Croatia – Travel Guide
Croatia, a country on the Adriatic Sea, entices visitors with its stunning coastline, historic cities, and picturesque islands. Dubrovnik, the `Pearl of the Adriatic,` charms with its medieval walls, Baroque architecture, and Game of Thrones filming locations. The Plitvice Lakes National Park showcases cascading waterfalls and crystal-clear lakes amid lush forests. Split, with its Roman ruins and bustling harbor, offers a blend of ancient history and Mediterranean charm. Croatia`s diverse attractions, including charming towns like Rovinj and Hvar, and delicious cuisine, make it a must-visit destination for travelers seeking both culture and natural beauty.
All about Croatia
Croatia FAQ
What is Croatia known for?
Many people picture Croatia as a fun-in-the-sun destination, and it has some of the most popular beaches in Europe, from the Istrian coast in the north to the Dubrovnik Riviera in the south, with the beaches of the numerous islands offshore considered the best of the best. In these beach communities, as it is in many large cities, Croatia offers world-class nightlife and some of Europe`s most popular music festivals, with DJs coming here to help locals and tourists party summer nights away. Be sure to enjoy some food with that drink and sample some of Croatia`s many delicacies, such as truffles, seafood from Dalmatia, and Pag cheese.
Croatia is as well-known for its history and geographic beauty as it is for its leisure and entertainment. More than just resorts and beaches, Croatia also offers to the tourist opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, kayaking, and mountain climbing at their many national parks such as Plitvice Lakes and Paklenica. It also offers tourists the opportunity to learn about Croatia`s history by visiting its many walled cities (such as Dubrovnik, Trogir, and Korcula), Roman-era buildings and remains (of which Diocletian`s Palace and the Pula Arena are perhaps the best-known), and religious buildings such as Zagreb Cathedral, the Euphrasian Basilica, and Dubrovnik Synagogue (one of the oldest synagogues in Europe).
What are the best places to visit in Croatia?
People who visit Croatia usually start their trips at one of the three most popular tourist spots in the country: Zagreb, its capital, situated in the north of the country; and Split and Dubrovnik, in the Dalmatia region of southern Croatia. All three cities are great places to use as bases to explore the rest of the country.
If you are starting from Zagreb, consider exploring the beautiful Kvarner Gulf and Istria regions, where Rijeka and Pula are the major cities. If you are beginning your journey in Split, you can explore offshore via Croatia`s many ferries and visit the hundreds of beautiful islands in the Adriatic Sea (we recommend such islands as Hvar and Pag). Likewise, you can explore inland by visiting the breathtaking Plitvice Lakes National Park; or up the coast to Zadar, Sibenik, Trogir, and the Gulf of Kastela; or down the coast.
The drive from Split to Dubrovnik takes you through some of the most popular and desirable stretches of coastline in Europe. First you will see the Dalmatian Coast, then the Makarska Riviera, then (after crossing the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina and then back into Croatia), you will reach the Dubrovnik Riviera. No matter where you go in Croatia, you will be sure to have a wonderful vacation.
How many days should I spend in Croatia?
We recommend 7-10 days based on what you want to see and do. We offer flexible vacation packages so you can select your number of nights in each city, desired hotel and activities. We suggest a minimum of 3 nights in larger cities.
What is the best way to get around Croatia?
Whatever your pleasure, transportation in Croatia is modern, easy to navigate and fits a variety of budget ranges. The best way to travel in Croatia is by car; while traveling by train is possible in many regions, and is an efficient and pleasant way to travel, some regions of the country are not connected by the rail network. To get the full Croatian experience, which includes hundreds and hundreds of islands just offshore in the Adriatic, consider combining your car experience with ferries; there are car ferries to many of the islands.
By Car: We recommend driving to see absolutely everything Croatia has to offer. Croatia is a very diverse country geographically, and is shaped in such a way where trains cannot reach every part of the country, so driving to see sights in Croatia is the way to go. Croatia`s road system is modern and is easily navigable even in rural areas. Traveling by car is particularly useful in regions of the country such as Istria, Dalmatia, and the Plitvice Lakes region. As of January 2023, Croatia is now part of the Schengen Travel Area, meaning that there is no longer a border crossing checkpoint if you are crossing into countries such as Slovenia and Hungary. The border crossing between Croatia and Bosnia between Makarska and Neum, for the time being, is still operational. For more information on getting around by car, check out: Driving in Croatia.
