Croatia Travel Guide

Contents

Croatia is a wonderful place with lots of opportunities to offer its visitors. Before going to Croatia, there are some recommendations to follow and some information to have for a comfortable journey. Croatia is known for its beautiful location in the Adriatic Sea and is thus often referred to as the “Pearl of the Adriatic." It is settled between the Balkans, Middle Europe, and the Mediterranean. Croatia consists of three main historical regions called Dalmatia, Istria, and Slavonia, and it declared independence in 1991 when Yugoslavia dissolved.

Croatia has been a popular destination for travelers all around the world. It attracts people with its award-winning, blue-flag beaches, famous cities, and mesmerizing architecture. There are beautiful places to visit in Croatia because of the amazing summer holidays and honeymoon programs the country offers.

General Information

Location

Croatia can be found among Middle and Southeast Europe on the map. According to its location, Croatia is bordered by countries such as Serbia, Slovenia, Hungary, and Montenegro. The Adriatic Sea spreads through the south of the country, whereas there is also Italy to the west beyond the sea border.

Capital

Croatia has many well-known cities, one of which is the capital city. Zagreb is the most crowded city in Croatia, as well as the biggest. It extends into central Croatia. All four seasons can be seen in Zagreb.

Local Time

Croatia’s local time is classified as UTC+01, Central European Time.

Currency

Croatia’s national currency, which is called kuna, was a past option. However, after their acceptance by the EU, they started using euros. Before visiting the country or following the landing, having the correct currency is advised for non-Europeans.

Average Temperature

Croatia witnessed the effects of two different climate types: Mediterranean and continental. Thus, the temperature varies according to the place and the season.

• Around the cities with a Mediterranean climate, 25–30 °C can be seen through the summer and 5–10 °C through the winter.
• In the cities affected by the continental climate, the temperature may range between 20 and 25 °C in the summer and 0 and 5 °C in the winter.

Land Area & Population

Croatia has a land area of 56.542 square kilometers, whereas its population is around 4 million. Although surprising, Croatia is one of the oldest countries in terms of the age of its population. The average age is 43.3 years there. Because of its population, all the places to visit in Croatia have a comfortable vacation experience.

Language

According to the Croatia travel guide, the official language of Croatia is called Croatian. The elderly Croatians happen to know German widely, and among the young generation, English is also spoken. Here are some expressions that can be helpful to tourists in Croatia:

• “Hvala” = “Thank you.”
• “Molim” = “You’re Welcome” or "Please.”
• “Dobar dan” = “Hello.”

Vegetation

Half of the total land area of Croatia is covered by forests, which have a wide biodiversity. And since the country also witnesses the Mediterranean climate, it is also possible to see maquis through the Adriatic.

Where is Croatia? What Are the Neighboring Countries of Croatia?

Croatia is a country located in Europe. Its location is a perfect holiday destination for many. People from the nearby countries also visit Croatia often. There are some neighbors worth mentioning, such as Montenegro, Hungary, and Slovenia.

Travel to Croatia

There are many ways to get to Croatia. Croatia travel guides state that one of the most popular and comfortable ways is to fly to Zagreb. Zagreb has flights from all over the world, including direct flights from Istanbul to Zagreb in 2 hours and 10 minutes.

In particular, flights from SAW to ZAG are mostly preferred. As mentioned above, Pegasus provides the best flight journey to its customers between Türkiye and Croatia and the other way around. Book a flight and enjoy the best price-qualified travel.

Transportation in Croatia

Croatia has highly developed highways. There is a chance to travel among the places to visit in Croatia, which are connected by modern roads and comfortable coaches. Another popular means of transportation between the cities is the railway. The capital, Zagreb, is located in the center of the railway network. It is not complicated at all to move from Zagreb to other places to visit in Croatia, also known as tourist attractions such as Rijeka and Split. It is also quite economical to travel by coach and train in the country.

Throughout the city, people widely use public buses, taxis, and the subway as well. Croatia travel guides state that Zagreb and Dubrovnik also have traditional-style nostalgic trams, which are loved by tourists. They serve for their thrilling city tours.

Transportation from Airport

Zagreb Airport is 12 km away from the city center. This distance can be covered by car in 25–30 minutes. Instead of using a car, for people who prefer public transportation, there are buses called “Pleso Prijevoz ''. These buses serve between the hours of 5 a.m. and 8 p.m., and visitors can have their seats every thirty minutes in Pleso Prijevoz.

When to Go to Croatia?

