Croatia info
Welcome!
The Croats call their country “Our Beautiful Homeland”, words taken from the first line of the Croatian national anthem. The Republic of Croatia is a European parliamentary state and part of European political and cultural history. By size, it is classified among the middle-sized European countries, such as Denmark, Ireland, the Slovak Republic, or Switzerland.
Croatia is a land of open frontiers and clear-cut Customs formalities. It is also a country of concord, and one that is respectful towards its guests. The Croats strive to make “Our Beautiful Homeland” equally beautiful to all who visit it, ensuring that they take with them the finest souvenirs of their stay, beautiful memories, when they leave.
Welcome to Croatia!
GENERAL INFORMATION
Geographic position:
Croatia extends from the furthest eastern edges of the Alps in the north-west to the Pannonian lowlands and the banks of the Danube in the east; its central region is covered by the Dinara mountain range, and its southern parts extend to the coast of the Adriatic Sea.
Surface area:
the mainland covers 56,594 km2;
the surface area of territorial waters totals 31,067 km2.
Population: 4,437,460 inhabitants.
Composition of population: the majority of the population are Croats; the national minorities are Serbs, Slovenes, Hungarians, Bosnians, Italians, Czechs and others.
System of government:
Multi-party parliamentary republic.
Capital:
Zagreb (779,145 inhabitants), the economic, transport, cultural and
academic centre of the country.
Coastline:
5,835.3 km, of which 4,058 km comprise the coastlines of islands, solitary rocks and reefs.
Number of islands, solitary rocks and reefs:
1,185; the largest islands are
Cres and Krk; there are 47 inhabited islands.
Highest peak:
Dinara: 1,831 m above sea level.
Climate:
Croatia has three climate zones; the prevailing climate in the country’s interior is moderately rainy; on the highest peaks, a forest climate with snow falls, while the areas along the Adriatic coast have a pleasantly mild Mediterranean climate with a large number of sunny days; summers are dry and hot, winters mild and wet. Average temperatures in the interior: January -2 to 0° C, somewhat lower at the highest altitudes; August - about 20 oC and about 12°C on the highest peaks. Average temperature in the littoral: January - 5 to 9°C, August - 22 to 25 °C; sea temperature in winter: 12 °C; in summer, about 25 °C.
Currency:
The kuna (1 kuna = 100 lipa).
Foreign currency can be exchanged in banks, exchange offices, post offices, travel agencies, hotels, camps, marinas; cheques can be cashed in banks.
Credit cards:
Hotels accept all major credit cards (Eurocard/Mastercard, American Express, Diners, Visa).
Most restaurants, shops and marinas accept Eurocard/Mastercard, American Express, Diners, and Visa. Cash can be accessed at ATMs in almost all towns, cities and tourist centres; almost all ATMs accept Eurocard/Mastercard, Diners, American Express, and Visa.
Rab
USEFUL INFORMATION
Travel documents:
A valid passport or some other identification document recognised by international agreement; for certain countries a personal identity card is sufficient (i.e. a document which testifies to the identity and citizenship of the bearer).
Information:
Diplomatic missions and consular offices of the Republic of Croatia abroad or
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of the Republic of Croatia.
Tel: +385 1 4569 964;
E-mail: stranci@mvpei.hr;
www.mvpei.hr
Customs regulations:
Customs regulations in the Republic of Croatia are harmonised with the standards of EU member states, but the value of objects of non-commercial character for personal use allowed to be brought into the country without tax duty or PDV (VAT) is limited to 300 HRK (kuna).
The entry of all meat, dairy and other products of animal origin is subject to veterinary inspection at the border crossing. The amount of wine that can be brought in is limited to a maximum of 5 litres per passenger.
Foreign and local currency and cheques may be freely taken in and out of the country, but the transfer of an amount exceeding 40,000 kuna must be declared to a customs official. Valuable professional equipment and technical devices must also be declared to a customs official at the border crossing.