By Train: Train service is administered by Croatian Railways. Train travel is most feasible in the north of the country, from Rijeka in the west to Osijek and the Serbian border in the east. The southernmost train station in the Croatian Railways system is Split, meaning everything south of Split must be seen either by car or another similar mode of transportation. International train lines link Croatia with Slovenia, Hungary, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Austria, and Germany. There is one station south of Split, in Ploce, 50 minutes south of Makarska, but it connects with Sarajevo only.
By Ferry: The best way to explore the islands of the Adriatic is to leave by ferry. Many cities have ferry ports, the largest of the ports that connect to most of the Adriatic islands are Zadar, Split, Makarska, and Dubrovnik. You can book many ferries to the islands with Tripmasters; be sure to ask about car ferry options so you can bring your rental car with you to the islands.
What is the currency of Croatia?
Croatia’s currency is the euro (€), like Slovenia and most of the other countries in the European Union. Croatia joined the Eurozone on January 1, 2023. If you have spare kunas from past trips to Croatia, they can be exchanged at Croatian banks for euros until December 31, 2025. For more detailed information, consult our guide by clicking here Tipping in Croatia.
Do people speak English in Croatia?
Croatians are some of the most multilingual people in Europe. It is estimated that 81% of adults can speak English at least conversationally, by far the most popular foreign language. You should be able to get by with English at hotels and in many tourist areas, but do not assume everyone everywhere can speak it. If you want to know if someone speaks English, ask them ‘govorite li engleski?’ (GOH-voh-ree-te lee en-GLES-kee?)
Best time to visit Croatia
Croatia is a country of pristine beauty and unrivaled geographic diversity. There is something for everyone to see, do and enjoy every month out of the year.
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TripMasters recommends that you time your visit during `shoulder periods`, when temperatures are cooler and prices are off their peaks. In Croatia those months are May, September and October. If you are considering visiting another time of year, this guide will let you know what to expect as well. In this guide, we will outline what to expect with regard to lines, prices, weather, festivals and holidays each month of the year in Croatia. We hope you enjoy your trip!
January – March
January through March comprises part of the low season in Croatia, which begins in November. Many hotels and attractions close for the winter, especially on the islands and in the beach resort towns. The accommodations and attractions that do remain open will most likely be in ski resort towns and major cities such as Zagreb, Split and Dubrovnik. You`ll find great prices on those accommodations, probably the best of the entire calendar year. Rain is possible, especially in the south of the country, and you may even some snow in certain northern elevations. Highs in Pula and Rijeka stay in the 50s Fahrenheit from January through March, rising from the low 50s to the upper 50s as the months go on. Lows are in the 30s. Zagreb and Osijek start the year with highs around 40 and lows in the mid-20s to near 30, and warm by March into the mid-50s with lows in the middle 30s. Zadar, on the central coast, will see highs in the 50s and lows in the low 40s. Split and Dubrovnik will see highs in the 50s and lows in the 40s from January through March.
Holidays and Festivals:
January 1 – New Year’s Day (Nova Godina). Parties that begin on New Year`s Eve continue on New Year`s Day, with pop, rock and folk concerts being held in major cities, some of which are broadcast on television. National holiday in Croatia.
January 6 – Epiphany (Bogojavljenje or Sveta tri kralja), the Day of the Three Kings. Feasts typically happen with friends and family, red wine is a favorite beverage for many, and the Christmas decorations begin to come down in households across the country. National holiday in Croatia.
February 3 – Feast Day of St. Blaise (Sveti Vlaho), Dubrovnik, de facto public holiday in this city.
February-March – Shrove Tuesday (Pokladni utorak), the last day before the beginning of Lent. Carnivals and lots of food usher Croatians into the self-sacrifice of Lent.
March-April – Easter and Easter Monday (Uskrs i uskrsni ponedjeljak). Many Croatians attend midnight mass and Sunday morning sunrise mass. Families cook ham dinners and elaborate painted eggs (pisanice) are exchanged. National holiday in Croatia.
