Maybe you were sitting at your home one day and thinking where to go for your next vacation, when a small European country called Croatia popped up in your mind. Clear Adriatic Sea, numerous islands, beautiful nature, perfect weather, all that you can find in Croatia. In this article, we decided to write a list of general Croatia travel tips that will make your stay even better and make the most out of your visit.
We won’t go much in depth, but through these tips, you’ll be able to learn a bit more about Croatian customs, learn a few words, and get to know what to expect when it comes to the weather in Croatia. We are sure that you’ll love our country and that it will provide you with many unforgettable moments, and we hope that this article will help you prepare your perfect vacation in Croatia.
1. Currency: The Euro is Now the Official Currency We are starting this list of Croatia travel tips with money because, unfortunately, the world revolves around it. For a long time, the Croatian Kuna (HRK) was the main currency. But as of 2023, Croatia uses the euro (EUR) . You can easily withdraw cash from ATMs that are found in most towns and cities. Credit cards are widely accepted throughout Croatia, but some smaller shops, local markets, and island businesses often prefer cash. We advise always carrying a small amount of cash with you when traveling through Croatia.
2. Best Time to Visit Croatia looks and feels different in different seasons. Summer is the time when our country is most visited and most crowded. The clear Adriatic Sea is perfect for swimming, and the weather is very hot and stable during summer. But Croatia is beautiful in other seasons too, and spring and autumn both offer a great balance of pleasant weather and amazing outdoor opportunities. If you want to focus on sightseeing and spending time in nature, then these seasons are the best option for you.
May to June and September to early October are periods with warm weather, fewer crowds, and overall lower prices.July and August are high season in Croatia: sunny and vibrant, but also crowded and more expensive.Spring and autumn are great periods for activities such as hiking, wine tasting, and sightseeing without the usual summer heat.
3. Learn a Few Croatian Words Everybody loves it when foreigners try to speak the local language, and so do Croats. We have already written a few articles with basic Croatian phrases, so check them if you want to learn more and impress the locals even more. But even just a few words like these below will be a great start:
Hello: Dobar dan
Thank you: Hvala
Please: Molim
Yes: Da , No: Ne
Most people in tourist areas speak English, but just a simple greeting in Croatian will put a smile on a local’s face, so it’s worth it.
4. Ferries and Island Travel You might already know that Croatia has over 1,200 islands , and when it comes to exploring them, using ferries is the best way to do so. Croatia is a country for great island-hopping adventures, and there are many day trips to the islands from the mainland, so these are the options too. Here’s what to know when using ferries to reach Croatian islands:
The main ferry companies in Croatia are Jadrolinija and Krilo, and they have regular catamaran and car ferry lines from major cities.
Book ferry tickets in advance if visiting Croatia in summer, especially if traveling with a car. We advise booking a ferry ticket online.
Consider traveling by catamarans for faster connections between popular islands like Hvar, Vis, Brač, and so on.
5. Public Transport vs. Renting a Car Our best advice to anyone coming to Croatia is to rent a car. We always do the same when traveling to any foreign country because a car gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace. Roads in Croatia are well-maintained, and driving is easy. But, even if you don’t want to rent a car in Croatia, you can still rely on regular public transport to travel between major tourist destinations in Croatia.
Buses are reliable and great for intercity travel in Croatia.Trains have a bit less extensive network, especially along the coast. We love traveling by train in Croatia, but we have to warn you that trains in Croatia are not as fast as in other European countries.Renting a car is the best option for exploring Istria, the Dalmatian hinterland, and national parks at your own pace. You can also easily reach places that are not covered by public transport.Roads in Croatia are generally good, wide enough, and the signs are easy to follow.
6. Bring Water Shoes Most of the beaches in Croatia are pebble or rocky , not sandy. If you are not accustomed to walking on such surfaces, you might want to bring water shoes with you (or buy a pair in Croatia). Water shoes help protect your feet from sharp stones and sea urchins.
7. Tipping Etiquette Tipping is not mandatory in Croatia, but who doesn’t love getting tipped? Here is some general advice:
Round up the bill in cafes, taxis, or local shops.
Leave 5-10% in restaurants if you are satisfied with the service.
Tip your guides and drivers a few euros if you enjoyed the experience.
