Croatia is one of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations
Croatia is one of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations
Holidaymakers travelling to Croatia have today (June 9) received new information from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). The latest advice concerns large gatherings, including football and music festivals.
Millions of people choose Croatia for a holiday or city break, its stunning natural beauty and vibrant culture is a huge attraction to visitors. Cities like Dubrovnik, Split, and Zadar are steeped in history and with hundreds of islands, the country provides an excellent opportunity to travel.
The Foreign Office advice about safety and security, where large crowds are involved, states: “Large gatherings and public events are overwhelmingly safe and peaceful in Croatia, including sporting events.
“However, there are periodic cases of violence between football fans around matches. Care should be taken near football stadiums around match times.”
The Foreign Office has told travellers to avoid large crowds, follow local news reports and comply with instructions from police. The travel agency also advises “if you feel uncomfortable, leave the area immediately”.
Other safety and security concerns that people heading to Croatia should be aware of are crime and attacks. Although crime levels are low and violent crime is rare, you should still be careful to protect yourself and belongings.
Gov.uk says: “Tourists have been overcharged at certain ‘gentlemen’s clubs’, sometimes by thousands of euros, and threatened with violence if they refuse to pay.
“Pickpockets operate in tourist areas. Avoid carrying large sums of cash, do not leave valuables unattended and use hotel safes if possible.”
There have been reports of sexual assaults in taxis in Croatia. To reduce risk and help prevent potential assaults, the Foreign Office advises that you take a photo of the inside of your taxi, making sure the number of the vehicle is visible – sending it to a friend or someone you trust.
To stay as safe as possible in a taxi, you may be able to share your ride status on the taxi app and make a phone call while in the vehicle, telling someone where you are heading and what taxi you are in.
In some Croatian town centres, including tourist destinations like Split and Dubrovnik, you can get on-the-spot fines for behaviour seen as inappropriate, including:
- Drinking alcohol or using drugs in public spaces
- Slseeping in public spaces
- Urinating or vomiting in public spaces
- Walking through towns shirtless or in swimwear
- Wearing clothing that promotes drug use
- Climbing on monuments
You can also be fined up to 4,000 euros for public order disturbances, including:
- Fighting
- Verbal abuse such as shouting or arguing
- Drunken behaviour
- Belittling or insulting police officers or other public officials
Croatia follows Schengen area rules. This means your passport must have a ‘date of issue’ less than 10 years before the date you arrive – if you renewed your passport before 1 October 2018, it may have a date of issue that is more than 10 years ago.
It must also have an ‘expiry date’ at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen area (the expiry date does not need to be within 10 years of the date of issue).