April – May
The shoulder season will begin slowly in some locales. You will notice the attractions that closed during the winter begin to open in April, but some will not open until May. The weather begins to warm in April, becoming quite warm by May. The downside is that April showers are quite real in Croatia — nearly the entire country will see some sort of rain in the month of April. As the south of the country transitions out of a rainy period, the central and northern parts of the country will begin a rainy season which will last until at least June. Highs in Istria will be in the low to mid-60s in April, and will rise to the mid-70s in May. Nighttime temperatures in Istria will fall into the 40s and low 50s in April, and the low and mid-50s by May. Zagreb and Osijek will warm into the 60s in the month of April and the low 70s by May; lows will be in the 40s and 50s for those months, respectively. The central coast will warm from mid-60s during the day and mid-40s at night in April to low 70s and mid-50s in May. Split will warm into the 70s by April and the 80s by May; morning lows will be in the low to mid-60s. Dubrovnik will see conditions in the 60s and 70s and lows in the 50s and low 60s.
Holidays and Festivals:
March-April – Easter and Easter Monday (Uskrs i uskrsni ponedjeljak). Many Croatians attend midnight mass and Sunday morning sunrise Mass. Families cook ham dinners and elaborate painted eggs (pisanice) are exchanged. National holiday in Croatia.
May 1 – International Workers` Day (Medunarodni praznik rada). Parades and speeches from politicians give way to picnics and concerts later in the day for Croatian workers and their families. National holiday in Croatia.
May 7 – Feast Day of St. Domnius (Sveti Duje), Split, de facto public holiday in this city.
April-May – Ascension (Uzašašce), one of the four `holy days` for Croatian Catholics. Forty days after Easter. You will see some sporadic business closures.
May-June – Pentecost and Whitmonday (Duhovi, Duhovski ponedjeljak), seventh Sunday and Monday after Easter, some sporadic business and attraction closures.
May-June – Corpus Christi (Tijelovo), ninth Thursday after Easter. Croatians typically attend Mass and then walk in a procession through the streets near their church. National holiday in Croatia.
June – July
June and July are the first two months of the high season. You will find that the Adriatic islands will be swamped with tourists, but as many attractions on the islands don`t open until a couple of weeks before June, there really is no way of avoiding that. Lines will be at their longest during this period, especially after school lets out in the second half of the month of June. Prices for accommodation and travel will also be at their highest. The rainy season for the central and northern parts of Croatia will end with July being one of the drier months of the year for the entire country. Istria will see highs in the low to mid-80s and lows from the upper 50s to mid-60s. Zagreb will warm into the low 80s, with lows in the low 60s. Osijek will warm to highs around 80 with lows around 60. Temperatures peak on the central coast in the mid to upper 80s this time of year, with lows around 70. Split and Dubrovnik will reach the upper 80s by July, with lows in the low 70s.
Holidays and Festivals:
May-June – Corpus Christi (Tijelovo), ninth Thursday after Easter. Croatians typically attend Mass and then walk in a procession through the streets near their church. National holiday in Croatia.
May-June – Pentecost and Whitmonday (Duhovi, Duhovski ponedjeljak) (closures), seventh Sunday and Monday after Easter.
June 22 – Anti-Fascist Struggle Day (Dan antifašisticke borbe). The holiday honors the beginning of the Croatian Uprising against the then-occupying German and Italian forces, on June 22, 1941. Typically people honor the war dead by laying wreaths at cemeteries across the country. National holiday in Croatia.
June 25 – Statehood Day (Dan državnosti). The Croatian Parliament proclaimed the existence and sovereignty of the Republic of Croatia on June 25, 1991. The President of Croatia speaks to the people and there is a large military parade held in Zagreb`s Jelacic Square. National holiday in Croatia.
Last week in June – INmusic Festival, Zagreb. Focusing on rock, electronic, dance, and world music genres, it is the largest series of open-air concerts in Croatia.
Late June to late July – Klapa Musik Festival, Omiš, south of Split. The festival celebrates the a cappella music tradition of the `klapa` gentlemen. The word literally means `a group of friends` and is a noteworthy folk genre in Croatian music.
Early July – Ultra Music Festival, Split. If you are familiar with the Ultra Music Festival in Miami, one of similar size and scope is held every year in Split. Large open-air concerts have people partying until the wee hours of the morning.
