What animals live in Croatia?

Croatia is packed with wild creatures worth knowing about! Brown bears roam the forests of the Dinaric Alps, and gray wolves hunt through the dense woodlands. The rivers and lakes — especially around Plitvice — are home to otters, and the skies fill with white storks and eagles. Croatia's coastline along the Adriatic Sea brings in loggerhead sea turtles, dolphins, and even the occasional monk seal. Inland, you might spot the Eurasian lynx slipping quietly through the trees — one of Europe's most secretive cats. Croatia sits at a crossroads of habitats, so the variety of wildlife there is genuinely striking for a country its size.

What do kids eat in Croatia?

Croatian kids love a dish called čevapi — small grilled meat rolls served with flatbread and a creamy spread called ajvar, which is made from roasted red peppers. It's the kind of meal you eat with your hands, which makes it even better. Along the Adriatic coast, fresh grilled fish shows up on almost every table. For something sweet, Croatian kids often snack on fritule — little round doughnuts dusted with powdered sugar, sometimes flavored with lemon or a hint of brandy in the grown-up version. Strukli is another favorite, a baked or boiled pastry stuffed with soft cheese that is especially popular in the Zagreb region inland. Food in Croatia changes quite a bit depending on whether you are near the mountains, the coast, or the flat farmlands — the country is small but packed with variety.

How do people say hello in Croatia?

In Croatia, the most common way to say hello is 'Bok' (sounds like 'boke') — people use it the way we'd say 'hi' to a friend. If you want to be a little more formal, like greeting a grown-up, you'd say 'Dobar dan,' which means 'Good day.' Croatian is a Slavic language, which means it's related to languages like Polish and Serbian. Missionaries who go to Croatia spend a lot of time learning these greetings and words so they can share the gospel in a way that feels warm and real to the people there — because hearing good news in your own language always goes straight to the heart.

What sports or games do kids play in Croatia?

Croatian kids are serious about football — that's what they call soccer — and their national team has surprised the whole world by finishing second place in the World Cup! You will also find kids playing basketball, handball, and water polo near the coast and rivers. Along the Adriatic Sea and on the islands, swimming and sailing are just part of growing up for many Croatian kids. Younger children often play a tag-style game called 'lovice' in the streets and courtyards, which is a bit like freeze tag. Croatia has produced some world-class athletes, and sports are a big part of how families spend time together there.

What's the weather like in Croatia?

Croatia sits along the Adriatic Sea in Europe, and its weather changes a lot depending on where you stand! The coast is warm and sunny most of the year, with hot summers and mild winters — the kind of weather that makes those famous blue harbors look even more striking. Move inland toward the mountains and forests, though, and things get much colder. Winters there can bring real snow, and the seasons shift the way you'd expect in central Europe. So Croatia is really two different weather worlds packed into one country — which makes it a pretty interesting place to explore!

Tell me a fun fact about Croatia.

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! Croatia sits on the Adriatic Sea and has more than a thousand islands dotting its coastline — 1,246 to be close to exact. Most of those islands have no people living on them at all, just rocky shores and blue-green water as far as you can see. Here is something that might surprise you: a necktie, the kind many men wear to church or formal events, is said to have come from Croatian soldiers hundreds of years ago. They tied scarves around their necks, and the French word for Croatian — 'Croate' — eventually gave us the word 'cravat,' which became the modern tie. So every time someone knots a tie, there is a little piece of Croatian history right there around their collar!

What is school like for kids in Croatia?

In Croatia, most kids start school around age seven, and the school day is often split into morning and afternoon shifts because the buildings are shared. They study subjects like Croatian language, math, history, and music — and English is usually taught starting in the early grades. Schools are free for all children, which is a blessing many places in the world don't have. Croatia has a long history of valuing education, and literacy rates there are very high — most adults and children can read and write well. One interesting thing is that Croatian students often have a strong connection to their local culture, learning traditional songs and dances as part of school life. Most people in Croatia have grown up hearing about Jesus through the Catholic Church, but knowing about Jesus and personally trusting Him as Savior are two different things — and that's something missionaries in Croatia care deeply about sharing.

Who are the unreached people in Croatia?

