35 Things To Know Before Visiting Croatia For First Timers – Croatia Travel Tips

35 Things To Know Before Visiting Croatia For First Timers – Croatia Travel Tips

We will write about Croatia travel tips and all the cool facts about Croatia and things to know before visiting Croatia for first-timers.

This post will be your go-to guide to get to know more of Croatia and what awaits you from amazing history, pristine beaches, beautiful places to visit, how to move around to delicious food to try in Croatia.

Read here best Croatia sim card for tourist and a comparison Split vs Dubrovnik

Croatia Travel Tips And Things To Know Before Visiting Croatia For First Timers

1. IS IT SAFE CROATIA?

Is it safe travel to Croatia? Yeah you should know that Croatia is one of the safest countries in the world. If you travel to Croatia, safety won’t be a problem. You can feel safe everywhere, literally. Make sure that you keep your valuables with you in crowded places especially in big cities (with pickpockets) and that should be more than enough.

2. VISA IN CROATIA

US Citizens may enter Croatia for up to 90-days only for tourist and business purposes without visa. Staying more than 90 days needs visa. Passports should also be valid for at least 3 months beyond the period of stay.

3. CASH AND ATMS IN CROATIA

The currency used all throughout Croatia is Croatian Kunas just like all European country. The exact currency of Euro to the dollar is A €1 = 7.5 HRK. You can use debit cards everywhere in Croatia. ATMs are available and accessible in all parts of the country.

Click here to know the exchange rate between the Euro and your currency!

4. BEST TIME TO VISIT IN CROATIA

In Croatia every season brings out a different side. Summer takes place during the months of June-August in these months you’ll experience high temperatures. From September to December the temperature cools down quite a bit and it is the perfect time to enjoy long walks through stunning neighborhoods.

And Spring season during the months of March-May is the best time to visit Croatia. It starts out with chilly and gets warm, it is a perfect time to spend the day exploring the city’s beautiful garden, at night it remains pretty cold.

Click here to know more about the weather in Croatia.

5. HEALTH TRAVEL INSURANCE

Things to know before visiting Croatia we recommend always bringing a travel insurance when traveling abroad just in case you have any problems. You can always have food Poisson, fever or any other kind of disease.

BOOK YOUR TRAVEL INSURANCE

Two of our favorite travel insurance: Heymondo Vs Safetwing cheapest travel Insurance. You can get for $135 USD your HeymondoTravel Insurance with Heymondo discount code valid for 90 days. Read our full comparison of Genki vs Safetywing Travel Insurance Review and the comparison Heymondo vs Genki

FACTS ABOUT CROATIA

6. CROATIA IS NOT SO CHEAP

Facts about Croatia if you have been traveling around the Balkans Serbia and Albania prices are so cheap but prices in Croatia aren’t so cheap as these countries around. Especially for accommodation where is hard to find a room for less than €10 for a dorm like the neighbor countries, alcohol is not expensive and prices for food and transportation are more affordable. Keep reading below!

7. ACCOMMODATION BUDGET TRAVEL IN CROATIA

Accommodation in Croatia isn’t as expensive than other countries around Euro. You can access a dorm that can go up to €15-20. And while a hotel that is double room in a budget can go up to €60.

CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATION IN CROATIA

8. FOOD BUDGET TRAVEL IN CROATIA

Food budget travel in Croatia can go €15 per day. The typical usual breakfast consists of coffee and bread for €2. You can go to restaurants and expect to pay €10 per person. You can get a beer for less than €2 in local places. You can cook on your own to go down your food budget and travel expenses in Croatia. Make sure your hotel or Airbnb provides a kitchen

Read here best traditional breakfast in Croatia and best Croatian food

9. WI-FI AND INTERNET CONNECTION IN CROATIA

Internet in Croatia works great in big cities and you will have internet connection in most of the places you will have 4G except in remote areas. You can access free WiFi at hostels and hotels and there are lots of restaurants that are offering free WiFi.

What Is The Cheapest eSim For Croatia?

