Croatia
Croatia stretches along the eastern Adriatic coast, known for walled medieval towns, over a thousand islands, and turquoise water. The capital, Zagreb, sits inland with a Central European feel, while the coast — from Istria in the north to Dubrovnik in the south — is where most visitors spend their time.
Croatia suits travelers who want a mix of history, island-hopping, and beach time, and works well as a self-drive trip or a base-and-explore coastal stay. Summers are hot, dry, and crowded along the coast; spring and early autumn are quieter and still warm enough to swim.
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Money & payments
Croatia uses the euro, having adopted it in 2023 and joined the Schengen Area the same year.
Card and phone payment work almost everywhere, including small konobas (taverns) and ferries. A little cash is still useful on some islands and at informal roadside stalls.
Explore Croatia
Croatia Essentials
Croatia’s coast preserves a dense concentration of historical layers, from the 1st-century Temple of Augustus in Pula to the expansive 4th-century Diocletian’s Palace in Split. Dubrovnik's intact medieval walls and the UNESCO-listed Euphrasian Basilica in Poreč showcase centuries of defensive and ecclesiastical architecture. In Zadar, modern installations like the Sea Organ and Greeting to the Sun use waves and solar energy to create unique sensory experiences alongside ancient ruins and Venetian fortifications.
13 places
Editor's Choice
This selection spans thousands of years of Croatian history, from the Bronze Age hill fort of Monkodonja to the contemporary solar installations of Zadar’s Greeting to the Sun. It highlights major UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the Roman ruins of Diocletian’s Palace and the 6th-century Byzantine mosaics of the Euphrasian Basilica. The list also features the Cathedral of Saint Domnius, which repurposes an ancient imperial mausoleum, and the Ivan Meštrović Gallery, showcasing the monumental works of Croatia’s premier 20th-century sculptor.
6 places
Hidden Gems of Croatia
Croatia’s historical landscape spans Roman ruins, Venetian architecture, and medieval fortifications. This collection features the 2nd-century Salona amphitheater and Pula’s Arch of the Sergii alongside the Renaissance Terraferma Gate in Zadar. In Dubrovnik, sites include the 15th-century Rector's Palace and the Dominican Monastery’s Renaissance art collection. The list also highlights unique coastal landmarks like Zadar’s Sea Organ, which uses wave energy to create music, and the narrow 'Let Me Pass' street tucked within Diocletian’s Palace in Split.
15 places
Game of Thrones Locations
This collection spans the coastal cities of Dubrovnik and Split, showcasing the architectural foundations of King’s Landing, Qarth, and Meereen. It includes the 13th-century Walls of Dubrovnik and the circular Minčeta Tower, which served as the House of the Undying. In Split, the 4th-century Diocletian’s Palace provided the backdrop for Daenerys’s throne room and dragon pits. The list also features the limestone-paved Stradun street, the site of the Walk of Penance, and defensive structures like Fort Bokar and the Rector's Palace, emphasizing the region's UNESCO-protected Roman and medieval heritage.
8 places
Scenic Natural Attractions
Croatia’s landscape features a mix of coastal and inland geography. This collection spans from the UNESCO-listed medieval fortifications of Dubrovnik to the sandy shores of Saharun and the party-centric pebble beach of Zrće. Inland, the list includes the Samograd cave, the medieval Zrinski Mine, and the archaeological remains of Monkodonja. Scenic viewpoints like Vela Straža and the Kiza peak offer panoramic vistas, while the Đulin ponor sinkhole and Skakavac waterfall showcase the country's unique geological and hydrological formations.
15 places
Historic Sites of Croatia
Croatia’s history is preserved through a diverse range of architectural landmarks, from the 4th-century Roman ruins of Diocletian’s Palace and Pula’s well-preserved temples to the expansive medieval defensive systems of Dubrovnik. This collection highlights UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the Byzantine mosaics of the Euphrasian Basilica and 17th-century Venetian fortifications. Spanning from the Istrian peninsula to the Dalmatian coast, these sites document the influence of Roman, Venetian, and Austro-Hungarian eras on the region's urban landscape.
18 places
Historic Religious Sites
Croatia’s religious architecture spans nearly two millennia, reflecting Byzantine, Romanesque, and Baroque influences. This collection features the UNESCO-listed Euphrasian Basilica with its 6th-century mosaics, the 9th-century Pre-Romanesque Church of the Holy Cross in Nin, and one of the world’s oldest Sephardic synagogues in Dubrovnik. From the massive Romanesque Cathedral of St. Anastasia in Zadar to the 14th-century silver shrine in St. Simon’s, these sites document the country’s diverse Catholic, Orthodox, Jewish, and Islamic heritage.
15 places
Authentic Local Flavors
This collection explores Croatia’s coastal culinary heritage, spanning from the Istrian peninsula to the Dalmatian coast. It features historic venues like Zadar’s Kavana Lovre, set within a 12th-century church, and Poreč’s Torre Rotonda, housed in a 15th-century Venetian tower. The selection highlights traditional konobas in Primošten and Rovinj, seafood-focused dining at Zadar’s Foša harbor, and unique natural settings like Cape Kamenjak’s Safari Bar. These establishments focus on regional specialties including fresh Adriatic fish, Istrian pasta, and locally sourced Mediterranean ingredients.
