Shopping

Shopping in Croatia tends to be more expensive than it is in Britain, but the quality of goods tends to be excellent. Certainly you should be prepared to spend more on food whilst in Croatia. There are many department stores for general shopping and supermarkets for food shopping in Croatia, with boutiques, jewelry shops and souvenir shops in the center of all major cities. Markets are very popular, selling fresh fruit and vegetables and traditional handicrafts at very reasonable prices. Souvenirs, traditional handicrafts like embroidery, woodcarvings and ceramics make good souvenirs and can be found in shops and local markets throughout Croatia. Shops are usually open 9am until 7.30 pm, Monday to Friday and 8am until 2pm on Saturdays. Some department stores open on Sundays from 8am until 2pm in July and August.

Zagreb:
Numerous shops, boutiques, store houses and shopping centers offer a variety of quality clothing. Zagreb's offerings include crystal, china and ceramics, wicker or straw baskets, and top-quality Croatian wines and gastronomic products.

Zagreb souvenirs:
The tie or cravat, an accessory named after Croats who wore characteristic scarves around their necks in the Thirty Years War in the 17th century. The ball-point pen, a tool developed from the inventions by Slavoljub Eduard Penkala, who was a citizen of Zagreb.

Split:
The most memorable shopping experience in Split has to be the Pazar, the open-air market, followed by Peskarija, the covered fish market, both open Monday through Saturday from 8am — 2pm, and Sunday from 8am —11am.

Visitors looking for souvenirs and gifts should check out the Podrum (the underground chambers between the Riva and Peristil), which is lined with stalls selling paintings and crafts. Dalmatian wines and rakija make perfect presents: the best place to find them is Enoteka Terra, Prilaz brace Kaliterna 6, where you can taste them before buying. Alternatively, Aromatica, Dobric 12 stocks herb-scented soaps, body creams and massage oils.

Several small, exclusive boutiques and shoe shops can be found within the palaces walls, while the big European high street names in clothes are represented along Marmontova.

Dubrovnik:
The old city is the place for shopping, though most of it is firmly geared towards the bountiful tourist trade, with prices to match. Shops generally open from around 9am and stay open until around 7 or 8pm, though opening times tend to be erratic and are more limited in the winter months. A number of small shops hug the Stradun, but it is wise to also delve down the warren of streets that break north and south from this thoroughfare to look for a few surprises. The daily market on Gunduliæeva Poljana mainly stocks fresh fruit and vegetables, but sometimes handmade lace and other unique souvenirs such as gold and silver jewelry, homemade honey and wooden handicrafts can be found here.