Croatia Travel Guide

Croatia General Information

Croatia can be called one of the best holiday destinations. It makes no difference why you decide to visit this amazing and enchanting land. Most importantly, you will get the beauty of the varied landscapes, the ancient sights that you can actually enjoy.

Frequent visitors to Croatia are attracted by the beaches that stretch along the coastline for 1,800 kilometers, with turquoise waters and the beauty of the Plitvice Lakes National Park. All this beauty is located in the southeast of the country in the Adriatic, where a mild Mediterranean climate prevails throughout the year. If you have a desire to visit this country, then the best time will be the period from April to September, since at this time there is still not a large influx of tourists. It is here that you can get everything in the complex – both wonderful air and warmth of the sun, sea water steamy like milk, and fans of discos – a stormy nightlife. 

 Area

56,594 square kilometers (about 1.5 times that of Kyushu)

Population

4,068,000 (2019: Croatian Government Statistics Bureau)

Capital

Zagreb

Languages

The official language is Croatian

Religion

Catholic, Serbian Orthodox, etc.

Ethnic groups

Croats (90.4%), Serbs (4.4%), etc. (2011 census)

National holidays

May 30 (National Foundation Day)

A Brief History of Croatia

Year month	Brief history
Around the 7th century	Slavs settled
First half of the 10th century	Duke Tomislav founds the Kingdom of Croatia
1527	Under the control of the Habsburgs
1918	Participated in the founding of the Serbian, Croat, and Slovenian kingdoms (later renamed the Kingdom of Yugoslavia)
1941	Declaration of establishment of Nazi Germany’s puppet state “Independent State of Croatia” during World War II
1945	Established as one of the constituent republics of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
1991	Declaration of independence from Yugoslavia
1992	Member of the United Nations
Year 2005	EU accession negotiations started
2009	NATO membership
2013	EU membership

Nature

Mostly Croatia is covered with mountains and mixed forests or Mediterranean coniferous groves. What distinguishes this country from other resorts is the increased “greenness” and the almost complete absence of desert and steppe landscapes of the “scorched earth” type. In many places in Croatia, branched trees grow all the way to the coastline and shelter beaches from the sun with their natural awning.

The mainland Croatia has many limestone mountains. In some places, rivers flowing through limestone karst form unique landscapes with waterfalls and natural pools, such as Plitvice Lakes and Krka National Park .

Sea and Beaches

The Adriatic Sea off the coast of Croatia is primarily distinguished by its crystal clearness. It is difficult to find such clear water as here in other world resorts. The depth of visibility of the bottom in many places is tens of meters.

Most of the beaches are pebbly , which also contributes to the purity of the water. But there are also options with a mixed type (sand + pebbles), such as the famous Zlatni Rat beach on the island of Brac .

In the summer, Croatia is almost ideal for swimming .

Most of the country’s best beaches are located on islands along the entire length of the Adriatic coast. The mainland coastline also has many excellent beaches. The most interesting places for a beach holiday on the continental part of Croatia are the Istrian peninsula in the north and the coast near the town of Makarska in the center.

Culture

Croatia is inhabited by compassionate and hospitable Slavs , and these are not empty words. In no other country we have visited, we have not seen this: in half of all AirBNBs where we stayed during our trip, the hosts prepared special treats for us and gave us gifts, like a bottle of homemade wine. And in other places where we stayed, we were treated like guests of honor.

It is good news that Croatia has an extremely low crime rate and many here do not even lock their houses at night.

It should also be mentioned that a huge number of episodes of the famous TV series “Game of Thrones” were filmed in Croatia . The city of Dubrovnik in the south of the country actually became King’s Landing in the fantasy world of the series. Other cities and natural landscapes have also been used to film countless scenes. If you have visited Croatia and watched the series (it doesn’t matter in which order), you will constantly recognize and compare real landscapes and viewed footage.

This fact has become a huge impetus to the growth of tourism in Croatia and now the country is partly living by the “Game of Thrones”. Almost all souvenir shops sell items with images of Jon Snow and Daenerys Stormborn. You can often find shops completely dedicated to the paraphernalia of the series: with costumes, masks, swords. And, of course, many cities offer excursions to the shooting locations. I wonder if the Croatian government paid the creators of the series for such a powerful catalyst for economic growth?

