Guide Croatia

Information About the Destination Croatia

We are glad that you have opted for Croatia as your holiday destination. The opinion that the Adriatic Coast is the most beautiful coast of the Mediterranean was not conceived by the Croatians themselves – the Croatian people heard it from other people such as yachtsmen, sailers, globetrotters, famous navigators and even from the Roman emperors who built their summer mansions, residences and even whole settlements for recreation at the Adriatic Coast. Nowhere else in the Mediterranean there are that many islands, bays, picturesque beaches and reefs blessed by the sun. Furthermore, four national parks and five natural preserves enrich the Croatian landscape. In the following we have assembled useful information for your holiday in Croatia:

Geographic Situation Croatia Croatia reaches from the Eastern branches of the Alps in the north west and from the Pannonian Basin to the Dinara Mountains in the middle part and finally to the Adriatic Coast in the south of the country. Area of the Mainland 56,542 square kilometres, the area of the territorial waters adds up to 31,067 square kilometres – therewith Croatia belongs to the middle-sized European states such as Denmark, Ireland or Switzerland.

Number of Inhabitants Croatia
The number of inhabitants amounts to 4,500,000.

Capital of Croatia
Zagreb is with its 770,058 inhabitants the economic, infrastructural, cultural and educational centre of Croatia.

Length of the Coastline
The length of the coastline amounts to 5,835 kilometres, thereof 4,057 kilometres are islands, cliffs and rocks. The exact number of islands, cliffs and rocks is 1,185. The biggest islands are Krk and Cres. Altogether only 67 islands are populated.

Climate in Croatia In the north of Croatia the climate is continental, in the central part there is montane climate and on the coast the warm and sunny meditterranean climate prevails. The temperature range in the winter season lies between -1 degree Celsius and +30 degree celsius in the continental region, from -5 degrees Celsius and +5 degrees Celsius in the mountains and from 5 and 10 degrees Celsius in the coastal region. In summer the temperature ranges from 22 degree Celsius to 26 degree Celsius in the continental areas, from 15 to 20 degrees Celsius in the montane region and from 26 to 30 degrees celsius at the coast.

Population
The largest part of the population consists of Croatians. The national main minorities are as follows: Serbs, Hungarians, Czechs, Slovaks as well as Italians.

Official Language and Writing
The offical language is Croatian and Latin writing is used.

Religion
The biggest part of the population in Croatia is Roman Catholic.

Currency in Croatia The currency is the „Kuna“ (1 Kuna = 100 Lipa). 1, 2, 5, 20, 50 Lipa coins and 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 Lipa banknotes are in use. Foreign currency can be changed in banks, exchange offices, postal offices as well as in most travel agencies and hotels. The banks in Croatia are open from 7 a.m. To 7 p.m. From Mondays to Fridays and on Saturdays until 1 p.m. . Banks on duty in major cities are also open on Sundays.

Credit Cards in Croatia
Most hotels, restaurants and shops accept credit cards (American Express, Diners Club, Eurocard/Mastercard, Visa).

Electricity Supply in Croatia
The electric voltage is 220 V/50 Hz.

Water Supply
Tap Water in Croatia is subject to strict controls and can be drunk.

International Area Code
+385

Necessary Travel Documents for Entry to Croatia Valid travel documents or another accredited intergovernmental document; stay in Croatia up to 3 months. Customs No duty must be paid for personal belongings at entry. Foreign currency is brought in and out free of duty, domestic currency is free of duty up to the amount of 2,000 Kuna. Technical equipment must be declared at the border.

Domestic animals must have an accordant veterinary certification for the entry to Croatia.

Reimbursement of Value Added Tax (VAT) for Foreigners
The Value Added Tax (VAT) can be refunded for goods bought in Croatia (except hydrocarbon fuels), in case the bill exceeds 500 Kuna. While purchasing in Croatia you should ask for the PDV-P form which must be completed and verified by the seller. At leave the bills must be accredited by the customs office. The Value Added Tax can be reimbursed within six months after purchase of the goods; namely directly at the vendor (instant reimbursement) or by mail to the address of the vendor stating your account number whereto the amount should be transferred to (reimbursement will be carried out within 15 days after receipt of the claim).

Health Care in Croatia
Medical aid is provided in hospitals which carry out a 24-hour-service.

Public Holidays and Work Free Days in Croatia
January 1st – New Year's Day, January 6th – Epiphany, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday, 1st May – May Holiday, Feast of Corpus Christi, June 22nd – Day of Antifacism, June 25th– National Holiday, August 5th - National Holiday, August 15th – Assumption Day, October 8th – Independence Day, November 1st – All Saints' Day, December 25th and 26th – First and Second Christmas Holiday

Opening Hours in Croatia Shops in Croatia are open non-stop from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. from Mondays to Fridays, from 8 a.m. to 3 or 4 p.m. on Saturdays; a smaller number of shops is open from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.; many shops have extended opening hours until 10 p.m., primarily in the summer season. In big cities there are shops which offer a 24-hour-service. Companies and the public service predominantly work from 8.30 a.m. until 4.30 p.m. from Mondays to Fridays.

Post and Telecommunication in Croatia
Post offices in Croatia are open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m., until 1 p.m. on Saturdays. Post offices in bigger towns as well as tourist centres are open until 10 p.m. in the summer season. Stamps are sold in post offices and newspaper kiosks. In Croatian telephone boxes only telephone cards can be used which can be bought at post offices, newspaper kiosks and hotel receptions.
In Croatian telephone boxes only telephone cards can be used which can be bought at post offices, newspaper kiosks and hotel receptions.