Early July through late August – Dubrovnik Summer Festival, a festival of classical music, opera, ballet, theatre and dance which has gone on for seven decades.
Mid-July – Pula Film Festival, the oldest film festival in the country, which screens selections in the Roman-era Pula Arena.
Mid-July – International Folklore Festival, Zagreb, featuring costumes, songs, and dances from all over Croatia.
Late July – Motovun Film Festival, a large-scale independent film festival in Motovun, northeast of Pula.
Late July – Soundwave Croatia, Tisno, a festival dedicated to soul and electronic music, and visual art.
August – September
August is the final month of the high season. After the first week in September, many locations transition into the shoulder season. Island village attractions and coastal resorts may only stay open through the end of September, or at the very latest, October. Lines, prices and temperatures will peak in August, and all three will ease up by the middle of September. Rijeka and Zagreb in particular will see elevated chances of rain in September when compared with the rest of the country. Highs and lows will peak in Istria in the mid-80s in August, cooling to the mid-70s in September. Highs will average around 80 in Zagreb in August, but only 70 by September. Zadar cools to the mid-70s in September from the mid-80s in August, and Split and Dubrovnik`s highs will retreat into the upper 70s in September, from a peak of upper 80s to near 90 in August.
Holidays and Festivals:
August 5 – Victory and Homeland Thanksgiving Day and the Day of Croatian defenders (Dan pobjede i domovinske zahvalnosti i Dan hrvatskih branitelja), commemorating the day Croatian forces overtook Serb troops in the city of Knin in 1995, a decisive win in the battle for Croatian independence. Observances occur throughout the country but are most poignant in Knin. National holiday in Croatia.
August 15 – Assumption of Mary (Velika Gospa). Processions are held throughout the country, and many pilgrims head to shrines dedicated to the Virgin Mary, such as the one in Sinj in Dalmatia. National holiday in Croatia.
Late August to early September – Days and Nights of Diocletian (Dani i noci Dioklecijana), Split. Split celebrates its Roman roots by holding public events in which people dress up in Roman garb and conduct historical re-enactments.
September 5–9 – Outlook Festival, near Pula. A large bass music (post-dubstep) festival in a Roman fort.
October – December
October is the beginning of the low season, and November is the beginning of a rainy snap for portions of the country as well. These months signify a slowdown in tourism, and many hotels and accommodations may close during the final three months of the year, only to open again in March, April or even May. The exceptions are the ski resorts north of Zagreb and in the Dinaric Alps. Sights in large cities such as Zagreb, Split, Dubrovnik, and Pula should be unaffected by winter closings, but islands and seaside towns may only have a fraction of its businesses open. Temperatures in Istria cool down from the upper 60s in October to low 60s in November and low 50s in December. Lows will descend into the 30s and 40s. Zagreb and Osijek will start the month of October with highs around 60 and lows in the low 40s, but will enter December with highs around 40 and more than a few freezing mornings. Zadar`s temperatures will cool 15 degrees over the span of the final three months of the year, from highs of 70 and lows in the mid-50s in October to highs in the mid-50s and lows in the low 40s by December. The south of the country will see highs in the 60s and lows in the low 50s in October and November. December highs in Split and Dubrovnik will hover in the mid-50s, with lows in the mid-40s.
Holidays and Festivals:
October – Truffle Days (Dani tartufa). A festival dedicated to the Istrian white truffle, which can be harvested at this time of year. Many truffle-related weekend events in various towns in Istria.
October 8 – Independence Day (Dan neovisnosti). On this day in 1991, the Croatian Parliament decided to cut all ties with Yugoslavia, thus completing the path to independence. It would go on to fight a war with the Serb army over its self-determination, which lasted for four years. The Croatian flag will be flying from every building today. National holiday in Croatia.
November 1 – All Saints` Day (Dan svih svetih). Families get together to reminisce with love ones and visit the grave sites of family members who have died. National holiday in Croatia.
November 11 – St. Martin’s Day (Sveta Martina), the official first day of wine season.
December – Dubrovnik Winter Festival
December 24 – Christmas Eve, some business closures.
December 25 – Christmas (Božic). Many families bake heart-shaped cookies, light yule logs, and prepare their children for the imminent arrival of Santa Claus who will give them presents. National holiday in Croatia.
