Croatia Travel Tips: What You Should Know Before Visiting

Heading to Croatia? You're in for a ton of fun!

This stunning country, with its crystal-clear Adriatic waters and breathtaking landscapes, plus cities with fascinating histories and geological formations, promises an adventure you won't forget.

At Skyhook, we want to help you prepare for your visit. So, we've come up with 14 travel tips for Croatia that will make your next vacation unforgettable and safe.

Let's jump right in!

Croatia has so many amazing activities you can engage in. However, the last thing you want to do is set up an itinerary that will stretch your time thin.

Consider how long you will spend in each destination, the distance between one place and another, accommodation, and how you will travel. For instance, if you want to visit several of Croatia's islands, research how to get to and travel within Croatia by sea. Here are some Croatian ferry lines to consider.

You can also stay in one central place to avoid lugging your backpacks everywhere you go and make planning easier. For example, you can stay in Split, a city with reliable routes to Zadar, Dubrovnik, and Korcula, and return every day.

Taking day trips to the islands, national parks, and ancient sites and returning to one hotel is far easier, especially for a first-time visitor.

Croatia is a popular destination, buzzing with tourists, especially during the summer months (June to September). Places like Dubrovnik, with its stunning old town and crystal-clear waters, are on everyone's list.

However, this popularity means that accommodations can fill up quickly, tours can get booked solid, and you might have to face longer waits or even miss out entirely on seeing some sights.

So, book your tour in advance, whether it's your stay, a guided tour, or a ferry ride to explore the islands. It will save you a lot of stress, plus, it often means you get better deals, which is always a bonus.

Since Croatia joined the European Union (EU), its national currency, the Kuna, is no longer in use.

After January 2023, everyone with the old currency can exchange it for Euros at the Croatian National Bank at a fixed rate of HRK 7.53450 per €1. You can also swap your currency for the Euro in banks, exchange counters, and ATMs countrywide.

Bonus Tip: You want to bring some cash on your excursions as not all outlets accept cards, especially souvenir shops, farmers' markets, speciality stores, and other small businesses.

While Croatia’s culture is rather laidback when it comes to tipping, it is customary to leave a 10% tip in restaurants, spas, and other beauty treatment centres.

In bars, cafes, and taxis, you may round off your bill to the next Euro. If you are filling up your car with gas, give the guys cleaning windscreens some Euros as well.

Generally, tipping is not required but is appreciated, especially when done in cash.

The sand on Croatia’s beaches is more pebbly than fine, and known to have sea urchins lurking under the rocks. You may get hurt walking barefoot, so bring a pair of neoprene or plastic swimming shoes from your resort.

The train network might not be the best way to explore Croatia, but buses offer a reliable alternative. They're clean, exhaustive, awesome, and connect you to all the major spots.

For island exploration, the ferry system is your best bet. It's extensive and lets you hop from one island to another with ease. Just remember to book your tickets online, especially during peak season!​

Taxis also offer flexibility, especially in urban areas or when direct routes are unavailable by bus or ferry. They can be more expensive but split costs make it viable for groups. Always ensure your taxi is registered with an official taxi rank or ordered straight from your accommodation. Uber is available in Zagreb, Dubrovnik, and Split, as well as other major towns.

Bonus tip: Always confirm the taxi rate before starting your journey to avoid surprises.

Most beaches in Croatia are labelled FKK (FreiKörper-Kultur) - German for free body culture, which means that topless bathing is common here. Do not be surprised - Germans make up the majority of tourists that visit Croatia.

That said, note that swimwear is for the beach. Keep as much of your skin covered as possible when you are in the towns, especially when visiting sacred sites like the ancient cathedrals. Excellent dressing is a major part of Croatia’s culture and towns like Dubrovnik and Split have passed laws prohibiting visiting public spaces in swimwear.

Even though LGBT rights have been increasingly expanding in Croatia, the country is still rather conservative concerning homosexuality. To be on the safe side, queer couples should be discreet and avoid public displays of affection.

However, in Zagreb and Split, the gay scene is developing and both cities throw Pride festivals in June.

Croatia can be a great place to party, especially during the summer music festivals.

However, for years, residents in Croatian cities have had to put up with tourists behaving poorly in the streets, so cities like Split have fines of up to €4000 for tourists who cause public disturbance.

Offences include being caught drinking or overly drunk in public, sleeping on public benches, urinating in public, and wearing clothes that promote drug use.

EU citizens with European Health Insurance Cards and UK citizens with Global Health Insurance cards get significant reductions in Croatian health facilities in case of illness. Still, you are highly advised to take out travel insurance before travel.

Generally, Croatia is safe to travel to, but in case of emergency, you can dial 112, the country's emergency line number. You can also dial 192 for police service, 193 for the fire department and 194 for an ambulance.

The Croatian War of Independence between 1991 and 1995 had far-reaching effects, some of which still evoke painful memories.

Most locals prefer to focus on the future rather than the past; do not bring it up with the locals unless they are willing to discuss it. Again, Croatians detest being called Yugoslav or Balkan, so be tactful with the questions you ask. In addition, some still have landmines from the conflict, mainly in rural inland areas along former front lines. If you go hiking in Croatia, stick to marked paths and heed all landmine warning signs, which are clearly marked with white signs and the international symbol for mines - a red triangle with a skull and crossbones.

Avoid off-the-beaten-path adventures in these regions without thorough research and local guidance, especially if you are embarking on solo travel in Croatia.

Yes, you can drink tap water, even from public drinking fountains. The country boasts numerous natural springs, and the country's stringent water treatment and quality control standards mean you don't have to rely on bottled water to quench your thirst. Just carry a good-quality water bottle and refill it with tap water confidently.

You can use an e-SIM card from Airalo or Nomad while travelling in Croatia. This is an easy way to stay connected without needing physical SIM cards. With an e-sim, you can switch between networks and find the best deals for data and calls to always stay connected. Use a good VPN if connected to the country's extensive free Wi-Fi networks.

While many Croatians speak English, learning basic Croatian phrases can enrich your travel experience. It is the best way to show respect and interest in the local culture.

For a basic start, learn greetings like "Bok" (Hi) or "Dobar dan" (Good day), expressions of gratitude such as "Hvala" (Thank you), and polite inquiries like "Kako ste?" (How are you?).

Croatia does live up to its hype but remains an interesting society with unique dynamics and a fascinating history. Hopefully, with these travel tips, you will savour the Croatian experience while being safe and sensitive to the local culture.