Croatia Travel Guide

Croatia Travel Guide

CroatiaAfter more than a decade of civil and ethnic unrest, Croatia is once again emerging as an attractive tourist destination. With its magnificent coastline boasting 1,185 islands, islets and reefs; and countryside scattered with Roman ruins and picturesque medieval villages, Croatia is fast becoming a rival to the magical Greek islands in luring lovers of fun, sun, local colour, great food and history.After centuries of fighting for independence, and being sliced and diced geographically to suit political and ethnic divisions, Croatia has ended up arc-shaped. Its long Adriatic coastline forms the western leg, tapering to the unique ancient seaport of Dubrovnik in the south, while the land between the rivers Drava and Sava form the northern section. The capital, Zagreb, sits in-between.The most prominent feature of Croatia's tourist industry is its Dalmatian coastline, which is indented with rocky cliffs, peninsulas and small inlets. Numerous good quality hotels and marinas have been resurrected or constructed in the past few years, and the Croatian province is once again beginning to enjoy a tourist boom reminiscent of its heyday in the 1930s. There is a special atmosphere to Croatian towns and villages, many of which are built on the sites of ancient Greek settlements dating from the 4th century BC. This, coupled with a welcoming and determined population, Mediterranean climate, scenic beauty and lush vegetation, is aiding Croatia's rise from the ashes of war into one of the world's best tourist hotspots.
Croatia Travel Guide

Need To Know

Money:
The official unit of currency is the Kuna (HRK). One Kuna is divided into 100 Lipa. ATMs are plentiful throughout the country and banks, authorised bureaux de change, post offices or most hotels will exchange foreign currency or travellers cheques. Banks open Monday to Saturday and some banks also open on Sundays in the main cities. Major credit cards are widely accepted at the main hotels and restaurants, and may be used to draw cash from ATMs, which are widely available throughout the country.
Time:
Local time is GMT +1 (GMT +2 from last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October).
Electricity:
Electrical current is 230 volts, 50Hz. European style round, two-pin plugs are standard.
Language:
The official language is Croatian.
Health:
No vaccinations are required, however there is a risk of tick-borne encephalitis for those travelling in forested areas during the summer months. The bird flu virus was found in dead migratory swans and stringent measures have been taken by the Croatian authorities to contain the virus. Travellers to Croatia are unlikely to be affected, but should avoid any contact with live birds and ensure poultry and egg dishes are well cooked. Medical care is fairly good, with free emergency medical care available to UK citizens with a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), though some medicines are in short supply in public facilities. Non-UK nationals are advised to invest in health insurance.
Tipping:
In tourist or upmarket restaurants a tip of 10% will be appreciated, but otherwise it is usual to round up the bill if the service has been good unless a service charge has already been added. Tour guides expect to be tipped. Most other services receive a small tip by rounding up the bill.
Safety:
Most visits to Croatia are trouble-free, and there is no particular threat of terrorism. Busy tourist areas are prone to petty theft. Outside the normal tourist routes travellers should be aware that unexploded mines might remain, particularly in Eastern Slavonia and the former Krajina. Tourists are urged to be cautious in former conflict areas, including Eastern Slavonia, Brodsko-Posavska County, Karlovac County, areas around Zadar, and in more remote areas of the Plitvice Lakes National Park, and stay on known safe roads and areas.
Customs:
Passports, or some form of identification, should be carried at all times.
Business:
Business in Croatia is conducted in a formal manner; punctuality is key, dress should be smart and conservative (suits and ties are the norm) and polite greetings are made with a handshake. Titles and surnames are usually used unless otherwise indicated and business cards are exchanged at the beginning of a meeting. English and German are widely spoken, but any attempt at speaking some Croatian will be appreciated. Women tend to hold high positions in business and are well respected. Building a good working relationship is important in Croatia and it is useful to work with a reliable local partner. Although Croatia appears typically European in its dealings, business can take some time to conclude. Business hours are usually 8am to 4pm Monday to Friday.
Duty Free:
Travellers to Croatia can enter the country with the following items without incurring customs duty: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco; 1 litre wine and 1 litre spirits; 250ml of eau de cologne and one bottle of perfume. Regulations apply to firearms and radio instruments. No item of archaeological, historical, ethnographic, artistic, cultural or scientific value may leave the country without a license issued by the appropriate authorities.
Communications:
The international access code for Croatia is +385. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). The city code for Zagreb is (0)1 and (0)20 for Dubrovnik. Public phones take phone cards, which can be bought in post offices and hotels. GSM operators have active roaming agreements with most international networks, and cover most of the country. Internet cafes are available in the larger towns and cities.
Croatia Travel Guide

