Croatia

SAFETY: good
The country is generally considered safe. No particular risks are reported other than petty crime (outskirts, large cities, etc.). The persistence of several minefields, a legacy of the last conflict, should be noted: the areas around Karlovac and the regions of Slavonia and inland Dalmatia are flagged, but the rest of the territory cannot be ruled out a priori; you are advised to pay close attention to warning signs and not to stray from the busiest, best-known roads.

TRANSPORT: good
A fairly modern transport system covering the whole country (air, coach, ferries) makes it possible to reach any town or island; the railway is less efficient and only partial; the motorway network is limited and traffic on the coastal main road is heavily congested in summer. Croatia is well connected to Italy and all neighbouring countries by air, numerous ferries and coaches. It is also easy to reach from Italy by car.

Main airports: Zagreb, Rijeka, Zadar, Split, Dubrovnik, Osijek, Brač, Mali Lošinj.
Main ports: Rijeka, Split, Zadar, Dubrovnik (numerous).

ACCOMMODATION: very good
Croatia offers a good choice of accommodation of every kind, category and price, particularly along the coast and on the islands. The international classification (one to five stars) applies, alongside farm stays, B&Bs, guesthouses, hostels and campsites, and wellness and spa centres. The choice of restaurants is also fairly varied.

COUNTRY FACTS: Full name: Republic of Croatia– Location: south-central Europe. Borders: Slovenia and Hungary to the north, Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina to the east, Bosnia-Herzegovina and the Adriatic Sea to the south, the Adriatic Sea to the west – Time zone: UTC +1, same as Italy; observes daylight saving time – Area: 56,540 sq km – Capital: Zagreb – Population: 4,500,000– Religion: 85% Catholic, 4% Orthodox, Muslim minorities – Language: Croatian (official language); Italian is understood– Measures: metric system.

CURRENCY: Kuna (HRK). No currency formalities – Credit cards: the most widely used credit cards are accepted in the larger cities and in the larger hotels and businesses; elsewhere, local currency – Exchange: bring euros; they are easy to exchange and often accepted for payment.

ELECTRICITY: 220 V and 50 Hz – Sockets: two-pin and Schuko type; bring an adapter.

DOCUMENTS:identity card valid for travel abroad. There are no customs restrictions on personal luggage – Driving: Italian driving licence – Car: for Italian vehicles, Italian third-party insurance is sufficient.

COMMUNICATIONS AND TELEPHONES: Int. dialling code: 00385 – GSM: extensive network covering the whole country. Standard GSM 900/1800 and 3G 2100 (as in Italy). Local operators:T-Mobile Croatia, Tele2, VIP NET – Internet: the service is fairly widespread – Web domain: .hr – Emergency numbers: 112, police 92, fire brigade 93, ambulance 94, roadside assistance 987, sea rescue 9155. 

RULES, LAWS AND CONDUCT: with regard to legislation on the use or trafficking of drugs and offences against minors, very severe criminal penalties are in force. Homosexuality is legal from the age of 14 and there are anti-discrimination laws. A law on same-sex unions, recognised after three years of cohabitation, governs the division of property and the right to partner maintenance. However, the gay scene is still limited and confined to a few institutions and private venues in the larger cities.

HEALTH:hygiene and health conditions are fair and no preventive vaccinations are required. The standard of public health facilities is acceptable. There are also private facilities of European standard. Italian citizens travelling temporarily and holding a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) receive the care provided by the local public health service.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS: 1 January, New Year’s Day; 6 January, Epiphany; March/April, Easter; March/April, Easter Monday; 1 May, Labour Day; 15 May, Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Way of the Cross and of Bleiburg; 30 May, Statehood Day; 22 June, Anti-Fascist Struggle Day, marking the start of the resistance; 5 August, National Independence Day; 15 August, Assumption; 1 November, All Saints’ Day; 25 December,Christmas Day; 26 December, St Stephen’s Day.

OPENING HOURS: Post offices:Mon-Fri 7-19 – Banks: Mon-Fri 8-17, Sat 8-13 – Shops: Mon-Sat 8-19 (variable) – Closing day: Sunday.

CLIMATE:Mediterranean along the coast, with hot summers and winters that are not particularly cold but rainy; during the summer season the coast is cooled by the maestral, which makes for good sailing; the bora, on the other hand, is a very cold, dry wind that blows all year round from the east-north-east and can be very fast and dangerous. Inland the climate is continental, with hot summers and cold, snowy winters.

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USEFUL ADDRESSES IN ITALY

Embassy of Croatia
Via L. Bodio 74 – 00191 Rome – Tel. 06 36307300 – Fax 06 36303405 – E-mail: ambasciata.croatia.roma@mvp.hr –
Consular section Tel. 06 36307650 – Fax 06 36303269

Consulates General
Piazza Goldoni Carlo 9 – 34122 Trieste – Tel. 040 3721455/775142/775144/773968
Via Dante 9 – 20123 Milan – Tel. 02 8051772

Consulate
Via Celentano Marcello 61 – 70121 Bari – Tel. 080 5210959

Croatian National Tourist Board
via G. Leopardi 19 – 20123 Milan – Tel. 02 86454497 – Fax 02 86454574 – Web: www.htz.hr – E-mail: info@enteturismocroato.it

USEFUL ADDRESSES IN CROATIA

Italian Embassy
MedulicevaUlica 22 – 10000 Zagreb – Tel. 00385 14846386 – Fax 00385 14846384 – Web: ambzagabria.esteri.it – E-mail: amb.zagabria@esteri.it

Consulate General
Riva 16 – 51000 Rijeka – Tel. 0038551355200 – Fax 0038551355225 – Web: consfiume.esteri.it – E-mail: cons.fiume@esteri.it

Consulate
ObalaHrvatskogNarodnogPreporoda 10/3 – 21000 Split – Tel. 00385 21344577 – Tel. 00385 21348155 – Fax 361268 – E-mail: consolato.spalato@esteri.it

Croatian National Tourist Board
Marticeva 73 – 41000 Zagreb – Tel. 00385 1 4696600 – Fax 00385 1 4696660 – Web: www.huo.hr – E-mail: huo@huo.hr