Kitchen

The national cuisine of Croatia is a mixture of Slavic, Austro-Hungarian and even Turkish traditions. The main types of dishes are various types of stews, goulash, lard-based dishes, sausages . However, this type of cuisine is not so popular, especially in the coastal regions influenced by Italy. Here you will find dishes of Italian and Mediterranean cuisine almost everywhere : all kinds of seafood, olives and dishes generously seasoned with olive oil, salads with feta cheese, caprese . And one of the most popular delicacies in Croatia is ham – dried ham, analogue of Italian prosciutto. You can meet him anywhere, even aboard Croatian airlines.

Currency and cost of living

The national currency in Croatia is the Croatian Kuna (HRK) . However, Croatia has plans to switch to the euro from 2023. You can buy Croatian kunas at numerous exchange offices, which can be easily found by the funny word “mjenjačnica” (money changer). For currency exchange in Croatia, it is better to bring cash US dollars or euros. Keep in mind that at airports the rate is usually much higher than in the city.

So far, Croatia is not a very rich country. But its seaside resorts are popular with European tourists (especially the British) and also with Game of Thrones fans. In this regard, one can notice a huge gap in prices for housing, restaurants and services between the coastal and mainland parts of Croatia. The Croatian capital Zagreb is a significantly cheaper city than the coastal Dubrovnik, Split , etc.

You can travel around Croatia on a budget: the cost of transport and food in stores is approximately equal to the European one. But it is worth considering that it will be quite expensive to visit a restaurant in cities on the coast.

Best Time to Visit Croatia

The weather in different regions of Croatia is as different as the architecture. The Adriatic coast has a mild and warm Mediterranean climate, while in Zagreb and the north of Croatia, continental and rainy weather prevails.

In general, the climate of Croatia is similar to the countries of southern Europe with rather warm (occasionally hot) summers and cool winters with slight negative temperatures in the north and about 10 ° C in the coldest months in the south.

The swimming season in Croatia lasts from June to early October. Moreover, by the end of September the water temperature in most places will already be higher than the air temperature.

The high tourist season in Croatia lasts from May to September . The most crowded months are in the calendar summer.

All things considered, the best time of year to visit Croatia is mid to late September. The sea and air will be still warm, and the crowds of tourists will already begin to disappear. If your plans do not include swimming in the sea, you can plan to visit Croatia in any month, with the exception, perhaps, of November and December, as usual, the rainiest and darkest months of the year.

Transport in Croatia

Intercity public transport is very well developed in Croatia. You can easily travel between regions and major attractions by regular buses and trains .

Tickets for the train can be found on the official website to buy the company HŽPP (Croatian Railways): www.hzpp.hr .

Bus tickets :

flixbus.com

To get to the numerous islands of Croatia, you need to take a ferry. The largest islands are regularly visited by car ferries. You can find timetables and purchase tickets on the website of Croatia main ferry company Jadrolinja: www.jadrolinija.hr .

In addition, passenger catamarans go to the Croatian islands. You can find routes and schedules of the main companies on their websites:

www.gv-line.hr

www.krilo.hr

What to see in Croatia: cities, islands, sights, Hotels

Croatian Cities

Below is a list of the most interesting cities in Croatia from a tourist point of view. Most of them have beautifully preserved atmospheric historic centers with narrow cobbled streets and houses with shut windows and tiled roofs. It should be noted that Zagreb and the cities of the northern continental part of Croatia differ significantly in their architectural appearance from the cities of the Adriatic coast, which were under the influence of Italy.

Despite the fact that all the listed cities of Croatia are beautiful and interesting, it is perhaps not necessary to strive to visit each of them. Many of the cities, especially on the Adriatic coast, look very similar to each other with the exception of some of them with unique attractions.

1. Zagreb

Zagreb is the capital and one of the historical centers of Croatia, located in the north of Croatia, separated from the seacoast.

For a long time, Zagreb was under the rule of the Austro-Hungarians. Zagreb is imbued with the architectural spirit of Central and Eastern Europe and is somewhat reminiscent of Tallinn .

Zagreb is noticeably cooler and much rainier than the coastal cities of Croatia.

The main attractions of Zagreb are: the Gothic Cathedral, the old town “Gradec” and the Mirogoy cemetery, oddly enough, which is one of the most beautiful places in the city.

2. Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik can rightfully be considered the cultural capital of Croatia . The city is called “Slavic Athens” due to the fact that since ancient times it was the center of the development of southern Slavic culture and trade. Dubrovnik has a stunning large-scale old town surrounded by powerful fortified walls. Inside the old one there is a network of narrow streets and beautiful buildings in the Baroque and Renaissance style.

Dubrovnik is located in the very south of Croatia in an enclave separated from the main part of Croatia by a piece of land from Bosnia and Herzegovina.

There are good beaches, islands and several interesting sights near the city.

3. Split

The second most populous city in Croatia. Its main attraction is the Diocletian’s Palace , built by the Roman emperor Diocletian in ancient times. In fact, the open area of ​​the old town of Split, surrounded by a fortress wall, is called a palace. Today, the historic center of Split is the best preserved Roman ruins in the world.

There are excellent beaches and several historic towns near Split. Split is also a large port city, from where ferries leave for the Croatian islands: Hvar, Brač, Korcula,  Vis, and others.

4. Pula

A city on the Istrian peninsula in northern Croatia. It is famous for its huge amphitheater (Colosseum), which is not much inferior in scale to its analogue in Rome. In addition, several other ancient Roman monuments have survived in Pula, such as the Temple of Augustus and the Arc de Triomphe.

5. Rovinj

The city of Rovinj on the Istrian peninsula , located near the northern territories of Italy , was built by the Venetians in the image and likeness of their capital , as an important port. There are no canals here, but there are tall colorful houses, shoulder-width streets and towers that will undoubtedly evoke a feeling of light déjà vu for anyone who has already visited Venice.

6. Opatija

Opatija is a beautiful resort town on the Istrian peninsula . Here travelers will find good beaches , a park complex with buildings from the times of the Austrian Empire , as well as the famous statue of a girl with a seagull.

7. Makarska

The coast near the town of Makarska is one of the best beach holiday destinations in mainland Croatia. The cleanest sea , pine groves and delightful mountain landscapes – this is what travelers who decide to go here will find.

One of the best beaches in the region is Punta Rata beach  in Brela village.

8. Trogir

It is a small but very atmospheric historic town located near Split . On the territory of the old town, built on the island, there is a real labyrinth of narrow streets and several beautiful churches.

9. Zadar

A large city by Croatian standards, which also has a historical center with a grid of pedestrian streets. An unusual attraction of Zadar is the “sea organ” – a construction of pipes on the shore, making sounds from the waves of the sea.

There are excellent beaches near Zadar, for example in the town of Nin . Also nearby is the island of Pag , which is a popular resort destination and known as the club capital of Croatia, and the Kornati National Park , an archipelago with wild beaches and many islands, a favorite destination for yachtsmen.

Paklenica National Park is located near Zadar.

10. Sibenik

Historic city with a pedestrian center and the imposing Cathedral of St. James , a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city is located near the Krka Park .

From Šibenik you can take ferries to several nearby resort islands.

Best Croatia Islands

A colossal number of islands are located along the coast of Croatia. In total, the country owns 1,145 large and small islands . Many of them are ideal for a resort holiday, with excellent beaches, clean nature and all the necessary tourist infrastructure.

The largest islands are connected to the mainland by car and passenger ferries, the smaller ones – only by passenger. The main ferry company in Croatia is Jadrolinja . If you are planning an independent trip to one of the Croatian islands (including by private or rented car), I recommend purchasing tickets in advance on the official website of the company: https://www.jadrolinija.hr/en/ferry-croatia 

Also, the companies GV Line and Kapetan Luka are engaged in transportation to the Croatian islands on passenger catamarans. You can find their routes and schedules on the official websites:

http://www.gv-line.hr/

https://www.krilo.hr/en/

1. Hvar

Description

Hvar is one of the most interesting holiday islands in Croatia. It boasts both magnificent nature , mountains and pristine beaches , as well as atmospheric historic towns .

Locals are proud that the theater in the city of Hvar is the oldest in Europe. Lavender is grown in the local mountains , which has become the symbol of the island. Also, according to statistics, Hvar is one of the sunniest places in Europe.

The Paklinsky Islands archipelago , which is popular with yachts, is located near the island . Also from Hvar boat excursions are made to the Blue Grotto , one of the famous places in Croatia.

