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Prices in Croatia – Stores, markets, restaurants and accommodation

24.02.2020
Hint and tips

PLAN YOUR DREAM TRIP

TO CROATIA

The prices in Croatia are among the lowest in the European Union. However, if you are staying in the elite destination, expect higher costs. Still, that will be far less than you would pay in some other European holiday destination. Bear in mind that the official currency is Croatian Kuna (HRK) if you are paying with cash. It has a stable exchange rate because it’s pegged to Euro. 1 EUR will get you 7.5 HRK +/- 5%, depending on a current exchange rate.

General overview of prices in Croatia

As a rule of thumb, the more northern you are from the coast — further inland — the cheaper it gets. With the exception, of course, of the elite resorts. We are talking about hotels, spa centers, restaurants, and cafes. Not the store or market prices. We’ll refer to that part separately, later on.

On the coast, things can become costly.

It mostly depends on where you are staying. For example, the string of cafes and restaurants along the Soline beach in central Dalmatia, offer food and drinks at fairly low prices. Considering the fact that you are eating just a yard from the shoreline, €5 for a great dish of calamari and french fries is not that much.

There are places on the coast where you can literally dine in the sea.

But go south to King’s Landing and the story will turn in another direction. Pizza on Dubrovnik’s main street, Stradun, is around €13. In comparison, the same-size pizza in any city or a town in central Croatia will go for €4. If you want to eat beside a Hollywood star, you’ll have to pay for the privilege. Same goes for sipping macchiato along the sea line on some elite promenade. Take Split for example.

Bars and restaurants along the Split’s promenade have a bit higher price in Croatia. However, consider the proximity of the sea and the fact that the building behind you is, in fact, a Roman Palace, built by the Roman Emperor Diocletian hundreds of years ago. €2-€2.5 for a cup. Move inland and the price will drop to €0.80. It may not sound dramatic but accumulation over a week-long period may generate a significant difference.

Prices in Croatia – stores and markets

German supermarket retailer, Lidl, has a simple policy. Equal prices for every store in the country. Bread, meat, fruits, and vegetables all cost the same in Dubrovnik and in some less famous locations in the north of Croatia.

Other supermarkets do form the prices differently, depending on the demand but the differences are more or less insignificant.

On average, you can buy 1 kg of fresh meat (pork chop) for €4 or less. Pate (100 g can) goes from €0.6 to €1, depending on the brand and quality. A bottle of water (500 ml) is around €0.7 in supermarkets. In gas stations, you’ll pay double that price.

If you want to buy a fresh fish on the fish market in some of the coastal towns, say, seabass, it will cost you around €9 per kilo. In the restaurant, that same fish will drain €50 out of your pocket, on average.

Green markets along the coast tend to keep a bit higher prices than supermarkets. So, if you have the will and the means, buy your fruits and vegetable there. If not, get ready to pay €2.5-€3 per kilo of tomatoes. That same kilo will go for €1.3 in Lidl, for example.

If you are aiming for the organic growth or high quality, authentic produce, make sure to check the retailer’s license. The Croatian government is very strict on these matters so there should be a visible sign that looks like any of these:

Accommodation prices in Croatia

There are two main factors that determine the price:

The time of the year
The location

Let’s say that you want to come in the heat of the season. What prices can you expect?

Bed and breakfast in a less elite hotel on the coast will be around €40 at the peak of the season. That is if you find a vacant room.
As a rule of thumb, more the stars you see on the resort, higher the price. Same as in every other place on the planet.
All-inclusive week in a 4-star hotel will cost you, on average, €2,100/person.
Camping spot for the tent right next to the beach will revolve around €40 (includes parking spot and free Wi-Fi by default).
Private accommodation in an apartment up to 200 meters from the beach goes from €30 to €50 a day. It depends on the stars and the proximity of the sea. However, that money can fit 6 persons in a single apartment. A good option for a small group of friends or a family holiday.

HINT: Book your week in January or February. You’ll save up to 30%!

The prices in Croatia, even in the heat of the season are still much lower than those in other European holiday destinations. If you use common sense, you should spend less than you would in your hometown. This particularly goes for folks from the UK and Scandinavian countries.

So, don’t worry about your wallet. Just book early in the year and check the price list before you order your meal. If money concerns you in any way.

Your CTC Team, I.K.

Ethical Manifest

“We promote Croatia — but we don’t sell its soul.”

At ComeToCroatia.Holiday, we believe that the beauty of Croatia — its hidden beaches, forests, villages, and cliffs — is not a commodity, but a legacy.

That’s why:

We promote responsible travel: respect for nature, people, and local culture.
We share only what can withstand attention — not every trail, not every cove.
We encourage visits to lesser-known places, but never at the cost of their authenticity.
We support the local economy — small businesses, local products, and family-run stays.
We educate travelers to leave a mark of the heart, not a trail of trash.