Croatia is a beautiful country on the southern coast of Europe with stunning nature, wonderful cuisine and rich history. However, many tourists notice that Croatia is one of the most expensive places to vacation. In this article, we will look at several reasons why Croatia is so expensive.
The first reason is high seasonality. Summer season in Croatia starts in June and lasts until September. At this time of year, prices for accommodation, food and entertainment increase several times, which makes holidays in Croatia much more expensive than at other times of the year. For example, in March you can rent an apartment in the center of Split for 60€, and in July this apartment will cost 200€. Croatia does not have a restaurant culture like in Russia or other European countries, traditionally people cook at home, and go to cafes only for coffee, to meet friends, or for holidays such as birthdays or weddings. Therefore, most seaside restaurants are closed from November to June. They need to earn enough for the whole year in 4-5 short months (including salaries for employees during the off-season).
The second reason is the local currency, the kuna (until 2023, since 2023 – the euro). Until 2023, there was a national currency, the kuna, with a less stable exchange rate than the euro. Since 2023, people in Croatia have been paying in euros, this is a year of stabilization – prices for food and services have already risen, but still, prices in stores are lower than in other European countries.
The third reason is popularity. Croatia has become a very popular tourist destination, especially after many Hollywood stars started visiting in recent years, the films “Mamma Mia” and the series “Game of Thrones” became an advertisement for Croatia for international tourism. This increased the demand for accommodation, food and entertainment in the country, making them more expensive.
The fourth reason is the need to import. Croatia is a small country and it cannot produce all the necessary products on its own. This means that many products and goods must be imported from other countries, which increases their cost. When buying milk or bread, you will not notice this. But the prices for furniture, equipment, cosmetics are higher than in other EU countries.
Overall, Croatia is a beautiful country that can be a bit pricey to visit. However, if you are planning a trip to Croatia, it is recommended to visit during a quieter time of year, research local prices, and choose more budget-friendly accommodation options.