Croatia Attractions

Diocletian's Palace
Description:
Roman Emperor Diocletian, having abdicated his throne in AD 305, decided to spend the last years of his life in Dalmatia and built a palace for that purpose on the bay of Aspalathos, on the south side of a peninsula extending into the Adriatic Sea. The spot he chose is now the very heart of the city of Split, and the palace still stands as the city's main tourist attraction. The building and the entire historic Split inner city area around it have been declared a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. Within the palace walls are a network of narrow cobblestone alleyways that house a mixture of residential apartments; modern shops, cafes and restaurants; ancient Roman relics and a magnificent cathedral. The palace is interesting in that it was designed to combine a luxurious palace with the defences of a military camp, having towers and fortifications on its landward sides with three monumental gates. Originally situated on the water, the palace is now fronted by the city's popular waterfront promenade and faces onto the harbour. The buildings are made from local white limestone, quarried on the nearby island of Brac.
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Archaeological Museum
Description:
Founded in 1820, the Archaeological Museum in Split is the oldest museum in Croatia. Its displays include many archaeological artefacts from prehistoric times, the Greek colonial period, and from the Roman, early Christian and Medieval ages. Most of the relics found in excavations of the Roman city of Salona are displayed here, and there is an interesting collection of submarine archaeology. There is also a collection of antique coins and a large library.
Address:
Zrinsko-Frankopanska 25
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Telephone:
(021) 329 340
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Website:
www.mdc.hr/split-arheoloski/eng/index.html

Mljet Island
Description:
Covered by forests, vineyards and small villages, Mljet Island is most famous for its national park, occupying the western half of the island. The main attractions in the national park are the two salt water lakes, Veliko Jezero (Great Lake) and Malo Jezero (Small Lake), and the 12th-century Benedictine monastery situated on an island on Veliko Jezero. The lakes are popular for swimming and the beauty of this unspoilt oasis attracts nature lovers and the promise of tranquillity. Mljetsland is Croatia's greenest and is said to have captivated the Greek legend Odysseus for seven years.
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National Park: (0)20 744 058
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Website:
www.mljet.hr

Hvar Island
Description:
Off of the coast of Split, just 15 nautical miles (24km) from Baska Voda and accessible by ferry, is the island of Hvar, which abounds with Romanesque and Renaissance buildings and a true Mediterranean atmosphere. The island is noted for its fertile soil and was the site of the world's first parcelling out of arable land by the ancient Greeks, who farmed there. It is now mainly a wine-growing area. The island's main towns are Vrboska and Jelsa, famed for their Dalmatian wines, and it is dotted with picturesque villages.
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www.hvar.hr (Croation only)

