Croatia sees increase in tourist arrivals

In March 2026, there were 507 thousand tourist arrivals and 1.2 million tourist nights in commercial accommodation establishments in Croatia.

It was an increase of 17.0% in tourist arrivals and of 18.7% in tourist nights compared to March 2025, CE Report informs via the Croatian Bureau of Statistics.

Concerning the structure of the total realised tourist nights, 33.1% of them were domestic tourist nights, and 66.9% were foreign tourist nights. Domestic tourists realised 198 thousand arrivals and 393 thousand nights, which is 14.2% more arrivals and 13.6% more nights than in March 2025.

Once again, Slovenian tourists realised the most foreign tourist nights in Croatia in March 2026, maintaining the leading position for the third month in a row. They realised a total of 122 thousand nights, which accounted for 15.4% of the total realised foreign tourist nights. Compared to March 2025, tourists from Slovenia realised 6.2% more nights.

The most tourist nights in March 2026 realised in the County of Istria

In March 2026, the most tourist nights were realised in the County of Istria, as many as 329 thousand, which accounted for 27.7% of the total tourist nights realised in Croatia. Compared to March 2025, there was an increase in total tourist nights realised in the County of Istria of 30.2%. Domestic tourists realised 74 thousand nights, which is 20.6% more nights than in March 2025. Foreign tourists realised 255 thousand nights, which is 33.2% more nights than in March 2025.

Following the County of Istria, the most tourist nights were realised in the County of Primorje-Gorski Kotar, 193 thousand nights (16.2% of the total nights realised in Croatia) and in the City of Zagreb, 179 thousand nights (15.1% of the total nights realised in Croatia). Compared to March 2025, there were 8.7% more nights realised in the County of Primorje-Gorski Kotar and 5.8% more nights in the City of Zagreb.

Tourists aged 35 to 44 realised the most nights

The most nights in March 2026 were realised by tourists aged 35 to 44, as many as 218 thousand (which accounted for 18.4% of the total realised nights). These were followed by tourist nights realised by tourists aged 45 to 54, with 205 thousand nights (which accounted for 17.2% of the total realised nights).

Photo: Croatian Bureau of Statistics