Tax is refunded to foreign nationals when leaving the country for individual goods purchased in Croatia, for amounts in excess of 500 HRK, upon the presentation of a “Tax-cheque” form. This form is provided on request by a sales assistant, when items are purchased. Pets that are being imported, or that are travelling through for non-commercial purposes, in the company on their owner (up to 5 animals: dogs, cats, animals from the marten family, invertebrates (with the exception of bees and crustaceans), ornamental tropical fish, amphibians, reptiles, all type of birds (besides fowl imported for commercial purposes, for zoos and zoo shops), mammals, rodents and rabbits) will be allowed to enter the Republic of Croatia if they are, while on the move, accompanied by their owner or another responsible person authorised by the owner, and are not meant for sale or transfer to another owner under the condition that:
- they have a valid international passport or health certifi cate (veterinary certifi cate) in which a licensed veterinary surgeon in the exporter’s country certifi es that the animal(s) in question are healthy and show no symptoms of infectious diseases which must be reported, and that they do not come from an area in which infectious diseases are present and which that particular type of animal can transfer.
Dogs, cats and animals of the marten family must be:
- marked with a clearlylegible tattoo or fi tted with an electronic identifi cation system (transponder).
- have an international passport issued by a licensed veterinarian proving they have been vaccinated against rabies, or have be re-vaccinated in line with the recommendations of the manufacturing laboratory, carried out on that kind of animal with an inactivated vaccine with at least one antigen unit per dose (WHO standard) not more than 30 days prior in the case of a first, primary vaccination:
- under 3 months of age, and have not been vaccinated against rabies, living from birth at the same place and have not been in contact with wild animals which is confirmed on the international passport by an authorised veterinarian or move
with the mother on whom they are dependent.
For additional information please contact the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management – Veterinary Department
(Tel. +385 1 610 6703 and + 385 1 610 6669; www.mps.hr)
Health services
There are hospitals and clinics located in all the larger towns and cities, while smaller centres have dispensaries and pharmacies. Foreign visitors are not obliged to pay for medical services if a convention on Social Security has been signed between Croatia and the visitors’ country of origin, i.e. if they have in their possession a certificate stipulated by such a convention confirming their right to health care. Health care (including transport) is used for emergency cases in the manner and according to regulations valid for Croatian citizens covered by Social Security, with identical participation in health care costs (participation and administrative duties). Persons coming from countries with which no such convention has been signed
bear the costs of health services rendered personally.
Public holidays
1 January - New Year’s Day
6 January – Epiphany
Easter Sunday & Easter Monday
1 May - Labour Day
Corpus Christi
22 June - Anti-Fascist Resistance Day
25 June - Statehood Day
5 August - Victory Day and National Thanksgiving Day
15 August - Assumption Day
8 October - Independence Day
1 November - All Saints’ Day
25-26 December - Christmas Holidays
Shops and public services working hours
Most shops are open from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. on weekdays and until 2 or 3 p.m. on Saturdays. Some shops work a split-shift system: from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., and again from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Many shops stay open until 10 p.m., even on Sundays, especially in summer, while certain shops in the larger cities are open for business 24 hours a day.
Public services and business offices work from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m., Mondays to Fridays. Post and telecommunications Post offices are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays, in smaller centres from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m.; some offices work a split shift. In most towns and tourist centres, on-duty post offices are open on Saturdays and Sundays until 9 p.m. Postage stamps may also be purchased from newspaper and tobacco kiosks Phone cards are used in all public telephones and may be purchased from post offices and from newspaper and tobacco kiosks. International calls may be made directly from public telephones. www.posta.hr
Power supply:
220 V, 50 Hz Our UK guests should note that power outlets in Croatia are the Continental two-pin type and that a socket adapter is therefore required. Tap water is potable in all parts of Croatia.
Environmental protection:
The protection of biodiversity complies with valid EU regulations. As regards bathing, the sea of the Croatian Adriatic is of high quality, again according to EU criteria. In the event of extraordinary environmental pollution on land, please advise the 112 Centre. In the event of an accident seek help at the number 112! This number can be reached any time, day or night, regardless of where you are in the Republic of Croatia.
Calls to this number are free of charge.
Calls can be made through all operators and all telephone devices by dialling 112.
