Croatia has 14 national public holidays each year. Most shops, banks and public offices close, while restaurants, attractions and transport services may operate on reduced or special schedules.
If a public holiday falls during your trip, buy essential supplies in advance, check transport timetables and confirm opening hours directly with the places you plan to visit. Public holidays that fall on a weekend are not automatically moved to the following Monday.
Public Holidays in Croatia at a Glance
The following dates are official public holidays and non-working days throughout Croatia:
- 1 January – New Year’s Day
Nova godina - 6 January – Epiphany
Bogojavljenje ili Sveta tri kralja - Easter Sunday – Date changes each year
Uskrs - Easter Monday – Date changes each year
Uskrsni ponedjeljak - 1 May – International Workers’ Day
Praznik rada - 30 May – Statehood Day
Dan državnosti - Corpus Christi – Date changes each year
Tijelovo - 22 June – Anti-Fascist Struggle Day
Dan antifašističke borbe - 5 August – Victory and Homeland Thanksgiving Day and Croatian Veterans Day
Dan pobjede i domovinske zahvalnosti i Dan hrvatskih branitelja - 15 August – Assumption of Mary
Velika Gospa - 1 November – All Saints’ Day
Svi sveti - 18 November – Remembrance Day for Homeland War Victims and the Victims of Vukovar and Škabrnja
Dan sjećanja na žrtve Domovinskog rata i Dan sjećanja na žrtvu Vukovara i Škabrnje - 25 December – Christmas Day
Božić - 26 December – St Stephen’s Day
Sveti Stjepan
Movable Public Holiday Dates
Easter and Corpus Christi change date every year.
In 2026:
- Easter Sunday: 5 April
- Easter Monday: 6 April
- Corpus Christi: 4 June
In 2027:
- Easter Sunday: 28 March
- Easter Monday: 29 March
- Corpus Christi: 27 May
Croatia also observes several memorial and commemorative days that are not national non-working days. Do not assume that every date marked on a Croatian calendar will affect normal opening hours.
What Is Open and Closed on Croatian Public Holidays?
Opening hours vary by location, season and type of business. Tourist destinations can remain lively during summer holidays, but visitors should not expect all shops or services to be available.
Shops and Supermarkets
Shops and supermarkets are generally closed on Croatian public holidays, including those in popular coastal destinations. It is best to buy groceries, water and other essentials on the previous day.
Croatian law allows certain exceptions, including some shops located at:
- petrol stations;
- airports, railway stations and bus stations;
- public ports and ferry terminals;
- hotels, campsites and marinas;
- museums and visitor centres;
- protected natural areas.
Newspaper kiosks may also operate for limited hours. However, an exemption does not guarantee that an individual shop will open, so always check locally.
Restaurants and Cafés
Restaurants, cafés and bars can open on public holidays because they follow different rules from retail shops. In major tourist destinations, many remain open during the summer season.
Smaller family-run restaurants may close or operate shorter hours, particularly on Easter Sunday, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Reservations are advisable in destinations with limited dining options.
Banks, Post Offices and Public Services
Banks, post offices, municipal offices and most other public institutions are normally closed. ATMs and card payments continue to work, although carrying a small amount of cash can be useful on islands and in smaller villages.
Museums, Attractions and National Parks
Museums, monuments, national parks and other attractions set their own holiday schedules. Some remain open with shorter hours, while others close completely on major religious holidays.
Do not rely only on the opening hours displayed in Google Maps. Check the attraction’s official website or contact its visitor centre before travelling.
Pharmacies and Petrol Stations
Many regular pharmacies close or shorten their hours, but designated duty pharmacies operate according to local schedules. If you need essential medication, collect it before the holiday.
Petrol stations frequently remain open, especially along motorways and main roads, but smaller stations can have reduced hours.
How Public Holidays Affect Transport in Croatia
Public transport usually continues operating, but services may follow a Sunday or public holiday timetable. Frequencies can be lower, particularly outside the main summer season.
Ferries
Ferries and catamarans normally operate on public holidays, but departure times may differ from weekday schedules. Summer holidays such as 5 August and 15 August can coincide with heavy demand on popular island routes.
Travellers taking a car onto a ferry should arrive early and book in advance where reservations are available. Check our Sea Travel guide for ferry planning information.
Buses and Trains
Intercity buses generally continue running, although some regional and local departures may be reduced. Train services can also follow a Sunday or holiday schedule.
Check the operator’s current timetable before departure and allow extra time for connections. More information is available in our guides to bus travel in Croatia and train travel.
Flights and Airport Transfers
Croatian airports remain operational on public holidays, and scheduled flights normally continue. Airport buses, local buses, car rental desks and private transfer services may use adjusted hours, so confirm your onward transport before arrival.
Summer Public Holidays Travellers Should Know
Several Croatian public holidays fall during or close to the main travel season:
- 30 May – Statehood Day
- Corpus Christi – usually in May or June
- 22 June – Anti-Fascist Struggle Day
- 5 August – Victory and Homeland Thanksgiving Day
- 15 August – Assumption of Mary
On these dates, supermarkets and most shops are likely to close even in busy coastal resorts. Ferries, buses, roads and restaurants can be busier, particularly when a holiday creates a long weekend.
Assumption Day on 15 August is also an important religious celebration. Processions, pilgrimages and local events can affect traffic around churches and pilgrimage destinations.
How to Prepare for a Public Holiday
Complete these simple checks on the previous day:
- Buy groceries, drinking water and essential supplies.
- Collect any necessary medication.
- Confirm ferry, bus or train departure times.
- Check museum, national park and attraction opening hours.
- Reserve a restaurant if dining options are limited.
- Fill your vehicle with fuel before travelling to a remote area.
- Allow extra time around public ceremonies and local events.
For wider transport and itinerary advice, see our Getting Around Croatia guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are shops open on public holidays in Croatia?
Most shops and supermarkets are closed. Certain outlets at petrol stations, transport hubs, hotels, campsites, marinas, museums and protected natural areas may open as legal exceptions, but their hours should be checked individually.
Are restaurants open on Croatian public holidays?
Many restaurants and cafés remain open, especially in coastal resorts during summer. Smaller establishments may close or shorten their hours on major religious holidays.
Do ferries operate on public holidays?
Most ferry and catamaran routes continue operating, but they may use a Sunday or holiday timetable. Popular routes can be busy during summer public holidays, so check the schedule and arrive early.
Do buses and trains run on public holidays?
Yes, but some services operate less frequently. Regional and local connections are more likely to be affected than major intercity routes.
Are Croatian public holidays moved to Monday?
No. When a public holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, it is not automatically transferred to the following Monday.
Are museums and national parks open?
Opening hours vary. Some attractions remain open with shorter hours, while others close. Always check the official website before setting out.
Which Croatian public holidays change date every year?
Easter Sunday, Easter Monday and Corpus Christi are movable holidays. All other Croatian national public holidays have fixed calendar dates.
Plan Your Croatia Trip
A public holiday does not have to disrupt your visit. With a little preparation, you can still travel, dine out and enjoy Croatia’s attractions without unnecessary surprises.
Use our Plan Your Trip hub to organise transport, accommodation, car rental and other practical details before departure.
For the official national list, consult the Croatian National Tourist Board’s public holiday information. Opening rules for retail businesses are explained in the Croatian Trade Act.