8. Try Local Food and Wine Croatia is not only sun, beaches, and the sea. It’s a country famous for its gastronomy too, and each of Croatia’s regions has its own specialties. When visiting Croatia, the worst thing to do is to eat international food or food from the supermarkets. Go local and eat in the family-run restaurants and indulge in the Croatian gastronomy.
Dalmatia: seafood, grilled fish, and black risotto.
Istria: truffles, olive oil, and pasta.
Slavonia: spicy sausages, stews.
Pair each meal with wines like Plavac Mali , Malvazija , and Pošip .
9. Pack for Varying Weather Croatia is divided into a few regions, and each of them has a different climate. For example, coastal parts of Croatia have a Mediterranean climate with mild winters and hot and dry summers. Bu inland regions like Lika and Gorski Kotar have cooler temperatures during both winter and summer. If you plan to travel through various regions of Croatia, it’s best to pack some layers.
Coastal areas are hot and sunny in summer, evenings can get breezy, and it can get a bit cooler by the sea or at the sea.
Bring layers if visiting inland regions or traveling to Croatia in spring/fall.
Sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses are very important since the Mediterranean sun can be very strong. Avoid sunburns because they can ruin your vacation.
10. Respect Local Customs and Nature It’s important to respect any place you’re visiting, not only in Croatia, but anywhere else in the world. When visiting natural sites in Croatia, always follow the Leave No Trace Principles and minimize your impact. Many historical sites throughout Croatia forbid walking in a swimsuit or shirtless through them.
Dress modestly when visiting churches and religious sites in Croatia.
Don’t walk shirtless or in swimwear through old towns or city centers.
Follow trails and rules when visiting national parks and don’t pick wild plants or disturb wildlife.
11. Use Offline Maps and Travel Apps Most of Croatia is covered by the mobile network, but it’s always a good idea to have offline maps installed on your phone so you can navigate even when the network signal is low. Google Maps is just fine for common driving and navigating through Croatia, so we suggest using it.
Download Google Maps or Maps.me offline maps.
Apps like Rome2Rio , GetByBus , and Ferryhopper can be helpful for planning travel by public transport in Croatia.
12. Book Popular Attractions in Advance Croatia is full of popular places like national parks and similar attractions. There is also a wide variety of activities to enjoy in Croatia. But if you are visiting in summer, you’ll notice that attractions can get pretty crowded, and activities must be booked as soon as possible to secure your spot. We suggest securing your spots and buying tickets even before arriving to Croatia if possible. Many tour operators allow free cancellations up to 24 hours prior to the tour, so you can get refunded ifyou cancel (but please do so only if necessary).
Places like Plitvice Lakes , Dubrovnik City Walls , and Blue Cave tours sell out fast in peak season.
Consider early morning or late afternoon visits to popular attractions to avoid crowds and the heat. Win-win situation.
13. Tap Water is Safe to Drink Did you know that Croatia has excellent drinking water? Yes, you can drink water from the tap anywhere in Croatia, so it’s better to refill your bottle instead of buying a plastic one each time. You’ll also stumble upon many drinking fountains in major cities, so feel free to refill your bottle or drink water here, too.
14. Sunday Closures Many small shops in Croatia and even supermarkets close on Sundays . Still, most of them are open during the summer, even on Sundays, because there is a certain number of days that can be used as working days, and most of the coastal markets use this opportunity to work on Sundays during summer. But if you’re visiting Croatia in spring or autumn, expect everything to be closed on Sunday.
15. Bring Euros or Local Currency for Border Areas or Excursions As we approach the end of this article with Croatia travel tips, we have one more to share with you. If you plan to visit neighboring countries like Montenegro or Bosnia and Herzegovina (e.g., Kotor or Mostar), having some extra euros in cash is useful for border fees or local purchases. Also, it’s even better to have local currency since not all places accept Euros, and both of these countries have their local currency.
Before You Venture to Croatia Thank you for staying with us till the end. We hope that you have learned something from these Croatia travel tips. If you’re visiting Croatia for the first time, make sure to travel around, don’t just stay in one place. We have made several different Croatia itineraries for different vacation durations, so feel free to explore these to get some ideas. We have a lot more other interesting articles that will make your stay in Croatia unforgettable.
Have a nice stay and pleasant weather in Croatia!
