Croatia tourism faces backlash over soaring costs

Visitors to Croatia’s coast are increasingly vocal about rising prices. Posts on Reddit describe food, drinks and accommodation as "completely insane," with examples such as a plate of pasta costing twice as much as in Italy and cocktails exceeding €17. One traveler wrote, "Croatia, we love you, but we will not return," citing expenses that make the destination unaffordable compared with Greece, Italy, France or Spain.

Domestic tourists are also adjusting their behaviour. Professor Josip Mikulić of the University of Zagreb notes that official statistics show a continued rise in Croatian holiday‑makers, with about 3.1 million arrivals and 9.2 million overnight stays recorded for 2025. However, families are becoming more budget‑conscious, opting for early bookings, shorter stays, off‑peak travel and self‑catering to control costs. While the overall volume of domestic tourism remains strong, the sector is reacting to price pressures through more careful planning rather than a mass shift abroad.