How to get there

  Car and passenger ferries:

• From Split ( Jadrolinja , Kapetan Luka )
• Drevnik-Sućuraj crossing on the east side of the island (fastest and cheapest car ferry option) ( Jadrolinja )

    Passenger catamarans only:

• 1-From Dubrovnik ( Jadrolinja , Kapetan Luka )
• 2-From the island of Brac ( Jadrolinja , Kapetan Luka )
• 3-From the island of Vis ( Jadrolinja )
• 4-From the island of Korcula ( Jadrolinja )

2. Brac

Description

Brač is the largest island in Dalmatia , adjacent to Hvar , and the closest large island to the city of Split . The island produces local wine, olive oil and fruit.

The main attraction of the island of Brac is the famous Zlatni Rat (Golden Horn) beach – an elongated promontory with white sand / small pebbles. Also here is the highest peak of the Croatian islands, Vidova Gora (780 m), from which, as you might guess from its name, excellent views of the Adriatic water area open up.

   How to get there

  Car and passenger ferries:

• From Split ( Jadrolinja , Kapetan Luka )
• From Makarska ( Jadrolinja , Kapetan Luka )

    Passenger catamarans only:

• From Dubrovnik ( Jadrolinja , Kapetan Luka )
• From the island of Hvar ( Jadrolinja , Kapetan Luka )

3. Cres

Description

One of the most popular tourist islands in Croatia and the second largest island in Croatia. It is located near the Istrian peninsula and for a long time belonged to the Venetian Empire . In this regard, many Venetian buildings have survived on the island, such as towers , churches , fortress walls . Cres is known for the richness of its fauna, in particular birds.

The famous beaches of the island of Cres are Plava Grota , Mali Bok and Sveti Ivan .

Cres is also connected by a bridge with the neighboring island of Lošinj , which makes it possible to conveniently travel around two islands at once.

   How to get there

  Car and passenger ferries:

• From the Istrian peninsula (route Zagorje-Porozina) ( Jadrolinja )
• From the island of Krk, connected by a bridge to the mainland ( Jadrolinja )

    Passenger catamarans only:

• From Rijeka ( Kapetan Luka )

4. Krk

Description

The largest island in Croatia and the Adriatic Sea, connected by a bridge to the continent. The island is quite densely populated by locals and is very popular with tourists. This island has an international airport (Rijeka), many settlements and a developed road network.

Island of Krk cannot be called the most beautiful or greenest in Croatia, but it is conveniently located and has a developed infrastructure.

   How to get there

  By car across the Krk Bridge.

  By bus from the city of Rijeka. Travel time to the island’s capital city of Krk is about an hour. You can find timetables and buy tickets through the website https://global.flixbus.com/.

  By plane to Rijeka airport on the island of Krk.

  Car and passenger ferries:

• 1-From the island of Cres ( Jadrolinja )
• 2-From the island of Rab ( Jadrolinja )

    Passenger catamarans only:

• 1-From Rijeka ( GV Line )
• 2-From Zadar city ( GV Line )
• 3-From the island of Pag ( GV Line )

5. Slave

Description

The island of Rab was an ancient settlement. The eponymous town of Rab has preserved many medieval buildings dating back to the 11th century , such as churches , fortified walls , bell towers and a Benedictine monastery .

Rab is also considered one of the greenest islands in Croatia with magnificent pine groves. On the island you can find sandy beaches rare for Croatia, for example, the famous Paradise Beach .

   How to get there

  Car and passenger ferries:

• From the island of Krk ( Jadrolinja )
• Ferry Stinica-Mišnjak (operated by the local company Rapska Plovidba )

    Passenger catamarans only:

• 1-From Rijeka ( Jadrolinja , GV Line )
• 2-From Zadar city ( GV Line )
• 3-From the island of Pag ( Jadrolinja , GV Line )

6. Korcula

Description

The sixth largest island in Croatia. The historic center of the city of the same name, Korcula, is often called “small Dubrovnik” for its massive fortress wall and well-preserved old quarters. The island is set up with pine forests, olive groves and vineyards.

The famous beaches of the island are Pupnatska Luka and the beaches of the small island Proizd near Vela Luka .

   How to get there

  Car and passenger ferries:

• From Split ( Jadrolinja , Kapetan Luka )
• From the Pelješac peninsula (shortest route) ( Jadrolinja )

    Passenger catamarans only:

• From Dubrovnik ( Jadrolinja , GV Line , Kapetan Luka )

7. Mljet

Description

The island of Mljet is located near Dubrovnik and is one of the most beautiful in Croatia. The island boasts magnificent pine forests , rich fauna and beautiful beaches . The northern part of the island is occupied by a national park with two salt lakes .