Franciscan Monastery
Description:
The 14th century Franciscan church and monastery enclosed in the walls of medieval Dubrovnik boasts one of the most beautiful Romanesque cloisters in Dalmatia. Within the monastery complex is a working pharmacy, which has been in business since 1317. A museum houses relics from the original medieval pharmacy such as medical books, instruments and weight scales, as well as some gilded church relics. The massive library contains some 30,000 volumes with 1,500 handwritten documents.
Address:
Placa 2
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(0)20 321 410
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Dubrovnik City Walls
Description:
The impressive walls enclosing the ancient city of Dubrovnik were laid out in the 13th century and became an ongoing work for almost two centuries. They are among the finest in the world and are the city's main attraction. The fortified walls are up to 10 feet (3m) thick on the sea side, and at least twice as thick on the land side to guard against invasion by the Turks in the 15th century, and reach 82 feet (25m) in height. Visitors can access the walls via a steep stone stairway where they will be rewarded with superb views over the old city and out to sea. A walk around the old city from this fascinating vantage point is a must for visitors to Dubrovnik. The detached Lovrjenac Fort to the west of the old city stood guard against both land and sea invasion and is also worth a visit for its superb views.
Address:
Gundulièeva Poljana 2
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(0)20 425 942
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Marin Drzic's House
Description:
Croatia's literary genius, Marin Drzic, has been immortalised by turning his Dubrovnik home into a museum which introduces visitors to the writer with a 40-minute presentation on his life and work. The house itself has been restored the the 16th-century Rennaissance period that Drzic lived in. The presentation is also a good introduction for visitors to the history and culture of Dubrovnik itself.
Address:
Siroka ulica 7
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Telephone:
(0)20 420 490
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Website:
mdc.hr/dubrovnik/eng/marindrzic/index.html

Cathedral Treasury
Description:
Dubrovnik has had three cathedrals on the same site during its long history. The first was a Byzantine building dating from the 7th century; the second a Romanesque Cathedral which was destroyed by the great earthquake of the 17th century; and at present the beautiful Baroque structure which was designed by Italian architect Buffalini from Urbino and completed in 1713. The treasury of the cathedral is rich in religious relics, icons, paintings and other items of value. It is also possible to view the archaeological excavations that continue on the cathedral site.
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Kneza Damjana Jude 1
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(0)20 411 715
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Dubrovnik Riviera
Description:
In close proximity to the city of Dubrovnik are numerous picturesque villages and resorts to visit and explore. About 11 miles (18km) away on the road to Split is the quiet bay of Zaton, with its sandy beaches and pine forest. The town has numerous restaurants, a relic of the days when it was the chosen retreat for the aristocrats of the Dubrovnik Republic. The village of Tristeno features the 'Arboretum', a Gothic-Renaissance park on the coast. In the centre of this village visitors are awed by two gigantic sycamore trees, reputedly 500 years old, standing 197ft (60m) high. Even closer to the city the towns of Kupari, Srebreno, Mlini, Soline and Plat lie along a chain of hills descending to the rim of Zupa Bay, known as one of the most beautiful resorts on the Dubrovnik Riviera, with modern hotels offering a variety of watersports. Closer to town, Lapad Beach is a popular sandy beach with a number of bars and restaurants to while away a sunny afternoon in Dubrovnik.
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Andautonia Archaeological Park
Description:
Near the village of Scitarjevo, close to Zagreb, are the remains of the ancient Roman town of Andautonia, which have been excavated and provide a fascinating tourist attraction. Andautonia was a prominent administrative, economic, cultural and religious centre about 400 years ago. Archaeologists are still excavating the site, but at the Andautonia Archaeological Park visitors can view a 26,910 square foot (2,500 sq m) area of the Roman City including parts of the main street, city baths, colonnades and side streets. Tourists can also visit the present-day village of Scitarjevo, which offers examples of typical rural farms with their characteristic wooden houses.
Address:
Archaeological Museum: 19 Nikola Subic Zrinski Square
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Telephone:
(0)1 487 3101
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Website:
www.amz.hr

Croatian History Museum
Description:
The building that houses Croatia's history is itself a part of that history. Sited in the historical town centre, it is the beautiful Baroque palace, Vojkovic-Orsic-Rauch, built at the end of the 18th century and formerly the private residence of three successive baronial families. In the late 1930s the palace became the residence of Zagreb's mayors, before being designated as a repository for the historical relics of the city. It currently houses more than 140,000 artefacts in various collections, from stone monuments to fine art, religious artefacts to heraldry. The exhibitions are not permanent but constantly changing so that all the collections get an airing.
Address:
Matoševa 9
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(0)1 4851 900
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Website:
www.hismus.hr/english/main.htm

