After well and truly shaking off its turbulent past, Croatia is once again emerging as an attractive tourist destination. With its magnificent coastline, 1,185 islands, islets and reefs, Roman ruins and picturesque medieval villages, it is fast becoming a rival to the Greek islands – alluring for lovers of fun, sun, local colour, great food and fascinating history. On a Croatia tour, explore the intriguing history in the charming town of Hvar or discover magnificent coastlines and luxury in Croatia's capital, Zagreb. Book one of our tours online today or get in touch with our friendly team of Travel Specialists.
Small Group Tours
Jewels of Dalmatia
Discover the splendour of the Adriatic coastline and its surrounding treasures.
Airfares included
Northern Italy, Slovenia & Croatia
Explore the stunning natural beauty of Italy, Slovenia and Croatia.
Airfares included
Austria, Slovenia & Croatia Christmas Markets
Classic European Christmas markets abound on this small group tour that will make you fall more in love with Europe.
Croatia & Slovenia
Discover the jewels of the Adriatic countries of Croatia and Slovenia.
Croatia Facts & Tips
Did you know?
- On the wedding day of a Croatian couple, the bride’s family may playfully try to stall the groom from arriving at the church with his intended, by putting up different obstacles in the couple’s path!
- Dalmatia is the coastal region of Croatia from the Kvarner Riviera in the north to Dubrovnik in the south.
- The Dalmatian dog, also known as the Dubrovnik hunter, originally came from Dalmatia.
- The world’s smallest town is Hum, in Istria with a population of approximately 20 people.
- Zagreb Cathedral is the tallest building in Croatia at 108 metres high.
- The island of Hvar on Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast has the most hours of sunlight in Europe with more than 2,800 hours of sunlight per year.
- Croatia is ranked 4th in the world for alcohol consumption per capita.
- The mini series ‘Game of Thrones’ was filmed along the Dalmatian Coast and in Dubrovnik and Split.
- 10% of Croatia is preserved, covered by 8 national parks, 11 nature parks and 2 nature reserves.
Visas & Passports
Australian passport holders travelling to Croatia do not need a visa at this time.
We require that your passport is valid for travel for at least six months from the date you are planning to return to Australia. Your passport must be valid to travel internationally and must be machine-readable. You also need to carry a valid return ticket on you.
Whether travelling on an Australian passport or the passport of another country, all travellers require visas for a number of countries, and it is your responsibility to secure what may be required before departing Australia. You can consult with your travel agent, but it is also recommended that you check the foreign embassy website for your respective destination as it can also provide you with useful information.
Australian Embassy in Croatia:
Centar Kaptol
Third Floor, Nova Ves 11
Zagreb 10000
Ph. +385 1 1489 1200
Fax. +385 1 489 1216
Currency
The official currency of Croatia is the Euro. Notes come in denominations of €500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5.
Advise your bank of your travel plans so that they can make a note of it, otherwise they may cancel your credit card as a safety measure due to the overseas transactions. Also make a note of the 24-hour emergency contact number of the bank or building society which issued your credit card in the unlikely event that your card is lost or stolen.
Whenever possible use ATMs when the banks are open (Mon – Fri) so that if a machine ‘eats’ your card you can then deal with it straight away. It is always advisable to carry a supply of cash in addition to your credit card.
If you don’t have Euro’s with you on arrival, we advise you to exchange some money into the local currency at the airport even if the exchange rate is not the best, this way you’ll have money to get a drink, snack or give a tip during those first few hours of arrival. Your guide will be able to advise you on the best places to exchange money.
Small change is also useful for paying for toilets while on tour which is customary in many places outside of Australia.
Dining
- The price of a cappuccino in Croatia is approximately €1.50.
- The price of an inexpensive lunch is approximately €8-10.
- The price dinner in a moderate restaurant is approximately €17.
- The price of a beer in a local pub is approximately €2 - €4.
Croatian cuisine includes seafood from the coastal waters and meat dishes such as cevapcici (sausage-shaped minced meat), raznijici (grilled meat on skewers), sarma (minced rice and meat rolled in cabbage leaves) and djuvec (stew). Bread and salad accompany most meals. Palacinke (pancakes) are a favourite dessert. Popular drinks are beer, wine, slivovica (plum brandy) and Turkish coffee.
Important: When dining at buffets (i.e. breakfast) please refrain from taking food away with you to ‘save’ for later! If you feel that you’ll need snacks between meals, pack some dried fruit, nuts, muesli bars etc.
If you have specific food allergies and/or preferences, we highly recommend you take every precaution before your tour, including carrying a small card with your food allergy listed in each language of every country you are travelling to show to table staff when ordering. Whilst we take all dietary requirements seriously, due to the serious nature of potential allergic reactions, it is your responsibility to be as prepared as possible.
