Guidebook Updates for Croatia

• Statehood Day, a public holiday across Croatia, is celebrated annually on May 30 (not June 25). June 25 is now Croatia's Independence Day (not October 8), but is no longer a public holiday, so travelers can expect businesses and sights to remain open as usual.
• Shops across Croatia are now closed on most Sundays throughout the year, following a law passed in 2023.

For books printed before August 2023, the following may also apply:

• As of January 2023, Croatia uses the euro and belongs to the Schengen open-borders zone.
• TP Line is another ferry company (in addition to Krilo and Jadrolinija) that runs catamarans between Split, Dubrovnik, Hvar, Korčula, and other nearby islands. Given the many options, we recommend Get By Ferry as a go-to resource for info on Dalmatian Coast ferries. 

For books printed before June 2020, the following may also apply:

• Eurail Select Passes are no longer being sold (but similarly priced Global Passes still are) — see our 2019 rail-travel update.

• In an effort to ease traffic congestion, there's talk of allowing only locals with permits to drive into Dubrovnik as soon as 2025. Drivers should ask their host for an update before arriving by car.
• A new public boat makes a single run from Dubrovnik's Port Gruž to Trsteno, then to Lokrum, and then back to Port Gruž four times a week in summer — handy if you want to visit both places in one day.
• Advance tickets are recommended for the boat to Lokrum to avoid long ticket-buying lines.
• The Red History Museum has changed its off-seaon closed day from Tuesday to Sunday.

For books printed before August 2023, the following may also apply:

• The Pelješac Bridge has finally opened, making it possible to avoid the little stretch of Bosnian coastline when driving between Dubrovnik and Split.
• The interior of the Dominican monastery church may still be closed for renovation during your visit.

For books printed before June 2020, the following may also apply:

• Vina Matković, one of the four Potomje wineries, has moved.
• Karmen Apartments is now Van Bloemen Apartments.
• Dubrovnik's city walls now cost 200 kn to enter. While it's now possible to make reservations, you'll still have to contend with crowds and heat on top of the wall, so visiting early or late remains the best plan.
• The shuttle bus from the airport no longer stops at the Pile Gate in the Old Town. If you're staying near the gate, ride the airport shuttle to the bus station, then take a public bus (or taxi) to Pile Gate.

• Hvar Fortress is closed Nov–Easter.
• Pršuta 3 wine bar has closed.

• The Rovinj Heritage Museum is closed indefinitely for extensive renovation.
• In Pula, the hop-on, hop-off bus is no longer running.
• In Pula, the Archaeological Museum of Istria is expected to reopen in 2025 after a lengthy renovation.
• In Rovijn, Villa Baron Gautsch is now Baron Gautsch B&B and has new contact info: +385 99 465 4328, www.rooms-barongautsch.com, [email protected].
• Elda Markulin Rooms/Apartments in Rovijn has closed.

For books printed before August 2023, the following may also apply:

• The Opatija tourist information office has moved down the street to Maršala Tita 146.
• As Autotrans no longer has an office in Opatija, intercity bus tickets must be purchased online. (Tickets for local buses to Rijeka can be purchased in a tobacco shop or on board.)

• The Marco Polo House has reopened as an interpretive center (on the same site at Ulica Depolo).
• The Town Museum is now closed Sundays year-round.
• Hotel Fabria is now San Teodoro, with a new owner, Teha, and a new email address: [email protected].

• In Kotor, entry to the town walls is €15 (free Dec–Feb). The walls are open daily May–Sept 7:00–20:00, with shorter hours Oct–April. From December through February, the walls are open 24 hours daily, no ticket required.
• The Sveti Stefan hotel and island are closed indefinitely.

• Plitvice Mirić Inn has a new phone number: +385 98 976 5846.

For books printed before August 2023, the following may also apply:

• Prijevoz Knežević express buses are now operated in conjunction with Flixbus and may be labeled according to either brand. They stop at three spots in the park area: near Entrance 1, Entrance 2, and in the town of Mukinje.

For books printed before August 2023, the following may apply:

• As of early 2024, the City Museum's permanent exhibit remains closed for renovations, likely not reopening until 2026 at the earliest.
• Swimming is no longer allowed in the waterfalls at Krka National Park.

• Samobor Museum is closed for renovations, likely through 2026.
• Several recommended restaurants have closed: ManO, Laria & Penati, and Green Point.

For books printed before August 2023, the following may also apply:

• The Ivan Meštrović Atelier is closed for renovations, likely through 2026 or possibly 2027.
• Contrary to a note previously posted here, the Museum of Naïve Art remains open; its plans to relocate have been postponed to 2026 or later.
• As of early 2024, the cathedral remains closed for restoration and stabilization (after being damaged in the 2020 Petrinja earthquake).
• The Arts and Crafts Museum and Mimara Museum are also closed for earthquake-related restoration projects.