Guidebook Updates for ‘Rick Steves Croatia & Slovenia’

For books printed before September 2025, the following may apply:

• 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.

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.

For books printed before September 2025, the following may apply:

• In Slovenia, drivers are now required to buy toll stickers online (called e-vignettes). While cars rented in Slovenia will likely be registered and loaded with the e-vignette already, it's smart to check; and if you're renting a car in another country and driving into Slovenia, you'll likely need to acquire an e-vignette in advance (go to the official e-vignette website, enter your car's license plate information and some other details, and pay by credit card). The vignettes are no longer available for purchase in gas stations, post offices, etc.

For books printed before September 2025, the following may apply:

• The Sveti Stefan hotel and island are closed indefinitely.

For books printed before September 2025, the following may apply:

• In an effort to ease street congestion, Dubrovnik has enacted strict traffic regulations for the roads near the Old Town. This designated zone is accessible only to locals and to visitors who have pre-reserved parking (with a so-called "yellow pass"). Otherwise, you'll need to be careful to avoid this zone; if you enter it, even accidentally, you could be fined €260. If arriving by car, first check with your accommodations to see what they suggest; some may have a line on authorized parking nearby. If you're on your own, the easiest, most affordable choice is simply to park at Port Gruž, then ride a bus or taxi into town.
• 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-season closed day from Tuesday to Sunday.

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

• Dubrovnik's city walls now cost €40 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 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.
• 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.

For books printed before September 2025, the following may apply:

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

For books printed before September 2025, the following may apply:

• The Kanin cable car near Bovec is being rebuilt and will likely not reopen until at least 2026.
• The Hiša Sonca accommodation in Kobarid has closed.
• The correct URL for Apartments Mašera (in Kobarid) is www.apartments-masera.com.

For books printed before September 2025, the following may apply:

• The combo-ticket for Postojna Caves and Predjama Castle no longer includes the summer-only shuttle between them.
• There is no longer a free local shuttle from the Divaca train station to the Škocjan Caves. Try Taxi Netgo at +386 70 629 581.

For books printed before September 2025, the following may apply:

• 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].

For books printed before September 2025, the following may apply:

• Entry to the town walls is now €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.

For books printed before September 2025, the following may apply:

• Advance reservations are now all but required to visit Vintgar Gorge — same-day tickets are rarely available. While the gorge is spectacular, the hassles of getting there, reserving a slot, and hiking back to your starting point make it almost not worth the effort. The gorge hike is one-way, so you must hike overland back to the entrance, taking at least an hour on often poorly maintained trails.

For books printed before September 2025, the following may apply:

• You can now prebook a slot for tours of the Jože Plečnik House online; it's no longer possible to book via email (booking over the phone is still ok in a pinch).
• The Kavalirs shuttle is now only for people with limited mobility, and you must call to reserve a ride.
• Cubo Hotel has a new website and email address: www.cubogroup.si, [email protected].

For books printed before September 2025, the following may apply:

• Adisa Ibrulj Muhić is no longer leading guided tours.

For books printed before September 2025, the following may apply:

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

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

• Ptuj's tourist information office has moved to Mestni Trg 4.

For books printed before September 2025, the following may apply:

• A new tourist information office has opened along the main drag through the heart of the old center at Sarači 8 (daily 9:00–17:00, +387 33 213 222).
• Tram #1 is not running due to renovations.
• The Historical Museum Bosnia-Herzegovina is no longer open until 21:00 in summer. Opening hours are 9:00–19:00 daily.
• Restaurant Aščinica "H.E.M" has closed.

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

• 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.

For books printed before September 2025, the following may apply:

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