Croatia travel FAQ

The euro. Croatia adopted it on 1 January 2023, replacing the kuna. Old kuna banknotes can still be exchanged at the Croatian National Bank but are no longer accepted in shops. Cards are taken almost everywhere, though small island konobas, market stalls, some taxi drivers and rural parking machines still prefer cash. Carry €50–100 in small notes.

Croatia is in the Schengen Area, so the standard Schengen rules apply: EU, EEA and Swiss nationals need only an identity card, while UK, US, Canadian, Australian and many other passport holders can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. Check your own nationality’s requirements before booking, and note that days spent elsewhere in Schengen count toward the same allowance.

Late May to late June and the first three weeks of September. The sea is warm, ferries run the full summer timetable, and prices sit well below peak. July and August bring 33 °C days, cruise crowds in Dubrovnik and accommodation at double the shoulder rate. October is excellent for Istria, Plitvice and the cities but the island ferry network thins out sharply from mid-month.

Yes, throughout the country, including on the islands where it is piped from the mainland. It is soft, cold and pleasant. Restaurants will bring bottled water by default — asking for tap water is entirely acceptable, though not universally expected.

Very widely, particularly on the coast and among anyone under fifty. German and Italian are also common. A few words go a long way all the same: dobar dan (good day), hvala (thank you), molim (please), živjeli (cheers), račun, molim (the bill, please).

Not obligatory, increasingly expected in tourist areas. Rounding up, or ten percent for a good sit-down meal, is generous and normal. Cafés: leave the coins. Taxis: round up. Tips in cash are appreciated more than tips added to a card payment.

Because it is priced by the kilogram, not per portion. A whole fish will be shown to you raw and weighed at the table; a portion for one runs 300–400 g, so at €60/kg you are looking at €18–24 before sides. Ask the weight and the price before you nod. Bread and cover charges of €1.50–3 per person are also standard. Our food guide explains konoba conventions in full.

Mostly not. Croatian beaches are pebble, shingle or flat rock, which is exactly why the water is so clear. Real sand exists at Sakarun on Dugi Otok, Vela Pržina on Korčula and Šunj on Lopud. Bring water shoes everywhere — sea urchins are common on rocky entries. See the beach guide.

No at Plitvice, where swimming has been banned for decades to protect the travertine. At Krka, bathing near Skradinski Buk has been restricted in recent seasons for the same reason — check the park website before packing a swimsuit.

Very. Violent crime is rare and petty theft is low even in crowded old towns, though normal precautions apply around ferry terminals and busy markets. The genuine risks are sunstroke, slipping on wet boardwalks or polished limestone, and underestimating the sea in a strong wind. Emergency number is 112 and pharmacies are excellent.

Extremely. Children are welcome in restaurants at any hour, shallow beaches are plentiful, and the ferries are an adventure in themselves. Choose Brač, Jelsa on Hvar or the Makarska Riviera over Hvar Town and Dubrovnik’s stepped lanes if you are travelling with a pushchair.