About 15 years ago, Croatia was well-known for being one of the best value destinations across Europe. There weren’t too many more affordable places in Europe to visit that offered all of stunning coastlines, secluded islands, good tourism infrastructure and facilities, and decent transportation.
Word began spreading quickly, however, about coastal gems like Split, Dubrovnik, and Hvar in particular. Plus, Game of Thrones film sites have become attractions of their own.
We’ve now reached a point where Dubrovnik has begun to charge visitors a “tourist tax” before entering the old town in an effort to combat hordes of visitors cramming into the small city. Tourism in Croatia has certainly boomed, to the point where it actually makes up the highest share of their gross GDP of any European nation.
But how has that affected prices? Is Croatia still affordable? Or has it reached a point where it’s actually become expensive?
The answer is multi-layered. So with that in mind, keep reading to find out more about how expensive Croatia is, what the value for money in Croatia is, and how to travel there on a budget.
How Expensive Is Croatia?
There’s no question that over the years, Croatia has become more expensive. In fact, World Travel Index recently designated Croatia as the 76th cheapest country to visit out of 194 countries in total. This ranking takes into account factors like accommodations, dining, shopping, car rental, gas, and attractions.
Croatia was deemed costlier to travel to than most of Central and Eastern Europe, including countries like the Czech Republic and Slovakia, and even more expensive than places like Portugal, Japan, and Costa Rica.
But it’s important to keep things in perspective: Croatia is still fairly affordable to visit. Especially considering Croatia travel prices are boosted substantially by its few heavily trafficked coastal destinations. It also still ranks cheaper than popular countries like Greece, Spain, Italy, Germany, and France.
Why Has Croatia Gotten More Expensive to Visit?
There are a few reasons Croatia has gotten more expensive.
Croatia has seen an influx of tourists over the past decade. The increased demand for accommodations, group tours, dining, and drinking options has provided added leverage to establishments throughout the country regarding pricing their products. And you can’t blame them; if people are willing to pay more, you might as well charge a bit more.
The infrastructure in Croatia has improved rapidly over the past two decades as well. Remember that this country was ravaged by an intense war as recently as the mid-1990s. It took them some time to recover, but now Croatia’s facilities are just as modern as you’d find in places like Spain and Italy. This allows them to charge more.
Recently, Croatia transitioned from the kuna to the euro. While this may be improving the country’s economy and increasing the value of their currency, it’s also been part of why prices have inflated, particularly in the past couple of years.
Croatia has made impressive economic strides in an incredibly short period of time since the war. This is obviously a generally positive thing, as minimum wage has increased and working conditions have improved drastically. But that has naturally led to rising costs of operations for businesses and therefore rising costs for tourists.
Most Expensive Places in Croatia
If you’re traveling on a strict budget and don’t want to spend much money, there are a few places in Croatia to avoid. In my opinion, this boils down to three places.
Dubrovnik
Tourism in Dubrovnik has reached jaw-dropping levels. Despite a permanent population of about 10,000 residents, Dubrovnik welcomes millions of tourists per year.
You can see why this has created a problem that’s two-fold. One, it gets overly crowded during peak season. If visiting the Dubrovnik Old Town from late May to mid-September, you’re likely going to be walking shoulder-to-shoulder with other visitors. There aren’t many places to stay in Dubrovnik that anyone would consider affordable, which leads to the second problem: prices have soared. You’re probably going to pay at least 250-300 euro per night for decent lodging within the city limits or just outside, 10 euro on a beer, and 20 euro minimum for lunch.
Split (Old Town, particularly)
Split isn’t quite as expensive as Dubrovnik, but it’s another place that’s gotten much more expensive over the past 10 years. I’ve talked to several locals who complained about it, many of whom brought up potentially moving somewhere else.
Its proximity to Dubrovnik is a big reason. Split has the closest international airport to the Game of Thrones filming spots. Its old town is beautiful, so crowds take up all the space during peak season as well.
A caveat with Split is that, unlike Dubrovnik, it’s big enough that it’s definitely possible to find cheap lodging and cheaper prices. You just have to be willing to stay, eat, and drink outside of the historic center. If you walk 10 to 15 minutes outside of this area, you’ll notice prices drop dramatically and reflect those you’d find in any normal Croatian coastal area.