December 26 – St. Stephen`s Day (Sveti Stjepan). In addition to the Feast of St. Stephen, where families enjoy another home-cooked dinner, the concept of `Boxing Day` has arrived in Croatia and many shops open on this day, offering deep discounts. National holiday in Croatia.
December 31 – New Year’s Eve. Fireworks in Zagreb and big parties in Zagreb, Dubrovnik, Split, and other cities.
Tipping in Croatia
This guide attempts to cover most situations that you, as a tourist, will encounter. Hopefully using these `tips` will provide a smooth experience when interacting with locals in restaurants, bars, hotels, tour operators, and taxis.
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In the U.S. tipping is customary and expected for everything from lackluster to outstanding service. It is an etiquette which is ingrained in all trades, from wait staff at restaurants to our baristas, valets, cab drivers, porters, and many more trades. In Europe, tipping is not as habitual, and Croatia is no exception.
Currency: Can I pay in U.S. dollars, or should I use Euros?
Croatia’s currency is the euro (€), like Slovenia and most of the other countries in the European Union. Croatia joined the Eurozone on January 1, 2023. The kuna, the former currency, will be accepted by businesses for only two weeks, until January 15, 2023. After January 15, 2023, you will have to pay using euros at businesses nationwide and not kunas. If you have spare kunas from past trips to Croatia, they can be exchanged at Croatian banks for euros until December 31, 2025. In many locations, the exchange rate will be best when withdrawing euros from an ATM. Debit and credit cards are accepted in Croatia, primarily in the larger cities, but note that at many businesses, you will incur a small fee for the privilege. Currency exchange desks can be found at airports, hotels, banks, and bureaux de change (called mjenjacnica). ATMs are widespread throughout the country, even in middle-sized cities and larger towns. If you are traveling to rural areas, make sure you bring a sufficient amount of euros with you before leaving.
Restaurants, Cafes, and Bars: When should I tip? How much is customary?
Tipping is usually done in the following manner: After paying for the meal, leave cash equivalent to about 10% of the total. Give a little more if you found the service to be particularly noteworthy. Note that tipping on a credit card is not done in Croatia; in fact, many waiters and waitresses may not know how to process such a request, as it is that uncommon in Croatia. You won’t find a `tip line` in many cases, contrasted to the United States where you would find a tip line on a restaurant receipt.
If you see a phrase on your receipt that looks similar to `Napojnica uracunata u cijenu`, it means that gratuity has already been added to your bill and tipping at that point is not required.
At cafes, rounding up to the nearest euro is widely accepted to be a good tip. Round up to the nearest 1-2 euros in hotel bars and nightclubs, especially if the service has been attentive. Local hole-in-the-wall bars require no tipping.
Note that there is a 13 percent value added tax (VAT) to every food and beverage purchase in Croatia; it is sales tax, not a tip.
Hotel Staff: Who should I tip?
Tips should be kept in the €1-€2 range. These kinds of tips should be given to your concierge, your porter who brings your bags to the room and down to the lobby, and the maids who clean your room each day. If you tip those people those amounts, they will be very appreciative. No extra tipping should be required.
Taxi Drivers: Should I tip?
If you are taking a taxi in Croatia, most of them are metered, so large tips are not necessary. Round up to the nearest €1 to make a tidy amount and that will be a sufficient enough tip for a taxi driver. If you have commissioned a taxi to drive you and wait on you for a certain amount of time, then it is acceptable to tip 10% of the agreed-upon fare.
Tour Guides: Is a tip required?
Most tour guides would appreciate a tip of €2-€5. This should be ideally about 10 to 15% of the cost of the tour. In recent years, the Game of Thrones tour has run upwards of €100, and an acceptable tip amount for this popular tour is €10-€15. If you really enjoyed a particular tour, feel free to tip your guide whatever you think is appropriate for your gratitude.
Miscellaneous: Is there anyone I should tip that I would not normally?
Other Services: Manicurists and hairdressers will want about 10% of the cost of the service. Spa workers will not necessarily expect tips, but people do usually tip them in the neighborhood of 10 to 15%. If you are chartering your own yacht to island-hop and sail the Adriatic, it is very important to tip the crew. Much of the crew`s pay comes from tips. Consider 15% of the charter cost as a minimum amount to tip for their service.
