Travelling to Croatia - Travel Hub
Considering a road trip in a motorhome? Croatia has been increasingly a desired destination for motorhomers and travellers alike. Croatia has some amazing cities and national parks to visit for road trips and weekend trips. It has easy airport access and the most beautiful beaches to relax on. The jewel in the crown for the Balkans. With over 1000 islands scattering its shore, roman heritage scattered with abundance, stunning countryside with cascading waterfalls such as the stunning Plitvice Lakes and a wonderfully hip and trendy capital city of Zagreb (I did a really cool street art tour here).
It is a great destination with so much to offer, especially if you’re into nature, history, and the coast. It has an amazing coastline along the Adriatic Sea, featuring clear waters and beautiful beaches. The country is dotted with well-preserved historical sites, from the ancient Roman ruins in Split to the medieval walls of Dubrovnik. Game of Thrones anyone? It’s a place where you can find a mix of beautiful landscapes, historical sights, and delicious food, all within a relatively small area, making it easy to explore in a motorhome.Â
This handy Croatian travel guide will give you all the practical and essential information that you need to know before you go!Â
Croatia Travel Hub - Jump To
Key Fast Facts for Travelling to Croatia
Language
Croatian is the official language but Italian is also officially taught in Istria,
Currency
The Euro is now the official Croatian currency with the Kuna phased out.
Schengen
Yes, since January 2023 Croatia is part of the EU and the Schengen Region.
Time Zone
Croatia is in the Central European Timezone, which is GMT +1.
ATM & Credit Cards
Cash is still king in Croatia but ATMs are in the towns. CC taken in shops and bars but cash preferred!
Plugs and Voltage
2 plug types - C (round pin) and F (earthed round pin). 230 standard voltage and 50 Hz.
Sim Card
The best sim card for Croatia we found was T-Mobile. Data Packages are around 10E for 40gb
Visa
UK travellers need a passport with 6 months travel left.
Pets
Must be microchipped. Must have Rabies injection. Animal Health Certificate.
Health
GHIC will cover you in Croatia now as it is part of the EU. Additional travel insurance is your choice
Motorhome Parking
Wild camping is prohibited and fines of up to 400 euros. Campsites are plentiful.
Croatian Roads
Croatian roads are absolutely fine to drive on. As always mountain roads can be a bit windy!
Local Foods
Paski Sir
Fuzi
Soparnik (GPI)
Brudet
Zagorski Strukli
LPG Available
Around 450 stations across Croatia at the cost of around 1 euro per litre
Emergency Numbers
Dialing Code - +385
Emergency - 112
Police - 192
Fire - 193
Ambulance - 194
Insurance
You are likely to be covered by your insurance as Croatia is now EU/Schengen. Check to be safe.
Female Travel
Very safe for female travellers to go to, even going out at night. Usual streetwise safety should be practiced.
Best Travel Months
The best travel months in Croatia are the shoulder seasons. July and August are very crowded.
Tipping
10% is considered normal for Croatia. Check service charge hasn't already been added.
Airports
The key airports are Zagreb (north), Split (middle), Dubrovnik (bottom)
Why Visit Croatia?
Croatia should be at the top of your list. This country stands out as an ideal spot for motorhome adventurers for a bunch of straightforward reasons. First off, Croatia’s landscapes are incredibly varied. Within a few hours, you can go from the Adriatic’s stunning coastline, with its clear waters and beautiful beaches, to the lush forests of its national parks like Plitvice and Krka. The roads here are in great shape, including the highways, making your drive smooth and safe.
Croatia’s got you covered for places to stay, with loads of campsites that are motorhome-friendly, offering all the facilities you need. They’re often located in some of the most picturesque spots in the country. And there’s no shortage of things to see, from UNESCO World Heritage Sites to charming historical towns. Your motorhome gives you the freedom to explore these at your leisure.
Download our Handy Road Trip Planner
Use our handy ready made PDF planner to help you plan your trip. We created a 9 day planner to use to plan a 1 week trip. Simply print out more copies for each week of your travels. Capture everything you need from your start and end points to where you will stay. There is space to write all the things you want to see and more. Plenty of room for jotting down notes as you plan too.Â
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When to Visit Croatia
When planning a trip, knowing the best times for visiting Croatia can make your travel experience even better. The best time to visit Croatia is the shoulder seasons. So April, May and June (June is starting to get busier) and then again in September and October. Many say that the end of September is the absolute best. The weather is good still and the crowds have gone and the price of campsites drops.
