A TOURIST hotspot inCroatia is introducing a new measure to clamp down on unruly tourists and antisocial behaviour.
Hvar Island is a well-known party destination, with open-air clubs, beach parties and pub crawls attracting revellers from across Europe.
The Croatian island is attempting to move away from party tourism, with councillors voting to introduce noise restrictions in Hvar Town for summer 2025.
Councillors on the island voted to keep noise restrictions in place for the summer.
Noise in the party town will be limited to 85 decibels, which is the equivalent of a food blender, a noisy restaurant or the cinema.
This would mean significant changes for its popular outdoor clubs that open during the summer holidays.
Brits hoping to book a party holiday on the island this summer will need to check whether beach clubs and parties will continue to take place in light of the restriction.
Other details, such as fines for those floating the ban, have yet to be revealed.
The new measure has been met with fierce backlash by the hospitality sector, with lobbying groups trying to declare the island as a year-round entertainment zone.
Vicko Visković, a member of the hospitality association Dictum Factum, told a local news outlet: “I think this is a disaster. We have always supported stricter rules and better monitoring, but now we are going from one extreme to another. This is not the right approach.”
Local authorities, however, want the island to be an attractive tourist destination for families.
Darijo Å arić, CEO of luxury villa rental site VIP Holiday Booker, added: “In previous years, open-air clubs in Hvar and Split may have encouraged excessive partying among guests and contributed to a ‘party destination' image in Croatian tourism.”
Elsewhere in Croatia, tourists can be fined up to €700 (£585) on the spot in Split and Dubrovnik for inappropriate behaviour.
This includes using drugs and drinking alcohol in public spaces, vomiting in public and walking around in swimwear.
Holidaymakers can also be fined for removing shells from beaches in Croatia.
Other countries in Europe are also introducing new tourist measures before the summer season gets underway.
Brits holidaying in the Algarve could be fined up to £1,250 if caught walking along the street in their bikinis or swim shorts.
Meanwhile, over in Spain, L'Albir Beach in Alicante will no longer allowsmokingon the sands.
The smoking ban is due to come into force during the summer season.
L'Albir Beach sits betweenBenidormandAltea and is popular with tourists thanks to its warm water and beachfront promenade.
Another Croatian Island to Visit
Another place Brits can visit is Drvenik Veli, also known as Drvenik Veliki, the island is just off the coast of Split in Croatia.
Located in the central Dalmatian archipelago, Drvenik Veli is only 2km away from the Croatian mainland.
One of the island's main draws is Krknjasi Bay, also known as the Blue Lagoon Croatia, which is located on the far side of the island.
It takes just 50 minutes by boat to reach Drvenik from Trogir, with daily ferry services costing €2 (£1.71).
Because the island doesn't have any paved roads, cars are forbidden.
Everything you need to know about visiting Croatia
- Brits must have at least three months left on their passport from the day they plan to leave the country.
- Tourists do not need a visa if visiting for up to 90 days in 180 days.
- Make sure your passport is stamped on entry and exit.
- Travellers may be asked to show confirmation of a hotel booking, travel insurance documents and that they have enough money for their stay when at the border.
- Croatia is one hour ahead of the UK.
- The country uses the Euro with around €10 working out to £8.60.
- Flights to Croatia from the UK take between 2 hours and 45 minutes to 3 hours depending on the destination
Lopud has also won favour with the Beckhams who often visit the Croatia island for a holiday.
Here's another amazing European islandthat is great for a budget holiday.