In the event of an accident the 112 Centre can be contacted in any one of the following foreign languages:
- English
- German
- Italian
- French
- Hungarian
- Czech
Call 112 If you need:
- Emergency medical assistance
- The assistance of firefighters
- The assistance of the police
- The assistance of the Highland
Rescue Service
- Emergency veterinary assistance
- The assistance of emergency services and operative search and rescue forces
If you notice:
- Fire
- Leaks of hazardous materials, the contamination of potable water, waterways, rivers or the sea
- Other phenomenon that represent a danger to the lives and health of people or animals, cultural goods and the environment
When calling 112 please indicate:
- What happened
- Where is happened
- When it happened
- If there are injured parties
- What the nature of the injury or injuries are
- What kind of assistance you require
- Your name
Fire prevention
Check that you have undertaken all the necessary measures to prevent fi re! Do not throw burning or inflammable objects into the environment!
Observe the signs forbidding the lighting of fires! Take care that your parked vehicles do not obstruct firefighting approaches and access roads. What should you do if there is a fire?
- Immediately notify firefighters of the fire at the telephone number 93 or call for assistance at 112!
- Use a hand-held fireextinguisher (if one is available) and only attempt to extinguish the fire if doing so does not endanger you or others
- Notify people in the area of the appearance of fire
- Safely evacuate any people in the area
- Do not enter staircases if they are filled with smoke and do not use elevators
- If smoke prevents you from exiting the building, close all of the windows and doors to prevent the entry of smoke in your room
- If your are trapped in an apartment, wait for the arrival of firefighters at the window so that they can see you, as firefighting vehicles are also equipped for rescue from elevated positions
- FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS OF FIREFIGHTERS
Search and rescue
In the event of accident on land or at sea, call 112 (the number for all emergency situations), and in the event of accident at sea call 9155 (the National Centre for search and rescue at sea) or 112.
Outdoor activities:
- Tell relatives or friends the route and plan of your journey
- Walk on marked paths and trails
- Secure sufficient quantities of water
- Prepare adequate clothing and footwear
- Prepare mobile telephone devices
- Monitor weather forecasts
- Do not light fires
- Do not throw cigarette butts or flammable objects out of doors
ON THE ROAD
- Avoid traffic jams during the peak tourism season (riding on weekends or holidays)
- Be well-rested when travelling
- Adjust your speed to the conditions on the road and the posted speed limits
- In the event of a traffic jam, be patient (have sufficient quantities of
water)
AT SEA
- Do not expose yourself to danger when swimming and diving
- Moderate your exposure to the sun and use protective sunscreens
- Do not overestimate your own capabilities
- Monitor weather forecasts
Important telephone numbers:
International country code for
Croatia: +385
Police: 92
Fire Brigade: 93
Ambulance: 94
Roadside vehicle assistance: 987
(When calling from abroad or by mobile phone, call +385 1 987)
National Search and Rescue Centre: 9155.
The countrywide number for all emergency situations: 112
General information: 981
Information on local and intercity numbers: 988
Information on international numbers: 902
Weather forecast and road conditions: 060 520 520
Croatian Automobile Club (HAK): +385 1 46 40 800,
Internet: www.hak.hr;
E-mail: info@hak.hr
Radio news in foreign languages during the tourist season Croatian Radio broadcasts programmes in foreign languages designed for tourists in Croatia on several frequencies. A daily programme is broadcast at 8:05 pm on channel one, in English, for a duration of up to 10 min. On channel two of Croatian Radio, along with regular news, HAK provides reports on road conditions in English, German and Italian and, several times each day, information for sailors. In the summer season, on channel two of Croatian Radio (98.5 Mhz), in addition to the regular news in the Croatian language there will also be a broadcast on road conditions in the English, German and Italian languages by HAK (from 18 June to 9 September 2008). During the same period there will also be broadcasts every hour on the hour; news and reports on the condition of the roads are broadcast directly from the studios of: the Third Programme of Austrian Radio, RAI Uno, British Virgin Radio, Radio Prague and the International programme of Croatian Radio – Voice of Croatia.
During the summer Radio Prague reporters broadcast news for their nationals staying in Croatia via regional radio stations: Radio Split, Radio Dubrovnik and Radio Rijeka.
