Good to know

Money

Currency in Croatia is Croatia Kuna (1 Kuna = 100 Lipa). There are 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1,000 Kuna banknotes. Coins come in value of 1, 2 and 5 Kuna and 10, 20 and 50 lipa. Foreign currencies can be exchanged at banks, exchange offices, post offices and at most tourist agencies, hotels and camping grounds. Please note that you may take the Croatian currency back with you to the UK but you will not be able to exchange it back to any other currency as Kuna is not convertible within the EU.

Banks

Banking hours in the low season are 8:00 to 16:00 from Monday to Friday and from 8:00 to 13:00 on Saturdays, during the high season: Monday to Friday from 8:00 to 19:00 and Saturdays from 8:00 to 13:00. Commission charges range from 1% to 4%.

Credit cards

All major credit cards are accepted (American Express, Diners Club, Visa, Eurocard/Mastercard). Please note that credit cards may be refused as a form of payment for low value purchases.

Cash points

There are many cash points in the town centres and near hotel complexes that will accept credit, link, debit or service cards (Cirrus/Maestro). Just use your own PIN number and you should be able to get hold of Croatia Kuna cash in an instant.

Post office

Post offices open in the low season 8:00 to 15:00 from Monday to Friday, Saturdays from 8:00 to 13:00, during the high season from 8:00 to 19:00, weekdays and from 8:00 to 15:00 Saturdays.Stamps can be purchased at kiosks as well.

Markets

Fruit and vegetable markets can be found in towns and are mainly open Monday to Saturday during the morning hours. Supermarkets are opened in the afternoon and also on Sundays.

Shops

Shops and department stores are open between 8:00 to 20:00, and on Saturdays from 8:00 to 13:00, or to 15:00. A smaller number of stores close between noon and 16:00. Many stores are also open on Sundays, especially in the summer, and a smaller number in the larger cities are open 24 hours a day. Public services and companies usually work from 8:30 to 16:30 from Monday to Friday.

Souvenirs

Local crafts are good value and make some unusual gifts, these include crochet, embroidery, local artist’s paintings, pine and oak wood carvings, locally produced wines and olive oil of a very high quality as well as decorative objects made of corals and shells.

Newspapers

Local crafts are good value and make some unusual gifts, these include crochet, embroidery, local artist’s paintings, pine and oak wood carvings, locally produced wines and olive oil of a very high quality as well as decorative objects made of corals and shells.

Public telephones

Public telephones can be used only with phone cards, which can be purchased in Post Offices and at newsstands, in hotels and tourist complexes. The telephone code for Croatia is +385.

Important telephone numbers

General: 112

Medical assistance

Medical assistance is available in hospitals providing a 24-hour emergency service. For visiting the doctor, please take your passport along. Passports are also required when obtaining the medicines, which are on doctor’s prescription from pharmacies.

Electricity Supply

220 volts.

Time zona

Local Croatia summer time is British local time + 1 hour.

Climate

Summers are dry and annual sunshine hours range from 2,500 – 2,700 hours. A classic Mediterranean climate with average coastal temperatures from 26 to 30 degrees centigrade range in summer.

Religion

Roman Catholic. Most churches and cathedrals are well attended on Sunday. Visitors should wear more formal dress as a mark of respect.

Driving a car

According to Croatian low it is permitted to have 0,5 pro mille alcohol in blood. This does not apply to professional drivers and younger than 24 years old. Seat belt and lights (in winter time only) on are obligatory.