Croatia 2023: how much will your holiday cost this year?

A hot topic for the upcoming sailing season, especially in Europe, has been Croatia's entry into the Eurozone and the Schengen area. Although Croatia has been a member of the European Union for ten years, it has only recently adopted the common currency and borders. How will these changes affect holidaying there? How much have the prices of boats and services in marinas gone up? And what to do with our leftover kuna? Let's take a look.

Croatia managed the changeover from the kuna to the euro relatively smoothly. As our partners at NCP Charter have rightly pointed out, the euro has been used as a parallel currency in Croatia for many years. So you won't be facing any major changes on your holiday. Thankfully, the government set a fixed exchange rate between the euro and kuna during the introduction phase, preventing businesses from arbitrarily rounding up prices and causing artificial inflation.

While food and services have become pricier, the global economic climate and soaring inflation across Europe are the primary culprits. Croatia's current inflation rate is around 12 %, compared to 16 % in the Czech Republic and 15 % in Slovakia. According to locals, they've observed price increases ranging between approximately 7% and 9 %.  It is difficult to predict now how much more prices will rise by the summer.

In addition, charterers could struggle with another and less visible problem, namely the slower supply of spare parts for boat repairs. It remains to be seen how the situation unfolds and whether there will be a reduced number of operational vessels than usual.

Regarding the rise in mooring prices and services, even our charter company contacts couldn't provide a clear answer. Some believe marinas may attempt to capitalize on the situation's uncertainty by raising prices, even if service quality remains unchanged. Others anticipate only inflationary increases. Our estimate suggests a 5-10% price increase. Mooring at a buoy (€30–⁠60 per night) is still cheaper than at a pier (€80–⁠200 per night). City piers tend to be more affordable than commercial marinas. The most cost-effective option remains anchoring in a serene, quiet bay.

Croatian restaurants have faced criticism for elevated prices for years, which is often seen as a tourist tax in bustling ports. While locals do notice the food price increase, they don't view it as drastic. In short, the situation is comparable to the rest of Europe. To provide an overview, Numbeo.com data from late March indicates food prices are approximately at the following levels. It's worth noting that current prices are realistically closer to the lower level, or at most, somewhere in the middle:

• Milk (1 l)............................... € 0.77–1.33
• Loaf of bread (500 g)....... € 0.66–1.61
• Eggs (12 pieces)................ € 1.75–3.50 
• Local cheese (1 kg)........... € 5.28–18.50
• Chicken (1 kg).................... € 4.65–11.31
• Beef (1kg)........................... € 6.08–14.54
• Apples (1 kg)...................... € 0.79–1.95
• Bananas (1 kg)................... € 1.19–2.02 
• Tomatoes (1 kg)................. € 0.80–2.92 
• Potatoes (1 kg).................. € 0.40–1.34
• Onions (1 kg)...................... € 0.53–1.33
• Lettuce (1 head)................ € 0.66–1.33

If you go to a restaurant or café, expect prices in the range:

• A meal in a more expensive restaurant...............................................€ 5.29–13.31
• A three-course meal in a medium-priced restaurant for two...... € 26.55–79.73 
• Menu at McDonalds................................................................................ € 5.33–7.30
• Local beer on tap (0.5 l)......................................................................... € 1.73–3.33
• Imported beer (0.33 l)............................................................................ € 2.00–3.36
• Cappuccino............................................................................................... € 1.19–2.13
• Coca Cola / Pepsi in a bottle (0.33 l).................................................. € 1.59–2.65
• Bottled water (0.33 l)............................................................................ € 1.06–2.00

Higher prices for foreigners lurk in the city centre and near monuments. So try not to swim into the first pub you find on the pier. Instead, look around the adjacent streets for hidden businesses frequented by locals. Chances are the prices and food will be better.

With Croatia's inclusion in the Schengen area, the borders have been opened and you can cross them without checking in, as you are used to when travelling in the region. This eliminates the often several-hour waits at the borders with Slovenia and Hungary, which made travelling uncomfortable for everyone in the summer months.

On the other hand, Adventure Charter reminds us that Croatia has now become one of the EU countries responsible for controlling the external borders of the Schengen area, especially where it borders Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro. You can still expect to be processed at these borders. This year, they may even be more thorough when entering Croatia to show that the country is fulfilling its obligation. But EU citizens should have no problem and, like everywhere else in Schengen, an ID card will suffice.

What remains are the motorway tolls, which are unavoidable not only in Croatia but also in countries along the way. The good news is that they can often be paid for online. Currently, fuel prices in Croatia are at the European average (petrol € 1.46, diesel € 1.58 per litre). In short, they won't please, but they won't surprise either.

