Is Croatia Expensive? Some Thoughts from Zagreb, Manchester & Dalmatia

If there is one topic that had been omnipresent in the media since Croatia joined the Eurozone in January, it is prices and how they are rising.
Add to that rising inflation and the usual peak season pricing horror stories, and the topic has hardly been out of the news all year.
Croatia certainly has got more expensive - can you name a country which hasn't? - and there have been complaints from tourists that Croatia has become too expensive as a tourist destination.
Some thoughts on pricing and the direction of Croatian tourism in general.
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[@MrDurin]

Croatia is expensive for Croatians with ordinary Croatian salaries. I agree that we should be offering value to tourists, but I’m worried about ordinary people who don’t live off tourism and prices are constantly going up.

[@ullamoback7600]

We have been sailing with our own boat in Croatia since 2013. Mostly around Brac and Hvar. Each night eating at different restaurants. It has been wonderful and the prices where low at the beginning. This summer pricing was crazy. Around Euro 120 for two people. The food has been exactly the same throughout the years. Grilled meat and vegetables. For that kind of money I expect so much more. And there’s no way we can afford it every day. The last weeks we cooked ourselves. And now the boat is sold. We are very grateful for the wonderful years in Croatia but sadly it is not for us anymore.

[@user-px4mz3iu1s]

@@naysayer8052 hahahaha šta je stobom hahahaah nevjerojatan odgovor

[@TanjaVuPoems]

Im always surprised how foreigners expect other countries to be cheap for no reason whatsoever!? Croatia is a central European Mediteranean country with deep culture and a lot of quality to offer (unlike many Northern OR Western European countries these days, for that matter!?)! So if you dont appreciate the quality and can’t support organic beauty and great, healthy food, solid infrastructure, completely safe environment and fairly decent service, then unfortunately, this will be the outcome! Good luck with ur new favourite cheap destination!;)

[@vesnavucetic8944]

For what price do you eat in other European destinations??. Our prices are lower

[@nakkiewildvangst2656]

Tanja & Vesna - nemojte se ljutiti ako van rečen da po odgovorima vidin da niste baš puno proputovali (ja vam moren reč da sam obiša sve kontinente) Idite malo po svitu (ne samo Europa) pa ćete vidit, lipe moje. Cila fameja mi u turizmu već desetljećima , pa vidim i čujem kako je stvarna slika. Lip pozdrav od dijaspore.

[@Kistabj2431]

Prices are absolutely shocking for vast majority of Croatian citizens. We will lose more people each day. Politicians destroyed this beautiful country and made Croatia a failed society. Very sad 😞

[@asterixx6878]

How did the politicians destroy Croatia? Would you like to explain?

[@Kistabj2431]

@@asterixx6878 it is actually very hard to explain if you are a foreigner but key word would be corruption. Politicians put own interest in front of society and people.

[@jonelova]

The prices for Croatians from Croatia, with average salaries are way too high and not affordable, not only at the coast, but everywhere we live. It’s tragic. We spend our salaries mainly on food and energy/water.

[@tomaskral4685]

And then there are the nonsensical local taxes for homeowners that I haven't seen anywhere else jn the world!

[@j.p.9295]

I am always concern about Croatian families being able to go to the coast with their children in the summer holidays . Something must be done by government to make sure that is possible.

[@moooobkityy]

Absolutely

[@jonelova]

Not being able to stay at home - and live normally 😢

[@gordanbabic8028]

we went too far this year. last year I had great pizza in Napoli for 5 euros, yesterday I are pizza on my island near Sibenik for 13 euros. unneccessary to say that neapolitans invented pizza and that it tasted much better.

[@barbaraelkaz5878]

thank you for touching this topic, a hot potato which can turn our tasty or burned. I am Croatian living abroad and have visited this August with my partner Zagreb and Istria/Pula. Zagreb was actually the less expensive one , you could still have a meal for max 30 EURO . Once we arrived to coast it amazed me in negative way how much all prices were pushed up, to the point of ridiculous. We stayed in Airbnb and I calculated that for 2 of us ( we do not eat meat or fish), we need min of 100 EURO per day just to have morning coffee, drink in the evening and 2 simple one course meals . I thought of families coming from abroad as we are a strong family destination and calculated that they need 200-300 EURO per day if will eat out lunch and dinner or else will need to go to supermarket and make things on their own , as we ended up. A simple bowl of grilled potato 7 EURO , pizzas 15-25 euro ecc and this only in usual places where you do not get any special service and the team talks to each other from one table to the other, and as a customer you are barely looked into the eyes . 10 EURO for 1 kg of grapes in Rovinj (lol)... we did go for a high cost meal in well know Motovun restaurant and for evening olive yard tour with dinenr but as Paul said service and ambience made it worth. But the rest is not...I am lucky to work abroad hence have bit healthier salary but still have found it costly . Defending ourselves that Croatia is beautiful as much as Venice and Paris is simplifying the matter whilst riding on a wave of patriotism . The truth is Croatian market was middle class both upper and lower of Europe and they themselves have financial issues at home now, hence are looking for value for money on holiday . Secondly , I do not see how a normal Croatia person can come for holiday on coast - can manage perhaps apartment rental or special hotel deal but any extras are far too high and i think cause just stress or withdrawal to old way of holidaying (bring your own from home). But coming back to business ...yes a balance has to be found and be able to cater good quality for higher prices and normal quality for normal not inflated prices . Curious what will happen next year.....

