Time Out Croatia news

While residents of the Croatian capital, Zagreb, are being courted by the return of drive-in cinemas, film fans in the east of Croatia have an altogether different offer enticing them back to the flicks. This weekend will see the first boat cinema set out on the Danube river in Vukovar. Johann Strauss II's 'The Blue Danube (An der schönen, blauen Donau)', as famously used in Stanley Kubrick's '2001: A Space Odyssey' More of a sail-in than a drive-in, the Magenta 1, run by Danubiumtours, will set off from the shores of the town at 9pm every Friday and Saturday to offer the unique cinema-going experience. Their boat is powered by solar panels and so its quiet, electric motor will not disturb the wild surroundings while en route nor the film during screening. Every Friday is so far reserved for documentary films, with the opening edition set to show a film about The Beatles. Saturdays will be for feature films, with the Oscar-winning Korean film 'Parasite' lined up for this first week. The town is well known for attracting film fans to the Danube as it already hosts the well-attended Vukovar Film Festival.

Just as the country's sailing and yachting sector are returning to relatively normal operations, so too are innovations within Croatia's associated industries. One such innovation is that a boat made from cannabis will be built in the Istrian village of Kaštelir. Taking its power from the sun's rays via solar panels mounted atop, the boat will be an altogether green option for taking to the high seas.Luciano Beg, the owner of Marservis, a ship construction company from Kaštelir, is the mastermind behind the scheme. He recognised the potential for using the fibres of hemp (the name of the cannabis plant when grown for industrial purposes) in tandem with resin to construct a boat hull. In cooperation with the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture in Zagreb, Marservis has designed a 15-metre long catamaran which was successfully submitted to a public contest of IRI, an EU investment fund.   © Marservis d.o.o.   'Our project passed all three stages of the contest,' the Marservis director told Time Out. 'The only stage now remaining is signing the contract to release the funds.'  Beg is confident that the construction will begin within a month of the fund's release and the boat be completed within three years. Once finished, the boat would be able to carry you and 150 of your best buds. Despite being a small company (with a total number of 15 employees), Marservis is internationally renowned for its innovation. Founded in 1994, the company gained success as a

With uncertainty currently at every corner, it's worth being reminded that some things never change. A new video released by the Croatian National Tourist Board does just that. Titled 'The vacation you deserve is closer than you think', the 30-second film sends the message that the best aspects of a holiday in Croatia are open to all in 2020, just like any other year. Croatia is one of the safest countries to visit in any year, even more so at present. With thousands of kilometres of unspoiled coastline, the country is one of the best places where you can escape to. Its pristine beaches, dependable sunshine, crystal-clear seas, natural beauty and outdoor activities are all showcased in the video and are accessible this year, just like any other. In the past two weeks, Croatia has started to welcome the first international visitors who will take advantage of them.

The sun has shone strongly across the Dubrovnik city walls for well over six weeks now. The month of May should have seen Dubrovnik's tourist season in full swing. But, the streets have been almost empty. One of the most popular city destinations on the Mediterranean, Dubrovnik's unique architecture, history and well-established hospitality has been drawing the travelling elite for over 100 years. In the last two decades, they've been joined by thousands disembarking each day from huge cruise ships. But the city port now lies relatively silent. You can walk the alleyways alone.   © Sasa Sobot   Croatia's successful handling of the pandemic has now allowed travel restrictions to be lifted. Over the last two weeks, visitors have started to return. The Croatia that greets them – quiet, calm, unhurried, relaxed and peaceful – is unlike any most past visitors will have known. In Dubrovnik, like elsewhere, people have spent their time refurbishing premises and at home with family. But now, with the smell of fresh paint still in the air, the restaurant tables are being arranged and the sound of unfamiliar languages can once again be heard on the streets.   © Maris Cosmai Pavičević   As Dubrovnik wakes from its enforced slumber, we interview three of the city's leading industry insiders, each operating in very different aspects of the city's tourist-reliant business sector. They reflect on life under lockdown - a bittersweet gift that's offered pause for thought – and look forwar

The marvellous Makarska Riviera stretches 60 kilometers down the southern Croatian coast between the towns of Brela and Gradac.  On one side, it's flanked by the awe-inspiring Adriatic, and on the other, the region's guardian Biokovo mountain range. Everyone can find their vibe on the Makarska Riviera, from families seeking relaxation and professional athletes training on the area's diverse terrains to bird watchers flocking to Biokovo and artists searching for their Makarska muse. No matter their walk of life, the Makarska Riviera offers all of its visitors a year-round escape full of Mediterranean marvels. For A-Z information on this alluring area, check out the web channels of (very aptly named) organisation All In Makarska Riviera - fully run by in-the-know locals. We're here to bring you a glimpse of the goodness with some eye-candy towns you'll find on the Makarska Riviera. Podgora   © All in Makarska Riviera     © All in Makarska Riviera   Tučepi   © All in Makarska Riviera     © All in Makarska Riviera   Makarska   © All in Makarska Riviera     © All in Makarska Riviera   Živogošće   © All in Makarska Riviera     © All in Makarska Riviera   Brela    © All in Makarska Riviera     © All in Makarska Riviera  

