Before you go to Croatia, check out the following:
- These shows & movies were filmed in Croatia – find out where!
- Looking for some books set in Croatia? Here you go!
- Want to learn some basic phrases? Watch this tutorial!
- Brush up on the local etiquette (did you know it’s considered bad manners to put your hands below the table while eating?)
- Here’s a No Reservations clip from Anthony Bourdain’s travels in Croatia.
- Know your history!
- This video has some excellent tips and tricks to keep in mind.
- A microadventure in Split…
- For Game of Thrones fans, here are the filming locations vs. what you saw in the show.
Did You Know?
- Tap water is safe to drink all over Croatia. It is customary to bring you a glass (jar) of water with your coffee or meal (free). If you prefer bottled water, you should specifically ask for it from the waiter.
- Coffee (kava) is a ritual in Croatia. Locals spend 1-3 hours drinking coffee, talking, or just observing daily life.
- Here’s a bit more about food and drink:
- Ice-cream scoops are the size of a tennis ball (or bigger). If you want to try two flavors but don’t want 2 scoops, ask for half/half and you will get 2 smaller scoops (and pay for one).
- Wine in Croatia is fantastic. If you like White, try Malvazia (light, airy, with a touch of fruity taste), Pošip (a bit heavier than Malvazia, has fruity and sweeter oak notes), Graševina (continental wine, light and fruity). For fans of Red: Plavac (dry, light, a bit fruity, some can be sour), Dingač (almost full bodied, with fruity and oak notes), Teran (similar to Dingač, a bit more sour).
- If you are a beer drinker, you will not be disappointed. Some local spirits you may want to try: Karlovačko (light), Ožujsko (light), Tomislav (dark). Živjeli! (cheers)!
- Croatia has 1,244 islands, islets, and reefs. If you tried to visit a new one every day, it would take you over 3 years.
- Beaches in Croatia have pebbles. If you’re going to spend time sunbathing, make sure you bring your water shoes and a thick towel (or order a sunbed if available).
- Hrvatska ≠ Croatia?: The country calls itself Hrvatska (hoor-vaht-ska). “Croatia” is what the rest of us settled on because… linguistics is complicated.
- Croatians Invented the Fountain Pen: A Croatian named Slavoljub Penkala made that possible in 1906. Yes, his name literally sounds like “pen.”
- Don’t forget scarfs, pashminas and/or sweaters to cover shoulders as a sign of respect at religious sites.