[@user-px4mz3iu1s]

iduče če godine bit još skuplje nego ove,niko nikad na svjetu nije spustija cjene pa neče ni sad

[@damirfuchs7442]

Hi, I'm from Zagreb (capital of Croatia) and I must say that prices this year on coast have gone completely wild. I don't understand how anyone can afford it, no matter where they come from. Also why didn't you mention Zagreb tourism, it is one of the most popular winter destinations in Europe, also throughout the whole year there are sooooo many tourists. And I hope someone will listen to your suggestions for the next year to be better and more affordable 🌍

[@rogerhudson9732]

It's getting expensive, Saturday I drove to the 'Tommy ' outside Jelsa and spent €160 on about a week's food. Some items are up nearly 100% on last year, at least food quality is good.

[@UnniStordal]

This summer the prizes was almost double , a small rise of prizes in lokal, but when the Norwegian kroner became pesos, everything was much more expensive. But still cheaper thn in Norway 😀We newer go to the tourist-based restaurants, always use local, and great food and good beer 😄

[@fidemclam]

2:56 Poreč ❤

[@damirhlobik6488]

honestly, I would like to see you in the position of Croatian Minister of Tourism and Sports, your knowledge is invaluable

[@zajarcairuda]

Croatia was expensive this summer for my well-off American paycheck. in comparison to other countries,Croatia is expensive

[@tomaskral4685]

It is effing expensive! I moved to Croatia 10 months ago for its nature and the sea. It's beautiful and I don't regret it. But I'm starting to see some negatives that I havent encountered anywhere else in the world. Like, for example, the local super high city taxes for homeowners that dont make any sense plus the tax for "holiday home" owners that is even more of a nonsense. Then, unlike any other country I've lived in, there's the problem of most restaurants' closing on the last day of September. At least on the coast. The owners are more than happy to overcharge visitors during the 4-5 months during the top season ( by offering them the same mediocre food selection without much added value) and when there are fewer guests they simply close down. As if they really just wanted to make a quick buck, but have no pride in their business..

[@htpeck91]

I lived in Dalmatia last summer and the food is surprising mediocre. There are no standards in general. No one cares.

[@davidllewelyn]

It is a difficult and unpopular subject. The prices this year are crazy and if the quality is high and the value good then then Croatia attracts upmarket tourism. But, there is a real risk to local Croatians. Not just because they can’t afford the prices in cafes, bars and restaurants, but pushing up market tourism will inflate property prices on the coast. They will become good value to EU Citizens from outside Croatia, particularly properties, which used to provide cheap accommodation, are sold as the demand drops. Many other countries have seen this influx of “outsiders” pushing locals out of the housing market and therefore the local economy. Maybe time to refresh the “Accidental” strategy and for the politicians to creat a vision for Croatia as a whole and not just a tourist revenue stream. I know, I dream 🤷‍♂️

[@TanjaVuPoems]

Unfortunately, polititians sold Croatia a long time ago!😢

[@croat1455]

This is spot on Paul, everything you've said is exactly like that. Keep on showing things as they are. Croatia is expensive but it gives people what they came for so they're willing to pay. If I go to the Swiss Alps, I'm not expecting cheap vacation. We are suffering from bad taste, local corruption that allows bad taste to expand in construction for example. You have to be idiot level and think that the Zadar sea orgy is a perfect spot to play the stupidest, mind screwing music throughout the season. There are so many examples of why we're primitive, so when it comes to higher quality tourism, we keep sticking to the same old story how tourism works here, like an old LP spinning endlessly. We don't even know how to harvest all the potential we have around us, just living from one season to another and showing all the colors of greed. Because the numbers of people pouring in Croatia are allowing it to happen. Of course there are numerous good and amazing examples. Despite all that the combination of amazing nature, beautiful weather and many good things we offer we're still making millions of people happy and charged when they return home from their holidays in Croatia.

[@danbet7710]

It's more expensive than Australia in alot of places, wages are lower as so are leases so if ypu are going to charge those prices pay your staff, don't expect tips as well.