Hvar
If you want to island-hop in Croatia for cheap or just spend some time on an island for a reasonable price, you have to avoid Hvar.
It’s a shame, because Hvar is just as beautiful as many of Croatia’s hundreds of other islands. But it’s become the hub of partying and nightlife. A night eating out or clubbing in Hvar will drain your pockets.
There are a few parts of the island that aren’t as exorbitant, though if you want to be walking distance to Hvar Town, good luck doing so on a budget.
If you’re looking for an island that’s a little bit cheaper but just as beautiful, I’d recommend Vis. In my opinion, Vis is the best island in Croatia. While not super cheap, it offers a better value for your money given that it offers all of fine dining, beautiful vineyards, some of the best hidden beaches anywhere, awesome hiking, and two 1,000-year-old towns.
Related: Things to Do in Vis, Croatia
Cheap Places in Croatia (That Are Worth Visiting)
Istrian Coast (Porec, Rovinj, Pula)
Far fewer travelers visit Croatia’s northern coastline, known as the Istrian Peninsula, than Dalmatia in the south.
It’s not for a lack of natural beauty, as this part of the country offers lush rolling hills, quiet coastal villages, and some of the oldest remaining villages and structures in the country. When driving inland, you’ll be surprised at how many postcard-worthy remote churches appear out of nowhere atop the hills.
There aren’t any islands around here, but places like Porec and Rovinj still give an island vibe. Pula is the largest city of the region and has a spacious, worthwhile historic center. All three are worth seeing, and Porec and Rovinj have ferry connections to Slovenia and Trieste, Italy.
Zagreb
There aren’t many countries where the capital city isn’t nearly the most expensive place to visit. Yet, that’s the case for Zagreb and Croatia. Zagreb has more than triple the population of any other Croatian city, yet it’s less visited than Dubrovnik and Split. The reason why is apparent: it’s not anywhere near the coast. However, Zagreb is well-worth the trip if you have the time and want to get the most well-rounded Croatian experience.
Zagreb is perfect for a weekend visit, with just enough to see and do for two full days. I recommend staying within walking distance of Ban Jelacic Square, which feels like the most central location in the city. Zagreb’s Upper Town is one of the most unique neighborhoods in Europe, and the shopping and dining in Lower Town is fantastic. There are a lot of really fun museums here, too. My favorites are the Museum of Broken Relationships and the Hangover Museum.
If you want to scratch your outdoors itch, I also recommend heading about 15 minutes outside of the center to hike Mednevica Mountain. It’s about a 90-minute trek to the summit before you’re rewarded with incredible views. You can further reward yourself by riding the gondola back down. And don’t forget to grab a beer and a snack at one of the couple of restaurants at the top!
Varazdin
Varazdin is a lesser-known place in Croatia. Situated in the far northeast, close to the borders of Slovenia and Hungary, it’s a spot that gets very few visitors. But if you’re like me and appreciate places like that, it’s worth seeing. Not only is it really cheap, but locals are super hospitable, and it only takes about 10 minutes to find yourself in beautiful countryside settings.
Less than 50,000 people live here, but since it’s the hub of its region, there’s an impressive quantity of Baroque architecture, historical sites, cozy cafes, and highly rated restaurants.
Krk, Mljet, or Korcula Island
Not every Croatian island is expensive!
Krk and Pag are both reachable by car and are near the larger cities of Rijeka and Zadar, respectively. A general rule of thumb is that if you find an island you can get to by car, it’s likely going to be fairly affordable.
Islands that require two ferries to get to are also going to be cheaper. That’s the case for Mljet and Korcula. These are two of the most beautiful islands in Croatia that remain reasonably affordable. Mljet has remarkable natural beauty, so much so that half of the island’s area is actually a national park. Korcula is known for its tucked-away old villages and remote beaches. Both are great choices for extended stays if you’re fine with being a bit off the grid.
Is Croatia Good Value for Money?
Whether or not Croatia offers good value for money depends on your itinerary. If you’re hitting the most popular and most expensive places, such as Dubrovnik, Split, and Hvar, you might not be getting the most value for what you’re spending. Still, there’s value in seeing these places because they really are beautiful.