Croatian National Theatre
Description:
The building housing the Croatian National Theatre is as much a national treasure as the world-class dramatic, opera, music and ballet productions that take place on its stage. Construction began on the theatre building in 1894. Croatian painter Vlaho Bukovac painted the ceremonial curtain while Viennese artist Alexander Goltz decorated the ceiling of the auditorium. The building was officially opened by Austro-Hungarian emperor Franz-Joseph I at the end of 1895. The theatre is constantly busy with full performing arts programmes.
Address:
Trg Marsala Tita 15
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(0)1 4888 418
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Website:
www.hnk.hr/en

Town Squares
Description:
Praska Street, in the lower part of old Zagreb, leads on to a sequence of attractive park squares, each flaunting their own attractions and worth a walking tour. Zrinski Square features a music pavilion dating from 1895 and fountains, with the Archaeological Museum at No.17. This square also features a row of busts of distinguished Croatians and the palace of the Croatian Academy of Arts and Sciences (1876), which houses the Strossmayer Gallery of old masters. On Strossmayer Square is a monument to bishop Josip Juraj Strossmayer, founder of the Academy, and several other historic buildings.Tomislav Square features the Art Pavilion, fronted by a monument to Croatian Renaissance painter Andrija Medulic. King Tomislav rises on horseback at the southern end of the square. Starcevic Square is home to the City Library and Hotel Esplanade, and gives access to the Botanical Gardens and Frane Bulic monument. In Marulic Square the University Library building stands as a magnificent example of Art Nouveau. Mimara Museum is on Roosevelt Square, and the neo-Baroque Croatian National Theatre stands on Marshal Tito Square.
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Trakoscan Castle
Description:
Trakoscan is a legendary 13th-century Gothic castle that was home to various influential families for centuries before finally falling into abandoned disrepair in the second half of the 18th century when it belonged to the Draskovic family. In the 1950s the castle was taken over by the state and turned into a living museum, reconstructing life in a medieval castle. Visitors can explore four levels, including the dungeon, and finish their exploration by enjoying the surrounding parklands.
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(042) 796 281 or 796 422
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Website:
www.mdc.hr/trakoscan

War Photo Limited
Description:
Located in the historical centre of Dubrovnik, the War Photos exhibition space features temporary, changing exhibitions of photographic works relating to war and conflict. The photographs aim to showcase war as it really is, the horror and brutality that is experienced by innocents and combatants alike. War Photo Limited exhibitions are intended to be educational and showcase the work of world-renowned photojournalists.
Address:
Antuninska 6
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Telephone:
(0)20 322 166
Email:
info@warphotoltd.com
Website:
www.warphotoltd.com

Elafiti Islands
Description:
A popular excursion from Dubrovnik is a day trip to the offshore islands of Kolocep, Lopud and Sipan, which are part of a larger archipelago northwest of Dubrovnik; they are the only inhabited islands in the group and the most popular for visitors. The islands are an escape from the mainland crowds and boast olive groves and orchards, sand and pebble beaches, 15th-century summer residences and several interesting churches and monasteries. Kolocep is the smallest and closest island to Dubrovnik, covered in green vegetation; Lopud is the most visited and is famed for its stretch of sandy beach at Sunj; while Sipan was the summer getaway for aristocratic families in Dubrovnik and is more interesting from an historical point of view.
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Korcula Island
Description:
One of the bigger Adriatic islands, Korcula Island boasts beautiful views, secluded beaches, vineyards and olive groves, and pretty towns and harbours. Korcula Town is the island's main town situated on the north west coast and the old town, sticking out into the sea, is typically Dalmatian, likened to a small Dubrovnik, with its red roofed houses, fortifications and enclosing walls. Marco Polo is said to have been born here and his house is now a museum. The town is also famous for its 15th-century Moreska sword dance which is performed during summer. Other main towns on the island include the tourist centre of Lumbarda surrounded by vineyards and coves, and the port town of Vela Luka on the east coast.
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www.korculainfo.com