One of the best beaches on the island is located in the town of Saplunara.

Mljet is a popular day trip destination from Dubrovnik. Many people rent bicycles on the island.

   How to get there

  Car and passenger ferries:

• From the Pelješac peninsula ( Jadrolinja )

    Passenger catamarans only:

• 1-From Dubrovnik ( GV Line , Kapetan Luka )
• 2-From Split ( Kapetan Luka )
• 3-From Makarska ( Kapetan Luka )
• 4-From Korcula Island ( GV Line , Kapetan Luka )
• 5-From the island of Brac ( Kapetan Luka )

8. Pag

Description

The island of Pag has the unofficial status of “Croatian Ibiza” due to the large number of clubs and open-air discos . The center of the island’s nightlife is Novalja . At the same time, the town of Pag is interesting for its medieval historical center.

The island is connected by a bridge with the Croatian mainland by a bridge located near the city of Zadar .

The island is also famous for the special cheese produced here – Pazhsky.

   How to get there

  By car across the Pazhsky bridge.

  By bus from the nearest city of Zadar or from many other cities ( Zagreb , Split , Rijeka , etc.). You can find timetables and buy tickets through the website https://getbybus.com/en/ .

  Car and passenger ferries:

• Ferry Prizna- Žigljen (to the northern part of the island) ( Jadrolinja )

    Passenger catamarans only:

• 1-From Zadar city  ( GV Line )
• 2-From Rijeka  ( GV Line )
• 3-From Rab Island ( GV Line )
• 4-From island Krk ( GV Line )

9. Dugi-Otok

Description

Dugi-Otok means “long island” in Croatian. First of all, it is famous for its Telaščica National Park , which houses one of the most beautiful sea ​​bays in Croatia. Many birds nest on the rocky shores of the bay. Telashchitsa Park is visited, among other things, for the purpose of swimming in the salt lake Mir , the silt of which is considered curative.

Next to the island is the Kornati archipelago , which consists of many small wild islands with sea bays and lagoons. This place is popular with yachtsmen.

   How to get there

• In the city of Brbinj and Bozava on the island of Dugi Otok run car ferries from Zadar ( Jadrolinja ) .
• Passenger ships from the city of Zadar ( GV Line ) go to the cities of Sali and Zaglav on the island.

Natural parks in Croatia

1. Plitvice Lakes

Description

Undoubtedly the most famous landmark in Croatia. And seeing with your own eyes all her beauty, you understand that all the glory is fully deserved.

Plitvice Lakes is a limestone karst landscape through which rivers flow, forming countless waterfalls and natural pools. Water flows everywhere here: in the forests, rivers split into hundreds of streams, forming small and large waterfalls and basins; streams flow through thickets of grass and bushes, giving the impression that the streams here originate out of nowhere.

There is a network of hiking trails running through the park that winds between the main attractions and waterfalls. Inside the park, there are ferries that transport visitors across the lakes and electric buses that can be used to shorten part of the journey on foot. The use of this transport is included in the entrance ticket price.

   The cost

Specified in HRK (Croatian Kuna).

	June-September *	April, May, October	November-March
Adults	300	180	80
Students	200	110	50
Children 7-18	120	50	35
Children under 7 and disabled	Is free

   Working hours 

1-From June 1 to August 20: 7: 00-20: 00
2-From August 21 to September 30: 7: 00-19: 00
3-From October 1 to the last Saturday of October: 8: 00-18: 00
4-From the last Sunday in October to the last Saturday March: 8: 00-16: 00
5-From the last Saturday of March to 31 May: 8: 00-19: 00

Ticket offices and the park entrance are closed 2 hours before the end of work.

   How to get there

  By car

Plitvice Lakes are located on the free road No. 1 , which runs parallel to the A1 toll road (Zagreb-Dubrovnik).

From Zagreb : take the A1 road towards Dubrovnik and take the exit to road no. 1 near the town of Karlovac . Follow it to Plitvice Lakes.

From Zadar, Split, Dubrovnik and other towns in the south: take the A1 motorway towards Zagreb until the exit for road 522 at the sign “Plitvicka jezera” . Follow this road straight up to Plitvice Lakes.

D The motion on the toll road A1 can almost always be duplicated parallel free roads. However, this path will take much longer.