INFORMATION OF SPECIAL INTEREST
Important cultural events
- 2008 DUBROVNIK: Dubrovnik Summer Festival: July - August
- ĐAKOVO: Đakovo Festival of Folklore Life: June - July
- MOTOVUN: Motovun Film Festival: July-August
- OMIŠ: Festival of Dalmatian close-harmony singing groups (Klapa): July
- OSOR: Osor Music Evenings: July
- POREČ: Concerts of classical music in the Euphrasius’ Basilica: every Friday throughout the summer season
- PULA: Festival of Feature Films in Pula, July
- RAB: Rabska fjera – July
- RIJEKA: Rijeka Carnival: January – February
- SINJ: Alka Tournament: August
- SPLIT: Summer Festival: July - August
- ŠIBENIK: International Children’s Festival: June – July
- VARAŽDIN: “Špancirfest”–Town Festival:August–September; Varaždin Baroque Evenings: September – October
- VINKOVCI: Vinkovci Autumns - September
- ZADAR: Music Evenings in the church of St Donat: July
- ZAGREB: International Festival of New Theatre(EUROKAZ): June - July;
- International Folklore Festival: July; Promenade Concerts at Zrinjevac,
April – September;
International Puppet Theatre Festival – PIF, August - September; Zagreb Summer Evenings, June - August;
Animafest, November
Major museums:
Čakovec- Međimurje Museum
Dubrovnik – Dubrovnik Knežev dvor Museum (Ducal Palace Museum); Ethnographic Museum – Rupe; City Walls;
Dominican Monastery Museum;
Maritime Museum; Riznica
Cathedral; Home of playwright
Marin Držić; Aquarium
– Dubrovnik Biological Institute;
Franciscan Monastery
“Mala braća” (Little Brothers)
Museum; Museum – Orthodox
Christian Church Gornja Stubica - Museum of Peasant Uprisings
Gospić - Lika Museum. In nearby Smiljan is the Nikola
Tesla Memorial Centre Hlebine – Hlebine Gallery and the Ivan Generalić Museum Collection
Karlovac - City museum, the old burg of Dubovac
Klanjec - Gallery of the sculptor Antun Augustinčić
Krapina - Museum of Evolution and the archaeological locality of primeval man - the Hušnjakovo Site,
Ljudevit Gaj Museum Kumrovec - The Old Village - a unique ethno-museum with
original village dwellings; the birthplace and family home of
the late Josip Broz Tito Makarska - Malacological Museum – museum of fish,
crustaceans and shellfish;
City museums
Našice - Regional museum located in the Pejačević manor house.
Osijek - Museum of Slavonia
Pazin – Ethnographic Museum of Istria, and Pazin Town Museum
Pula - Archaeological Museum, Historical Museum of Istria, Amphitheatre (Arena)
Rijeka – Maritime and Historical Museum of the Croatian Littoral, Museum of Natural Sciences
Poreč– Regional Museum of the Poreč Area
Split - Museum of Croatian archaeological monuments, Archaeological Museum of
Split, Ivan Meštrović Gallery, City Museum, Ethnographic Museum, Natural History
Museum, Art Gallery, Naval Museum, Cathedral Treasury Trakošćan - Trakošćan Castle-Museum (large collection of ancient weapons)
Varaždin -Town Museum in the Old Town - Department of History and Entomological
Department, “The world of insects”; Gallery of Old and New masters
Zadar - Archaeological Museum, National Museum of Zadar, Permanent Display of Sacral Art, National Museum Zadar
Zagreb - Archaeological Museum, Ethnographic Museum, Croatian Museum of Naive Art, Modern Gallery, City of Zagreb Museum, Mimara Museum, Museum of Arts and
Crafts, Natural History Museum, Museum of Contemporary Art, Strossmayer Gallery of Old Masters, Technical Museum, Klovićevi dvori Gallery, Museum of Croatian History,
Dražen Petrović Memorial Museum Centre, Art Pavilion.
Major sanctuaries:
Marija Bistrica: Our Lady of Bistrica
Trsat: Our Lady of Trsat
Sinj: Our Miraculous Lady of Sinj
Aljmaš: Our Lady of Consolation
Krasno: Our Lady of Krasno
Karlovac-Dubovac:
St Joseph Lobor: Our Lady of the mountains
Ludbreg: Sacred Blood of Jesus
Remete: Our Lady of Remete
Solin: Our Lady of Island
Trški Vrh: Our Lady of Jerusalem
Vepric: Our Lady of Lourdes
Voćin: Our Lady of Voćin
Cultural-historical monuments:
There are numerous castles, and cultural and historical monuments in Croatia. The best known among them are: Diocletian’s Palace in Split, the Old Town of Trogir, Euphrasius’ Basilica in Poreč, Šibenik Cathedral, and the City of Dubrovnik – all listed as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO The most beautiful and the most famous among the national parks in Croatia – Plitvice Lakes – is also under UNESCO protection.
