About Croatia!
Geographical 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.
the mainland covers 56,542 km2, and the surface of the territorial sea is 31,067 km2.
4,437,460 inhabitants; composition of population: the majority of the population are Croats; national minorities are Serbs, Slovenes, Hungarians, Bosnians, Italians, Czechs and others.
multi-party parliamentary republic.
Zagreb (779,145 inhabitants), the economic, traffic, cultural and academic centre of the country.
5,835 km of which 4,058 km comprise a coastline of islands, solitary rocks and reefs. Number of islands, solitary rocks and reefs: 1,185; the largest islands are Krk and Cres; there are 50 inhabited islands.
Dinara: 1,831 m above sea level.
There are two climate zones; a temperate continental climate, locally also a mountainous climate, prevails in the interior, whereas a pleasant Mediterranean climate prevails along the Adriatic coast, with an overwhelming number of sunny days, dry and hot summers, mild and humid winters; average temperature in the inland: January 0 to 2°C, August 19 to 23°C; average temperature at the seaside: January 6 to 11°C, August 21 to 27 °C; the temperature is about 12°C in winter, and 25°C in summer.
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.
Kuna (1 Kuna = 100 Lipa). There are 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 Lipa coins, 1, 2, 5 and 25 Kuna coins and 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1,000 Kuna banknotes.
Foreign currencies:
can be exchanged at banks, exchange offices, post offices and at most tourist agencies, hotels and camping grounds. Banking hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Monday to Friday. On Saturdays banks are open until 1 p.m. In the larger cities some banks are also open on Sundays. Credit cards: Most hotels, restaurants and shops accept credit cards (American Express, Diners Club, Eurocard/Mastercard, Visa, Sport Card International). Cash dispensing machines are ubiquitous.
Electricity:
Voltage of city power grid – 220V, frequency 50HZ
Water:
Tap water is potable throughout Croatia.
The telephone code
for Croatia is +385.
Time zone:
GMT plus one hour in winter and GMT plus two in summer.
Travel documentation:
Passport or some other internationally recognized identification document. Tourists may remain in Croatia for up to three months.
For more information:
Diplomatic consulates of the Republic of Croatia abroad or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Croatia.
Tel. 01 4569 964
Web: www.mvp.hr
Customs regulations:
Customs regulations of the Republic of Croatia are in line with the standards of European Union countries. Foreign currency is freely brought in and taken out of the country (up to a value of 3.000 euro's); up to a value of 15.000 kn for domestic currency. More expensive professional and technical equipment should be registered at the border. Dogs and cats, accompanied by their owner, need to have an International certificate from a registered veterinarian stating that at least 15 days and not more than six months have passed since their vaccination against rabies. Tax refund for goods purchased in Croatia over 500 kuna in value with a validated "Tax cheque" at departure from the country.
Information: Republic of Croatia Customs Administration (tel 01 6102 333);
Purchase tax reimbursement for foreign citizens:
Tourists making purchases in Croatia (apart from petroleum derivatives) which exceed 500 Kuna per receipt may reclaim VAT ("PDV").
At point of purchase the sales person will provide on request a form PDV-P, which should be filled out and stamped, on the spot. On leaving Croatia the receipt must be verified by the Croatian Customs service. A PDV refund in Kuna can be obtained within six months, either at the same shop where the goods were purchased (in which case the tax is refunded immediately), or by posting the verified receipt back to the shop, together with the account number into which the refund should be paid. In this case the refund is dealt with within 15 days of receipt of the claim.
Medical service:
There are hospitals and clinics in all larger cities and first aid clinics and pharmacies in all places. Foreign tourists do not pay for medical services if the Health Care Convention was signed between Croatia and the country they come from. Expenses of health services provided to persons coming from the countries with which the Health Care Convention was not signed are charged directly to users according to the price list. For patients whose lives are in danger, there is emergency transport by air(helicopter) or sea (speedboat).
There is a network of veterinary clinics and centers in Croatia.