  By bus

Buses run from many cities in Croatia to Plitvice Lakes. You can find timetables and purchase tickets through the website https://global.flixbus.com/.

2. Krka National Park

Description

In essence, this park is an analogue of Plitvice Lakes: the river flowing through the karst landscape forms a cascade of magnificent waterfalls and natural pools.

The main difference between Krk and Plitvice Lakes is that you can swim in the lake near the main waterfall. Swimming next to a huge waterfall is one of the main reasons why you should come to Krka Park.

The park has several entrances located at a distance from each other along the river. Also, boat excursions are organized in the park, which is purchased separately.

The cost

Specified in HRK (Croatian Kuna).

Ticket valid for all entrances:

	June-September	April, May, October	November-March
Adults	200 *	100	thirty
Children 7-18, students	120 *	80	20
Children under 7 years old, disabled	Is free

* Discounts apply after 4 pm.

Ticket for Roški slap only:

	June-September	April, May, October	November-March
Adults	100	50	thirty
Children 7-18, students	55	40	20
Children under 7 years old, disabled	Is free

Ticket only for the entrances of Kistanje, Burnum, Puljane in the north:

	June-September	April, May, October	November-March
Adults	40	40	thirty
Children 7-18, students	thirty	thirty	20
Children under 7 years old, disabled	Is free

   Working hours

	Skradinski buk and Roški slap waterfalls	Kistanje (Krka Monastery), Krka Camping in Puljane, Burnum entrance
January	9:00 – 16:00	closed
February	9:00 – 16:00	closed
March	9:00 – 17:00	closed
April	8:00 – 18:00	10:00 – 18:00
May	8:00 – 19:00	10:00 – 18:00
June	8:00 – 20:00	10:00 – 18:00
July	8:00 – 20:00	8:00 – 20:00
August	8:00 – 20:00	8:00 – 20:00
September	8:00 – 19:00	10:00 – 18:00
October 1-15	8:00 – 18:00	10:00 – 18:00
October 16-31	9:00 – 17:00	10:00 – 17:00
November	9:00 – 16:00	closed
December	9:00 – 16:00	closed

   How to get there

  By car

Take the A1 motorway until exit 33 , 56 or 59 depending on the park entrance you choose . For more information on the different entrances to the park, see Croatia: Krka National Park (under construction).

D The motion on the toll road A1 can almost always be duplicated parallel free roads. However, this path will take much longer.

  By bus

Buses run from many cities in Croatia to Krka Park. You can find timetables and purchase tickets through the website https://global.flixbus.com/.

3. Mountain trekking: Paklenica

Description

Paklenica and North Velebit are two of the most famous hiking trails in Croatia. They are popular with both ordinary mountain hikers and professional climbers, for whom there are all opportunities for sports. Hiking trails in the parks run through mountainous karst landscapes rich in flora and fauna.

   Route characteristics

  Length: There are many routes in the park, among which there is not the only correct one. Standard routes are 12-17 km long, advanced ones – up to 40 km.

  Vertical drop: from 700 m on standard routes to 1700 on advanced

  Difficulty: high

   The cost

Adults : 20-60 HRK depending on the season
Pupils and students from 15 to 25 : 15-40 HRK
Children from 5 to 14 : 10-40 HRK
Entrance to the park by private car : 10 HRK

   How to get there

  By car

The park is located near the E65 “Adriatic highway”  in the village of Starigrad . The most convenient way to get to it is along the A1 (Zagreb-Dubrovnik) highway and taking the exit in the village of Maslenica .

  By bus

There are buses from Zadar to the village of Starigrad, where the entrance to the park is located. You can find timetables and purchase tickets through the website https://global.flixbus.com/.

4. Mountain trekking: Northern Velebit

Route characteristics

  Length: 16 km.

  Vertical drop:  700 m

  Difficulty: moderate

   The cost

Adults : 45 HRK
Children 6-14, students : 30 HRK
Children under 6 : free

   How to get there

  By car only

The main entrance to the park is located in the village of Krasno. The most convenient way to reach it is along with the A1 (Zagreb-Dubrovnik) highway, taking the exit to Otočac. Continue along the road straight for about 21 km to Krasno.

Is Croatia Safe?

