Budget
Croatia is still considered as one of the most affordable summer destinations in Europe. However, in the most popular tourist destinations bargains are hard to find. Choosing a less touristy destination could save you a lot of money.
• Prices for private rooms start at 22 USD (18 EUR) near Plitvice Lakes National Park and in Split, 25 USD (20 EUR) in Zagreb, and 30 USD (24.4 EUR) in Dubrovnik.
• Food prices are generally reasonable. Prices for a budget dinner start at around 6 USD (5 EUR) in Zagreb and 10 USD (8 EUR) in Dubrovnik. Street food and fast food restaurants are usually cheaper.
• Transportation costs are relatively cheap as well. Public transportation fares in Zagreb start at around 0.66 USD (0.54 EUR). Prices for a 6.5-hour train ride from Zagreb to Dubrovnik, for example, start at 30 USD (24.5 EUR).
To save some more money, check out our Budget cutting tips.
Where to stay
You can find great accommodation options on Booking. Make sure to search for private rooms popular for romance. 😉 On Airbnb you can rent furnished apartments – those are usually cheaper than most hotels and they offer you the real Croatian experience.
Best time to go
It really depends on where you want to go and what you want to do. Zagreb is popular year-round. The weather may be at its best from April to October, but since the capital recently won the Best European Christmas destination award, it gets very crowded in the Advent time as well. Plitvice lakes are lovely in all seasons. Seaside destinations are definitely most visited during the summer.
Other information
♦ Planning and preparation: check out our planning routine here.
♦ Packing: check out the honeymoon adventurers’ ultimate packing list here.
♦ For other travel tips check out Travel like a pro, Travel for couples, Honeymoon styles, Honeymoon activities, Responsible tourism, and Travel resources.
♦ Language: The official language in Croatia is Croatian. Check out the typical travel vocabulary (in English) here. Learn useful travel phrases in Croatian here.
♦ Currency: Kuna (HRK)
♦ Visa or other entry requirements: All visitors to Croatia are required to have a valid travel document. Visa requirements depend on the traveler’s nationality. For more information check out their official website.
♦ Electricity standards: The power plug types in Croatia are C and F, the standard voltage is 230 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz.
♦ Time zones: UTC+01:00 (Standard Time Zone),
UTC+02:00 (Daylight Saving Time – during the summer, from March to October)
♦ Immunization recommendations and requirements: There are no vaccination requirements for visitors to Croatia. However, it is recommended to get travel vaccines and medicines for tetanus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and rabies.
♦ Health and safety tips:
You should always make sure to follow the usual travel safety precautions:
- Leave your jewelry and other valuable belongings in the hotel safe.
- Keep your emergency cash apart from the rest of your money.
- Dress comfortably and carry only the items you will need for the day.
- Don’t carry a lot of money.
- Always make sure to lock your room before leaving the hotel.
- Be aware of your surroundings at all times.
- Stay in well-lit areas.
- Try to maintain a low profile and do your best to fit in.
- Carry a travel wallet/money belt/money pouch for carrying money and documents safely.
- Avoid contact with potential scam artists.
- Avoid showing off valuable belongings (like cameras) in public.
- Don’t count your money in public.
- Keep an eye on your belongings at all times.
For other common safety concerns in Croatia, check out Lonely Planet’s safety tips. For common health concerns check out Lonely Planet’s health tips.
To stay healthy while traveling, check out our health travel tips.
• Tap water in Croatia is generally safe to drink.
* While traveling, make sure to reuse a water bottle to cut down on waste.
♦ Local Customs: Croatians are generally friendly, welcoming, warm, and polite. They are mostly family-oriented and very proud of their heritage and culture. When meeting someone in person a friendly handshake is customary; friends may kiss on both cheeks. Address a person using his or her last name and the appropriate title until specifically invited to use his or her first name. Direct eye contact is expected and appreciated. There is no particular dress code required on the streets of Croatia. Avoid wearing a bikini elsewhere than on the beach and make sure to dress up for formal occasions. There are no rules about tipping in Croatia, however, tipping is appreciated. Be tactful when discussing politics and religion.
Check out our trip to Zagreb and Plitvice lakes.
