Useful information about Croatia

Here you can find out more about Croatia including useful information needed for your holidays on the Croatian coast and islands. For detailed information click on the appropriate links. Should you have any further questions regarding your trip to and stay in Croatia, feel free to contact us.

General information:

System of government:

Multi-party parliamentary republic.

Official language:

Croatian, written in Latin alphabet.

Foreign languages:

German, Italian and English are the most common foreign languages spoken in the tourist resorts.

Capital:

Zagreb (779,145 inhabitants), the economic, traffic, cultural and academic centre of the country.

Population:

4,784,265 inhabitants; composition of population: the majority of the populations are Croats; national minorities are Serbs, Slovenes, Hungarians, Bosnians, Italians, Czechs and others.

Religion:

The majority of inhabitants are Catholics, followed by members of the Orthodox church, Muslims and Protestants.

Geographical position:

Croatia extends from the furthest eastern edges of the Alps in the north-west to the Pannonian lowlands and the banks of the Danube in the east; its central region is covered by the Dinara mountain range, and its southern parts extend to the coast of the Adriatic Sea.

Surface:

The mainland covers 56,594 km²; surface area of territorial waters totals 31,067 km².

Coastline:

5,835 km, of which 4,058 km comprise the coastlines of islands, solitary rocks and reefs.

Number of islands, solitary rocks and reefs:

1,185; the largest islands are Cres and Krk; there are 66 inhabited islands.

Largest islands:

Krk 410 km², Cres 404 km², Brac 396 km², Hvar 298 km², Pag 287 km², Korcula 273 km².

Highest peak:

Dinara: 1,831 m above sea level.

Climate:

Croatia has three climate zones: the prevailing climate in the country’s interior is moderately rainy, on the highest peaks, a forest climate with snow falls, while the areas along the Adriatic coast have a pleasantly mild Mediterranean climate with a large number of sunny days. Summers are dry and hot, winters mild and wet with significant precipitations. Average temperatures in the interior: January -2 °C to 0 °C, somewhat lower at the highest altitudes; August about 20 °C and about 12 °C on the highest peaks. Average temperature in the littoral: January 5 °C to 9 °C, August 22 °C to 25 °C; sea temperature in winter: 12 °C; in summer, about 25 °C.

Money:

Local currency is Kuna - 1 Kuna (HRK) = 100 Lipa.

Banknotes are in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1,000 Kuna.

Coins are in denominations of 1, 2 and 5 Kuna and 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 Lipa.

Currency:

Foreign currency can be exchanged in banks, exchange offices, post offices, travel agencies, hotels, camps, marinas; cheques can be cashed in banks.

Banks:

Banking hours: 8 a.m. till 7 p.m. Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. till noon on Saturdays. All banks are closed on Sunday and public holidays. Cash machines, though seldom found outside the major towns and resorts, are operative 24 hours a day.

Exchange offices:

Currencies can be exchanged in banks, exchange offices (Mjenjacnica), hotels and most travel agencies. Exchange rates are published in the daily press and by banks that display them in visible places.

Credit cards and other means of payment:

Standard credit cards like Eurocard/Mastercard, Diners, American Express and Visa are widely accepted in Croatia. All shops, restaurants, agencies, hotels and other services usually have logo stickers on the door or other visible place for you to be sure which credit cards they accept. You can take cash advance on Eurocard/Mastercard and Diners in most post offices. Banks and moneychangers as well as some hotels accept travellers' checks. Usually a 2 % commission is charged for cashing a traveller's check.

Useful information:

Power supply:

220 V, 50 Hz

Our USA & UK guests should note that power outlets in Croatia are the Continental two-pin type and that a socket adapter is therefore required.

Plugs have two round pins or three round pins for appliances that need to be earthed. If you need adapters or transformers (for USA & UK equipment check things like notebooks or electric razors if they have a switch), inquire in bigger shops with electric supplies or in supermarkets.

Water:

Tap water is potable in all parts of Croatia.

Time zone:

GMT +1 (GMT +2 from last Saturday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October).

Travel documents:

For an up to three-month stay in Croatia, a valid passport is all you need if you come from Europe, most of the American countries, Japan and they don’t need a visa. EU citizens can enter Croatia by presenting their identity cards.

For more information on visas, please visit www.mvpei.hr - Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Croatia web site.

Customs regulations:

Customs regulations of the Republic of Croatia are harmonized with the standards of E.U. member states, but the value of objects of non-commercial character for personal use allowed to be brought into the country without tax duty or PDV (VAT) is limited to 300 HRK.

The permitted amount of meat and milk products which can be brought in without special veterinary inspection, as well as honey, is limited to 1 kg, while the amount of wine is limited to 5 liters.