Best Option: Maya Mobile Unlimited Data for 30 Days for $49 USD

You can find the cheapest Croatian eSim with Airalo Croatia eSim prepaid for $5 USD with 1 GB data valid for 7 days (USING DISCOUNT CODE GAMINTRAVELER 10%). For $10 USD with 3 GB data and for $15 USD with 5 GB data valid for 30 days.

Nomad Croatia eSim for $6 USD with 1 GB data valid for 7 days. For $12 USD with 3 GB data, for $15 USD with 5 GB data and for $24 USD with 10 GB data valid for 30 days.

Holafly Croatia eSim for less than $60 USD if you use our code GAMINTRAVELER you will have unlimited internet for 30 days in Croatia for just $2 USD per day. Ubigi Croatia eSim for $8 USD with 1 GB data valid for 30 days and for $12 USD with 3 GB data valid for 30 days. (USING DISCOUNT CODE GAMINTRAVELER 10%).

10. ADAPTER IN CROATIA

In our Croatia travel tips you should know they use the European adapter. A few places make it possible to fit your American adapter in the plug. If you are coming from American countries, we recommend you to bring an European adapter to be able to charge everywhere.

11. LOCAL TRANSPORTATION IN CROATIA

Local transportation in Croatia the cheapest way is by bus around €1-2 for a ticket inside the cities. If you prefer more comfortable taxis can cost around €5 depending on the distance.

You can rent a car in Croatia so convenient to move around and prices are around €30-40. For longer distances, the buses work great for affordable prices.

Book Online Transportation Around Croatia

12. FERRY SCHEDULE CAN BE A PROBLEM

You should check the ferries in advance in Croatia. Since sometimes you will have no ferries available to visit the islands. There isn’t so much population in the islands in Croatia and outside the peak season there are only a few ferries per day.

If you are planning to do island hopping the best way is booking a tour or renting a boat for not depending of the ferry schedule.

13. IS CROATIA PART OF EUROPEAN UNION

Croatia is part of European Union since 2013 but Croatia isn’t part of the Schengen and they don’t use Euro as the official currency. Croatia will be a Schengen country soon in 2024!

14. LANGUAGE IN CROATIA

The official language in Croatia is Croatian a Slavic language similar to the countries around like Serbia, Bosnia, Slovenia and Montenegro. Croatian younger people speaks English enough to communicate but with old people will be hard to communicate in English.

15. LEARNING CROATIAN LANGUAGE

As Croatian people don’t usually speak English. The challenge is learning Croatian language at least the essentials to move around. It’s very useful if you will be traveling around the Balkans since they use similar language.

There are some basics that you need to learn to communicate with them, for example numbers, asking daily questions like, “How much is this?” and “Where is it?” – It will be hard but it will be very helpful for meeting locals.

16. CROATIA BORDER CROSSINGS

Croatia border crossings are opened with Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary, Montenegro, Serbia, Slovenia and also a maritime border with Italy. I was traveling in a road trip in Europe and I didn’t have any problem when crossing the borders.

17. BRINGING CASH IS A GREAT IDEA

In our Croatia travel tips make sure you are bringing cash in Croatia sometimes for small payments like parking, toilets and some street food you will not be able to pay with credit card.

18. AVOID PEAK SEASON

Avoid the peak season in Croatia especially the summer months of July and August when places can be so crowded. Most of the tourists traveling to Croatia from Italy, Austria and Germany.

When traveling off-season prices are much cheaper and you will not have problems finding accommodation. But as we mentioned above watch out the ferry schedule before your trip in off-season!

19. CLEARWATER BUT ROCKY BEACHES

Croatia has pristine and clear waters but rocky beaches. Just make sure you know in advance and you are ready with proper shoes for this. The water temperature is great and you will be able to swim even outside the summer season in a sunny day.

20. HISTORICAL SITES IN CROATIA

There are many historical sites in Croatia apart from the popular beaches and islands. My favorite ones are in Pula, Zagreb where you can find a lot of places and landmarks about the wars in the past.

And the most popular one is Dubrovnik with castles and ruins in the old town. You will find historical sites in most of the cities like Split and Zadar.

