What Do You Need to Know About Croatia? The FAQs

by Jelena | May 10, 2023

With summer quickly approaching, a much-needed holiday is on your mind. Whether you’ve booked your next trip to Croatia or are still debating, there are likely many questions popping into your head besides the obvious go-tos of what you should pack and how to plan your itinerary.

We’re here to answer some of the most frequently asked questions about Croatia to give you one less thing to think about so you can focus on the fun stuff.

Because who better to help you than a local?

First things first, do you need a visa to travel to Croatia?

As Croatia gains popularity, you may wonder if you can travel there from your country. The good news – since Croatia is a member of the European Union, it more or less shares the same visa policy as other EU member states. And if you’re an EU national? You’re granted visa-free access to Croatia.

There are also several other visa-exempt agreements in place with many other countries. Around 90 nationalities are usually granted a visa-free stay of up to 90 days!

Is Croatia part of Schengen?

Croatia didn’t only get a new currency in 2023 – it entered the Schengen zone. As of January 1, 2023, Croatia became a Schengen member or part of a joint European territory that operates as one state with border controls. This means there are no border controls between Schengen members or that the border control between Croatia and other Schengen member states is now abolished.

How will this help you? Well, the next time you visit Croatia from a neighbouring Schengen country, you’ll no longer have to wait at border control.

When is the best time to visit Croatia?

Croatia has long been known as a summer destination, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t visit during some less popular tourism months. While July and August are the heart of the tourist season, especially on the Croatian coast, shoulder season months are becoming increasingly popular amongst travellers looking for a less crowded vacation. The Dalmatia region of Croatia traditionally begins welcoming tourists as early as March, with visitors trickling in from all parts of the world through the end of October.

Croatia’s Mediterranean climate makes it easy to visit most of the year, with dry and hot summer months on the coast hitting the high 30s° Celsius and mild winters averaging around 5° Celsius. However, you should expect some sweltering summer days over 30° Celsius and even the occasional (but mostly rare) snowfall in the heart of winter. March through mid-June will have many sunny spring days ranging from 15-20° Celsius, while the sea is warm enough to swim in until November in some cases! Depending on the type of trip you’re looking to have, don’t feel like Croatia is limited to busy summer travel.

And if the sun and sea aren’t your thing? Croatia is a dream in December, with colourful Christmas markets in its towns. If you visit Split during this time, you’ll quickly find that you can still wear your sunglasses daily, too.

Pro tip: Remember that January and February are Croatia’s slowest months, with many shops and restaurants closed along the coast, while the weather tends to be at its worst on the coast then, too.

But is Croatia safe?

Did you know Croatia is one of the safest countries in the world? The Global Peace Index ranked Croatia 15th on the list of the safest countries in the world in 2022, looking at several factors, including internal and external violent conflicts, level of distrust, political instability, potential for terrorist acts, number of homicides, military expenditures as a percentage of GDP, domestic conflicts, and societal safety. Terrorism, guns, natural disasters, and criminal acts, in general, don’t really exist in Croatia, which we’d like to attribute to Croatia’s culture and sense of community.

What language is spoken in Croatia?

Let’s dig into some of the other biting questions – like what language Croatians speak. This is an easy one – Croatian! Standard Croatian is the official language of Croatia, and 95% of the population are native speakers. Croatian is a South Slavic language that sounds like a unique mix of Slavic and Italian (with some hints of German). And while the foundations of it are the same around the country, you may be thrown off by hundreds of dialects, broken down by each county, city, island, and village. This means that Croatians may even have trouble understanding one another!

But don’t let this overwhelm you. Around 80% of Croatians are multilingual, and English, German, and Italian are most common next to Croatian. If you want to grasp Croatian without doing the hard work, “hvala” or “thank you” is a great start.

What is the official currency in Croatia?

This most frequently asked question is undoubtedly valid, considering Croatia officially switched its official currency in 2023. Croatia joined the euro area on January 1, 2023, and we said goodbye to our beloved kuna, the former official currency from 1994 to 2022. The euro is now the only currency accepted in Croatia.

Since we’re on the topic of money, can you use credit cards in Croatia?

The shorter answer – yes. Credit cards are widely accepted across Croatia, especially at hotels, restaurants, and shops. Visa and Mastercard are the two most commonly used cards in Croatia, especially in the larger tourist areas. But while credit cards are accepted everywhere, cash is still king in many places, especially if you’re sitting at a cafe for coffee. It’s always wise to keep some cash handy, just in case.

Why should you visit Croatia?

We have the most straightforward answer to this question – why not? If you need travel inspiration for your next Croatia holiday, don’t forget to explore our tours, trips, and experiences to make your next trip one you won’t soon forget!