Croatia attracts tourists mostly because of its warm weather, beautiful beaches, and means of entertainment. Therefore, high-season visitors generally choose to go in the summer. From June to August, people are pleased with what they find. Other seasons, except winter, are also widely preferred. Winter, on the other hand, is the least chosen time of the year to visit Croatia.

Festivals in Croatia

There are many festivals and fairs in Croatia. If you are interested, you can choose the time of your travel accordingly. Here are some of the most popular ones:

• Rijeka Carnival: February or March
• Dubrovnik Summer Festival: July to August
• Zagreb INmusic Festival: June
• Istria Motovun Film Festival: July
• Zadar Full Moon Festival: August

Accommodation in Croatia

According to the Croatia travel guide, accommodation in this country doesn’t require much effort. There are rich hotels and apartments for each taste and desire. For instance, the capital city of Zagreb, which has stunning natural and historical beauty, has a wide range of accommodation opportunities. For people who are looking for a busy holiday schedule, Upper Town is more suitable, whereas Lower Town serves more nature lovers.

Another example to give for accommodation in Croatia is the tourist attraction city of Dubrovnik. It is an amazing option for places to visit in Croatia. The Old Town in Dubrovnik is one of the best places to stay. This place is not only historical, but it also presents a great deal of entertainment. Here, some of the hotels also represent the historical aspect of the nation.

Croatian Cuisine

Croatia has a very rooted cuisine, according to the Croatia travel guide. As it has many traditional recipes in itself, it is also historically affected by Hungarian, Slavic, and Turkish cuisines. There are some signature ingredients that Croatians mostly use, such as pork oil, black pepper, red pepper, and garlic. Here are some widely known, popular Croatian foods:

• One of the most popular recipes in Croatian cuisine is octopus salad, which can best be tasted in Dubrovnik.
• Another very popular one is called Pasticada. It is a steak cooked with sour and sweet sauces prone to the region.
• In Zagreb, Cevapi and Burek are consumed by the locals and tourists.
• As for the desserts, Rosata is famous all around the country.

Souvenirs to Buy from Croatia

There are many objects to buy from Croatia as souvenirs. They are all desired to keep or to gift to someone else. One of the most popular types of mementos is silver jewelry, which is handmade and unique to the country. These silver jewelry pieces are known for their delicate handwork engraving of pearls and coral.

The Adriatic and the Dalmatian regions of the country, which are other places to visit in Croatia, are full of lavender gardens. These also make way for other popular types of souvenirs, such as lavender creams, lotions, perfumes, and soaps.

Things to Know Before Visiting Croatia

Before visiting a country, especially for the first time, there are certain aspects to be considered. Although Croatia has a very low crime rate, there are other positive and slightly negative things travelers should consider. According to the Croatia travel guide:

• If you travel to the north of Croatia, you must bring warm clothes.
• Do not carry cash in large numbers, especially in crowded places.
• Credit and debit cards can be used at places to visit in Croatia.
• Tourists must pay great attention to their safety while having a holiday near the Adriatic Sea in the isolated coves.
• Some public places might be closed on national holidays; tourists must check the public holidays before their journey.

Nightlife in Croatia

Since Croatia is a very popular tourist destination, in many cities and places entertainment and nightlife are cherished by both the locals and the tourists. Zagreb and Dubrovnik are very popular places for people who seek fun at night. Nightlife in this country is a must in the Croatia travel guide.

Essential Numbers

It’s important to know some essential numbers about a country before visiting in case of need. Here are some listed for Croatia:

• Police: 192
• Fire: 193
• Ambulance: 194

Holidays and Special Days

Before going to a country, it’s a good idea to be aware of some special days and holidays. There are some dates to be considered when planning, as listed below:

• There are some religious holidays Croatians celebrate, such as January 6th, Easter, June 19th, Corpus Christi, August 15th, Saint Mary, Noel, etc.
• There are also national special days and holidays such as June 25th, National Day, August 5th, Victory Day, October 8th, Independence Day, etc.
• There are also other well-known and celebrated days, such as Labor Day, the New Year, etc.

Visa for Croatia

Croatia, although it is not located on the Schengen grounds, accepts both Schengen and Croatian visas for visits.

FAQs About Croatia

What is the most popular coastal city in Croatia?

Dubrovnik is the most popular coastal city in Croatia and a definite tourist attraction.

What is the best time to visit Croatia?

Summer is the most preferred season of the year to visit this warm, Mediterranean country.

What side of the road is driven in Croatia?

The driving side of Croatia is on the right. Rental vehicle options are always available for tourists around the city.