How tourism has changed since the 1990s

Since the 1990s, tourism in Croatia has grown and changed in several ways.

More visitors and a longer season

Croatia now welcomes many more visitors than in the 1990s. Summer is still the peak, but more people travel in spring and autumn, and cities such as Zagreb are popular year round.

New kinds of travel

• Sailing and boat holidays have grown along the coast.
• Cruise ships call at ports such as Dubrovnik.
• Hiking, cycling and national park visits attract people who want nature and activity.
• Food and wine travel, including Istria's olive oil and truffles, draws visitors inland.

Popular culture

Films and television shows, including scenes from Game of Thrones filmed in Dubrovnik, have made Croatia more widely known.

Joining the euro and Schengen

Croatia adopted the euro and joined the Schengen area on 1 January 2023, which made travel and payments simpler for many visitors.

Pressures

Crowds in popular places, especially Dubrovnik in summer, have led towns to look for ways to manage the number of visitors and protect their old centres.