Great question! Croatia is a beautiful country on the Adriatic Sea, and most people there would call themselves Christian — mostly Roman Catholic. But two groups stand out as 'unreached,' meaning very few of them have heard the true gospel of Jesus: the Roma people and the Bosniaks. The Roma are a wandering people found all across Europe, and many live in Croatia with little access to churches that speak their language or understand their culture. The Bosniaks are a Muslim people group who moved into or stayed in Croatia through history. For them, following Jesus can feel like betraying their whole identity and family — which makes it very costly to believe. There are only a handful of missionaries and local Croatian Christians working to share the gospel with these groups. That means your prayers matter a great deal. You can ask God to raise up bold Croatian believers who will bring the good news of Jesus to the Roma and Bosniaks right in their own neighborhoods.

How can I pray for the people of Croatia?

Croatia is a beautiful country along the Adriatic Sea, but many people there grew up going through the motions of religion without ever personally trusting Jesus as their Savior. You can pray that real, living faith in Christ would take root in Croatian hearts — that people would move from knowing about Jesus to truly knowing Him. You can also pray for Croatian churches to grow strong and bold in sharing the gospel with their neighbors. Pray for missionaries working there to have open doors and courage, and ask God to raise up Croatian men and women who will lead their own people to Jesus. The harvest is real, and your prayers are part of it.

What is a holiday or celebration in Croatia?

One of the biggest celebrations in Croatia is Christmas, called 'Božić' (say it like BOH-zhich). Croatian families light candles, sing carols, and go to church to remember the birth of Jesus. It is a deeply loved holiday in this country where many people call themselves Christian. Another big celebration is Easter, which Croatians call 'Uskrs.' Families decorate eggs with beautiful patterns and attend church services to celebrate that Jesus rose from the dead. The interesting thing is that even though many Croatians observe these holidays, missionaries and local church leaders work hard to help people move from just knowing the traditions to truly knowing Jesus personally — and that is the most important discovery anyone can make.

What language do people speak in Croatia?

People in Croatia speak Croatian! It is a Slavic language, which means it is related to languages like Serbian, Polish, and Russian. Croatian uses the Latin alphabet — the same letters used in English — so you could actually read the words out loud, even if you didn't know what they meant. One interesting thing about Croatian is that it has some sounds and words that don't exist in English, so it takes real practice to speak well. Missionaries who go to Croatia work hard to learn the language, because speaking to someone in their own tongue is one of the best ways to share the good news about Jesus in a way that truly reaches their heart.

What's a famous place to visit in Croatia?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! One of the most famous places in Croatia is Plitvice Lakes National Park, where sixteen bright blue-green lakes are all connected by waterfalls that spill from one into the next. People come from all over the world to walk the wooden paths right above the rushing water. Another spot everyone talks about is the old walled city of Dubrovnik, right on the Adriatic Sea. Its stone walls were built hundreds of years ago, and you can actually walk along the top of them and look out over the sparkling water below. Croatia has a long history, and some of the oldest churches there remind us that people have been worshiping Jesus in this part of the world for many, many centuries.

Croatia — Kids Missions Explorer

Dalmatian

This spotted dog breed takes its name from Dalmatia, a coastal region of Croatia where it has been kept for centuries as a carriage dog and firehouse companion.

Griffon Vulture

The rocky cliffs of the island of Cres are home to one of Europe's last large colonies of griffon vultures, whose wingspans can stretch nearly three meters wide.

Olm

This pale, blind salamander lives entirely underground in the cave streams of Croatia and can survive without food for up to ten years.

Peka

Meat and vegetables are slow-cooked under a heavy iron or clay bell buried in glowing embers, giving the dish a deep, smoky tenderness that families gather around for Sunday meals.

Burek

Flaky pastry spirals filled with minced meat or cheese are sold warm from bakeries across Croatia and make a filling breakfast or midday snack.

Fritule

These small, round fried dough balls flavored with citrus zest and brandy are a beloved treat during the Christmas season and winter festivals.

Croatia

Things you should know about Croatia

Wildlife you might meet

What’s on the table

Did you know?

Life in Croatia

Missions in Croatia

Pray for Croatia