Information: www.veterinarstvo.hr, e-mail: veterinarstvo@zg.htnet.hr
National holidays :
1 January - New Year's Day; 11 and 12 April - Easter, including Easter Monday; 1 May - Labor Day; 10 June - Corpus Christi (Movable feast); 22 June - Anti-Fascist Resistance Day; 25 June - Statehood Day; 5 August - Victory Day and National Thanksgiving Day; 15 August - Assumption; 8 October - Independence Day; 1 November - All Saints" Day; 25 and 26 December - Christmas Holidays.
Working hours:
Shops and department stores are open between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., and on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., or to 3 p.m. A smaller number of stores close between noon and 4 p.m. 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 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. from Monday to Friday.
Post and Telecommunications:
Post Offices are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and on Saturdays until 1 p.m. There are Post Offices in the larger cities which are open until 10 p.m. in the summer. Postage stamps are sold in Post Offices and at newsstands. Public telephones can be used only with phone cards, which can be purchased in Post Offices and at newsstands, in hotels and tourist complexes.
Environmental protection:
Protection of the biological diversity is in conjunction with the EU regulations currently in force. The water quality of the Croatia's Adriatic Sea is of high quality for swimming and in conjunction to the EU criteria. In case of an accident or contamination of the sea, please contact the National Centre for Sea Search and Rescue on the number 9155 (free telephone), which is a part of international institutions of the same rank. In case of accidental environmental contamination on land, report it to the National Information Centre on the number 01/4814 911 For additional information about the environment: tel: 01/6106 111
Tel: 0800 200 037, Web: www.mzopu.hr
Fire prevention:
Ensure that you have done everything to prevent a fire!
Do not throw lit or flammable objects into the environment!
If you see a fire, please inform others in your proximity; report it immediately on the telephone number - 93; try to extinguish the fire till the fire-fighters arrive and in such a manner so as not to endanger yourself or others!
Take notice of signs forbidding the lighting of fires!
Take care that your parked vehicle does not obstruct accesses to the fire or roads!
Important telephone numbers:
International dialling prefix for Croatia: 385
Ambulance 94
Fire-service 93
Police 92
Assistance on the roads 987; 987@hak.hr
(If you are calling from outside of Croatia or using a mobile phone dial +3851 987)
General information 981
Information about local and district telephone numbers 988
Information about International telephone numbers 902
Weather forecast and road conditions 060 520 520
Croatia's auto club (HAK) 01 4640 800; r
Croatian angels:
unified number of tourist information for all of Croatia 062 999 999
International callers, dial: +385 62 999 999
This service is available in Croatian, English, German and Italian from the 1st of April until the 31th of October.
Radio news in foreign languages during the tourist season:
On Program 2 of Croatian radio, along with the regular news in Croatian, the Croatian Auto Club (HAK) will give traffic reports in English, German and Italian along with nautical news a number of times throughout the day. Other than on Program 2 of Croatian radio, alternating news and traffic reports will be emitted every full hour from the following studios: Program 3 of Bavarian radio, Program 3 of Austrian radio, RAI Uno, British Virgin radio and Czech radio. Throughout the day nautical news will be emitted in English and Croatian.
Croatia by car
National Auto club of Republic of Croatia
24 hour technical assistance, provision of information regarding travel on Croatia's roads and traffic conditions. Dial 987 for road assistance
Info center: (01) 4640 800
Documents:
To enter Croatia, a driver's license, an automobile registration card and vehicle insurance documents (including Green Card) are required.
Permitted speeds:
50 km/h - within built-up areas
90 km/h - outside built-up areas
110 km/h - on major motor routes
130 km/h - on motorways
80 km/h - for motor vehicles with a caravan trailer
80 km/h - for buses and buses with a light trailer
Rain: Please adjust speed to conditions on wet roads.
Driving with headlights is obligatory during both day and night.
Mobile phones: Use of mobile phones while driving is not permitted
Maximum permitted amount of alcohol in blood: 0.0 per mill!
Use of seat belts is obligatory.
Petrol stations
Open from 7 a.m. until 7 or 8 p.m. every day; in the summer season, until 10 p.m.
