Croatia is one of the popular tourist destinations among world travelers, and it is easy to see why this beautiful country on the Adriatic Sea attracts more international visitors with each passing year, with its long coastline, stunning landscapes, more than a thousand islands, and beautiful landscapes. Stunning nature, many UNESCO World Heritage sites, amazing hilltop towns, excellent cuisine, warm and hospitable people.. Find out this useful information before you travel to Croatia
Useful information for the visitor before traveling to Croatia
Croatia doesn’t just have great beaches
With a coastline of 3,900 miles, and more than 1,200 islands, Croatia has plenty of turquoise waters and gorgeous beaches that are the country’s main attraction. It also has much more to offer its visitors than just sun and sea; There are eight national parks, eight UNESCO World Heritage sites (including Plitvice Lakes National Park), 13 mountain ranges, stunning medieval hilltop towns, centuries-old castles and monuments, plenty of delicacies, and a stunning capital worth exploring.
Croatia was ruled by many kingdoms, empires and republics
Croatia has a rich and diverse history, as it was ruled by Illyrian kings, Roman and Byzantine emperors, Venetian rulers, Hungarian kings, Ottoman sultans and Habsburg kings. Indeed, the country’s past is evident in its architecture, ruins and monuments. The remains of former rulers also include many historical and cultural sites such as the Roman amphitheater, palaces and basilica. Byzantine mosaics, Venetian palace, cathedrals, neo-Gothic castles, Austrian villas and buildings.
Don’t ask about war when traveling to Croatia
After declaring independence of Croatia 25 years ago, Croatia suffered from the effects of the Yugoslav War until the conflict finally abated in 1995. Some areas suffered more destruction than others, but memories of the conflict remain harsh for some generations and have not been completely forgotten. Indeed, most of the population Locals don’t want to talk about the war and would rather put it behind it to focus on the future instead.
Croatia is part of the European Union but not in the Schengen Area or the Eurozone
Croatia became the 28th member country of the European Union in July 2013. However, it is not part of the Schengen Area. Croatia isn’t in the eurozone either, but has its own national currency called the kuna, and hotel rates are often listed in euros, but are paid in local currency, which can be confusing.
cash
Foreign currency can be easily exchanged at banks and ATMs for local currency, and it is easy to find ATMs. In addition, credit cards are accepted in most hotels and larger restaurants, but some providers may only take cash.
Tipping is not mandatory
Tipping is not part of the local culture, and the service is generally included in the cost of the bill, and although tipping is not mandatory, it is acceptable to pay a portion of cash and if the service is to your liking, roughly 5-10% of the value of the bill.
You will need to rent a car
Croatia has an efficient bus network with buses connecting major cities and towns, but frequency on some routes may be very limited. In addition, there are good train links between the capital, Zagreb, and neighboring countries, but the local network is very limited and does not cover the whole country. For these reasons, most travelers prefer to rent a car and travel at their own pace while also having the option of exploring outside of the usual tourist centers.
Travel to Croatia
Croatia can be a challenge for vegetarians when traveling to Croatia
Croatia is known for its excellent food, but meat and fish-based cuisine can be quite a challenge for vegetarians. However, things are slowly changing, and there are more and more vegetarian restaurants in big cities like Zagreb, Split, Dubrovnik and Rijeka.
free wifi
There are also more than 200 free WiFi hotspots available throughout Croatia in the main tourist towns and cities, thanks to an initiative from the Ministry of Tourism. Free Wi-Fi is also available in most hotels, cafes and restaurants across the country. All you have to do is ask for the password, or if you’re in a coffee shop, see your bill, as it’s sometimes printed in it.
Most of Croatia’s beaches are rocky, but they are among the cleanest in Europe
Of the 803 beaches across the country tested for water quality, 99.26% were considered “excellent.” One of the reasons for the clear water is the fact that most of the beaches in Croatia are made of pebbles or rocks, but there are some sandy beaches that can be found on the islands of Rab and Brau.
All beaches in Croatia are public by law, so if there is a hotel that looks like a “private beach”, it probably means that it belongs to a hotel located directly on the seashore.
Also, sea urchins are common in many areas, which is why you will see locals wearing special “water shoes” that are readily available for purchase locally.
Prices during the height of the summer season are higher than usual when traveling to Croatia
The cost of living is cheaper in Croatia than most of its neighbors in Western Europe, and many travelers find the cost of staying and eating a meal in a restaurant value for money but during the high season in the summer, prices often rise, especially in popular tourist areas like Dubrovnik and Isla Hvar, this is another good reason to travel during the low season.
Hotel pools are often filled with salt water
While some hotels have traditional freshwater swimming pools, those in seaside hotels are always filled with salt water both indoor and outdoor, this is not only for water saving reasons, but also because salt water bathing is good for skin and general health.
Croatia is a wonderful country to visit all year round
Croatia is a great country to travel to in any season, July and August are the peak tourist season in the country, while the seasons of May and June, then September and October see fewer tourists, the country also attracts some tourism lovers in winter, thanks to the mild temperatures .
Festivals and events that take place throughout the year, such as the Rynica Carnival, and the New Year’s Market in Zagreb. Moreover, the forests, waterfalls, and lakes in Plitvice Lakes National Park are stunning in every season, and thermal spas are popular and open all year round and are perfect for a healthy mid-winter vacation.