Are daydreams of lazing on sun-kissed Mediterranean beaches, sipping sweet wine next to the vineyards it grew from and savouring fresh-off-the-boat seafood on your mind? Croatia (along with Greece, Italy and Spain) is, under special circumstances, delivering such experiences to travellers as soon as this summer. On May 9, Croatia reopened its borders to travellers, but only if they're able to provide necessary documentation. What's required is: proof of accommodation reservations, the address(es) visitors plan to stay at, contact numbers and precise lengths of stay. The need for documentation doesn't apply to relatives and partners of Croatian citizens. The documentation process is mandatory through June 15 - though this date and all travel restrictions are subject to change according to future decisions by the Croatian government. Upon arrival to Croatia and approval of entry, most visitors are currently not subject to the mandatory two-week self-isolation period that was previously required. However, the period is still imposed on individuals who have been in contact with anyone infected with COVID-19. Otherwise, visitors are given a pamphlet containing the Croatian Institute of Public Health's official instructions which must be followed for the first two weeks of their stay. Inter-county travel via roadway, sea and air is allowed throughout Croatia at this time. International flights are being reinstated at the discretion of individual airlines and countries. For internat

A new Museum of Illusions has opened in the city of Split. The city is a popular visitor destination and as it is now prepared to receive anyone who travels there, instigators of the museum saw no point to further delay the new attraction's opening. The family fun centre has flung open its doors to the first customers this week.   © Museum of Illusions Split     © Museum of Illusions Split     © Museum of Illusions Split   Located in the city centre next to Josip Juraj Strossmayer park, which lies immediately behind Diocletian's Palace, the museum offers the chance to see things from new perspectives. Like the Museum of Illusions in Zagreb, its interactive exhibits are aimed towards all ages of the family and, though some are based on science, the experience is intended to be lighthearted and fun.   © Museum of Illusions Split     © Museum of Illusions Split     © Museum of Illusions Split   Galleries and museums across Croatia were among the first public institutions to have access restrictions lifted and allow the public back inside. They have now been joined by bars, cafes, restaurants and even nightclubs, as the country edges back to normal.   © Museum of Illusions Split     © Museum of Illusions Split   The Museum of Illusions in Split is open every day from 9am until 10pm. Entry costs 40 kuna for adults, 25 kuna for children or 100 kuna for a family group.

121 cases of COVID-19 are currently being treated in Croatia. Out of a total of 2243 confirmed cases in the country, 2023 have recovered. Read on to find the latest travel (within, into, and out of Croatia) information as of May 23, 2020.    TRAVEL AND MOVEMENT WITHIN CROATIA   Civilian movement restrictions across Croatia  The following establishments are open. Businesses and venues must act in accordance with given hygiene and sanitation laws - which may vary from establishment to establishment.     * Cultural establishments (museums, theaters, cinemas, libraries, reading rooms) * Stores selling any type of good - stores with over 10 working hours are required to implement breaks mid-way to ensure disinfection of their interiors * Individual public space stands selling fruit, vegetables and flowers * Gas stations * Kiosks * Banks * Post offices * Marketplace stores and stands * Hairdressers and beauty salons  * Public and private healthcare establishments * Restaurants and cafes * Shopping malls * National parks and nature parks * Gatherings of over 40 people  Stores are closed on Sundays, with the exception of bakeries, kiosks, some pharmacies, and gas stations. Check individual business and venue websites for specific working hours. Leaving the house should be still done following rules of the National Civil Protection Headquarters. Public transport restrictions across Croatia  * Public transport lines (buses, trams trains, cable cars, funiculars) are in function * Taxis

Two months have passed since an earthquake, measuring 5.4 on the Richter Scale, hit Zagreb hard. Thanks to emergency responders' diligence, medical and construction efforts, strong community support, and the city's undying spirit, Zagreb is on its way to recovery.  Zagreb is no stranger to hardships - but from a visit to the equal-parts-lively-and-lovely city, you wouldn't know it.  Let's, then, honour this resilient city and explore its recent history of natural disasters to see how it's risen out of each struggle ever stronger. The Zagreb Fire of May 30-31, 1731 Fighting off years of foreign invasion and emerging victorious, the once-town of Gradec (today a Zagreb neighbourhood) was proclaimed free by King Béla IV of Hungary in 1242. The King issued Gradec an official edict (today carefully kept in the Croatian State Archives) which made it a self-governing city.   The 'Golden Bull' edict of 1242, currently held in the Croatian State ArchivesFrom the Croatian State Archives   Citizens celebrated and reinforced this achievement by building, in the 1260s, a series of fortifications (pictured below) comprised of walls and gates - including what is today known as the Stone Gate. Located in the modern-day Gornji grad (Upper Town), this gate stood as a symbol of the importance of independence to the people of Gradec.   Modern-day Zagreb was once two separate towns - Gradec and Kaptol.© Zagreb city schools     Gradec town sits above Kaptol town. Depiction of the towns from th

Long term weather forecasts released in the past week predict another long, hot summer for Croatia. While the next few months look unsettled for some (elsewhere in Europe, storms and drought are predicted), summer in Croatia looks as though it will be yet another filled with sunshine. Croatia's summer is usually one of the most reliable in Europe, with hot sunny days lasting from spring right until mid-autumn. Over recent years, people taking advantage of the warm weather and warm waters have been seen swimming in the Adriatic as late as October. The long term forecast was published by reliable source AccuWeather. The company is 58-years-old and has a substantial reputation for the accuracy of its global weather predictions.