Croatia has passed the 20-million-visitor mark for 2026, with tourism minister Tonči Glavina calling the year's results more than satisfying. Figures from the national eVisitor system show 20.1 million arrivals and 104.9 million overnight stays by the end of September — two percent more arrivals and one percent more nights than the same stretch last year. Full-year totals are tracking towards around 150 million overnight stays.
The money side looks just as healthy. The Croatian National Bank reports €4.587 billion in foreign visitor revenue in the first half of the year, up nearly five percent year on year, with €3.642 billion of that landing in the second quarter alone. Domestic travel is growing too: Croatian residents made 1.5 million trips and logged 4.2 million nights in the first six months, gains of seven and six percent respectively.
September itself delivered 2.6 million arrivals and 14.3 million overnight stays, both up three percent — a sign the post-season push is working. Glavina expects momentum to carry through autumn and into Advent, when Croatia's Christmas markets in Zagreb and along the coast keep rooms filled well beyond the summer beach season. The official wrap-up comes at the Days of Croatian Tourism in Poreč on 19 and 20 November, where the industry's annual awards are handed out.
There was also big news for Split. The government approved co-financing to renovate three aging sports venues: the Gripe Sports Centre, Spaladium Arena and the Park mladeži Sports Centre. The total bill is estimated at €72.7 million, with €54.5 million coming from the Ministry of Tourism and Sport. Gripe gets a full reconstruction and energy overhaul, Spaladium Arena gets structural and safety-system repairs, and Park mladeži sees its football and athletics stadium rebuilt. The timing ties into Split hosting the European University Games in 2028, though the ministry stresses the venues are meant to serve athletes and locals long after that event.
One caveat to watch: the ministry is trimming around €22 million through a budget revision. Glavina insists no announced projects will be dropped, only rescheduled, so the investment pipeline should survive — just at a slower pace in places.
For travellers, the takeaway is that Croatia is busier and more expensive-adjacent than ever, but the season is stretching. Shoulder-month trips in September and October now offer near-summer conditions with thinner crowds, and Advent season — late November through early January — has become a genuine second high season, especially in Zagreb. If Split is on your list, expect construction around its major sports venues over the next couple of years as the 2028 University Games preparations ramp up, but also a much-improved event infrastructure once the dust settles.