Croatia is served by regular international train lines from Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Slovenia and Hungary. Czech and Slovak sailors can take RegioJet trains to Rijeka, Ogulin or Zagreb without changing trains. Connecting buses will then take them to nearby ports such as Trogir, Pula, Split, Makarska and others. The ticket price ranges from €30 to €85 depending on the boarding point and destination. You can rent a bed (less than €85) and sleep on the way or a whole compartment for 4 people for less than €345.

As of 26 March 2023, airport document checks for flights between Croatia and Schengen countries will end. This is not a big change considering that most Europeans did not need a passport to travel to Croatia before. Croatia has 9 international airports, 7 of which are located right in the heart of the action on the coast and not coincidentally following the popular metropolises and resorts of Pula, Rijeka, Losinj, Zadar, Split, Brac and Dubrovnik.

Expensive energy and fuel have unfortunately driven ticket prices higher than we have been used to. But why wait for summer at all? Grab a boat now in the spring and enjoy Croatia in bloom.

So far, most local departments of transportation have not come up with any new rules or regulations that would affect boaters. Representatives of the charter company Euronautic do not expect them and confirmed to us that crossings between EU member states are indeed easier now. At the very least, if you're coming from another Schengen country, you don't have to register with the maritime border authority when entering Croatian territorial waters. The same conditions apply in the other direction.

The moment you arrive from a so-called third country, for example Montenegro, you enter the Schengen area and are obliged to first show up at a port with an international border crossing. If you have previous experience of crossing between Croatia and Italy or Greece, this will not be news to you. Only this time, it will be mainly Croatians who will be asking for your documents. Permanent border crossings can be found in the ports of Rijeka, Ploče, Zadar, Šibenik, Split, Dubrovnik, Raša-Bršica, Umag, Pula, Ubli, Cavtat, Vis and Mali Lošinj.

Although the Covid pandemic is slowly fading, Croatia welcomed 18.9 million visitors last year, and the number is expected to rise even further as travel restrictions ease. In February, visitor numbers increased by 19% compared to the same month in the previous year. Although the situation for the high season is uncertain, some hotels are already reporting full capacity. To ensure a hassle-free trip, it is still recommended to check travel restrictions and have appropriate travel insurance.

In the boat charter industry, it has become increasingly difficult to find last-minute deals in recent years. The days of waiting for better offers are gone as boats are being booked months in advance. It has become a common practice to reserve the best sailboats for the entire season in early spring. Therefore, we recommend planning ahead and booking early to secure a boat for your desired dates.

Everything in Croatia is worth seeing. Take inspiration from our selection of the best week-long cruises to explore Croatia's coastline and surrounding islands from Pula to Dubrovnik. Itineraries include visits to popular resorts, sightseeing, nature reserves and lounging on the beach. But if you want to go somewhere where you won't see too many tourists, try these lesser-known places. You'll often find them just a few kilometres from the big cities:

Rastoke

Rastoke is a charming centuries-old village at the confluence of the Slunjčica and Korana rivers, which feed the Plitvice Lakes. Although Rastoke is a suburb of the larger town of Slunj, it looks like a model left by a giant. Thanks to its tiny waterfalls and cascades, it is nicknamed the Little Plitvice Lakes. The only difference is that you'll be practically alone here.

Reed

The small fishing village of Trstenik can be found on the southern coast of the Peljesac peninsula. The local hillsides are associated with the cultivation of a variety that gives a unique taste to the popular Dingač red wine. The village originated as a port for wine exports. Today, it is an ideal hideaway for those looking for peace and quiet on holiday. You can visit Trstenik on your travels around the Croatian islands or drive here on the new Peljesac Bridge, which opened last year and connects the central part of the peninsula with the mainland.

Pasjača

Wake up your adventurer in you and visit Pasjača beach, about 12 km from Cavtat. The beach is 80 m long and 10 m wide. What attracts visitors to it is the wild backdrop of the high rocky cliff where the beach is nestled. This experience is not for families with children. To get to the beach, you first have to find a path that starts on the cliff 250 metres above sea level, and then go down. Or cheat and sail here on a dinghy.

Kamenjak

The Kamenjak peninsula juts out into the Adriatic Sea southeast of Pula. It is mainly known for its wild rocky and very rugged coastline, which offers not only a peaceful beaches and athrilling jumps from the rocks into the water, but also great conditions for windsurfing and diving. A cycle path runs across the peninsula and the entire peninsula is criss-crossed with hiking trails that lead you to wild orchids.

Opatija

Opatija was a forgotten village for centuries before it was discovered in the 19th century by the industrial rich and Austro-Hungarian nobility. They began to come here mainly in winter for spa stays and left behind magnificent town houses, parks and seaside colonnades. The town lies on the eastern coast of Istria just a few kilometres from Rijeka.

Hum

If other visitors to Istria happen to get on your nerves and you were willing to travel a little inland, slip away for a few hours to the town of Hum, which according to the Guinness Book of World Records is the smallest town in the world. Latest reports are that there aren't even 30 people living here.