12 things you should know before going to Croatia

If you are planning a trip to Croatia, there are some things that are useful to know in advance. Here we share some of them from our experience tips to make your trip easier and some things that worked for us curious Take note!

1. Everything is paid for in Croatia (and even more so if you're a tourist)

We were surprised by faces which are the entrances to the national parks and some historical sites. For example, entering Plitvice costs about 40€, y Mljet or Krka They are not far behind either. We had the feeling that the prices are inflatables for tourists, because for locals they are much lower.

Furthermore, not only are the most touristic places expensive, if you try to enter any castle or site of historical interest you will see that everyone gets paid some kind of entrance fee. So if you're on a tight budget, take a good look at which sites are worth visiting and which aren't.

2. Eat burek whenever you can

If you want to try a typical Croatian breakfast, look for a burek. It's a kind of filo pastry empanada filled a, usually made with cheese, meat, or spinach. It's cheap, filling, and you'll find it at any bakery. We loved it and took advantage of every morning to eat one.

And how can you find a bakery? Search Pekara/Pekarna On Google Maps, you'll find your best friend for a good breakfast. For us, it's the perfect option for a quick breakfast or packing food for a trip without spending too much.

3. There is no food in the cafeterias

If you go to a cafe for breakfast in Croatia, you may be surprised that many do not serve food In most local bars and cafes you will only find drinks: coffee, tea, juices or beer, but without pastries or options to eat something. This is because in Croatia people usually buy breakfast at bakeries and then take it to the cafe. In addition, they usually serve the coffee accompanied by a glass of water.

In a free tour They explained to us that it's completely normal and accepted, so if you want to enjoy the atmosphere of a terrace with your breakfast, just stop by a bakery first and then sit down for a coffee. No one will give you a hard time about it.

4. Bring cash

Although many places accept cards, in many restaurants and bars you can only pay in cash. Even in some lodgings They also asked us for cash (check booking because it usually says so).

Also in Croatia all ATMs charge a commission, so we recommend you bring some cash from home (Croatia has the euro as official currency from 2023) to avoid scares. The worst in this sense are those of Euronet, which have very high commissions.

5. Free parking in cities is almost impossible

In all tourist cities there are blue payment zone both in the center and in the outskirts. In some places there are different rates Depending on the proximity to the city center: the closer, the more expensive. If you're traveling by car, consider this expense or look for accommodations that include parking (especially in Dubrovnik, it's impossible to park in the city center, and parking is extremely expensive).

We recommend using the app Bmove to pay for the blue zone without having to return to the car to renew the ticket. This way, you'll avoid fines and can move around the city more easily.

6. Stay in Croatian sobes for a more authentic experience

In Croatia, in addition to hotels and tourist apartments, it is very common to stay in "sobes", which are rooms or apartments within private homes. Many Croatian families have adapted part of their homes to rent them out to tourists, offering everything from simple rooms with shared bathrooms to full studios with kitchens, as if it were a fully independent apartment.

Stay in a on is usually more cheap than a hotel and allows you to experience the most authentic side of the country. The hosts are often very friendly and welcome you as if you were part of the family, recommending places to eat or what to see in the area. If you're looking for a economic option and with more local contact, we really liked the experience.

7. Konoba vs. Bistro

In Croatia, the names of restaurants can give you a clue as to what you're going to find konoba is a traditional tavern, generally specialized in Homemade dishes and local cuisine, such as grilled fish, peka (a meat or octopus stew cooked under an iron bell) or black risotto. They usually have a rustic decor and a more cozy atmosphere, although the prices may be a little higher.

On the other hand, if a site is called bistro o grill, it is usually a more traditional restaurant informal and economical, with a simpler menu based on grilled meats, pasta, or pizza. Although bistros offer good food, the food is usually not as elaborate as in konobas. If you want to experience Croatian cuisine in its most authentic form, look for a konoba, but if you want something faster and cheaper, a bistro may be a good option.

8. In small towns English is hardly spoken.

In the most touristic areas of Croatia, such as Dubrovnik, Split or Zagreb You won't have any trouble communicating in English. Most Croatians working in hotels, restaurants, or tourist attractions speak the language well, and many even smatter a smattering of Italian or Spanish due to tourism.

However, in small towns or less visited areas, things change. In many of these places, especially in the interior of the country, the people only speaks Croatian, and sometimes it can be difficult to make yourself understood. This happened to us, for example, in Gospic and in the village Velika Gorica, where no one in the accommodations and restaurants spoke English and we had to make do with the mobile translator.

9. Croatian beers you must try

If you like beer, you will find it in Croatia several local brands that are worth trying. Although the country isn't as famous for its beer as other European destinations, it does have some interesting options, the most popular being:

• Ožujsko: It's the most consumed beer in Croatia, a smooth and refreshing lager, perfect for the hot weather. It's found in almost every bar and restaurant.
• Karlovačko Another very common lager, slightly more bitter than Ožujsko but just as light. It competes directly with it, and both are similarly priced.
• Bread Less well-known outside Croatia, but quite popular among locals. It has several versions, including Pan Zlatni (a bit stronger) and Pan Radler (mixed with lemon).

One of our favorites ended up being the Pan Zlatni, although we recommend trying several to discover your favorite.

10. Supermarkets in Croatia

If you're traveling through Croatia and want to save on food, it's helpful to know which supermarkets you'll find in the country. The most common ones are Konzum, Studenac and Lidl, each with different characteristics.

• Konzum It's the largest supermarket chain in Croatia, and you'll find it in virtually every city and town. It has a good variety of products, including local options, although prices may be slightly higher than other supermarkets.
• Studenac It's smaller and more focused on quick or last-minute purchases. In tourist areas, its prices tend to be somewhat inflated.
• Lidl It's the best option for saving money, with lower prices and a selection of international and local products. The problem is that there aren't as many as Konzum, so it might be further away.

If you want to make a big purchase for your trip, we recommend looking for a Lidl or a Large Konzum Outside the most touristy areas. For snacks, water, and basic necessities, any Studenac will do, although they're sometimes a bit more expensive.

11. The number "1950" in Dubrovnik has nothing to do with history

If you walk through Dubrovnik, especially in the area outside the walls, you will see many painted with the number "1950" on walls, lampposts and walls. At first glance, it may seem that it refers to some historical event or the founding of the city, but in reality it has nothing to do with that.

The number 1950 is related to the soccer. It is the year in which it was founded Torcida Split, the group of ultras of the Hajduk Split, one of Croatia's most important teams. Although the club is from Split, its fans are spread across the country, including Dubrovnik, where many supporters show their loyalty with these graffiti. So, if you see this number repeated throughout the city, you know it doesn't have a historical significance, but rather a football one.

12. Fruit and honey stalls on the road to Dubrovnik

If you go by car along the coastal road towards Dubrovnik, you will see many fruit, vegetable, honey and homemade juice stalls on the side of the road. The most curious thing is that they refrigerate drinks and some products using hoses with running water, as if they were small fountains. It caught our attention and gives it a very rustic and authentic feel.

We recommend you stop at one and try their products, although They are not especially cheap The fruit is very fresh, and the honey and homemade liqueurs are a good option if you want to take home a culinary souvenir from Croatia.

If you want to read other articles ideal for your trip that complement 12 things you should know before going to Croatia you can visit our posts about Croatia.