Published on
January 8, 2026
In 2025, the Czech Republic joined Germany, Slovenia, Austria, Poland, and the United Kingdom in playing a pivotal role in Croatia’s tourism growth, contributing to record-breaking results across the pre-season, post-season, and December. With over 21.8 million arrivals and 110.1 million overnight stays, the country saw impressive growth driven by these key international markets. The combination of strong performances during off-peak periods, particularly in December, showcased Croatia’s appeal as a year-round destination, drawing significant numbers of visitors from these countries. This surge in tourism underscores Croatia’s increasing prominence on the global travel map, fueled by consistent demand from both traditional and emerging markets.
In 2025, Croatia achieved a significant milestone in its tourism industry, welcoming more than 21.8 million arrivals and recording 110.1 million overnight stays, according to the national eVisitor system. This marked a 2% increase in arrivals and a 1% rise in overnight stays compared to the previous year. These numbers reflect Croatia’s continued appeal as a top destination for travelers, driven by strong performances both along the Adriatic coast and in inland regions.
The Adriatic coast remained the heart of Croatia’s tourism, with destinations like Dubrovnik, Rovinj, and Split continuing to attract visitors, accounting for 104.6 million overnight stays. This was a 1% increase over the previous year, reaffirming the region’s status as one of the most sought-after Mediterranean spots. Meanwhile, continental Croatia, including Zagreb, showed encouraging growth with 5.6 million overnight stays, a 2% increase from 2024. This indicates that Croatia’s tourism sector is becoming more evenly distributed across the country, making it a more attractive year-round destination.
2025 was a year of records for Croatia. The country witnessed an extraordinary rise in both pre-season and post-season visits, with December marking the highest number of overnight stays ever recorded for that month. The country surpassed 110 million overnight stays for the first time, a major achievement that reflects the strength of Croatia’s tourism offerings. Revenues from tourism also reached new heights, and significant progress was made in reforming the country’s accommodation capacities to better meet demand.
The growth trend continued into the final months of the year. December saw over 1 million overnight stays, a record-breaking achievement that reflected the expanding appeal of the destination during the off-season. Major cities like Zagreb, Opatija, Split, and Dubrovnik experienced high demand, showing that Croatia’s tourism industry is increasingly thriving beyond the summer months.
However, as Croatia looks to 2026, it is clear that there will be new challenges ahead. Global instability, economic pressure from key European markets, and evolving travel trends were noted as potential hurdles. Experts emphasized that maintaining price competitiveness will be crucial for the upcoming year. The success of 2025 will need to be sustained through strategic, coordinated efforts across Croatia’s tourism sector to address these external challenges.
In terms of regional performance, Istria remained the top tourism destination, recording 30.3 million overnight stays. Its rich cultural heritage, beautiful landscapes, and well-developed infrastructure continue to draw large numbers of visitors. Following Istria, the Split-Dalmatia region achieved 20.9 million overnight stays, while Kvarner reached 18.5 million. Other regions, such as Zadar County (15.5 million), Dubrovnik-Neretva (9.3 million), and Šibenik-Knin (6.6 million), all saw solid performances, contributing to Croatia’s overall tourism success.
International markets played a key role in Croatia’s growth. Tourists from Germany were the largest group, generating 22.3 million overnight stays. German visitors have long been a vital source of tourism for Croatia, and their continued presence was crucial to the country’s success. Domestic tourists contributed 13.8 million overnight stays, while visitors from neighboring Slovenia (11.1 million), Austria (8.2 million), Poland (7.3 million), and the Czech Republic (4.9 million) further strengthened Croatia’s tourism performance. The United Kingdom also played a significant role with 4.1 million overnight stays.
Looking ahead, the Croatian National Tourist Board (HTZ) plans to focus on promoting high-end and sustainable tourism in 2026. Their strategy includes strengthening relationships with airlines, tour operators, and travel platforms, as well as rolling out targeted digital marketing campaigns. HTZ also intends to continue supporting initiatives like the “Local Host” project, which encourages bookings in Croatian households. Ensuring quality service and value for money will remain at the heart of the country’s tourism approach, aiming to attract well-informed travelers seeking genuine experiences.
The holiday season proved to be another strong period for Croatian tourism. From December 24 to January 1, the country recorded over 188,000 arrivals and 541,000 overnight stays, marking an 8% increase from the same period in 2024. Demand was highest in Zagreb, Dubrovnik, Opatija, Poreč, and Split, with both hotel and private accommodations playing important roles. Hotels accounted for 279,000 overnight stays, while private households generated 128,000, further illustrating the diverse range of accommodation options available to travelers.
In 2025, the Czech Republic, alongside Germany, Slovenia, Austria, Poland, and the UK, helped fuel Croatia’s tourism growth, contributing to record-breaking pre-season, post-season, and December results, showcasing the country’s year-round appeal.
With its diverse offerings, from bustling cities to peaceful coastal retreats, Croatia’s tourism sector continues to thrive. As the country looks to the future, it is well-positioned to maintain its growth trajectory while adapting to new trends and global challenges. Croatia’s commitment to sustainable tourism and its focus on providing high-quality, authentic experiences will ensure that it remains a leading destination in Europe for years to come.
