CROATIA FAQ`S
What is Croatia known for?
Many people picture Croatia as a fun-in-the-sun destination, and it has some of the most popular beaches in Europe, from the Istrian coast in the north to the Dubrovnik Riviera in the south, with the beaches of the numerous islands offshore considered the best of the best. In these beach communities, as it is in many large cities, Croatia offers world-class nightlife and some of Europe`s most popular music festivals, with DJs coming here to help locals and tourists party summer nights away. Be sure to enjoy some food with that drink and sample some of Croatia`s many delicacies, such as truffles, seafood from Dalmatia, and Pag cheese.
Croatia is as well-known for its history and geographic beauty as it is for its leisure and entertainment. More than just resorts and beaches, Croatia also offers to the tourist opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, kayaking, and mountain climbing at their many national parks such as Plitvice Lakes and Paklenica. It also offers tourists the opportunity to learn about Croatia`s history by visiting its many walled cities (such as Dubrovnik, Trogir, and Korcula), Roman-era buildings and remains (of which Diocletian`s Palace and the Pula Arena are perhaps the best-known), and religious buildings such as Zagreb Cathedral, the Euphrasian Basilica, and Dubrovnik Synagogue (one of the oldest synagogues in Europe).
What are the best places to visit in Croatia?
People who visit Croatia usually start their trips at one of the three most popular tourist spots in the country: Zagreb, its capital, situated in the north of the country; and Split and Dubrovnik, in the Dalmatia region of southern Croatia. All three cities are great places to use as bases to explore the rest of the country.
If you are starting from Zagreb, consider exploring the beautiful Kvarner Gulf and Istria regions, where Rijeka and Pula are the major cities. If you are beginning your journey in Split, you can explore offshore via Croatia's many ferries and visit the hundreds of beautiful islands in the Adriatic Sea (we recommend such islands as Hvar and Pag). Likewise, you can explore inland by visiting the breathtaking Plitvice Lakes National Park; or up the coast to Zadar, Sibenik, Trogir, and the Gulf of Kastela; or down the coast.
The drive from Split to Dubrovnik takes you through some of the most popular and desirable stretches of coastline in Europe. First you will see the Dalmatian Coast, then the Makarska Riviera, then (after crossing the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina and then back into Croatia), you will reach the Dubrovnik Riviera. No matter where you go in Croatia, you will be sure to have a wonderful vacation.
When is the best time to visit Croatia?
There is something for everyone to see, do and enjoy in Croatia every month out of the year, but we would recommend that you time your visit during `shoulder periods`, when temperatures are cooler and prices are off their peaks. In Croatia those months are May, September and October. For more information, check out: Best Time to Visit Croatia.
How many days should I spend in Croatia?
We recommend 7-10 days based on what you want to see and do. We offer flexible vacation packages so you can select your number of nights in each city, desired hotel and activities. We suggest a minimum of 3 nights in larger cities.
What is the best way to get around Croatia?
Whatever your pleasure, transportation in Croatia is modern, easy to navigate and fits a variety of budget ranges. The best way to travel in Croatia is by car; while traveling by train is possible in many regions, and is an efficient and pleasant way to travel, some regions of the country are not connected by the rail network. To get the full Croatian experience, which includes hundreds and hundreds of islands just offshore in the Adriatic, consider combining your car experience with ferries; there are car ferries to many of the islands.
By Car: We recommend driving to see absolutely everything Croatia has to offer. Croatia is a very diverse country geographically, and is shaped in such a way where trains cannot reach every part of the country, so driving to see sights in Croatia is the way to go. Croatia`s road system is modern and is easily navigable even in rural areas. Traveling by car is particularly useful in regions of the country such as Istria, Dalmatia, and the Plitvice Lakes region. As of January 2023, Croatia is now part of the Schengen Travel Area, meaning that there is no longer a border crossing checkpoint if you are crossing into countries such as Slovenia and Hungary. The border crossing between Croatia and Bosnia between Makarska and Neum, for the time being, is still operational. For more information on getting around by car, check out: Driving in Croatia.
By Train: Train service is administered by Croatian Railways. Train travel is most feasible in the north of the country, from Rijeka in the west to Osijek and the Serbian border in the east. The southernmost train station in the Croatian Railways system is Split, meaning everything south of Split must be seen either by car or another similar mode of transportation. International train lines link Croatia with Slovenia, Hungary, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Austria, and Germany. There is one station south of Split, in Ploce, 50 minutes south of Makarska, but it connects with Sarajevo only.
By Ferry: The best way to explore the islands of the Adriatic is to leave by ferry. Many cities have ferry ports, the largest of the ports that connect to most of the Adriatic islands are Zadar, Split, Makarska, and Dubrovnik. You can book many ferries to the islands with Tripmasters; be sure to ask about car ferry options so you can bring your rental car with you to the islands.
What is the currency of Croatia?
Croatia's currency is the euro (€), like Slovenia and most of the other countries in the European Union. Croatia joined the Eurozone on January 1, 2023. If you have spare kunas from past trips to Croatia, they can be exchanged at Croatian banks for euros until December 31, 2025. For more detailed information, consult our guide by clicking here Tipping in Croatia.
Do people speak English in Croatia?
Croatians are some of the most multilingual people in Europe. It is estimated that 81% of adults can speak English at least conversationally, by far the most popular foreign language. You should be able to get by with English at hotels and in many tourist areas, but do not assume everyone everywhere can speak it. If you want to know if someone speaks English, ask them 'govorite li engleski?' (GOH-voh-ree-te lee en-GLES-kee?)