On-duty petrol stations in the larger cities and on main international routes are open 24 hours a day.
All petrol stations sell Euro super 95, Super 95, Super 98, Super plus 98, Normal and Euro Diesel fuel.
Taxi service
In all cities and tourist places.
Rent-a-Car
This service is available in all the larger towns, tourist resorts and at airports. Adriatic Travel & Trade offer also this service. Please follow this link.
Highways
Check these links for the latest updates on the road conditions and tolls:
www.hac.hr - Croatian Motorways Ltd
www.arz.hr - Zagreb-Rijeka Motorway
www.bina-istra.hr - The Istrian "Y"
www.hak.hr - Croatian Automobile Club
|
Towns |
Dubrovnik |
Karlovac |
Osijek |
Pula |
Rijeka |
Sibenik |
Slav. Brod |
Split |
Varazdin |
Zadar |
Zagreb |
|
Dubrovnik |
- |
526 |
521 |
711 |
601 |
305 |
472 |
216 |
630 |
377 |
582 |
|
Karlovac |
526 |
- |
336 |
236 |
126 |
282 |
246 |
309 |
154 |
232 |
56 |
|
Osijek |
521 |
336 |
- |
572 |
462 |
494 |
91 |
660 |
236 |
559 |
282 |
|
Pula |
711 |
236 |
572 |
- |
110 |
406 |
482 |
503 |
390 |
334 |
292 |
|
Rijeka |
609 |
126 |
462 |
110 |
- |
296 |
372 |
405 |
280 |
280 |
175 |
|
Sibenik |
305 |
282 |
494 |
406 |
296 |
- |
403 |
97 |
436 |
72 |
338 |
|
Slav. Brod |
472 |
246 |
91 |
482 |
372 |
403 |
- |
448 |
239 |
468 |
190 |
|
Split |
216 |
309 |
505 |
503 |
393 |
97 |
448 |
- |
463 |
169 |
378 |
|
Varazdin |
630 |
154 |
236 |
390 |
280 |
436 |
239 |
463 |
- |
386 |
98 |
|
Zadar |
377 |
232 |
559 |
334 |
224 |
72 |
468 |
169 |
386 |
- |
253 |
|
Zagreb |
572 |
56 |
280 |
292 |
182 |
338 |
190 |
365 |
98 |
288 |
- |
Croatian Automobile Club
Information on road conditions: (01) 464 08 00
In case of need of technical road assistance, unique phone number is disposed to drivers 365 days a year, 24 hours a day: 987 (for mobile phone calls you should dial prefix 01 if you are in Croatia or +385 1 from abroad)
Breakdown assistance at the roadside includes:
Car repair on the spot
Transport of broken down cars, abandoned cars or cars damaged in car accidents up to 200 km
Except of the mentioned activities, in case of need, the Croatian Automobile Club (HAK) organizes and realizes: group transport of damaged vehicles, (abandoned vehicles – only if notified by a police officer) or of those who were harmed in the accident, namely within 200 km of the place where the vehicles are.
The above-mentioned services are rendered by employees of automobile clubs within the Croatian Automobile Club and entitled services that are contractual partners of the Croatian Automobile Club.
By dialing (01) 464 08 00 you can get following information:
Condition on the roads and of ferry - traffic on the Adriatic
Toll prices in Croatia and abroad
Where driving some vehicle categories is forbidden - in Croatia and in some European countries
Prices of fuel in Croatia and abroad
About membership rights of HAK members
Telephone numbers of foreign auto clubs
Advice about how to choose the most suitable travel direction
Time-table of ferries on the Adriatic
Information center works 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
For more information please visit: www.hak.hr
Croatia by bus
A very comprehensive coach network connects all parts of the
country. There are regular international coach services
connecting Croatia with all neighboring countries, as well as
Switzerland, France, Germany and Slovakia.Bus service between major cities (intercity lines) is quite frequent, as well as regional services. The most frequent bus terminal in Croatia is Bus Terminal Zagreb (in Croatian "Autobusni kolodvor Zagreb").