Weather
The coastal region of Croatia enjoys a Mediterranean climate with hot dry summers and mild winters (minimum winter temperatures are around 4°C and summers average around 26°C). Inland, a continental climate is predominant with hot summers and cold winters.
Getting Around
Want to get out and explore on your own?
Getting around cities in Croatia is relatively simple – taxis abound and the fares have been recently regulated to ensure consistency. However, walking is a wonderful way to see the city sights, and some city centres (like Split and Dubrovnik) have been declared ‘pedestrian only’ zones, so they are wonderfully car free!
When catching taxis, have small change on you and choose one with a meter, if it doesn’t have one then negotiate the price before getting in. Also, ask your guide or hotel staff the names of reputable taxi companies.
Shopping
So, you’d love to bring home a special souvenir from Croatia…
Handicrafts are popular buys among visitors to Croatia, especially items such as ceramic bowls, painted tiles and picture frames. More popular still are paintings of Croatian scenes by local artists, which are sold alongside handicrafts in the country’s tourist spots. Lavender-based gifts, such as lavender oil, are popular on the islands. You don’t need to look far to find a wealth of lace goods, which make excellent (and light) presents to take home.
Local Etiquette
Smoking is acceptable almost everywhere.
If entering a church or mosque both sexes should cover shoulders and legs. In a mosque, women will most likely be asked to cover their hair with a scarf (usually provided).
Generally speaking, Croatians are willing enough to talk about the recent war and what has changed since then, however, we recommend listening without giving your political opinion.
Celebrations & Public Holidays
Croatia has many events and festivals happening throughout the year, particularly during its summer months, including the Sea Star Festival, the Hideout Festival, Love International and the INmusic Festival.
Other national public holidays to be aware of include:
- New Year’s Day
- Epiphany (January 6th)
- Easter Friday and Easter Monday
- Labour Day (May 1st)
- Corpus Christi (June 11th)
- Anti-Fascist Struggle Day (June 22nd)
- Statehood Day (June 25th)
- Victory Day (August 5th)
- Assumption of Mary (August 15th)
- Independence Day (October 8th)
- All Saints Day (November 1st)
- Christmas Day
- Boxing Day
Croatia FAQs
How many days do you need to visit Croatia?
Croatia is packed with charm and many different possibilities, so you don’t want to miss anything. If you’re only visiting Croatia, we recommend spending a week there. However, if you’re planning on visiting nearby European countries as well, we advise at least 3 to 5 days.
At Bunnik Tours, we offer a variety of small group tours and land only tours that explore the scenic coastlines, charming villages, luxurious cities and stunning natural beauty that Croatia has to offer. Our Jewels of Dalmatia tour spends 8 days touring the magnificent cities and villages of Croatia. This enchanting tour also visits Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia and Montenegro.
How much does a Croatia trip cost?
It depends on what you want to see and do and if you’re planning on visiting nearby countries as well. At Bunnik Tours our range of Croatia tour packages start from $4,795 per person. Our range includes our classic small group tours as well as land only tours. Bunnik Tours land only tours are shorter in duration and exclude airfares, giving you more flexibility to create your dream holiday.
What’s the best way to see Croatia?
All inclusive Croatia holiday packages are the perfect way to see all the best tourist attractions, along with multiple special experiences - making it great value for your money! At Bunnik Tours, we have a range of Croatia tours, so you’re sure to find the best fit for you.
Our Jewels of Dalmatia small group tour will take you across the Adriatic Coastline, ancient cities and charming coastal villages in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, Croatia and Montenegro. This tour starts from $10,895 per person and spends 10 days in the stunning destinations of Croatia.
Our 10 day Croatia & Slovenia tour will take you through the ancient ruins of Dobrovik, natural landscapes like the Primeval Forests, mysterious Karst Caves and more! You can explore all of this starting from $4,295 per person.
Lastly, you can explore Austria, Slovenia and Croatia on our European Christmas markets tour. You will discover the pristine architecture in Vienna, the stunning natural beauty of Lake Bled and Plitvice Lake National Park - all with the magic touch of a Christmas winter wonderland. This is a 10 day tour that starts from $3,795 per person.
What month is the best time to go to Croatia?
We recommend visiting Croatia during the end of spring in May, the summer months, from June to August or the end of autumn in September. The weather during this period is warm and sunny, but still cool enough for long trips. This is the perfect time for any outdoor activities you may want to do on your trip in Croatia.
If you are looking to discover the true magic during the Christmas season, we recommend booking your Croatia holiday in November or December.
How can I tour Croatia as a responsible traveller?
At Bunnik Tours, we believe in responsible travel and sustainable tourism. For more information, visit our Sustainable Tourism hub.
Can't find the answers you're looking for? Check out our FAQs.
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