15 placesTours & Activities
Map of Croatia
Tipping
Tipping is not mandatory in Croatia, since prices are already final and no service charge is added. Around 10% in a restaurant is a common gesture for good service, rising to 15% at a nicer place, while a konoba or pizzeria usually gets less, around 5-10%. Card machines increasingly prompt for a tip at checkout, a newer habit alongside the older custom of rounding up in cash.
10%, up to 15% for great service
5-10%
round up the fare
small cash tip for housekeeping/porters
Electricity
Croatia uses Type C and Type F plugs (the standard two-round-pin sockets used across most of continental Europe) at 230 V / 50 Hz.
Language
Croatian is the official language. English is widely spoken in coastal tourist areas and among younger people; Italian is also common in Istria, and German is understood in many tourist-facing businesses.
Staying connected
Prepaid SIM and eSIM plans from A1, Telemach, or Hrvatski Telekom are easy to buy at the airport or phone shops. Mobile coverage is strong along the coast and on the larger islands, with some drop-off on smaller islands and in mountainous inland areas.
Safety & emergencies
Croatia is a safe country for tourists, with low rates of violent crime. The main risks are practical: pickpocketing in busy coastal old towns, sunburn and heat in peak summer, and strong currents or rocky entry points at some beaches. Croatia completed a decades-long demining program in 2026, so the remaining risk from the 1990s conflict, once a real concern in a few rural inland counties, is no longer a factor for travelers.
Health
Tap water is safe to drink throughout the country. Pharmacies (ljekarna) are common in towns and cities, with at least one open late in most larger towns. No special vaccinations are required for entry.
Visas & entry
Croatia is part of the Schengen Area. Citizens of the EU/EEA, the United States, Canada, Australia, and many other countries can enter for tourism without a visa for stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Travelers from countries without a visa-waiver agreement need a Schengen visa, applied for through a Croatian embassy or consulate before travel.
Visa and entry requirements change frequently. Verify current requirements with the official immigration authority or your country's embassy before travel.
Etiquette
Croatians are generally warm but not overly formal with strangers; a casual greeting ('dobar dan' — good day) when entering a shop or café is appreciated. Coffee culture runs deep — a coffee is meant to be lingered over, not rushed. Modest dress (covered shoulders and knees) is expected when visiting churches and cathedrals, many of which are still active places of worship.
Holidays & opening hours
Public holidays can affect opening hours more in smaller towns and inland areas than on the tourist coast. Many family-run coastal businesses close for a few weeks in the off-season (typically November-March), so it's worth checking ahead outside peak summer.
Getting around
- By bus: An extensive intercity coach network connects almost every town, and is often faster and more frequent than trains, especially along the coast.
- By ferry: Jadrolinija and other operators run regular car and passenger ferries linking the mainland with the islands; book ahead in summer for car spots.
- By train: Rail mainly serves the inland and northern parts of the country; the coast south of Split has no rail line at all.
- By air: Domestic flights and coastal airports (Split, Dubrovnik, Zadar) cut down on long summer drive times from the north.
Driving
- Tolls: Most motorways use a ticket-and-barrier system — take a ticket entering, pay by cash or card when exiting, priced by distance traveled. A free-flow electronic system is planned to replace this from 2027.
- Winter tires: Required on designated "winter sections" of roads from mid-November to mid-April, regardless of actual weather.
- Speed limits: 50 km/h in towns, 90 km/h on open roads, 110-130 km/h on motorways.
- Coastal roads: The scenic Adriatic Highway (Jadranska magistrala) is narrow and winding in places, with heavy summer traffic; allow extra time.
- Fuel: Stations are self-service, with card payment standard at the pump.
Food & drink
Seafood, olive oil, and Mediterranean vegetables define coastal cooking, while inland dishes lean heartier and more Central European. Pašticada, slow-braised beef in a rich wine-and-prune sauce, is a classic celebration dish, and black risotto (crni rižot), colored with cuttlefish ink, is a Dalmatian staple.
Ćevapi (grilled minced-meat sausages) and burek (flaky meat or cheese pastry) are common everyday food, especially inland. Istria is known for truffles and its own olive oil and wine, and Pelješac and other coastal regions produce well-regarded reds. Rakija, a strong fruit brandy, is a common welcome drink, and fritule (small fried doughnuts) are a festive sweet.
Where to explore
Zagreb is the capital, with an Austro-Hungarian old town, a lively café culture, and museums including the well-known Museum of Broken Relationships. Split, on the Dalmatian coast, is built around the Roman-era Diocletian's Palace, still a living neighborhood of shops and homes.
Dubrovnik, at the southern tip of the coast, is famous for its intact medieval walls and Old Town, a major (and often very crowded) draw in peak summer. Rovinj, in Istria, is a smaller, pastel-colored port town with a strong Italian influence. Hvar is one of Croatia's most popular islands, known for lavender fields, nightlife, and Venetian-era architecture, and inland, Plitvice Lakes National Park protects a chain of terraced turquoise lakes and waterfalls connected by boardwalks.
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