Bus Terminals
Bus Terminal Autobusni kolodvor Dubrovnik
20000 Dubrovnik
Put Republike 38
Telephones: 060 305 070
Fax: 020 357 126
Bus Terminal Autobusni kolodvor Osijek
31000 Osijek
Trg Lavoslava Ružičke 2
Telephones: 060 33 44 66
Bus Terminal Autobusni kolodvor Pula
52100 Pula
Šijanska cesta 4
Telephones: 052 500 012
Fax: 052 535 158
Bus Terminal Autobusni kolodvor Rijeka
51000 Rijeka
Žabica 1
Telephones: 060 30 20 10
Fax: 051 332 532
Bus Terminal Autobusni kolodvor Split
21000 Split
Obala kneza Domagoja 12
Telephones: 021 338 469, 060 327 327
Fax: 021 338 540
Bus Terminal Autobusni kolodvor Šibenik
22000 Šibenik
Draga 14
Telephones: 060 368 368
Fax: 022 219 892
Bus Terminal Autobusni kolodvor Zadar
23000 Zadar
Ante Starčevića 1
Telephones: 023 211 555
Fax: 023 340 312
Bus Terminal Autobusni kolodvor Zagreb
10000 Zagreb
Avenija Marina Držića 4
Telephones: 060 313 333, (01) 6008 631
Aerodrom - Zagreb
10150 Zagreb
Pleso bb, p.p. 40
Telephones: (01) 4562 222, (01) 6265 222
Fax: (01) 6265 648
Aerodrom - Split
21120 Split
Kaštelanska cesta 96, p.p. 2
Telephones: (021) 203 555, (021) 203 171
Fax: (021) 203 422
Aerodrom - Dubrovnik
20117 Čilipi - Konavle
Telephones: (020) 773 377, (020) 773 333
Fax: (020) 773 322
Aerodrom - Osijek
31000 Osijek
Vukovarska 67, Klisa
Telephones: (031) 514 441, (031) 514 442, (031) 574 440
Fax: (031) 514 456
Aerodrom Zadar
Zračna Luka d.o.o.
23000 Zadar
p.p. 367
Telephones: (023) 205 800, (023) 313 311
Fax: (023) 205 809, (023) 205 831
Aerodrom - Pula
52100 Pula
Valtursko polje 210
Telephones: (052) 530 111, (052) 530 105
Fax: (052) 550 914, (052) 550 915
Aerodrom - Brač
21400 Supetar
Terminal bb
Telephones: (021) 559 715, (021) 559 711
Fax: (021) 559 722
Aerodrom - Lošinj
51550 Mali Lošinj
Privlaka bb
Telephones: (051) 231 666, (051) 235 148
Fax: (051) 231 666
Aerodrom - Rijeka
51513 Omišalj, Krk
Telephones: 051 842 132
Fax: 051 842 132
Regulations
A permit is required for flying in the Croatian air space and/or landing at Croatian airports or airfields. The permit is issued on the basis of an application.
The application for a flight permit for the Croatian air space must contain the following information:
flight schedule (to be sent to all the flight control units concerned),
purpose of the flight,
status of the flight,
name of aircraft owner or operator, with company address.
For light or medium category aircraft with under ten passenger seats and for heavy and medium category aircraft with over ten passenger seats, flight permits are issued by the Flight Approval Department of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Transport and Communications at the following address:
Odsjek za odobravanje letova
Prisavlje 14
10000 Zagreb
Tel. (01) 616 90 74
Fax. (01) 619 63 93
AFTN: UDZGYAMP
The Flight Approval Department may additionally require the aircraft owner or operator to submit proof of the aircraft registration in the owner's or operator's own country (if the membership of that country in the ICAO is in doubt). For heavy and medium category aircraft with more than ten passenger seats, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Transport and Communications requires that the application for flight in the Croatian air space and/or landing at Croatian airports should be accompanied by an insurance policy and proof of the aircraft's flight-worthiness. Light and medium category aircraft with under ten passenger seats must have these documents on board and show them to the competent authorities when required. Applications for flight permits for the Croatian air space and for landing at Croatian airports for heavy and medium category aircraft must be filed at least two working days prior to the intended flight. Applications for flight permits for light and medium category aircraft with under ten passenger seats, in the form of flight schedules, should be filed at least one hour prior to the intended take off or when entering the air space of the Republic of Croatia.