Trogir
Description:
The beautiful old walled town of Trogir is a world heritage site enclosing a maze of cobblestone streets; Romanesque, Renaissance and Baroque architecture; and one of the finest cathedrals in the country. The old town is situated on a tiny island between the mainland and the island of Ciovo and is interconnected by bridges. The narrow streets hide countless restaurants and cafes, shops and shuttered residences and outside the city walls is a waterfront promenade lined with yachts and dominated by a medieval fortress that was once connected to the city walls. A popular excursion from Trogir is a boat trip to the nearby islands, Drvenik Mali and Drvenik Veli, whose beaches and secluded coves provide an idyllic getaway.
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Brac Island
Description:
Brac's main claim to fame is the strip of beach near the resort of Bol that stretches out like a finger into the sea, which is featured on almost all Croatian tourist brochures, but the island is also known for its white stone which is exported; Brac's white stone was used to build Washington DC's White House as well as the Diocletian's Palace in Split. Bol is also the windsurfing capital of Croatia. Bol and Supetar are the two main resorts on Brac, with attractive old towns and a laid-back charm. The rest of the island boasts numerous villages and dramatic coastal scenery.
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www.bracinfo.com

Sibenik
Description:
Sibenik is home to the crowning glory of the Dalmatian coast, the Cathedral of St Jacob, which was the masterpiece of sculptor Juraj Dalmatinac. It is reputedly the largest church in the world to be built entirely from stone and is unusual for its 71 stone heads on the exterior walls, a beautiful baptistery, the domed roof complex and various works of art in the interior of the building. The city also makes a good base from which to visit the nearby Krka National Park.
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Plitvice Lakes National Park
Description:
The Plitvice Lakes have been declared a world heritage site and it is the natural beauty of the 16 green and turquoise lakes linked by waterfalls and surrounded by forests and bush that attracts thousands of visitors every year. Wooden walkways meander over, around and across the watery setting that was formed by mineral deposits in the water creating travertine barriers within the constantly changing limestone landscape. The lakes are divided into lower and upper lakes and trails are well marked. Visitors can cover the 11 miles (18km) of walkways on foot, but the park entry ticket also includes the use of buses and ferries to cover certain sections.
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Onofrio's Fountain
Description:
Located in a small square near the Pila Gate and Franciscan Monastery, this large fountain was built in 1438 by the famous Italian architect from Naples, Onofrio della Cava. After sustaining severe damage in a 1667 earthquake, the fountain was repaired and features 16 masked faces, known as 'maskeroni', which supplied water via an aqueduct. This construction was a masterpiece of that time. A smaller Onofrio's fountain located on the opposite side of the Stradun supplied water to the marketplace on Lu~a Square.
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Sponza Palace
Description:
Built between 1516 and 1522, the Sponza Palace was the center of medieval Dubrovnik, complete with a mint, a weights and measures office and a Custom-House, a place where the goods brought by merchants from all over the world would be conveyed and custom fees collected. A mixture of Gothic and Rennaissance architectural styles, Sponza is one of the most beautiful palaces in the city and has been well-preserved so visitors today can still enjoy its stunning facade.
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Luza square, Dubrovnik
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Dubrovnik Port
Description:
Lined with palm trees, Dubrovnik's Old Port is a major focal point of the city featuring breathtaking and unforgettable scenery. Located right next to the picturesque UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Old Town, the port features great shopping at small markets along its tiny cobble stoned streets and fantastic sightseeing activities. Known as the 'Jewel of the Adriatic', the beauty and fun of the Old Port area makes Dubrovnik a popular cruise port in the Adriatic.
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Stradun
Description:
The biggest, longest and widest street in Dubrovnik, the Stradun dates back to the 13th century, while the uniform houses that line it were mostly built in the 17th century. The street is 958 feet (292 metres) long and is the commercial, entertainment and spiritual centre of Dubrovnik. The shiny, slippery, marble-paved Stradun is the main walkway of Dubrovnik's Stari Grad, and the best place to get a feel for the 'pulse' of Dubrovnik.
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