Eastern and Central Europe (Eyewitness Travel Guides)

498 SOUTH EASTERN EUROPE

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Croatia is a welcoming country to visit with minimal
border formalities, an up-to-date transport network
and a well-organized tourist information infrastructure.
Modern highways ensure speedy access to the Adriatic
coast, while a busy fleet of passenger ferries serves
the offshore islands. Public services and tourist
facil ities are efficient and modern, making the country
an increasingly popular holiday destination in South
Eastern Europe.

Practical & Travel Information

WHEN TO VISIT

The most popular time to visit
Croatia is in summer, during
July and August. With its
crystal-clear seas, islands and
bays offering plenty of oppor-
tunities for explora tion and
swim ming, the coast is a major
attraction. For a quieter holi-
day, off-season months such
as May, June or September are
preferable, when the weather
is still fine, resorts are not so
crowded and accommodation
is cheaper. Cities such as
Zagreb, Dubrovnik and Split
are enjoyable destinations all
year round.

DOCUMENTATION

Citizens of European Union
(EU) countries, the US, New
Zealand, Canada and Australia
may visit Croatia for up to 90
days without a visa. The
Croatian Ministry of Foreign
Affairs website pro vides a list
of countries whose citi zens
require visas. All foreign visi-
tors must regis ter with the local
police within 48 hours of
arrival; this is usually arranged
by hotel staff. Failure to do so
may result in a penalty or even
deportation from the country.

VISITOR INFORMATION

Every town and city has a

tourist office, usually called

the Turistički Ured, Turistička

Zajednica or Turistički

Informativni Centar. The

staff is usually helpful and

speak English. The Croatian

National Tourist Board has

offices in cities throughout

the world, including London

and Washington, and also

runs a useful web site.

Opening hours for tourist

offices vary depending on

the sea son. In July and August,

the tourist offices open daily

from 8am to 8pm; in May,

June and September hours are

shorter. In smaller towns,

some tourist offices may be

closed altogether between

October and April.

HEALTH AND SECURITY

Croatian public health services

meet the standards of those

elsewhere in Europe, and in

general visitors run no serious

health risks. There are no

endemic diseases and the most

com mon ailments are those

caused by insect bites and

over-exposure to the sun.

There are bolnica or klinički

centar (hospitals and clinics)

in all the major towns and

health centres and ljekarna

(pharmacies) in the smaller

towns. Visitors need not

pay for medical services if

the Health Care Convention

has been signed between

Croatia and their home coun-

try. This applies to most

coun tries in the EU including

the UK, Ireland and Italy.

If not, visi tors have to pay

for treatment according to a

standard ized price list.

Croatia has a relatively

low crime rate and violent

crime is rare. If petty theft

occurs, it is most likely to

happen on crowded beaches

during the summer season,

so visitors should be vigilant

in these places.

FACILITIES FOR

THE DISABLED

Croatia is quite well equipped

with facilities for the disabled.

Most public places, including

trains, buses and toilets, are

wheelchair-friendly.

BANKING AND CURRENCY

The Croatian currency is the

kuna. Money can be changed

in banks and authorized

exchange bureaus as well as

post offices and tourist agen-

cies. In cities and major

towns, cash can be with drawn

from ATMs using inter-

nationally recognized cards.

COMMUNICATIONS

Public tele phones are

found everywhere and are

operated using phone cards,

which are usually sold in

units of 15, 30, 50 and

100 kuna. They can be

bought from news kiosks

and tobacco shops.

SIM cards from local

mobile network providers

such as Tele2, T-Mobile

and Vipnet are eco nomical,

but visitors should check

with their own phone service

pro viders for advice on

roaming facilities within

the country.

Internet facilities are widely

available, and it is easy to

find Internet cafés with good

connections in most places.

THE CLIMATE

OF CROATIA

Along the coast, the climate

is typically Mediterranean,

with mild winters and hot,

dry summers; the Dalmatian

coast is one of the sunniest

parts of Europe. Inland,

the weather is Conti nental,

with hot sum mers and cold

winters. The mount ainous

areas have an Alpine climate,

with plenty of rain, including

thunderstorms and snow

in winter.

° C/F

0°C

32°F