Foreign and local currency may be freely taken in and out of the country; local currency up to an amount of 15,000 HRK, but any amount brought in our taken out of the country (whether foreign currency or HRK) in an amount exceeding a value of 40,000 HRK, must be declared to the customs officers. More valuable professional and technical equipment must be declared at the border. A non-resident can freely bring in and take out cheques in HRK.

Refund of tax when leaving the country is made to foreign nationals for individual goods purchased in Croatia for amounts in excess of 500 HRK, on presentation of a "Tax-cheque" form. This form is provided on request by a sales assistant, when items are purchased. www.carina.hr

Pets which are being imported, or which are traveling through for non-commercial purposes, in the company on their owner (up to 5 animals: dogs, cats, African polecat, all types of birds, rodents and domesticated rabbits, invertebrates (with exception of bees and crabs), ornamental tropical fish, amphibians and others) will be allowed to enter Republic of Croatia only if the following conditions are fulfilled:

- they have a valid international passport or health certificate (veterinary certificate) in which a licensed veterinary surgeon in the exporter’s country certifies that the animal (s) in question are healthy and show no symptoms of infectious diseases which must be reported, and that they do not come from an area in which infectious diseases are present and which that particular type of animal can transfer.

Dogs, cats and animals of the marten family must be:

- marked with a clearly legible tattoo or fitted with a microchip;

- have a passport issued by a licensed veterinary surgeon proving they have been vaccinated or re-vaccinated against rabies. For additional information please contact the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management - Veterinary administration www.mps.hr

Public holidays:

January 1^st - New Year's Day

January 6^th - Epiphany

Easter Sunday & Easter Monday

May 1^st - May Day

Corpus Christi - movable observance

June 22^nd - Day of the Anti-Fascist Struggle

June 25^th - Statehood Day

August 5^th - Homeland Gratitude Day

August 15^th - Assumption

October 8^th - Independence Day

November 1^st - All Saints' Day

December 25-26 - Christmas Holidays

Working hours:

Most shops are open from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. on weekdays and until 2 or 3 p.m. on Saturdays. Some shops work a split-shift system: from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., and again from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Many shops stay open until 10 p.m., even on Sundays, especially in summer, while certain shops in the larger cities are open for business 24 hours a day.

Public services and business offices work from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m., Mondays to Fridays.

Activities:

On the sea:

• Moderately sunbath, and use the protectional means

• Keep track of the weather forecast

• Be careful when swimming and diving (do not overestimate your strength)

At the open:

• Use only the market paths and ways for walking

• Make sure to take a sufficient supply of water

• Prepare the cell phone

• Keep track of the weather forecast

• Do not light fire, do not throw away lit cigarettes and object that might burn in nature

On the road:

• During the tourist season, avoid the periods with heavy traffic (driving on weekends and holidays)

• Drive rested

• Adjust the velocity according to the terms on the road, and velocity limits

• In case of crowed, be patient (keep sufficient supply of water)

Social conventions:

People normally shake hands upon meeting and leaving. Smoking is generally acceptable but there are restrictions in public buildings and on public transport.

Topless sunbathing is generally accepted, but nude bathing is restricted to few designated beaches or any of numerous wild beaches along the coast.

Shopping:

Traditional handicrafts that cover a range of items like embroidery (table clothes, clothes and other), lace, silver filigran jewellery or jewellery made of corals and sea shelves, woodcarvings and ceramics make good souvenirs.

If you go shopping for clothes or shoes, the prices in our shops will not be a pleasant surprise. Therefore, if you're not particularly attached to designer's clothes, take a look in small boutiques and on the market. Prices are much lower and the choice gets to be quite good during the high season.

Tipping:

A tip is not included in the price of meals or drinks. If the tip is earned it should be about 10 per cent of the bill. Taxi drivers do not expect a tip, but it will be appreciated.

When to visit Croatian coast?

The best period to visit our coast is from April to October. Peak temperatures in high season summer months (July, August) can reach 38 °C (100 °F), and the water surface at that point reaches a comfortable 25 °C (79 °F). High season has its obvious advantages for people looking for fun and excitement but in Croatia you can always find some nice hidden place if you want to sleep far from loud music. Spring starting in March can bring some rain showers, but the autumn months, September and October, are ideal for travel if you want to relax. In the off season the beaches are less crowded and the prices drop, weather, however, remains stable and the water is still agreeably warm. Generally, you can travel along the Croatian coast at any time of the year. During winter season, however, you should pack some warm clothing in spite of the mild Mediterranean climate. The temperatures seldom drop below the freezing point but some winds might be unpleasant in the winter.