The riots of the 90s are in the distant past, and today Croatia peacefully neighbors other republics of the former Yugoslavia and does not enter into confrontation with them. Therefore, there is no disorder here, everything is quiet and calm in resorts and cities. Local residents are well-disposed towards visitors, as income from the tourism business replenishes the state budget.

Crime

The crime rate in Croatia is very low. Local authorities vigilantly protect the peace of mind of citizens, law enforcement agencies work clearly and harmoniously. However, in crowded places, vigilance still needs to be maintained. Keep track of your belongings, remove wallets and expensive equipment, keep an eye on your bags. Going on excursions, take with you only the necessary amount of money and copies of documents. The rest should be left in the hotel safe. We also recommend using official exchange offices, and not contacting spontaneous currency exchange points.

Road Safety

Croatia is a full-fledged member of the European Union, therefore it adheres to the norms and rules established in Europe. I must say that the roads have not yet been repaired everywhere, and some of them are in a rather poor condition. Especially when it comes to communication between small towns. Croatia transport infrastructure is actively developing, but so far it is not enough, and here and there traffic jams appear. Especially on the highways leading to the border with Slovenia. When getting behind the wheel, be sure to check for insurance, an international driver’s license, and in the car, wear your seat belts. If you are planning to rent a car, please note that another 20% tax will be added to the indicated price tag. In Croatia, pedestrians are very respectful – try to match.

Safety regulations. What you need to know when going to Croatia

• When leaving Croatia at the border, you can get a VAT refund for purchased goods by presenting a “Tax-Free” check.
• If pets are traveling with you, they must have international documents with information about all necessary vaccinations.
• In Croatia, it is customary to leave a tip of 10% in restaurants, guides, taxi drivers, and hotel staff.
• Bank cards are accepted almost everywhere.
• Although Croatia is a member of the European Union, it has its own currency, the kuna (HRK). 
• Smoking in public places is prohibited. Many cafes have special smoking areas.
• Tap water can be drunk without fear because it is in the top 20 of the cleanest and healthiest in Europe.

Shopping

Few people travel to Croatia for shopping, but there are some positive features here:

• Prices are 10-50% lower than Other European Countries.
• Other dimensional grid. The clothes are designed for a little more voluminous people, a lot of clothes for large and tall people, there are large shoe sizes.
• Lots of accessories and jewelry, especially jewelry. Here you can find amazing works of gold and silver.
• Own quality brands of clothing, accessories, shoes, and decor items. These are Madame Demode, Roba, Lokomotiva World, Marta Buzolic, Juraj Zigman, Diana Viljevac, I-GLE, Croatia, Grupa design studio, Woodoir, Numen / For Use, Filip Gordon Frank, Svjetlana Despot, Viktor Matic, MIRTA, Lidia Boševski.

What you need to know about shopping in Croatia

If you have a lot of purchases and a large check, you may be offered a discount on cash payments.

Before you travel, try Google if there are any activities planned during your stay in Croatia. For example, if it is a wine festival, then it is worth stopping by to buy good wine with a special “festival” discount. Sales are held to celebrate holidays, shopping nights, and seasonal events. For example, some local delicacies from vegetables and fruits are cheapest in September after the harvest: jam, honey, vegetable pastes, sauces, and rakia.

Designer clothing, jewelry, footwear, and items can be purchased at additional discounts during the summer festivals where designer markets operate.

Best Cities for Shopping

If you are into shopping, why not go shopping in the shopping malls in Croatia? Let’s see what features are here.

Zagreb

The capital of Croatia is home to major shopping malls, designer shops, top shops and boutiques.

• Among the large shopping centers, the following stand out: Centar Kapitol , Arena Centar, and City Centar one West .
• For gifts, souvenirs, designer jewelry, and decor items go to Take Me Home, Jasmina i lutkice, Petra’s atelier, Kavalir Shop, Koza.
• There is a wonderful place in Zagreb selling locally produced perfumes and eau de toilette: Notes of Zagreb.
• And, of course, the most popular tourist requests are shops where you can pick up good wine or some local delicacies. Someone goes to the Dolac market, and someone goes to specialized stores: Bornstein, Vintessa, La Chocolate, and Krop.

Split

The second most important city in Croatia. If it makes sense to go to Zagreb for shopping, then to visit Split this may be just one of the reasons.

