According to data from the national tourism information system eVisitor, Croatia recorded more than 5 million arrivals and 31.4 million overnight stays in August, up 2% and 0.5% respectively compared with the same month in 2025.
This marks an unprecedented level for the country, which for the first time exceeds the 5 million arrivals mark in a single month. In the first eight months of the year, several regions concentrated the majority of visitation, with Istria, Central Dalmatia, and the Kvarner region leading in overnight stays.
Between January and August 2026, Istria recorded 25.4 million overnight stays, ahead of the Split-Dalmatia region with more than 17 million, and the Kvarner with 15.2 million.
In terms of destinations, Rovinj, Dubrovnik, Poreč, Split, Umag, and Medulin are among the most frequented. According to Tonči Glavina, the Croatian Minister of Tourism and Sports, the evolution of the figures notably reflects changes in travel habits, with shorter stays and a greater focus on budgets. The gap between the growth in arrivals (+2%) and overnight stays (+0.5%) in August points in this direction.
The ministry now aims to concentrate its efforts on the shoulder season and the winter period, while a substantial portion of the tourist year remains to come.
This marks an unprecedented level for the country, which for the first time exceeds the 5 million arrivals mark in a single month. In the first eight months of the year, several regions concentrated the majority of visitation, with Istria, Central Dalmatia, and the Kvarner region leading in overnight stays.
Between January and August 2026, Istria recorded 25.4 million overnight stays, ahead of the Split-Dalmatia region with more than 17 million, and the Kvarner with 15.2 million.
In terms of destinations, Rovinj, Dubrovnik, Poreč, Split, Umag, and Medulin are among the most frequented. According to Tonči Glavina, the Croatian Minister of Tourism and Sports, the evolution of the figures notably reflects changes in travel habits, with shorter stays and a greater focus on budgets. The gap between the growth in arrivals (+2%) and overnight stays (+0.5%) in August points in this direction.
The ministry now aims to concentrate its efforts on the shoulder season and the winter period, while a substantial portion of the tourist year remains to come.
The French market slightly down
Since the start of 2026, Croatia has welcomed more than 400,000 French tourists, representing nearly 1.5 million overnight stays. However, French tourism has shown a slight decline compared with the same period in 2025.
The Croatian National Tourism Board puts this trend into perspective with the broader slowdown in French departures to European destinations.
Some segments still show growth. This is notably the case for nautical tourism, which totals more than 10,000 French arrivals and close to 75,000 overnight stays between January and August 2026. Over the year, arrivals are up 11% and overnight stays up 12%.
Another trend highlighted by the Croatian National Tourism Office is a diversification of destinations chosen by French travelers. Less-visited areas so far, such as Varaždin, Međimurje and Osijek-Baranja, are gaining visibility.
“These new ways of discovering Croatia fully align with the evolution we want to support,” notes Slađana Mićić, director of the Croatian National Tourism Office in France.
The Croatian National Tourism Board puts this trend into perspective with the broader slowdown in French departures to European destinations.
Some segments still show growth. This is notably the case for nautical tourism, which totals more than 10,000 French arrivals and close to 75,000 overnight stays between January and August 2026. Over the year, arrivals are up 11% and overnight stays up 12%.
Another trend highlighted by the Croatian National Tourism Office is a diversification of destinations chosen by French travelers. Less-visited areas so far, such as Varaždin, Međimurje and Osijek-Baranja, are gaining visibility.
“These new ways of discovering Croatia fully align with the evolution we want to support,” notes Slađana Mićić, director of the Croatian National Tourism Office in France.
Published by Amelia Brille TourMaG.com Writer See all articles by Amelia Brille
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