ACCOMMODATION
Croatia offers accommodation in numerous hotels, tourist settlements, private houses, farms, apartments, campsites, and at nudist camps that have a long tradition. In the interior there are many mineral and thermal spring health resorts.
Information:
Tourist Offices and travel agencies. Youth hostels are available in Dubrovnik, Pula, Korčula, Veli Lošinj, Punat on the island of Krk, in the towns of Krk, Rijeka, Zadar and Zagreb.
Information: Croatian Youth Holiday Association and Hostel Association,
Tel: +385 1 4847-474;
Tel/Fax: +385 1 4847 472,
E-mail:
travelsection@hfhs.hr,
www.hfhs.hr
NATIONAL FOOD AND DRINK
Where to eat? Apart from hotels, accommodation is offered, both full board and half board, in all towns and tourist resorts. There are also restaurants, inns, taverns, wine cellars, pizzerias and fast-food restaurants along the main roads. Restaurants and inns offering local Croatian cuisine will be of particular interest to gourmands. All foods of animal origin are subject to the same standards as in countries in the European Union and are under constant veterinary and health supervision.
What to eat?
In addition to standard European cuisine, Croatia offers its most popular domestic dishes and specialties: among the cold dishes there are the renowned Dalmatian or Istrian dried hams, the cheeses of the island of Pag or the Lika region, sheep’s cheese, the Slavonian kulen (a spicy cured pork meat speciality), the renowned garlic sausages (češnjovka) of Samobor and the Zagorje region, fresh cottage cheese with cream… The main dishes on offer vary depending on the area that you are visiting. In Dalmatia, the Primorje seaboard, on the islands and in Istria, the dishes are based largely on fi sh and other seafood, or meat dishes such as the pašticada (a stewed lamb dish). In continental Croatia there is a wide selection of meat dishes, including the particularly prized roast turkey with mlinci (boiled rolled pastry), roast lamb, roast suckling pig, and boiled or baked štrukli (thin rolled pastry stuffed with fresh cottage cheese and cream). Among desserts, apart from the already mentioned štrukli, there are walnut loaf, poppy seed loaf, and cheese or fruit strudel.
What to drink?
The cultivation of grapes and the production of choice, select wines is a centuries-old tradition among Croatian viticulturists both in continental Croatia, in the Primorje area (the Littoral) and Dalmatia. Some of the best known varieties of Croatian red wines along the Adriatic coast and on the islands are: Dingač, Teran, Merlot, Cabernet, Opolo, Plavac, Postup; of the white wines the following are most appreciated: Pošip, Malvasia, Pinot, Kujundžuša, Žlahtina, Muscat… In continental parts one can enjoy Riesling, Graševina, Burgundy, Traminac… As far as spirits go, there is a range of various kinds of rakija (brandy). The best known among which is undoubtedly the šljivovica or plum brandy, travarica (brandy with herbs), lozovača (grape brandy), while among dessert drinks there are Prošek and Maraschino.
