Visiting Croatia for the first time and have plenty of questions? This Croatia Travel guide will answer every question you might have before coming to Croatia.
From basic geography, currency and safety questions, to what you should see and how to get around Croatia, these answers will surely be helpful to anyone planning on visiting Croatia.
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Where is Croatia?
Croatia is situated in Southeast Europe on the Balkan Peninsula. It has several neighbouring countries such as Hungary, Slovenia, Bosnia, Montenegro, and Serbia. Geographically, Croatia is very diverse, having a coastline along the Adriatic Sea, picturesque islands, and inland regions with mountains and lakes.
Map of Croatia
What is the capital of Croatia?
The capital city of Croatia is Zagreb, located in the northwestern part of the country. Zagreb is not only the political and administrative center but also a cultural hub with a rich history. The city is home to around 800,000 people, making it the largest in Croatia.
As a Zagreb local, I can tell you that Zagreb is absolutely worth visiting, although many tourists skip it in favour of other coastal towns. If you’re planning on visiting Zagreb, here are some recommendations on what to do and see in Zagreb in two days, as well as what are the best AirBnBs, and day trips from Zagreb!
Is there a Croatian Airline Company?
If you’re flying into Croatia, you’ll surely find that Croatia does have its own airline – Croatia Airlines. It was established in 1989, and it is the national airline company. Operating from its main hub in Zagreb, it connects major Croatian cities and provides international flights to numerous destinations in Europe.
If you’re coming from Europe, you can fly with Croatia Airlines from many big cities on the continent, such as Vienna, Brussels, Paris, Berlin, London, Rome, or Barcelona. If you’re flying from overseas, it’s best to fly into one of these bigger European cities and then catch a short plane ride to Croatia.
Croatia Population – how small is Croatia?
Croatia is a small country, with a population of approximately 4 million people. As many European cities are bigger than the whole country of Croatia, it’s really mind-blowing what you get to see in such a small country. The country isn’t overly diverse, with mainly Croatians, Serbs, and Bosnians living there, but recently it has seen an upsurge of Asian nationalities inhabiting the country.
Who is the president of Croatia?
Zoran Milanović is the President of Croatia. Before his presidency, he was a Croatian Prime Minister.
Croatia language – what do you need to know about it?
Croatian is the official language of Croatia. It is a South Slavic language and is spoken by the majority of the population. It’s closely related to Serbian and Bosnian, so you’ll probably hear many variations of similar languages.
Croatian language uses the Latin alphabet, which makes it relatively accessible for travelers from Western countries. The Croatian Latin alphabet includes 30 letters, and the language is phonetic, meaning words are pronounced as they are spelled.
Most tourist attractions, transportation hubs, and restaurants have signs and information available in both Croatian and English. This makes it convenient for travelers to navigate and understand essential information. English is also widely spoken in Croatia, so you won’t have any problems if you don’t speak Croatian. Still, out of politeness, learn a few words of Croatian anyway!
Croatia Currency – is it Kuna or Euro?
From the beginning of 2024, the official currency is EURO and the Croatian Kuna (HRK) cannot be used anymore. If you’ve been to Croatia before and have any Kunas left, you can exchange the money at the Croatian National Bank in Zagreb. Overall, there’s no need for you to have lots of cash as you can pay for almost anything with your cards.
Is Croatia safe?
Croatia is an exceptionally safe country. If you’re having any doubts over visiting Croatia because of safety issues, you don’t need to worry about that. Croatia is perfect for solo travelers in general, and women can easily travel by themselves anywhere in Croatia. Keep an eye out for your belongings like you would in any other country, but that’s about it!
Croatia Weather – what is the best time to visit Croatia
Croatia experiences a quite diverse climate for its size. Coastal areas have a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Inland regions, including Zagreb, have a more continental climate with hot summers and cold winters. The shoulder seasons of late spring and early autumn are often considered the best times to visit for pleasant weather and lower amount of tourists compared to the high season.
Read more >>> Croatia in Winter/Spring/Autumn
Croatia’s high season is from June to August, and that’s when most of tourists come in order to experience that perfect summer in Croatia. If water activities are most important to you on your holiday, summer will be the best option for you.
Flights to Croatia – Croatian Airports
Major international airlines, including Croatia Airlines, Lufthansa, British Airways, KLM, and more, operate flights to Croatia. The country has several international airports, including Zagreb, Split, and Dubrovnik. If you’re flying from one of the bigger cities in Europe, you’ll land at one of these 3 cities. Zadar and Pula also have frequent Ryanair connections during the summer season, which can be great cheap options for flying to Croatia.
Croatia Time Zone
Croatia is in the Central European Time (CET) zone, which is UTC+1. During daylight saving time (Central European Summer Time – CEST), it becomes UTC+2. Same as Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin, Budapest, Rome etc.
Flag of Croatia
The Croatian flag consists of three equal horizontal stripes of red, white, and blue. In the middle is the coat of arms of Croatia. The red-white-blue combination has historical significance and is associated with the country’s coat of arms.
Along with the flag, red and white checkers seen on Croatia’s coat of arms are the symbol of Croatia, usually well recognized on many of our national sports teams!
