Travel Costs And Prices in Croatia (2023)

What are the prices in Croatia in 2023? – this is the question that all travelers are interested to find the answer for and for all the right reasons, because it makes planning your upcoming trip to Croatia a lot easier.

And in today’s article, I will help you by providing an updated answer by sharing some estimated travel costs in the country, as well as sharing some examples of prices for various products, so you can easily estimate costs and set up a budget.

Please note: This article is focused on prices in Croatia as a travel / touristic destination. If you want to relocate and live here, you should check my Croatia cost of living article to paint a clearer picture for longer term living.

Before we get to actual prices and lists, let me start by saying that the days when Croatia was considered a very cheap destination are unfortunately gone.

This is caused by multiple factors: first of all, the country recently switched to using Euros and many people tried to take advantage of this, increasing prices. We also have high inflation and at the same time the country itself is growing, resulting in higher costs.

However, Croatia still remains cheaper than most of the other potential destinations in Western Europe, like Spain or Italy and even Greece, so your dollars or Euros will still buy more here than in other countries.

Even more, if you travel outside the peak of the season (which is in July and August when prices skyrocket), you can really do it on a tight budget and still enjoy good weather: Croatia in September & October is still really nice!

In 2023, I expect prices to be as high as they ever were after they took a nosedive in 2020 and especially 2021 due to the worldwide situation.

However, if you plan ahead, there are still plenty of offers to choose from – including those at the top all inclusive resorts in the country, meaning that 2023 is still a great year for traveling in Croatia and getting a lot for your money.

Comparing the cost of living in Croatia to other Mediterranean destinations shows Croatia as the clear winner and the much cheaper place.

For example, Italy is around 60% more expensive when it comes to cost of living, Spain is about 35% more expensive and the cost of living in Greece is more expensive by around 15% (although property rental in Croatia is a bit higher than in Greece).

But can you buy anything in Croatia for 1 Euro for example? Well, you sure can, even though it’s not too much!

A large scoop of delicious ice cream usually sells for around 1 Euro. You can also spend the same amount for 1 liter of regular milk at a grocery shop, 1 kg of potatoes at green markets or a local beer (0.5 liter bottle) also at grocery markets. Or for a delicious coffee at a local pub.

These are just some examples, showing you that prices are still acceptable or even cheap by Western European standards. But now let’s check out other prices in Croatia with more details!

Coffee Prices in Croatia (2023 update)

Coffee is also usually cheap in Croatia and I have to say it that the Croats love their coffee!

Prices usually range from €1.3 to €3.3 in the more touristy places, depending on the place. Usually, you can have great coffee here for around €1.5 per cup although in less touristy cities like Osijek, a cup can be as low as 1 Euro.

This also means that you can find absolutely everything here, from cheap to more expensive coffee-based beverages and the quality will always be high. Really, once you drink your coffee in Croatia, you will instantly fall in love with it!

In Zagreb, on the popular Tkalciceva street, coffee prices hover around €1.5, while going towards the center will see a price increase, getting them closer to €2.

The prices of coffee on the Split Riva waterfront, which is one of the most popular places to go out and socialize in the city are also around €1.4 – €1.5.

But the most expensive coffee will definitely be found in Dubrovnik during the summer season. On the popular Stradun street, a simple coffee with milk goes up €2.5.

So, as it is with most places you can visit nowadays, the golden rule of thumb is this: if you want to spend as little as possible, stay away from the most touristy areas and try to travel outside of the peak season when prices are sometimes double!

Food prices in Croatia

Should you get hungry walking while exploring the cities, you can conveniently satisfy hunger by eating on the go in some of the fast food kiosks you’ll find in almost every town along the coast or inland.

You will always find a nice restaurant nearby as well, if you want something a bit more substantial.

In order to help you get an idea on what you would be expected to pay for eating in Croatia, I have some more examples below.

The choice is varied, from budget oriented to more expensive:

Burek – (baked pastries filled with cheese or meat) starting from €1 – €1.5, these are hearty and delicious. You MUST try one of these traditional Croatian foods while visiting (and most likely more afterwards!)

Soparnik – a thin double-crust pizza filled with spinach or blitva (chard) for around 1 Euro.

Pizza – ranges from as low as €1 for a slice to €5 for an entire pizza. Prices vary depending on the type you choose, more expensive options being available. There are also really good ones to be had at the Italian pizzerias.

Viska pogaca, a type of pie from the island of Vis with anchovies, onion and tomato for approx €2. Another must try Croatian delicacy!

Cevapi or Cevapcici – grilled beef and pork rolls with onions served in a thin bun called lepinja, together with ajvar (a relish of red peppers, with garlic).

Mouth watering and really cheap – prices varying greatly based on the number you’re ordering, but it’s usually around €1 per piece (although in many places, if you get more, the per piece price decreases a lot).

Here’s what you can expect to get:

Big Mac, burgers and sandwiches are available for around €3 and above

Vegetarian / vegan food – Tofu, seitan sandwiches of whole grain, sushi vegan, stewed meal with vegetables, whole grains and legumes. Prices range from €1.5 to €3 per portion.

