1. Know the new currency: Croatia adopted the euro in January 2023. For older guidebooks listing prices in kuna, convert using the rate 1 euro = 7.5345 kuna. Don’t exchange for kuna anymore.
2. Schengen visa is sufficient: As of 2023, Croatia is part of the Schengen Area, but you’ll still cross borders when traveling to neighbouring countries like Bosnia and Herzegovina or Montenegro, so carry your passport with you.
3. Go early to the city walls: Dubrovnik’s city walls open at 8 AM—enter right away to avoid the midday heat and cruise ship crowds.
4. Choose the right entrance to Plitvice Lakes: Entrance 2 is close to the Lower Lakes loop. In summer, timed entry tickets are required, and swimming or drones are not allowed in the park.
5. Accommodation in old towns is expensive and hard to move luggage around: Dubrovnik and Split old towns have many stone steps—prioritize hotels outside the gates with elevators.
6. Always ask the price of seafood: It’s sold by weight. Confirm the day’s price and portion size before ordering to avoid surprises at checkout.
7. Build buffer time for ferries: Island ferry schedules are weather-dependent—don’t plan flights on the same day as island-hopping trips.
8. Wear water shoes on rocky beaches: The coastline is mostly pebbles and rocks; water shoes are more practical than flip-flops.
9. Protect against sun and mosquitoes: Mediterranean sunlight is strong, and mosquitoes are common at Plitvice Lakes and in old towns during dusk.
10. Many places close on Sundays and in the off-season: From November to April, many coastal restaurants and hotels are closed. Winter is a good time to visit Zagreb’s Christmas market.

Emergency Information

The nationwide emergency number is 112, used for police, ambulance, and fire services. Tourist police stations are set up in popular areas (one is near the Dubrovnik Old Town Gate, offering multilingual service). Non-EU travelers must pay for medical treatment upfront and claim reimbursement via travel insurance—keep all diagnosis and payment receipts. If you lose your passport, apply for a replacement at your country’s embassy or consulate in Croatia (located in Zagreb) as soon as possible. Summer cruise ship arrivals often cause congestion in the old town—check the official arrival calendar. Coastal rocks can be slippery, and walking along unguarded edges at night is not advised. Pay attention to flag signals at swim areas: a red flag means no swimming. Finally, remember: Croatia has been a full Schengen member since 2023, and its entry stamp and residency rules align with those of other Western European countries. Overstaying will leave a record, so plan your 90-day Schengen allowance carefully when combining multiple countries in one trip. Useful apps to have: GetByBus for intercity buses, Jadrolinija for ferries, and the official Croatian National Parks website to book Plitvice Lakes tickets. Having the right app can cut your queuing time in half during peak season.