If you have ever visited Croatia, you know how beautiful it is. Raw nature, clean air, crystal clear sea, drinkable tap water everywhere. Its natural riches are so abundant that people sometimes forget they have a role in its preservation.

In recent years, Croatia has seen devastating consequences of mass tourism. Piles of garbage, polluted beaches, and even a decreased air quality due to increased traffic in the country. During the pandemic, the situation suddenly reversed. Because of the reduced number of tourists during the summer season of 2020, Croatia saw a rapid change in its people's quality of life. The air was cleaner and the pollution was minimal. Therefore, it has become paramount that something changes in the tourist industry.

In the last couple of years, sustainable tourism has been repeatedly recognized as one of the best visions for the future of tourism. If you are interested in spending a sustainable vacation in Croatia, check out our 5-step list below!

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Look For Eco-Friendly Accommodation

Small family farms with lodgings or an old stone villa on the Adriatic coast – Croatia has a lot to offer if you are looking for a genuine, eco-conscious experience. Many tourist accommodations in the country today are trying to figure out how to be as sustainable and self-sufficient as possible. If you are interested in staying in an eco-friendly villa in Croatia, click here. Apart from private houses, you can opt for an eco-friendly hotel such as Valamar or Falkensteiner. Zero plastic waste policy, sustainable materials, natural cosmetics, holistic cuisine, tree planting, and various environmental initiatives – are just a handful of projects these hotels are invested in.

Buy Local

Whether you are buying food in a local market, looking for a perfect souvenir to bring home, or just needing a new piece of clothing, be sure to buy local articles. Not only will you purchase a unique product, but you will also contribute to the local community. There are numerous forgotten traditional practices that local entrepreneurs and artisans bring back to life. In addition, you will probably learn something new about the local tradition and culture, which is a big plus!

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Eat Local

Pretty similar to the former, this step is about local cuisine. Try to avoid chain restaurants that you have at home and indulge your palate with unique traditional dishes. You can't miss this: fresh fish and seafood, local meat, homemade pasta, and autochthonic wine! Visit local farms and family restaurants, and you will not be disappointed.

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Enjoy your day at a Blue Flag beach

Croatia is abundant with beautiful sand and pebble beaches that have a pretty high standard concerning the quality of seawater and beach amenities such as wheelchair access, dog control, first aid, safety, etc. The beaches with the highest score in these categories are awarded a Blue Flag, a European eco-award given only to the beaches that fulfil all the criteria. When staying on a Blue flag Beach, your safe visit is guaranteed. For more information, click here.

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Recycle

This one is a bit obvious, but it doesn't hurt to bring it to mind again. You can recycle plastic, metal, glass, and paper almost everywhere in Croatia. Each neighbourhood has at least one so-called "eco-island" with different trash containers; in some counties, each building or house has its own. The blue container is for paper waste disposal; the yellow one is usually for plastic, glass, and metal waste, and the orange one for tetra packaging. The green or brown container is for bio-waste. Depending on the county you are staying in, this rule can be slightly different. Be sure to check before you throw anything away!

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