Safety in Croatia

Overall: This is one of the calmer countries in Europe, and walking at night is not a concern. Serious incidents are rare, particularly in the coastal tourist zones.

Pickpockets: In the crush at Dubrovnik's Pile Gate and in Split's markets, keep an eye on your wallet and phone. Petty theft in peak season is the one real risk here.

Sea urchins: On wild rocky beaches, wear water shoes. Urchins hide in the crevices and standing on one barefoot is both painful and slow to heal.

Hiking: If you head inland on foot, stay on marked trails. In remote border areas old mines can in theory remain, and they are signposted.

Sun: The Adriatic breeze makes the heat deceptive and you can burn in a couple of hours. Use high-factor sunscreen and drink far more water than feels necessary.

Getting help: Locals are generally warm towards visitors, and most younger Croatians speak good English and will happily point you the right way.

Before you go: Check your own government's travel advisory for anything current, though for Croatia it rarely amounts to more than routine advice.

Croatia is a safe country with very low street crime. A tourist's losses here come from bills and fines rather than crime.

Fish by weight. The Adriatic classic: the menu quotes a price per kilo, the fish arrives unweighed, and the bill is three times what you expected. Ask for it to be weighed in front of you and the total stated before cooking.

Parking in Dubrovnik and Split. Paid zones with unobvious markings, and the tow truck works instantly. In season, parking by the Dubrovnik walls costs more than dinner, and a fine plus towing costs more than a day out.

Boat trips. The Blue Cave on Biševo, Hvar and Korčula are sold by a dozen agencies along the waterfront. Prices vary widely, and so do the boats and their insurance.

Apartment rentals. Cash deposits without documentation and deductions on departure are a known story. Photograph the condition.

Taxis. Apps operate in Split and Dubrovnik at half the price of street cars.

Dress in town means real fines. Dubrovnik, Split and Hvar especially prohibit walking the historic centre in swimwear or shirtless. On Hvar the fine reaches 600 euros, and it is genuinely issued. The beach and the promenade are one thing; the old town is another.

Alcohol in the street. Hvar, Split and Dubrovnik ban drinking in public places in their historic centres, with serious fines.

Nudism. Croatia is the birthplace of organised naturism in Europe, but the rule is simple: undress only on beaches marked FKK or naturist. Topless sunbathing is informally tolerated on ordinary beaches.

National parks. At Plitvice and Krka, leaving the boardwalks, swimming outside permitted areas and flying drones are prohibited. Fines are substantial and wardens watch.

Drones. Prohibited over national parks, historic centres and the coast in season.

Driving. Dipped headlights are compulsory in winter. The alcohol limit is 0.5 per mille, but zero for drivers under 24. Speeding fines are high.

The tourist tax is included in your accommodation cost and requires nothing from you.

Vaccinations. None.

Water. Tap water is drinkable nationwide, the islands included.

Sea urchins. The main reason for a doctor's visit on the Croatian coast. The beaches are rocky, the urchins numerous, and the spines break off in the skin and become infected. Swim shoes are a necessity, not a nicety.

Jellyfish. They appear sporadically; there are no dangerous species.

Sun. UV is high and the sea breeze is deceptive. People burn on day one.

Rocky entries. Injuries from cliff jumping are a regular story in Dubrovnik and on Hvar: the depth is deceptive and the bottom uneven.

Ticks. Encephalitis occurs inland and in the Gorski Kotar mountains. For hiking, the vaccine is worth discussing.

Healthcare. The public system is decent but overloaded on the coast in season. Emergency care on 112 is available to everyone; beyond that foreigners are billed. Serious cases go to Zagreb or Split. Insurance is needed.

Croatia sits in the upper half of the European corruption table. Bribes are not taken from tourists.

Numbers. 192 police, 194 ambulance, 193 fire, 112 unified.

Tourist police. In season, mixed patrols work the coast alongside foreign colleagues — German, Czech and Polish officers — specifically to help visitors. It is a working practice, not a formality.

Reporting theft. Reports are taken and certificates for insurers issued, in English in tourist towns.

Traffic police. Speed traps are dense on the coast and on the A1 motorway. Fines are issued on the spot, and foreigners are usually required to pay immediately.

At sea. Boats under 5 hp can be hired without a licence; anything more powerful requires a boat licence. The coastguard checks and the fines are large.

Languages. English is universally spoken on the coast, as are German and Italian.