Foreign Office issues ‘violence' warning to sunny EU country loved by Brits
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has updated its travel advice for Brits heading to Croatia this summer with a warning over safety at big events
Brits heading to Croatia have been given a fresh warning of 'violence' by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
Croatia remains a top destination for holidaymakers and city break enthusiasts, boasting stunning landscapes and a vibrant cultural scene. Visitors can explore historic cities like Dubrovnik, Split, and Zadar, as well as numerous islands, offering a wealth of exciting experiences.
It's clearly a big hit with Brits, with 800,000 UK travellers visiting there each year, keen to take advantage of the excellent weather, the beautiful Dalmatian Coast and the friendliness of locals.
However, the FCDO has issued a warning for anyone planning to visit the country. "Large gatherings and public events are overwhelmingly safe and peaceful in Croatia, including sporting events," the advice reads.
"However, there are periodic cases of violence between football fans around matches. Care should be taken near football stadiums around match times."
Tourists have been advised to avoid large crowds, stay informed about local developments through local media, and follow any instructions from the police. If you feel uncomfortable, it is recommended to leave the area immediately.
While Croatia is a largely peaceful and safe country, it is also one with a population that has an intense love of football. Broadly speaking, the nation is split in its allegiance between Dinamo Zagreb and Hadjuk Split. Last month violence broke out when the Capital's premier team triumphed 3-1 over their rivals.
Just shy of 150 fans were detained by police following the brawl, the Associated Press reported in May, while four fans were injured, including two seriously, and one policeman was also hurt, medical officials said.
Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said the fight was 'setting a bad example to the youth and has nothing to do with either Hajduk or Dinamo.'
The FCDO has previously issued travel advice for those heading to Croatia, which remains a largely safe country where tourists are generally treated well.
"Tourists have been overcharged at certain 'gentlemen's clubs', sometimes by thousands of euros, and threatened with violence if they refuse to pay. Pickpockets operate in tourist areas. Avoid carrying large sums of cash, do not leave valuables unattended and use hotel safes if possible," reads the Foreign Office advice.
Mirror Travel recently visited Dubrovnik, which sits on the Dalmatian Coast and is the most popular tourist destination in Croatia. It has seen its tourism fortunes rocket in recent years, fuelled by its starring role in Game of Thrones.
With great popularity comes great responsibility, as local politicians in the city explained. Mayor Franković welcomed the Mirror to his palace and explained the work he was doing to control the crowds, including helping to pass federal legislation restricting taxi licenses in the UNESCO Old Town to 700. The camera system set up to police it will be switched on later this year—a delay from the scheduled March 1 after a boulder fell from the mountain above the Old Town, killing a van driver and triggering some urgent cliff stabilisation works.
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