Croatia by boat
Rijeka district
Car Ferries
Island From - To
Cres - Losinj Valbiska - Merag; Brestova - Porozina
Rab Jablanac - Misnjak; Baska - Lopar
Pag Prizna - Zigljen
Grad Pula Pula - Losinj - Zadar
Ferry lines:
Mali Losinj - Srakane Vele - Unije - Susak - Mali Losinj
Fast ferry lines:
Rijeka - Cres - Martinscica - Unije - Susak - Mali Losinj
Rijeka - Rab - Novalja - Ilovik - Mali Losinj
Zadar district
Car Ferries
Island From - To
Ugljan Zadar - Preko
Pasman Biograd - Tkon
Dugi otok Brbinj - Zadar
Olib, Silba, Premuda Zadar - Ist - Olib - Silba - Premuda
Ist, Molat, Zverinac, Sestrunj, Rivanj Zadar - Rivanj - Sestrunj - Zverinac - Molat
Iz, Rava Zadar - Brsanj - Rava
Ferry lines:
Zaglav - Sali - Zadar
Rava - Iz - Zadar
Fast ferry lines:
Olib - Silba - Premuda - Zadar
Ist - Zapuntel - Brgulje - Molat - Zverinac - Sestrunj - Rivanj - Zadar
Split district
Car Ferries
Island From - To
Brac Split - Supetar; Makarska - Sumartin
Poluotok Peljesac Ploce - Trpanj
Hvar Split - Stari Grad; Drvenik - Sucuraj; Split - Hvar
Solta Split - Rogac
Vis Vis - Split
Ferry lines:
Drvenik Veli - Trogir - Split (Brod - Jadrolinija)
Fast ferry lines:
Jelsa - Bol - Split
Ubli - Vela Luka - Hvar - Split
Sibenik district
Car Ferries:
Zirje - Zlarin - Sibenik
Ferry lines:
Sibenik - Zlarin - Prvic luka - Sepurine - Vodice
Sibenik - Obonjan - Kaprije - Zirje
Dubrovnik district
Car Ferries
Island From - To
Mljet Dubrovnik - Sobra (otok Mljet)
Poluotok Peljesac Ploce - Trpanj
Korcula, Lastovo Orebic - Domince (Korcula); Split - Vela Luka - Lastovo; Drvenik - Korcula
Ferry lines:
Sipan - Mljet - Lopud - Kolocep - Dubrovnik
Domestic shipping lines
Jadrolinija
The main Croatian passenger shiping line, maintains the largest number of regular international and domestic ferry and shipping lines.
Information on sailing times and fares is obtainable from the following addresses:
Riva 16
51000 Rijeka
CROATIA P.O. Box 123
Tel. (051) 666 111; (051) 211 444
Fax. (051) 213 116
Telex 24225
Rapska plovidba d.d.
Hrvatskih branitelja domovinskog rata 1/2
51280 Rab
Tel. (051) 724 122
Fax. (051) 724 018
Losinjska plovidba - brodarstvo d.d.
Privlaka bb
Mali Losinj
Tel. (051) 319 000
(051) 352 200
Fax. (051) 319 003
Mediteranska plovidba d.d.
Fosa 2
20260 Korcula
Tel. (020) 711 156
Fax. (020) 711 157
Sem Marina
The Croatian passenger shipping company conducts regular catamaran connections:
Split - Solta (Rogac)
Split - Solta (Stomorska)
Split - Vis
Connections for excursions from Split to Bol, Hvar, Korcula, Vis and Komiža
Tel. (021) 338 219; 338 292
Fax. (021) 338 267
International and special lines
Jadrolinija
The main Croatian passenger shiping line, maintains the largest number of regular international and domestic ferry and shipping lines.