Gavuni – portion of smelts with chips for around €3.

Shrimp, Squid and Mackerel – portions on the go from around €4 to €7.5

Looking to cook like a Croatian? Make sure to check out my fritule recipe, as well as the krostule recipe to get started!

If you’re looking to dine in a restaurant, you can find something very affordable as well. Here are some guidelines on what you should expect to pay in Croatia for eating out:

– Full course meal in local restaurant – around €5 for a single person
– A full meal for two in a slightly more luxurious restaurant (main and dessert, drinks and tips) start from around €25 and can go up all the way to €45 (or even more if you splurge).

However, I remember the first time I ate out in Rijeka during my first visit there. It was my wife, my son (2 years old at the time) and I who ate a TON of delicious food at a local restaurant (near the sea, so pretty touristy too) called Pizza Bracera.

But we were extremely surprised at how little we had to pay for a whole lot of food (I converted from the Kuna we paid). Here’s what we had:

All in all, with drinks (sparkling water for us and natural juice for our son) and a good tip included, we paid around €13 for the meal. You really can’t beat that – and also in a touristy place!

Hotel prices in Croatia

When deciding to book your stay in Croatia, you should expect prices to be pretty high, especially in the touristy areas and near the beaches.

Here is what you should expect to pay per night, based on the rating of the hotel and the time of visit:

Category	Low season	High season
**	20 to 35 Euro	35 to 65 Euro
***	25 to 50 Euro	60 to 100 Euro
****	40 to 80 Euro	80 to 150 Euro
*****	80 to 120 Euro	100 to 250 Euro

In recent years, hotel prices in Croatia have increased dramatically, mainly due to the increasing popularity of the country, but in 2023 everything seems to be more expensive than ever.

Hotel prices in Croatia sometimes exceed the amount of €250 per night if you want the best rooms and suites, refined designer furniture, paintings, silk sheets, branded cosmetics in the bathroom. But for luxury, you pay a premium everywhere!

Some of these amazing hotels are Vestibul palace in Split. To feel like an Emperor, you have to be ready to a nice amount per night.

Another luxury hotel worth talking about is Lesic Dimitri Palace in Korcula town (Korcula island) that can host only 18 guests. Premium quality, as you can imagine!

But fortunately, you can find very affordable deals in good hotels and you can get even better prices if you book well in advance.

You can check out the hotel prices for your dates on Booking.com to get the best deals (affiliate link – I will get a commission if you book your stay through it, but at no extra costs for you).

Renting a Car in Croatia

A great way to get to your hotel or explore your surroundings is by renting a car from the airport. The best provider of cars to rent is Discover Cars, which offers a wide range of vehicles at competitive prices.

You can easily compare prices and filter your search with Discover Cars based on your preferred pickup location, rental duration, and other criteria. Discover Cars has something for everyone, whether you want an economy car or a luxury SUV.

You can explore Croatia’s stunning coastline, historic cities, and picturesque countryside without breaking the bank by renting a car from Discover Cars.

Prices of Drinks in Croatia

For those visiting the pubs and the nightclubs, it’s good to know that alcoholic drinks are normally divided in two groups: the international brands (which are more expensive, naturally) and the local alternatives which are cheaper.

In this case, your drink will cost half the price, and some local brandies (like Rakije) are really strong drinks that all visitors love.

Prices range from 1 to 2,5 Euro for a small glass (0,3 to 0,5 dl). Here are some other prices:

Drink	Restaurants	Market
Local beer (0,5 draught)	2 Euro	from 1 to 1,5 Euro
Imported beer	2 to 5 Euro	from 1,50 to 1,80 Euro
Bottle of wine	12 to 16 Euro	5 to 10 Euro
Water (0.33 bottle)	1 to 1,2 Euro	0,5 to 0,8 Euro
Coke (0.33 bottle)	2,00 to 2,50 Euro	0,5 to 0,8 Euro

How much money to budget for your trip to Croatia

Croatia still has a status of a low-cost destination, but that is not really true all over the country. Central and Southern Dalmatia, including the islands, are more expensive than inland destinations (except Zagreb) and in July and August, prices are the highest.

If you don’t know how much money to bring to Croatia and how to manage then during your holiday, you should check out some useful budget tips before you get here, as well as my rounded up recommendations below based on your daily budget:

Low Budget: 50 Euros per day	Mid Range: 55 – 150 Euros per day	Top End: 150 Euros and up
– Hostel / Shared accommodation – Meal in local taverns – Public transportation	– Double room in decent hotel – Meal in decent restaurant – A city tour – Short taxi trips	– Double room or suite in luxury hotel – Meals a the best restaurants – Private boat tours – Car Rental

Wrapping up

In the end, it’s good to know that your trip to Croatia will be as expensive as you want it to be, as you have options for a vacation on a budget, but which is still enjoyable.

So the good news is that if you’re on a budget, you can still have a great time without spending too much and hopefully these examples of prices in the country that I have shared in this article will prove that and help you better plan your next trip here.

If you have any questions – or maybe price examples to add and share, don’t hesitate to write a comment below!