Croacia

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

• 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.

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.

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.