Welcome to Croatia, welcome to Zagreb
Geographically, Croatia presents a unique blend of Southern Central Europe and the Mediterranean. It covers a land area of 56,542 km2, while its territorial waters add on another 31,067 km2: just imagine such a small country with a 5,835 km long coastline! It offers a wonderful diversity of landscape, ranging from lowland plains to mountains, from verdant forests and bare limestone, rivers and lakes, to the Adriatic Sea with its 1185 islands, which make it a coveted tourist destination for many foreign holidaymakers. The country has a wealth of archaeological sites dating from prehistory, antiquity and the Middle Ages, as well as a number of monumental urban units listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites (Dubrovnik, Trogir, Diocletian’s Palace in Split). Croatia is a country of diversity, blending the Mediterranean culture with cultural traditions of Central Europe. The population of Croatia is about 4.5 million.
Zagreb is the capital of the Republic of Croatia and its largest city. It has a population of about 780,000. This urban area of 641 km2 is situated in Central Croatia, at a driving distance of an hour and a half from the Adriatic. Neither too big nor too small, with markedly Central European features, the city also has a distinctive touch of Mediterranean charm. An abundance of cultural hot spots, museums, theatres and concert halls, as well as a number of festivals year round, make it the cultural centre of Croatia. With its first institution of higher education established in 1699, Zagreb is one of Europe’s oldest university cities.
Facts, Figures, Advices
Time zone:
GMT plus one hour in winter
GMT plus two in summer
Currency:
Kuna (1 Kuna = 100 Lipa). There are 10, 20, 50 Lipa coins, 1, 2, 5 and 25 Kuna coins and 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1,000 Kuna banknotes
Foreign currencies:
Can be exchanged in banks, exchange offices, post offices, travel agencies, hotels, camps, marinas; cheques can be cashed in banks
Power supply:
220 V, 50 Hz
Please note that power outlets in Croatia are the Continental two-pin type and that a socket adapter is therefore required
Water:
Tap water is potable in all parts of Croatia
International telephone code:
+385
Travel documentation:
A valid passport or some other identification document recognised by international agreement. For certain countries a personal identity card is sufficient (i.e. a document which testifies to the identity and citizenship of the bearer). For more information: Diplomatic missions and consular offices of the Republic of Croatia abroad or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of the Republic of Croatia
tel: +385 1 4569 964
e-mail: stranci@mvpei.hr
web: www.mvpei.hr
Customs regulations:
Customs regulations of the Republic of Croatia are harmonised with the standards of EU member states, but the value of objects of non-commercial character for personal use allowed to be brought into the country without tax duty or PDV (VAT) is limited to 300 HRK.
The permitted amount of meat and milk products which can be brought in without special veterinary inspection, as well as honey, is limited to 1 kg , while the amount of wine is limited to 5 liters. Foreign and local currency may be freely taken in and out of the country: local currency up to an amount of 15,000 HRK, but any amount brought in or taken out of the country (whether foreign currency or HRK) in an amount exceeding a value of 40,000 HRK, must be declared to the customs officers. More valuable professional and technical equipment must be declared at the border. A non-resident can freely bring in and take out cheques in HRK.
Refund of tax when leaving the country is made to foreign nationals for individual goods purchased in Croatia for amounts in excess of 500 HRK, on presentation of a “Tax-cheque” form. This form is provided on request by a sales assistant, when items are purchased.
Pets which are being imported, or which are traveling through for non-commercial purposes, in the company on their owner will be allowed to enter Republic of Croatia under certain conditions. For additional information please contact the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management – Veterinary administration (tel: +385 1 61 06 703; + 385 1 610 66 69; www.mps.hr).
Health services:
There are hospitals and clinics located in all the larger towns and cities, while smaller centres have dispensaries and chemist’s.
Foreign visitors are not obliged to pay for medical services if a convention on Social Security has been signed between Croatia and visitors’ country of origin, i.e. if they have in their possession a certificate stipulated by such a convention confirming their right to health care. Health care (including transport) is used for emergency cases in the manner and according to regulations valid for Croatian citizens covered by Social Security, with the costs of health care being participated in, in the same way (participation and administrative duty). Persons coming from countries with which no such convention has been signed bear the costs of health services rendered personally.
There are three mobile operators in Croatia:
VIPNET
part of the world Vodafone network
info: 091 7700
T-MOBILE
part of the world T-MOBILE network
info: 098 1520
TELE2
info: 095 1000 444
Call 112 in the following cases:
- if you need urgent or vital medical assistance
- for assistance of fire fighting services
- for assistance of mountain rescue services
- for urgent or vital veterinary assistance
- if you notice fire
- if you notice leakage of hazardous material, pollution of drinking water, springs, streams, rivers or sea
- in the event of accident on land or at sea
Important telephone numbers:
Police: 92
Fire Brigade: 93
Ambulance: 94
Roadside vehicle assistance: (01) 987
National Search and Rescue Centre: 9155
A single countrywide number for all emergency situations: 112
General information: 981
Information local and intercity numbers: 988
Information international numbers: 902
Weather forecast and road conditions: 060 520 520
Croatian Automobile Club (HAK): (01) 46 40 800
Traffic & Transportation
Zagreb Electric Tram, Ozaljska 105
tel: +385 1 36 51 555, +385 1 66 00 42
Daily tram routes: 4 a.m. - midnight
Nightly tram routes: midnight - 4 a.m.
Bus and tram tickets are bought at news stands at price of 8 HRK or from the driver at price of 10 HRK and daily tickets at price of 25 HRK. However, public transportation in Zagreb is free within the radius on the map.
Taxi
tel: + 385 1 970
tel: +385 1 66 10 200
e-mail: info@radio-taksi-zagreb.hr
Taxi fares:
Initial charge - 25 HRK
Driving per km - 7 HRK
Waiting per hour - 80 HRK
Luggage per piece - 5 HRK
On Sundays, public holidays and from 10:00 p.m. to 05:00 a.m. you will be charged an additional 20% on top of the fare displayed on the meter
Airport Zagreb, Pleso bb
Zagreb Airport is situated 17 km south of Zagreb, with shuttle buses running to the city center. Zagreb Airport’s shuttle bus terminal is located at the Central Bus Station on Marin Drzic Avenue. For more information visit www.zagreb-airport.hr
Departures and arrivals of planes: tel: +385 1 62 65 222
Departures and arrivals of buses: tel: +385 1 61 57 992
Main Railway Station, Trg kralja Tomislava 12
The Main Railway Station is located in the very centre of the city (Kralj Tomislav Square 12, a ten minutes’ walk from the capital’s main square). For more information visit www.hznet.hr
Information on domestic traffic: tel: 060 333 444
Information on international traffic: tel: +385 1 37 82 532
Information for calls from abroad: tel: +385 1 37 82 583
Main Bus Station, Avenija M. Držića bb
tel: 060 313 333
tel only from abroad: +385 1 61 12 789
Tourist board Zagreb, Kaptol 5
tel: +385 01 48 98 555, +385 1 48 98 500
fax: +385 1 48 14 340
web: www.zagreb-touristinfo.hr
e-mail: info@zagreb-touristinfo.hr