I spent a week in Croatia – 1 thing left me totally shocked
My friends had warned me, but I still wasn't prepared for it.
Visiting Split in Croatia appealed to me as a fun and exciting trip – ideal for a last-minute weekend getaway. As one the prime filming locations for Game of Thrones and well-known for its stunning beaches, I was excited for the trip ahead. The flights and Airbnb were reasonable too, amounting to a total of just under £200.
However, when I arrived, 1 thing left me totally shocked. While locals were incredibly friendly and the city was great for meeting new people, I struggled to comprehend 1 aspect of the trip in particular.
From the moment a friend and I arrived, prices were high. I'd heard Split could be pricey, but I was still surprised by how fast my spending added up.
While Split is one of Croatia's pricier cities, officially becoming the country's most expensive city for property in May this year, according to Opereta Real Estate, coming from London, I couldn't imagine it being much more expensive.
Nevertheless, I was quickly proven wrong when 2 alcoholic drinks amounted to a total of €42 (approximately £36.43). This was significantly more expensive than what I'd usually pay in London, where a cocktail at a bar chain typically costs between £11 and £15.
Although our supermarket trips in Split didn’t feel significantly more expensive than a food shop at home, the costs added up throughout the week – and it makes sense why.
Numbeo declares that the cost of living in London is 54.3% higher than in Split, excluding rent. However, several small but frequent holiday purchases are actually more expensive in Split.
The global database shows that certain fast-food meals, like a McDonald’s Combo Meal, soft drinks like Coca-Cola or Pepsi, bottled water and local cheeses are all more expensive in Split than in England’s capital.
While the city offers plenty of free activities for tourists, like sunbathing on the beach or wondering through Diocletian’s Palace, it may take careful planning for Brits to avoid spending more than they hope to.
Researching reasonable food options beforehand can help Brits save money on their trip. Examples for quick on-the-go lunches or snacks include takeaway pasta from Bigoli which ranges between €7.50 and €9.90 (approximately £6.48 and £8.55) and pizza slices from local bakeries which range from €2 to €4 (approximately £1.73 and £3.45).
