Money: euros, cards and ATM traps
Mistake 1: thinking in kuna. Croatia replaced the kuna with the euro on 1 January 2023. Kuna notes and coins are no longer legal tender, and all prices are in euros. Old guidebooks and forum posts quoting kuna prices are out of date.
Mistake 2: accepting conversion at the card terminal or ATM. When a terminal or ATM offers to charge you in your home currency, decline and pay in euros. This dynamic currency conversion usually carries a poor exchange rate. Some stand-alone ATMs in tourist areas also charge high withdrawal fees; bank-branch ATMs are generally the safer choice. Cards are accepted in most shops and restaurants, but carry some cash for small kiosks, markets and taxi boats.
Borders and entry
Mistake 3: assuming old border rules. Croatia joined the Schengen Area in January 2023, so there are no routine passport checks when arriving from Slovenia or Hungary or on flights from other Schengen countries. Borders with Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro are external Schengen borders, which matters on the coast road to Dubrovnik through Neum and on day trips to Mostar or Kotor. Non-EU visitors are registered in the EU's Entry/Exit System at these external borders, and queues can be long in summer.
Transport
Mistake 4: not booking summer ferries and catamarans. Island car ferries and passenger catamarans from Split, Dubrovnik and Zadar fill up in July and August. Catamarans can sell out days ahead, and car queues at ports can mean waiting for a later sailing. Buy tickets online from the operator as soon as your dates are fixed.
Mistake 5: underestimating distances. Croatia's shape means long drives. The motorway from Zagreb to Split takes around four hours, and Split to Dubrovnik takes about three hours or more in summer traffic. Trying to fit Plitvice, Split and Dubrovnik into three or four days leaves most of the trip in a car.
Sights and crowds
Mistake 6: turning up at Plitvice without a ticket. Plitvice Lakes National Park sells tickets for specific entry times in the main season, and they can run out. The park's 2026 price for adults is €40 per day from June to September before the afternoon cut-off, and €25 later in the day, so the late slot is also cheaper. Buy online in advance.
Mistake 7: visiting Dubrovnik's Old Town at midday. The Old Town is busiest from mid-morning to mid-afternoon, especially on days with several cruise ships in port. Walk the city walls at opening time or in the last hours before closing, and check the port's published cruise schedule when choosing a day.
Mistake 8: expecting to swim at every waterfall. Swimming is not allowed in Plitvice, and swimming at Skradinski Buk in Krka National Park has been banned since 2021. Plan beach time on the coast instead.
Daily life
Mistake 9: running out of supplies on a Sunday. Since 2023 Croatian law has limited Sunday trading, so most shops and supermarkets are closed on most Sundays. Each shop can choose a limited number of Sundays to open, and some outlets at stations, airports and petrol stations are exempt. Do your grocery shopping on Saturday.
Mistake 10: dressing for the beach everywhere. Several coastal towns, including Hvar Town, fine people for walking around the centre in swimwear. Churches expect covered shoulders and knees. Pack a light layer to throw on.
A few smaller things worth knowing
- Sea urchins and pebbles: most beaches are pebble or rock. Water shoes make entering the sea easier, especially for children.
- The bura: this cold north-easterly wind can blow hard along the coast, mostly outside summer, and it can close the Pag and Krk bridges to some vehicles and cancel ferries. Check forecasts and the ferry operator's notices before a crossing.
- Tipping: service is not usually included. Rounding up or leaving around 10% in restaurants for good service is common but not obligatory.
- Tap water: tap water is safe to drink across Croatia.
- Driving: headlights must be on during the winter period, and the legal blood alcohol limit is 0.5 g/kg for most drivers, but zero for drivers under 24 and professional drivers.
