Local shopping in Croatia: tips & tricks

Local shopping is an essential part of experiencing the culture of the area you are visiting. From fresh local ingredients and wineries to small shops and handicrafts, there is plenty to choose from if you want to shop like the locals and avoid the tourist traps. In this article, we give you practical tips and a list of places to go for authentic local shopping in Croatia.

Credit card or cash?

The currency in Croatia is Euro and credit cards are widely accepted. However, for smaller shops, bakeries and markets, it is better to have cash on hand. The price you see in shops includes VAT and is final, while at markets it is common to bargain.

Shop opening hours generally follow European norms, except on Sundays. Croatian shops individually choose the 16 Sundays a year when they will be open. This rule does not apply to market stalls – markets are open every Sunday.

Visit the farmers’ market

Plac, pijaca, pazar, placa. Whatever you want to call it, in addition to the usual fresh produce, here you will also find local cheeses, sausages, prosciutto, olive oil, pasta, eggs, honey and liqueurs.

Whether you are in a smaller town or a larger city, markets are open every day. Most are open from early morning until 2 or 3 p.m., while on Sundays and holidays they might close earlier. You can get cheaper prices at the end of the day, and you can often bargain down the price at any time. And don’t forget to bring cash.

If you are in Pula or Split, be sure to visit their markets. And be prepared to be won over not only by the products and the atmosphere, but also by the unique architecture of the buildings they are located in.

At the crack of dawn, off to the fish market

If you want to buy fresh fish and seafood, you have to get to the fish market early in the morning. On the other hand, if you get there after business hours, you can often buy fish at a reduced price. However, you may not find what you are looking for – much of the stock is sold out in the early hours of the morning.

If you really want to shop like a local, don’t just look at the higher-priced fish. Blue fish, such as sardines and mackerel, are delicious, have many benefits, and won’t hurt your budget too much. When buying, make sure the gills are bright red, the eyes are clear, and the body is flexible. This is your guarantee that you are buying fresh fish.

Visit specialized shops with local products

Instead of shopping at a chain store, visit a smaller shop that sells local products. They are usually of better quality and can also serve as an original souvenir. In addition, you support local producers and traditions.

Specialized shops such as Butiga in Kaštelir in Istria or Lokalitet in Pula offer a wide range of products from Istrian family farms. In Stari Grad on the island of Hvar you will find the gourmet deli Za Pod Zub.

For organic meat and local delicacies, visit boutique butchers like Arman in Poreč and Taj bucheraj in Dubrovnik.

Skip the middleman – visit the producer

Buying directly from the farm or winery is a special experience because it is the best way to support the producer’s work. If you are looking for local fruit and vegetables, visit OPG Vivoda in Motovun, where you can pick your own fruit and buy it on the spot.

For cheese lovers, we recommend a visit to one of the cheese factories. If you are in Istria, treat yourself to a visit to the Kumparička cheese factory and experience a unique feast “from the field to the table”. You can also visit one of the ham factories along the way, such as OPG Pršuti Milohanić in Tinjan.

Ask the locals

When it comes to buying local products, who better to ask than the locals? They will know the best local producers and family farms. They will know which market stall has the tastiest fruit, whose olive oil is the most delicious, and which neighbor sells the best homemade liqueurs.

And if you’re lucky, they might even put you in touch with fishermen they know and arrange for you to buy fresh fish as soon as it’s caught.

Ready, set, shopping!

So, we’ve done the preparation, now it’s your turn to go shopping. And one more thing – don’t forget to enjoy the process. After all, that’s what it’s all about.

And if we’ve given you some inspiration for your next vacation, then we couldn’t be happier. Explore our offer and choose a mobile home that will be the ideal starting point for your local shopping.