Travel Insurance: Croatia
Compare travel insurance for Croatia
Croatia is full of stunning natural scenery, historical hotspots and cultural must-sees – enjoy your holiday with peace of mind when you take out travel insurance
Croatia is full of stunning natural scenery, historical hotspots and cultural must-sees – enjoy your holiday with peace of mind when you take out travel insurance
Travel insurance is an essential part of any holiday, as it offers wallet-saving protection should things go wrong with your trip. With a decent travel insurance policy you’ll be protected if you lose your belongings, become ill or injured or have to cancel your holiday – and you’ll be able to enjoy Croatia’s stunning scenery and cultural hotspots without any worries.
When you take out your travel policy for Croatia, it should ideally include cover for the following:
Travel insurance can protect you against a range of things that can go wrong on holiday, but be mindful of things that might not be covered:
Yes, the European Health Insurance Card and new GHIC entitles you to the same standard of healthcare that citizens of participating EU countries receive, either for free or at a subsidised cost. This is still the case even though Britain has left the EU.
Croatia is a country full of natural and historical beauty – check out our top tips below to make sure you enjoy your stay to the fullest.
The easiest way to get around the country is by car. Croatia’s roads are in great condition, and they give you a convenient way to explore the country – some of the smaller villages are well worth the detours.
You can bring your own car or hire one locally – you’ll need a valid driver’s licence, but you may also be asked to show your passport or another form of ID, so keep that handy too.
Uber also started running in Croatia in 2015, offering a cheap taxi option in most of the country’s tourist locations including Zagreb, Dubrovnik and Split – though keep in mind prices will be higher during the tourism season.
You might also consider Croatia’s bus network, which will help you get around most of the country – with the exception of Istria and the multiple islands. The buses are clean and modern, and service is frequent – but keep in mind you might be charged extra if you have a bicycle or extra baggage. You also won’t be able to take unplanned detours this way – so if you have a strict schedule the bus can be a good option, but for general exploring cars are the best bet.
If you’re planning on island hopping, jump on a ferry – in some cases this is the only way to get around. You’ll be able to take your car with you if you want to explore the islands you visit, but this will cost extra.
Croatia is part of the EU, and many places in the country do accept the Euro as payment, but it isn’t their main currency. You’ll be better placed if you swap your pounds for the local Kuna (Kn) – if you do use Euros, you’ll likely get your change in Kuna, often with less favourable exchange rates.
If you’re looking to withdraw money while in Croatia look for ATM machines belonging to official banks – they’ll normally be nearby the branches themselves. These are cheaper than the alternative, which is to use Euronet or Auro Domus cash machines – which are more frequent around tourist spots but also more expensive to use.
ATMs in general are quite common in Croatia, as many places – particularly small restaurants and bars – will prefer cash payments. However shops and eateries that accept credit cards will have a sticker at the entrance or near the till – and even if they don’t, it won’t hurt to ask if you can pay by plastic.
One thing to remember is that if asked whether you’d like to pay in the local or your own currency, always pick local – it’ll end up cheaper most times.
Lunch has traditionally been the main meal of the day in Croatia, but the nine-to-five workday means this isn’t always the case through the week. On weekends though, lunch is generally a bigger affair.
The kind of cuisine you’ll get varies by region, and as you might expect the Dalmatian coast offers up a lot of Mediterranean-influenced food. This includes fish, seafood and green vegetables, but you won’t be without meat either – chicken and lamb are common, pork not so much.
Along the coast to Istria you’ll fine the cuisine is similar in that there is a Mediterranean touch – the homemade pasta known as fuzi is a standout – but here it’s mixed in with continental cooking. The region is especially known for its truffles, making many of their local dishes unique to Istria.
Zagreb is closer to central European cuisine, offering many meat dishes served alongside cabbage, potatoes and other root vegetables. Slavonia, unlike many other parts of Croatia, offers more in the way of pork-based dishes.
When it comes to drinking in Croatia, let’s start light – the tap water is generally safe to drink, but bottled water can be quite expensive. Cafes are generally open through the day, often closing around midnight, serving up tea, coffee and, in some cases, alcohol drinks as well.
Speaking of alcoholic drinks, beer, wine and spirits are all big in Croatia – though beer has only recently come into the spotlight thanks to a number of microbreweries popping up. The craft beer scene is exciting, with a range of options for you to try, but if you’d prefer to stick to lager you’ll want to try the two most popular beers in Karlovacko and Ozujsko.
Croatia’s local wines are also a treat, and there are plenty of varieties produced by the country’s numerous wineries – many of which are family-run. Brandy fans can rejoice too, as you’ll find a range of flavours including honey, herb, cherry and walnut.
Croatia boasts a huge variety of attractions to suit all tastes, whether you’re looking for stunning natural scenery, cultural hotspots or a bouncing club scene.
Despite being a relatively small country, Croatia is home to eight national parks exhibiting some of Europe’s most jaw-dropping natural sights. In fact almost a tenth of Croatia is protected territory.
Amongst some of the most notable are:
You won’t find many sandy beaches in Croatia, as most are stony, but that doesn’t stop them from being great places to relax and soak up the sun. There are plenty to choose from – some set against backdrops of buzzing bars and cafes, and others so serene you’ll hear waves and waves only.
Zlatni Rat is probably the most notable, a long stretch of golden pebbles poking out into the Adriatic sea. It’s a major tourist spot, so expect big crowds if you do visit, but it’s worth the trip just for the incredible view of the Vidova Gora mountain. The beach is also good for a range of watersports, including surfing, windsurfing and scuba diving – just remember to take out the right travel insurance.
If you’re looking for something quieter, Spiaza beach in Susak offers sand, sun and a shallow shoreline as well as pure tranquillity. There are no roads on the island, and no nightclubs by the beach – it’s truly a spot for seclusion.
Croatia isn’t short of manmade history either, with eight of the 10 UNESCO World Heritage sites in the country holding cultural importance (Plitvice Lakes National Park and the Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests complete Croatia’s UNESCO set) – and all eight are located on the coast.
The old city of Dubrovnik is one of them, designated as a UNSECO World Heritage site in 1979. Named the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’ by English poet Lord Byron, the site is host to a collection of magnificently preserved churches, monasteries, palaces and fountains from eras gone by.
It’s also a must for Game of Thrones fans, as this is where most of the series’ King’s Landing scenes were shot – and there are even more filming locations dotted around the country.
You might also be tempted by the Cathedral of St. James, located in Sibenik. It took over a hundred years to build, especially noticeable in the unique blend of Gothic and Renaissance art and architecture, and the sheer detail of decoration makes this worth the visit – keep an eye out for the 71 sculptured faces adorning the church’s frieze.
Nightlife in Croatia is a tale of two halves. During the winter months you’ll find the most active club scene in cities like Zagreb and Split, but as summer rolls in the islands burst into life. There are spots to suit all tastes – pub crawls, cocktail bars, discos and raves to name a few, and music ranging from jazz and soul to rock and electronica.
Here are a few important tips to keep in mind for your trip to Croatia
Comparing travel insurance policies with MoneySuperMarket is a quick and easy way to find affordable cover for your holiday. It’s important to shop around for cover, as you may find different insurers charge different amounts for the same level of protection.
We’ll just ask you a few questions about you and your holiday, including where you’re travelling to, for how long and what cover you’ll need for the trip. You’ll be able to compare policies from leading providers by the overall cost as well as what you’ll be covered for – once you’ve found the right deal just click through to the provider to finalise your purchase.