[@VonEssek]

In Croatia, we still don't have the established system of values. Some restaurants are expensive and high-end, some are equally expensive and lousy. Some are relatively cheap and high quality, some are cheap and awful. You're right, no one complains if the price matches the value; nobody complains about the price of their Armani shirt, but the problem in this country is that they charge you for Armani and sell you a fabric that will not endure five washing cycles.

[@PaulBradbury]

Yes, as i said in the video, value is the thing we need to focus on

[@joelfaulk]

Let me tell you what is NOT value. I just left Zagreb. All cathedrals are closed. It was explained that the earthquake 3 years ago caused extensive damage and everything is still in repair. Maybe I have not been paying attention but I don't recall having heard of the fact there is nothing to visit in Zagreb.

[@MrNomados]

I honestly do not understand why people come to Zagreb. Yes, the city has many nice places and interesting places, BUT it is in terrible condition, facades are literally ruined with ugly graffiti everywhere, dilapidated and plaster sometimes comes off... It is a shame to promote it and expect getting money from this poor city...

[@okiokic]

👏❤️

[@HrvojeMihajlic]

Can you please tell me one place, any place, that has reduced their prices?

[@PaulBradbury]

My local in Zagreb reduced the price of beer on Jan 1, and it has stayed that way ever since. 2.50 euro for half-litre in central Zagreb

[@nakkiewildvangst2656]

Yes,expensive for the value/experiences it offers. Soon Croatia will become an expensive dormitory. If I hadn't family to visit there, I'd be much more prone visiting south- east Asia, more often. Also, Looking forward to visiting Albania,one day. Croatia became a money sucking 'Geldklopperij' (Dutch has such good expressions).Greetings from a Croatian born and raised ,but diaspora for already tweety+ years

[@Mis-AdventureCH]

I remember the war years when the coast was largely deserted.

[@PaulBradbury]

Yes, a lot has changed in 30 years

[@Mis-AdventureCH]

@@PaulBradbury Sure has.

[@Jole3001]

Jesmo. Skupi smo😂

[@vikibarcelona7099]

Hello Mcfly, where in the world haven't the prices increased? I've just spent 5 months traveling through Europe. Croatia is the least expensive and most beautiful.

[@hobbyjay6803]

demand defines prices, simple... there will always be peak of the season where prices are sky high, especialy like islands Hvar, Brac, Mljet and such along the coast line where culture of certain clientele is developing... i think that is strategy from local tourist boards. dubrovnik is pretty expensive all year around and maybe enjoying an aura of magic experience for turists which justify its pricetag for everything where money can be spent. euro-zone is just an amplifier for those things... is Croatia running away from mass tourism? Maybe this season is blueprint of what might happen in the future... less visitors, still higher income than last few years in goverments pocket. good ol' saying, a real quality cost. of corse, local people are finding it difficult to enjoy summer holidays as the used to do decades ago when Cro still had a lebel of mass tourist destination.

[@SuWoopSparrow]

There is no option other than higher quality tourism, unless you want the cities to be massively overrun and have dirty water like Venice. The benefit of Croatia is that it has authentic experiences for people to enjoy. The more mass tourism there is, the less authenticity there will be. And I dont consider inland Croatians going to the coast for summer as tourism - of course they should have cheaper options and many of them do because they know where to go and what to look for.

[@kristijanveza8086]

VI ste gospodine Bradbury Kapitalac🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇭🇷

[@wellwh0]

Croatia isn't budget destination and hasn't been well over 15 years. Let's take Germany for example, restaurants, accommodation everything is more expensive and service isn't any better imo. People also like to take price from expensive places like Hvar, Korčula, Dubrovnik especially Brits and Americans. Yes prices there are astronomical. Take in compare Kvarner islands like Rab, Krk or Cres, prices for accommodation are probably 30% lover, and service there is on pair if not better than at south. As well low tax!? Tax when you calculate all duties is around 25% from gross income. What should be normal, I guess. Problem is over taxing regular ltds. I have apartments. I would be glad to be honest if whole system is restructured and register as ltd, as I could accept debit/credit cards. Though I have income less 300k Kunas (€45k aprox per y) per year. But that would never happen, as state want to make make doing business difficult. So we all need services from state all the time. Only to say they are providing services.

[@thelotusdancer1]

It has been known as a budget destination for many people, for many years, until the euro. I am Australian, and it was budget when I went. Now, in euros and with people charging ridiculous prices, it's more expensive than in Australia.

[@user-xx8qw8ds7e]

Albania is not safe i prefer croatia

[@stevefrompolaca2403]

1st get out of the EU and the euro, and no I dont want to see my homeland turned into the playground of the extremely rich, for the ordinary people it would be retrogressive, 'raj' belongs to all good people.