Smart Self-Managed Tours

Country guide

Croatia

A photograph of Croatia
Photograph · Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 3.0

Croatia meets the Adriatic in two parts that barely resemble each other: an inland north around Zagreb, the capital and the main cultural and economic centre, and a coast whose archipelago carries over 1,000 islands and islets. The whole country is 56,594 square kilometres, divided into twenty counties across four administrative regions, with a population of nearly 3.9 million as of 2026. Split, Rijeka and Osijek are the other cities of any size — the first two on the water, the last inland in the east. Slovenia, Hungary, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro all border it by land, Italy only by sea.

Cities

Every city catalogued in this country so far, ranked by how much there is to see.

Practical information

Language spoken
Croatian
National practical orientation; regional and minority languages may also be used
Dialling code
+385
International calling code; local area and mobile prefixes still apply
Currency
Euro (EUR)
Use the official local currency; card acceptance varies by place
Emergency number
112
Use only for an emergency; tourist assistance may use a separate number
Plug type
Type C and F · 230 V
Check that chargers support the recorded voltage before using an adapter
Tap water
Safe from treated public supplies
Public drinking water is regulated; follow local notices on islands or after disruption

Planning a visit

  1. January: no seasonality data recorded
  2. February: no seasonality data recorded
  3. March: no seasonality data recorded
  4. April: no seasonality data recorded
  5. May: no seasonality data recorded
  6. June: no seasonality data recorded
  7. July: no seasonality data recorded
  8. August: no seasonality data recorded
  9. September: no seasonality data recorded — this month
  10. October: no seasonality data recorded
  11. November: no seasonality data recorded
  12. December: no seasonality data recorded

Top things to see

Ranked by importance — sitelinks, pageviews and heritage status, not editor preference.

  1. Split City Museum Split City Museum
    02 1 hr 30 min

    Split City Museum

    Muzej grada Splita

    Split City Museum, locally Muzej grada Splita, is a municipal museum institution in Split, Croatia. It preserves and presents the urban history of Split from antiquity through the medieval period to modern times.

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Split
  2. Etnografski muzej Etnografski muzej
    03 1 hr 30 min

    Etnografski muzej

    The Ethnographic Museum Split, locally named Etnografski muzej Split, is a museum in the historic core of Split, Croatia. It occupies a significant position within the ancient fabric of the city, which developed around the Palace of Roman Emperor Diocletian.

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Split
  3. Archaeological Museum Split Archaeological Museum Split
    04 1 hr 30 min

    Archaeological Museum Split

    Arheološki muzej

    The Archaeological Museum in Split, known locally as Arheološki muzej u Splitu, stands as a significant cultural institution in Croatia's second-largest city. It preserves and presents archaeological finds from the Split region and broader Dalmatian area.

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Split
  4. Museum of Fine Arts Museum of Fine Arts
    05 1 hr 30 min

    Museum of Fine Arts

    Galerija umjetnina

    The Gallery of Fine Arts Split is an art museum in Split, Croatia. Its local name is Galerija umjetnina Split. The institution holds the Wikidata identifier Q5519009.

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Split
  5. Hrvatski Pomorski muzej Hrvatski Pomorski muzej
    06 1 hr 30 min

    Hrvatski Pomorski muzej

    The Croatian Maritime Museum is a cultural institution in Split dedicated to the maritime heritage of the Adriatic coast.

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Split
  6. Muzej hrvatskih arheoloških spomenika Muzej hrvatskih arheoloških spomenika
    07 1 hr 30 min

    Muzej hrvatskih arheoloških spomenika

    The Museum of Croatian Archaeological Monuments is a museum in Split dedicated to preserving and presenting Croatia's medieval archaeological heritage.

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Split
  7. Split Science Museum and Zoo Split Science Museum and Zoo
    08 1 hr 30 min

    Split Science Museum and Zoo

    Prirodoslovni muzej i zoološki vrt Split

    The Split Science Museum and Zoo, known locally as Prirodoslovni muzej i zoološki vrt Split, is a ranked visitor place retained from the available fact pack.

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Split
  8. Game of Thrones Museum Split Game of Thrones Museum Split
    09 1 hr 30 min

    Game of Thrones Museum Split

    The Game of Thrones Museum Split is a visitor attraction in Split, Croatia, dedicated to the HBO television series Game of Thrones. The museum commemorates the show's extensive filming in Croatia, particularly in the Dalmatian region.

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Split
  9. Old City Hall Old City Hall
    10 1 hr 30 min

    Old City Hall

    Stara gradska vijećnica

    Old City Hall stands as a significant historical building in Split, Croatia, representing the civic heritage of this coastal city. The structure reflects architectural traditions that have shaped Dalmatian urban landscapes over centuries.

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Split
  10. Galerija Emanuela Vidovića
    11 1 hr 30 min

    Galerija Emanuela Vidovića

    The Emanuel Vidović Gallery is a dedicated art gallery in Split, Croatia, bearing the local name Galerija Emanuela Vidovića. It honours the Croatian painter Emanuel Vidović, a significant figure in Croatian modern art.

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Split

Source: OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata ·

Common questions

How long should a first trip to Croatia be?

Seven to ten days can pair Zagreb with one Adriatic region or focus on Split, nearby islands and one inland park. Dubrovnik, Istria and central Dalmatia are separate bases; ferry waits make a rapid checklist of coastal towns less efficient than it looks.

What entry documents are needed for Croatia?

Croatia belongs to the Schengen Area, while document and visa requirements still depend on nationality. Consult the Croatian foreign ministry before travel and check the passport used for every border leg, particularly when the route crosses non-Schengen neighbours.

What is the best way to travel around Croatia?

Zagreb, Split and Dubrovnik are common gateways. Coaches and cars are central to coastal travel, trains are more useful inland, and ferries follow seasonal schedules; confirm whether the selected sailing carries vehicles and reserve constrained summer departures.

When is a practical time to visit Croatia?

May, June and September combine warm coastal conditions with less pressure than peak summer for many routes. Island ferries and accommodation are more seasonal outside that window, while inland weather differs, so verify the exact transport dates before building an island sequence.

What money and payment basics apply in Croatia?

Croatia uses the euro. Cards are common in cities and resorts, but cash can still help at markets, small island businesses and local services; check whether a ferry, parking machine or accommodation deposit accepts the chosen payment method.

What practical safety details should I save for Croatia?

Call 112 for emergencies; Croatia uses Type C and F electricity at 230 V. Treated public tap water is recorded as safe, though local notices remain authoritative, and coastal itineraries should keep current ferry, heat and wildfire information available.