If your trip entails less expensive parts of Croatia, like the Istrian peninsula and inland locations, it’s definitely one of the best bang-for-your-buck destinations you can find. Rest assured that no matter where you go in Croatia, there will be good tourism infrastructure and opportunities for a very enjoyable trip.
How to Get to Croatia for Cheap
Actually getting to Croatia can be difficult to do on a budget because there aren’t a ton of flight options to Split. This makes things difficult because Split is the only airport close to a lot of Croatia’s most notable places to visit.
If you want to get to Croatia for cheap, you may need to fly into Zagreb, which is home to many more airlines. Then, you can either rent a car and drive (though this adds a good amount to your list of expenses) or take a 40-minute connecting flight to Split. There are numerous flights from Zagreb to Split every day that are regularly under $100.
Because getting to most islands requires ferries and the roads in Croatia are very windy and not direct, it can take longer than you think to get from place to place and cost you more than you might think unless you’re willing to take public transportation.
How to Make Your Trip to Croatia Less Expensive
Some more ways to reduce the cost of a trip anywhere, and Croatia specifically, include:
- Be flexible on dates, flight times, and locations: don’t visit from early June through September.
- Keep tabs on flights and do your homework on cheap flight routes and times.
- Use Google to find places to eat and drink that aren’t overpriced.
- Research budget-friendly accommodations outside of the old towns.
- Use buses (or walk) to get around if possible.
- Get groceries if you can’t afford to eat out and are staying somewhere for an extended period.
- Sign-up for airline fare-sale emails.
- Do things that are free, like visiting beaches, hiking, and visiting cheap or free museums.
In-Summary: Cost of a Trip to Croatia – Is It Cheap?
Croatia can be cheap or expensive depending on how you map out your trip.
If you plan on sticking to the coastal areas, your trip to Croatia probably won’t fall under the “cheap” category. However, if you avoid touristy spots along the coast and go to areas closer to Zadar or Istria, you can see the beautiful Adriatic Sea for reasonable prices.
If your Croatia itinerary is mostly inland, it can definitely result in an affordable trip. Even the capital, Zagreb, is great for those traveling to Croatia on a budget. Rural Croatia remains off the tourist trail and won’t force you to dip into your wallet much, so consider that when planning your trip.
Croatia Affordability FAQs
Why are flights to Croatia so expensive?
Flights to Croatia are generally pretty expensive because the airports are relatively small. The two main international airports are in Zagreb and Split, with Zagreb trending toward the cheaper airport to fly into.
How expensive is Split, Croatia?
The historic center of Split can get fairly expensive. However, if you’re willing to venture outside of the very center area of the city, you’ll find that prices drop quickly.
How expensive is Hvar, Croatia?
Hvar is the most expensive island in Croatia. In fact, prices in Hvar are becoming comparable to famous islands like Marbella and Ibiza.
Is Zadar, Croatia, expensive?
Zadar isn’t one of the most expensive places in Croatia, but it’s not the cheapest spot either due to it’s location on the water. It can be a good alternative to Split for those traveling to Croatia on a budget. However, it’s a fairly small city, so there’s a little less to do.
Is Croatia more expensive than Greece?
A recent World Travel Index study revealed that Greece remains more expensive to visit than Croatia.
Is Dubrovnik, Croatia, expensive?
Yes, Dubrovnik is one of the most expensive places to visit in Croatia and along the entire Adriatic Coast. While Dubrovnik offers a beautiful elevated old town setting above the sea, it’s become nearly impossible to visit for budget travelers.
Is food expensive in Croatia?
Food is expensive in certain areas of Croatia. For example, if you’re getting seafood on a Croatian island or coastal city like Split, it’s going to be fairly expensive. But if you’re eating out inland or a spot that sees few visitors, you’ll likely be pleased with how affordable food is in Croatia.
Is alcohol expensive in Croatia?
Alcohol is expensive in Croatia’s nightlife hubs, such as the city center of Zagreb, old town Split, and the islands of Hvar and Vis. However, much of Croatia remains a cheap place to visit, eat out, and drink.