International Car Ferries:
Rijeka-Zadar-Split-Stari Grad (otok Hvar)-Korcula-Dubrovnik-Bari
Split - Ancona - Split
Korcula - Stari Grad (otok Hvar) - Split - Ancona
Zadar - Ancona - Zadar
Zadar - Brbinj (Dugi otok) - Ancona
Dubrovnik - Bari - Dubrovnik
Information on sailing times and fares is obtainable from the following addresses:
Riva 16
51000 Rijeka
CROATIA P.O. Box 123
Tel. (051) 666 111; (051) 211 444
Fax. (051) 213 116
Telex 24225
Sem Marina
The Croatian passenger shiping line which maintains the international daily ferry lines: Split - Ancona - Split.
Season lines: Rijeka-Zadar-Split-Stari Grad (otok Hvar)-Korcula-Dubrovnik-Bari, Ancona - island Hvar - Ancona, Ancona - island Vis - Ancona, Zadar - Ancona - Zadar, Ancona - island Mali Losinj - Ancona.
Boktulijin put b.b.
21000 SPLIT
Republic of Croatia
Tel. (021) 338 219, 338 292
Fax. (021) 338 267
Adriatica
The Italian passenger shiping line which maintains the regular international ferry lines Ancona - Split - Ancona ("Linea costa istriana").
Jadroagent - Split
Gat sv. Duje 4
Tel. (021) 338 227
Fax. (021) 338 335
The connection Trieste - Grado Lignano - Piran - Rovinj - Brijuni during the season.
Booking
Jadroagent - Rijeka
Tel. (051) 211 152
SNAV
The Italian company SNAV sails its fast line between Italy-Croatia in only 4 hours. Ancona, Civitanova, Giulianova and Pescara are connected to Split, Zadar and Croatian islands.
Gat sv. Duje 4
tel: (021) 322 252
fax: (021) 322 253
VENEZIA LINES d.o.o.
Boze Milanovica 20
52440 Porec
Tel.: 052/422-896
Fax.: 052/422-894
IN THE SEASON
Departure for Venice from ports:
Umag (once a week)
Porec (daily)
Rovinj (six days a week)
Pula (two days a week)
Rabac (once a week)
Mali Lošinj (once a week)
tel. +39.080.5928400 (Italia)
tel. ++385.(0)20.313178 (Croatia)
Croatia by train
Eurocity and Intercity:
EC "Mimara": München - Salzburg - Villach - Ljubljana - Zagreb;
IC "Croatia": Vienna - Maribor - Zagreb;
IC "Sava": München - Salzburg - Villach - Ljubljana - Zagreb - Beograd;
IC "Kvarner": Budapest - Zagreb - Rijeka;
IC "Podravka": Osijek-Nasice-Virovitica-Koprivnica-Zagreb
"Olimpus": Zagreb-Beograd-Skoplje-Solun
Express: Zürich-Zagreb
Hrvatske zeljeznice d.o.o. Mihanoviceva 12
10 000 Zagreb
tel: (01) 4577 111
fax (01) 4577 730
Timetable information: tel: 060 333 444
10 000 Zagreb
Željeznički kolodvor Šibenik 22000 Šibenik
Fra Jerolima Milete 24
Telephones: 022 333 699 , 060 333 444
Fax: 022 333 699
Željeznički kolodvor Split 21000 Split
Zlodrina poljana 20
Telephones: 060 333 444
Željeznički kolodvor Zadar 23000 Zadar
Ante Starčevića 3
Telephones: 023 212 555 , 060 333 444
Željeznički kolodvor Pula 52100 Pula
Kolodvorska 5
Telephones: 052 541 982 , 060 333 444
Fax: 052 541 714
Željeznički kolodvor Rijeka 51000 Rijeka
Trg Kralja Tomislava 1
Telephones: 060 333 444
Zagreb Glavni kolodvor
10000 Zagreb
Trg kralja Tomislava 12
Telephones: 060 333 444 , (01) 37 82 532 , (01) 48 11 842 , (01) 49 22 224