In December, you can catch the Christmas markets in Zagreb – and January you may catch some skiing at Mount Medvednica, which is just above Zagreb – so you could moho around for a few days catching the city vibes along with a day skiing! Admittedly, I would not like to rely on a full weeks skiing holiday – it is only 1000m above and has 5 runs – and does close if there is no snow!
Croatia in Spring
This period is ideal for travelling in Croatia if you prefer mild weather without the summer crowds. The temperatures are comfortable, perfect for exploring the coast and cities. Nature is in full bloom, making it a great time for outdoor activities like hiking. In our experience it was easier to get some pretty beach side park ups too, without the crowds.
Croatia in Summer
Peak tourist season, thanks to the warm weather and the clear Adriatic sea perfect for swimming. While it’s the best time for beach-goers, be prepared for higher prices and more tourists, especially in hotspots like Dubrovnik and Split.
Autumn in Croatia
The weather remains warm enough for swimming in early autumn, and the summer crowds have dissipated. Visiting Croatia in the autumn also means you get to enjoy the wine harvest season and stunning autumnal landscapes, making it ideal for those interested in culinary tours and outdoor activities without the summer heat.
Winter in Croatia
While cooler and with potential for rain, winter is a great time for city breaks in places like Zagreb, which hosts a renowned Christmas market. It’s also ideal for winter sports enthusiasts in areas like the Gorski Kotar region.
In summary, the best time for visiting Croatia depends on what you want to do. Spring and autumn offer pleasant weather with fewer crowds, making them perfect for exploring and outdoor activities. Summer is best for beach holidays, though it’s busier. Winter offers a different charm, with fewer tourists and unique attractions.
Croatia Itineraries and Information
If you are taking your motorhome to Croatia, we have everything you need to know to take your motorhome or campervan there safely. From Toll Roads to Speed Limits, Wild Camping Rules and Drink Driving Limits.
Traditional foods in Croatia
We were very much looking forward to the plethora of seafood we were going to eat in Croatia! I had also read that Istria was also the finest place to get truffles from – Buzet was our first stop where Tartufi was available in all forms – even white chocolate truffle spread. Scrummy on toast!
Croatia has 10 Michelin star restaurants – from Rovinj, Sibenik and Pag down to Dubrovnik. However – we like to keep this section to the local foods to try – we can’t list them all – but these are the favourites we tried!
Savoury Local Dishes
Paski Sir – The salty cheese that is made on Pag Island. Absolutely delicious, made from the milk of small sheep who graze only on the island. Paski Sir is also a DOP product, so if it has that stamp, you know it is genuine. A hard, crumbly cheese which goes well with honey (I like the tartufi honey) and a nice red wine.Â
Fuzi – the traditional diamond shaped, rolled pasta that is found in Istria. Given the close proximity to Italy, there are no surprises. There should be no surprises when I say that it is often served with a creamy truffle sauce (truffles also being an Istrian product).Â
Soparnik (DOP) – one of Croatia protected products, meaning it can only be made in this area – much like the vinegar in Modena or the Champagne in France. It is a traditional pie that is made with chard, onions and parsley from the region between Split and Omis. Its flat, like a sandwich really, with filling between a pastry top and bottom, and is eaten as soon as it is cooked.Â
Brudet – A traditional Croatian seafood stew. Any fish can be used for this – it was made typically on the coast by fishermen to use up fish they could not sell, although you are unlikely to find the fish head in it these days! Cooked up with fresh tomato, onions, spices and a bit of vinegar, it is served with polenta. You may find versions with frogs and eels too.Â
Zagorski Strukli – A food that appears on the list maintained by the Ministry of Culture of Croatia – means for that reason alone you must give it a try! A pastry prepared with sour cream and cottage cheese and baked or boiled. More popular in the north of the country than anywhere else.Â
Sweet Local Dishes
Essential phrases to use in Croatia
We figured it would be useful to have some core phrases to get by in the restaurants of cafe’s – speaking just those core words show a little respect for the people and the country. The only different phrase here from Bosnian phrases is the ‘Have a good evening’ which would be expected given the history of the countries.Â
- Hello – bok
- Thank you – hvalaÂ
- Have a good day – ugodan dan
- Goodbye – dovidenja
- The bill please – Racun molim
- Have a good evening – ugodnu vecer zelim
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