Final Thoughts:
Tipping culture isn`t very ingrained in Croatia, but some professions do expect some extra compensation for their services. In most cases it is just a case of rounding up a bill by €1 or €2. Follow our hotel and restaurant rules and you will gain insight into tipping when it is most expected. Do not feel bad for not tipping if you did not enjoy a service rendered.
Driving in Croatia
Croatian tourism is rapidly growing, due in large part to its stunning landscapes, azure waters and picturesque villages.
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Another bonus to Americans is that Croatia has retained use of its domestic currency instead of using the Euro, which is more favorable for tourists. Navigating this beautiful country and its many islands is a relative breeze, but there are a few things to know ahead of time if you plan to drive, as outlined here.
By Car
Without a doubt, a rental car is one of the best options for getting around in Croatia. The flexibility provided with a car is immense, itineraries can be customized to your liking, and the schedule is yours to set should you decide to stay longer in a certain stop or break fora bite to eat or use the bathroom when you are good and ready!
Of course, with each positive comes a downside. Parking can be extremely difficult, especially within the walled towns where there is often pedestrian only traffic in the historic city centers (such as Split and the lovely Dubrovnik). Illegally parked cars are swiftly towed and expensive to get out of impound. Never park anywhere that is not clearly marked as designated parking. Most hotels have designated parking for their guests, although it is not always free. National parks, like Mljet or Plitvice Lakes also have sanctioned parking for visitors.
Another downside is that should you decide to take your car on the ferry to one of the incomparably beautiful islands, you will pay substantially more and quite possibly have to wait for several hours before boarding. The islands are easier to get around with a car, but it is possible to get around without one, should price be a big factor. Be Prepared to do a lot of walking if you choose not to take your car!
Looking beyond these factors, it is important to know that the road system in Croatia is surprisingly comprehensive but the quality of the roads varies wildly. The main highways/motorways (known as autocesta) have been vastly improved in recent years and are now some of the newest in Europe. The most useful routes are the A1, running from Zagreb south to Split and Dubrovnik, and the A6 which connects Zagreb to Rijeka. The main stretches are usually two lane however parts are single lane. The Jadranska magistrala (Adriatic coastal road) runs from Rijeka to Dubrovnik, passing Zadar and Split. It follows the coast and is wonderfully scenic, but keep your eyes glued to the road! The path is twisty, can be slippery and the guardrails on some of the hairpin curves aren`t very reassuring.
Bear in mind that tolls are heavy in Croatia (not expensive, but frequent); take a ticket as you come on and pay as you exit. Note that everywhere in Croatia, roads in off-the-beaten-track areas can be badly maintained and island roads are often particularly bad. Local drivers are very aggressive and pass dangerously on one way routes. Nearly everywhere in Croatia seems to be doing away with stoplights in favor of roundabouts with varying rules for entering and exiting, so use extreme caution.
A Few Other Important Reminders: To drive in Croatia, you`ll need a valid US driving license AND an International Driver Permit (IDP) which can be obtained from AAA in the USA, prior to your vacation. It is important to have this document!
Speed limits are 50kph (30 mph) in built-up areas, 80kph (50 mph) on minor roads, 100kph (60 mph) on main roads, 130kph (80 mph) on motorways. Within Croatia, emergency road help and information can be reached by dialing 1987, a service of the Croatian Automobile Association (HAK). Police can be reached by dialing 112 or 192. Additional road condition and safety information may be obtained from HAK at (385)(1)661-1999.
Cell phone use during driving is illegal and carries hefty fines. If you plan to use your cellphone for GPS purposes, or with the excellent HAK App (available for free download on Android or IOS – complete with maps, traffic conditions, directions, ferry schedules and delays, toll information and more in English) use a windshield or dash mount.
Croatia has a zero tolerance policy for driving while intoxicated, for those under the age of 25 the blood alcohol limit allowable is 0.0 and for drivers older than 25 that limit is just 0.05% (Croatian police draw blood to test, using a finger prick; it is not a breath test as in the USA). But you do drive on the right side of the road in Croatia, not on the left as in so many other countries in Europe, so you can relax about that!
Top cities in Croatia
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What to expect while traveling