21. ROAD TRIP IN CROATIA

A road trip in Croatia at least for a week is perfect and 100% recommended. You can from Zagreb to Dubrovnik passing by Istria in the coast, Zadar, Split crossing Dalmatia until Dubrovnik. Driving in Croatia is easy since the distances aren’t big and the views from the cliffs are amazing!

MORE THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE VISITING CROATIA FOR FIRST-TIMERS: FACTS ABOUT CROATIA FOOD

Facts about Croatia food is so diverse and referred to as regional cuisine because each region has its own particular traditional cuisine. Food in Croatia has been influencing by the tastes and traditions of neighboring countries that make traditional Croatian cuisine incorporates elements of Italian, Austrian, Balkans Hungarian, and Turkish cuisine.

Read here best Croatian food and best breakfast in Croatia

22. ĆEVAPI

Ćevapi is the most popular food in Croatia and the Balkans. It is grilled meat prepared using pork, lamb or beef. Ćevapi is usually served in bread with ajvar sauce and more vegetables similar to pljeskavica. You can’t miss it as Croatian food for affordable prices.

23. PLJESKAVICA

Pljeskavica is one of the most popular street food in Croatia. Pljeskavica is a burger served inside the bread and you can add sauce, and vegetables to the meat (lamb, pork or beef).

24. SARMA

Sarma is one of the most popular Croatian dishes to try in wintertime. Sarma is wrap rolls that are prepared using cabbage with minced pork, rice and tomato sauce. If you like vegetarians you can make it without meat. Sarma is usually cooked at home for special events or celebrations.

25. BUREK

Burek is one of the most popular breakfasts in Croatia. Burek is a baked bread with cheese and it can be with meat or vegetarian with spinach. 

26. PRŠUT

Pršut is a salty pig leg or dried thigh that is pressed until all of the juices were drained. It depends on the size of the pig leg, the entire procedure could take many years.

27. COFFEE CULTURE IN CROATIA

Having coffee in Croatia is part of the culture also in the Balkans countries. You will see people sitting outside the bars holding a cup of coffee. The most popular is Turkish coffee and prices are less than €1 in a local bar.

28. CROATIAN WINE

Croatian wine is really good and you will find wine in different regions of the ocuntry. Malvasia and Teran are the two grape varieties that are the stars of the Istria region with Malvasia being among the most famous wines in Croatia.

29. RAKIJA

Rakija is a generic term for a variety of fruit brandies produced in the Balkans. This potent spirit is produced from a mixture of fruits and is often flavored or use as a liquor basis. Rakija, in a shot glass, it’s normally served neat, preferably cold.

PLACES TO VISIT IN CROATIA

30. Plitvice Lakes National Park

Plitvice Lakes National Park is one of the largest National Parks in Croatia. Plitvice Lakes National Park is a UNESCO site in Croatia and it’s a must to visit for enjoying the nature. You will be able to take amazing pictures between the lakes and waterfalls.

31. Istria

Istria Region was my favorite place to visit in Croatia. Istria is popular because of wine and olive oil but also for the beaches towns of Pula and Rovinj. Istria is a nice place for a road trip and enjoying local food.

32. Zadar

Zadar is a nice historical city in Croatia located in Dalmatian Region. Apart from history you can also visit the islands around. I was visiting off season and everything was so quiet, the beaches were so beautiful. And in our Croatia travel tips we think Zadar in the middle of the country is a perfect starting point to visit around.

33. Split

Split is the largest city in Dalmatia and the second in the country. Split is a beautiful and modern city. Most of the tourists take a ferry to the islands around. The port in Split is one of the busiest in the Mediterranean.

34. Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is the most popular destination located in the South of Croatia just one hour driving from Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Dubrovnik is a medieval town with beautiful beaches around. You will find a lot bars and restaurants perfect for enjoying the nightlife.

35. Zagreb

Zagreb is the capital and largest city of Croatia. You will find in Zagreb a local vibe and very different to the Region of Istria and Dalmatia which are the most popular for tourists in Croatia. Zagreb city center is full of history and I loved it walking around the Cathedral, local markets and trying local food.

Hope you liked our Croatia travel tips. Let us know if we missed things to know before visiting Croatia and facts about Croatia in the comments below.

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Happy Travels!