on areas busy with tourists. Closing stores between 12:00 and 16:00 is common in summer. Normally prices are fixed in stores and street stalls, and bargaining is not expected.
Time: GMT + 1 hour
Zagreb is the biggest airport in Croatia serving its capital Zagreb and its vicinities, and is probably the main option if travelling in the inner areas of the country. Dubrovnik is in the very south is the most important airport in Croatia with the highest passenger traffic, especially during summer season, and is also a good option when visiting neighbouring Bosnia or Montenegro. Pula is probably best if you want to explore the history-rich region of Istria. Zadar and Split provide easy access to some of the most beautiful beaches and islands in Croatia, halfway along the Adriatic coast.
It is important to bear in mind that, despite Croatia is a small country, it is very mountainous and spread out, specially along the coast.
The price of internal flights can be cheaper than taking a train or bus, especially off-season and off-hours. Whether domestic or international, prices are significantly higher during the summer, so booking well ahead is recommended.
Driving is a great option specially offering independence, flexibility and convenience. Even if public transport is generally good, specially between major cities, getting to smaller towns or off the beaten track and island villages can be complicated. It is worth noting, however, that many old towns and sea promenades are closed to traffic and the lack of parking could be a problem. In case you are renting a car, your will find plenty of local and international companies specially, but early booking is recommended if visiting during the summer. With rental prices starting at €18/day, car rental in Croatia can be excellent value. In general, there’s no particular problem with driving in Croatia and many people drive around Croatia for their vacation each year. To enter Croatia on your own car you will need a “green card” proof of insurance. If you drive a rental car into Croatia make sure that your insurance contract covers travel to Croatia. Some contracts exclude Croatia and other Balkan countries.
Getting around Croatia by ferry in Croatia is both efficient and maddening as you try to figure out the ferry schedule. The vast majority of Croatia ferries are handled by the national carrier, Jadrolinija, and most are car ferries designed to provide a link between Croatian islands and the coast. It is most important to plan out the ferry route before making your hotel bookings.
Travelling around Croatia by bus is an inexpensive option. The internal bus network is excellent on the mainland but buses on Croatian islands are much less frequent. To explore the islands a rental is your best bet. International buses to Croatia are a good way to reach the country, especially from Italy or Slovenia which have few flights or trains to Croatia.
There are not a lot of trains in Croatia but they are comfortable. Taking a train can be a comfortable way to get from Zagreb to Split, for example, saving a lot of driving time. If you are coming from Hungary or Austria, you will find frequent trains to Zagreb from where you can change for a train to the coast. More info can be found on the HZPP website (national rail operator).
Eating on buses and trams
Engaging in political discussions specially regarding the war
Being loud and drunk
Assuming that you can pay in euros
Croatian food is as complex and varied as the many cultures that have influenced its evolution. Easily recognizable are the Italian, Middle Eastern and Ottoman influences that intermingle the Croatian traditional dishes. The country’s long coastline gives it access to a wide range of seafood, making fish and shellfish very popular ingredients. Fresh seasonal and local vegetables and dishes of meat, including pork, lamb, and beef are all popular on Croatian menus. The main dishes are: “Zelena minestra” (stewed and smoked meat with beans, pasta and vegetables mixed), “Black risotto” (is basically a squid risotto that uses the squid ink to get its makes black in colour and often contains other seafood such as mussels or clams), “Strukli” (pastry filled with cottage cheese and sour cream, originated in Slovenia), “Buzara” (is a method of cooking seafood, mainly crustaceans and shellfish), “Scampi” (shrimps, mussels or clams are shortly cooked with white wine, garlic, parsley, and breadcrumbs), “Brudet” (various types of fish and crustacea are stewed with onions, tomato sauce, drop of vinegar, laurel, chili and pepper, usually served with polenta).
Croatian´s electrical current is 220V and 50 Hz. Power sockets take Type C and F plugs, ungrounded and grounded two round pins ones, respectively.
Croatia has a universal healthcare system providing a form of basic public insurance with co-participation for all treatments. Croatians and European Health Insurance Card holders are covered by this basic health insurance plan. Doctors in Croatia expect payment upfront and do typically accept credit cards. Medical expenses are quite affordable, but bear in mind that even if you are European the co-participation fees are not negligible and some treatments are not covered by the public insurance. Therefore, visiting foreigners should consider getting a private insurance for avoiding medical expenses, specially if not holding EU-citizenship, even if they are entitled to free basic emergency first aid treatment.
Tipping in Croatia is not expected, but it is appreciated when you receive good service, the amount you should tip will be up to you and the service you received, but if you have doubts, 5-10% is a good amount.
When travelling the Croatian coast you should be aware that to reach Dubrovnik in the very south you will need to cross borders with Bosnia. Be prepared for naturist beaches. Several beaches are rocky or pebbly, so you may want to bring swimming shoes.