Cities in Croatia
There are many popular cities in Croatia, and many coastal ones are more known than our capital, Zagreb. Besides Zagreb, notable cities in Croatia include Dubrovnik, Split, Zadar, Rijeka, Pula. Some of our more popular islands are Hvar, Korčula, Vis, and Brač.
Read more:
- >>> ULTIMATE DUBROVNIK GUIDE
- >>> ZAGREB: 2 DAY ITINERARY
- >>> SPLIT: 2 DAY ITINERARY
- >>> TOP 5 MOST BEAUTIFUL TOWNS IN ISTRIA
- >>> TOP 10 MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACES IN CROATIA
- >>> BEST THINGS TO DO ON KORCULA
- >>> WHAT TO DO AND SEE IN PULA
Croatian Food
Croatian cuisine offers a delightful blend of flavors. Coastal areas feature delicious and fresh seafood dishes such as black risotto and grilled fish. In the northern part of the coast, Istria, you will love dishes with black and white truffles, as well as their amazing wine selection. If you find yourself near Dubrovnik, try fresh oysters grown in Mali Ston.
Both coastal and inland regions prepare incredible hearty dishes such as Peka (baked meat, usually lamb or octopus, and vegetables), while inland regions also cook incredible stews such as Fiš and Čobanac. Don’t miss trying the traditional pastries and wines anywhere in the country. If you’re visiting Zagreb, try štrukli and kremšnita.
How many islands are in Croatia?
Another often asked question is how many islands Croatia actually has. It’s a valid question, because if you look at the map, you’ll see it’s plenty!
Croatia has over 1,000 islands, making it one of the most island-rich countries in the world. The largest and most populous islands include Krk, Cres, Brač, and Hvar, each offering unique landscapes, cultural attractions, and natural beauty.
Some of the most visited islands are Hvar, Korčula, Brač, Vis, and Mljet.
How to travel around Croatia
Croatia travel is easy if you have a car because Croatia has really great highways. If you don’t have a car and are not planning on renting one, here are your best options:
Buses:
Croatia has a great bus network that connects major cities and towns. This is a cost-effective and comfortable way to explore the country, without renting a car. Easiest way to find bus tickets is to check the main bus station’s website for the specific city you are currently in. You can also easily get tickets for Flixbus on their mobile app. It’s fast and Flixbus has many connections in Croatia.
Ferries and Boats:
Given Croatia’s extensive coastline and numerous islands, ferries and boats are crucial for island-hopping. Jadrolinija is the main ferry company, operating services between coastal cities and islands. Catamarans are also available for faster connections.
If you want a more comfortable and private option, on each location you will find local travel agencies which offer private boat tours for island-hopping – perfect for exploring the wonderful islands of Croatia!
Domestic Flights:
While Croatia is a relatively small country, there are domestic flights available, primarily connecting Zagreb with cities like Split and Dubrovnik. They are a great option if you want to change your location fairly quickly. However, flying is usually more expensive than other modes of transportation. A one-way flight from Zagreb to Dubrovnik during high season starts at around 100 euros.
Uber and Taxis:
Taxis are widely available in every city in Croatia, but try to choose reputable companies or use official taxi stands to avoid scams. The taxis are always supposed to be metered. Any other way is illegal.
Usually using Uber ends up being the best and cheapest option. There are plenty of Ubers in all major cities (Zagreb, Split, Dubrovnik) and they will be significantly cheaper than any taxi. Along with Uber, in Croatia you can also use Bolt, which is sometimes even cheaper than Uber.
If you are looking for a real ridesharing service for longer journeys, you can check BlaBlaCar.hr. BlaBlaCar.hr is a website/app where you can find drivers who are travelling to a certain city by car. On the website they share their prices and routes, and you can get in touch with them if they’re a good fit for you!
Croatia attractions – what do you must see?
Here are some of the key attractions and landmarks in Croatia which you need to visit on your holiday:
Dubrovnik Old Town – You’ll experience well-preserved medieval architecture, including the city walls, Rector’s Palace, and the iconic Stradun street.
Plitvice Lakes National Park – the oldest and most beautiful national park in Croatia. You’ll see cascading waterfalls, crystal-clear lakes, and lush greenery.
Diocletian’s Palace (Split) – ancient Roman palace in the heart of Split, built for the Roman Emperor Diocletian. The palace is now a bustling area with shops, restaurants, and historical sites.
Zadar Sea Organ – a unique art installation on Zadar’s waterfront. The Sea Organ produces music using sea waves, a must-see, especially during sunset.
Pula Arena – well-preserved Roman amphitheater in Pula, one of the six largest surviving Roman arenas in the world.
Krka National Park – waterfalls and cascading lakes in Krka National Park, perfect for a day trip and enjoying the nature.
Zrmanja Canyon – You’ll see one of the best views in Croatia. You can also experience thrilling water adventures, and appreciate the captivating landscapes.
Brijuni National Park – One of the prettiest national parks in Croatia. Extremely biodiverse, you’ll see plenty of flora and fauna you haven’t seen before!
Hvar Town and Pakleni Islands – You’ll get vibrant nightlife and historical sites in Hvar Town. From Hvar sail to the Pakleni Islands for secluded beaches and crystal-clear waters.