INFORMATION
HRVATSKA TURISTIČKA ZAJEDNICA
(Croatian National Tourist Board)
Iblerov trg 10/IV, p.p.251, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Tel: +385 1/4699-333
Fax: +385 1/4557-827
E-mail:
info@htz.hr
www.croatia.hr
Kroatische Zentrale für
Tourismus, 1010 Wien, Am Hof
13, Österreich
Tel: +43 1 585 38 84
Fax: +43 1 585 38 84 20
E-mail:
office@kroatien.at
Kroatische Zentrale für
Tourismus, 60311 Frankfurt
Kaiserstrasse 23, Deutschland
Tel: +49 69 2385 350,
Fax: +49 69 2385 3520
E-mail:
info@visitkrotien.de
Kroatische Zentrale für
Tourismus, 80469 München
Rumfordstrasse 7, Deutschland
Tel: +49 89 22 33 44
Fax: +49 89 22 33 77
E-mail:
kroatien-tourismus@t-online.de
Ente Nazionale Croato per
il Turismo, 20122 Milano
Piazzetta Pattari 1/3, Italia,
Tel: +39 02 86 45 44 97
Fax: +39 02 86 45 45 74
E-mail:
info@enteturismocroato.it
Ente Nazionale Croato per il
Turismo, 00186 Roma
Via dell’Oca 48, Italia
Tel: +39 06 32 11 0396
Fax: +39 0632 11 1462
E-mail:
officeroma@enteturismocroato.it
Chorvatské turistické sdruženi
110 00 Praha 1, Krakovská 25
Česká republika
Tel: +420 2 2221 1812,
Fax: +420 2 2221 0793
E-mail:
infohtz@iol.cz;
info@htz.cz
Chorvátske turistické
združenie, 821 09 Bratislava
Trenčianska 5, Slovenská republika
Tel: +421 2 55 562 054, +421 2 55 415 415
Fax: +421 2 55 422 619
E-mail:
infohtz@chello.sk
Horvát Idegenforgalmi
Közösség, 1053 Budapest
Magyar ut. 36, Magyarország
Tel/Fax: +36 1 266 65 05, 266 65 33
E-mail:
info@htz.hu
Office National Croate de
Tourisme, 75116 Paris, 48
avenue Victor Hugo, France
Tel: +33 1 45 00 99 55, +33 1 45 00 99 57
Fax: +33 1 45 00 99 56
E-mail:
infos.croatie@wanadoo.fr
Croatian National Tourist
Office, London W6 9ER, 2
Lanchesters, 162-164 Fulham
Palace Road, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 208 563 79 79
Fax: +44 208 563 26 16
E-mail:
info@croatia-london.co.uk
Croatian National Tourist
Office, New York 10118, 350
Fifth Avenue, Suite 4003, U.S.A.
Tel: +1 212 279 8672,
Fax: +1 212 279 8683
E-mail:
cntony@earthlink.net
Narodowy Ośrodek Informacji
Turystycznej Republiki
Chorwacji, 00-675 Warszawa
IPC Business Center, Ul.
Koszykowa 54, Polska
Tel: +48 22 828 51 93
Fax: +48 22 828 51 90
E-mail:
info@chorwacja.home.pl
Kroatiska Turistbyrån, 11135
Stockholm, Kungsgatan 24, Sverige
Tel: +46 853 482 080,
Fax: +46 820 24 60
E-mail:
croinfo@telia.com
Kroatisch Nationaal Bureau
Voor Toerisme, 1081 GG
Amsterdam, Nijenburg 2F, Netherlands
Tel: +31 20 661 6422,
Fax: +31 20 661 6427
E-mail:
kroatie-info@planet.nl
Office National Croate du
Tourisme, 1000 Bruxelles,Vielle
Halle aux Blés 38, Belgique
Tel: +32 255-018-88,
Fax: +32 251-381-60
E-mail:
info-croatia@scarlet.be
Хорватское туpиcтичeckoe
cooбщecтвo -123610 Moscow
Krasnopresnenskaya nab. 12
offi ce 1502, Russia
Tel: +7 495 258 15 07
Fax: +7 495 258 15 08
E-mail:
HTZ@wtt.ru
Hrvaška turistična skupnost
1000 Ljubljana, Gosposvetska 2, Slovenija
Tel: +386 1/230-7400
Fax: +386 1/230-7404
E-mail: hrinfo@siol.net
Kroatische Zentrale für
Tourismus, 8004 Zürich,
Badenerstr, 332, Switzerland,
Tel: +41 43 336-2030
Fax: +41 43 336-2039
E-mail:
info@kroatien.tourismus.ch
Oficina de Turismo de Croacia
28001 Madrid, Calle Claudio Coello 22, esc. B,1oC, Espana
Tel: + 3491 781-5514
Fax: + 3491 431-8443
E-mail:
info@visitacroacia.es
Denmark, 3460 Birkerod
Activities performed by
the VAGABOND Agency, Bregenrodvej 132
Tel: +45 70/266-860
Fax: +45 48/131-507
E-mail:
info@altomkroatien.dk
