Croatia Shopping and nightlife
Shopping in Croatia
Croatia offers a good range of locally made food products, handicrafts and regional specialities. Popular purchases include extra-virgin olive oil from Istria and Dalmatia, truffle products from Istria, honey, dried figs, lavender products and Croatian wines and spirits. Pag is particularly known for its intricate handmade lace, while traditional Licitar hearts – brightly decorated ornamental biscuits – are a distinctive souvenir from Zagreb and northern Croatia.
Other traditional crafts include ceramics, embroidery, woodwork and jewellery, with styles varying considerably between regions. Shops selling Croatian-designed clothing, accessories and contemporary crafts are increasingly common in Zagreb, Split, Dubrovnik and other larger tourist centres.
Open-air markets are found throughout the country and are good places to buy fresh produce and local food products. Zagreb's Dolac Market is the best known, while Split's Pazar and markets in coastal towns are particularly lively in the morning. In heavily visited areas, travellers should check the origin and quality of products marketed as locally made, as some souvenir goods are imported.
Bargaining is not customary in shops, where prices are fixed, although some polite negotiation may be possible at flea markets and certain souvenir or craft stalls.
Opening hours vary, but shops generally open Mon-Sat from around 08:00 to 20:00 or later. Shopping centres and supermarkets often have longer hours. Sunday opening is restricted by law, although exemptions apply to certain businesses and locations, including some shops at transport hubs and during designated trading Sundays.
Nightlife in Croatia
Zagreb has Croatia's most varied year-round nightlife, with bars, pubs, live-music venues and clubs concentrated around the city centre and several surrounding districts. The streets around Tkalčićeva are particularly popular for evening drinks, while the city also has a strong programme of concerts, theatre and cultural events.
Along the Adriatic coast, nightlife becomes much livelier during the summer. Split has busy bars and clubs around the historic centre and waterfront, while Hvar Town is known for stylish bars and late-night venues attracting an international crowd. Dubrovnik offers atmospheric bars within the Old City as well as several larger nightlife venues.
For a more intensive summer party scene, Zrće Beach on the island of Pag is one of Croatia's best-known nightlife destinations, with large open-air clubs, festivals and international DJs. Elsewhere on the coast and islands, evenings tend to centre on waterfront cafés, wine bars, live music and seasonal festivals rather than large nightclubs.
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