• The most important shopping centers are City Center One Split, JOKER center, Mall of Split, Mercator, and Emmezeta.
• In the Old Town of Split, there are many shops with souvenirs and decor items. There is an art gallery directly under the Diocletian’s Palace where you can buy something from modern painting or a copy of famous paintings by Croatian artists (this is almost always a naive painting).

• Nadalina Cokolada sells the best Dalmatian chocolate , made by hand according to an old recipe.

Other cities

Many localities in Croatia have their own special products and goods. For example, lavender honey can be bought in every major city in Croatia, but only on the island of Rab do the best in the world.

What to bring from Croatia

Among the huge variety, there are several things that have become the hallmark of Croatia:

• jewelry “Morchich”;
• Maraschino liqueur, local wines and liqueurs;
• a leader’s heart (given to beloved ones);
• pasha cheese; honey from lavender or pine; confectionery products of the Kraš company;
• salt with the addition of Dalmatian herbs;
• Dalmatian or Istrian prosciutto;

It is important to know about Tax free for travelers. Many supermarkets and some shops operate under the Tax Free system: if you purchased a product worth more than 500 HRK, then if you have a Tax Free sample check, you can get back the amount of tax on this product when leaving Croatia.

Be sure to keep all your receipts with you when traveling in Croatia, here they strictly monitor the payment of taxes.

Nearby countries

Italy

The easiest way to get from Croatia to the country is by ferry. There are several popular routes:

• Bari – Dubrovnik (most popular destination, ticket price – from 300 EUR),
• Venice – Rovinj / Pula / Opatija / Porec (~ 64 EUR per one way ticket),
• Ancona – Split / Zadar (~ 39 EUR one way, you can find out about the cost on the website of the Croatian ferry company Jadrolinija.hr ).

Some flights operate only during the tourist season. The alternative is an airplane, a rented yacht or a car. By the way, renting a yacht can cost from 700 EUR per day. You pay for the rental of the entire boat, which can accommodate 5 to 12 people. This is how many of my friends travel: they rent a yacht for a week or two and the whole company sail along the Croatian and Montenegrin coasts. They go down to the ground to explore the cities, have a snack and pay vignettes for a stop at the port. And it is often cheaper than renting accommodation on land and traveling around the country in a rented car, train or bus.

Slovenia, Hungary, Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina

All these countries, together with Croatia, were once part of Yugoslavia. For this reason, transport links are highly developed between them. The most convenient way to get there is by car, you can look for distributors here . There are also bus routes, for example from Getbybus. These countries can also be reached from Croatia by rail. Information on routes and prices can be found on the official website of the Croatian Railways.

Of course, the fastest way to get around is by airplanes. All available flights, airlines and ticket prices from Croatian cities can be found on the official website of Croatian airports. By the way, you can compare ticket prices here .

Holidays and events in Croatia

In Zagreb – Music Biennale (April) in Croatia, St. Mark’s Philharmonic Festival (June), Flower Exhibition “Flora-Art” (June), International New Theater Festival – EUROCAZ (June – July), Cartoon Festival (June), International Folklore Festival (July), Zagreb Summer Festival (July-August), International Puppet Theater Festival (August-September), International Jazz Days (October) and Zagreb International Fair (floating date).
In Dubrovnik – Carnival (February), St. Blaže (February), as well as the famous international Summer Festival (July – August), during which there are about a hundred different performances.

Every year in Rovinj in Croatia (16 September) there is a pilgrimage in honor of St. Euphimia, which attracts thousands of believers from all over Europe, at the beginning of May – the Rovinj-Pesaro regatta, in August – the Rovinj Fair, and in September – the yacht races. In Porec – the annual Folklore Festival (June), the International Folklore Festival (August), the Summer Art Exhibition (all summer) and the Music Summer Festival (from May to September). On the island of Rab, on May 9 or July 27, traditional crossbow competitions are held (held since 1364). In Pula held Festivals and opera music festival (summer). Vodice – International Music Festival (summer).

In Split – a colorful celebration of the Holy Spirit (7 May), Summer Festival (mid-July – mid-August). In Zadar hosts the annual Pirate Festival (September), the Fair City of Zadar and Dalmatian Song Festival (July – August), Music Evenings in the Church of the Holy Martyrs (August), and the Choir Festival (October).. On the island of Korcula from the end of the 15th in the summer, the knight games “Moreshka” (on Thursdays, at 21.00) and “Kumpania” are held. “Dalmatian bullfighting” (date “floating”) is held in Radosic