The measures aim to curb public drinking and reposition Croatia as a family-friendly destination.
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- Croatia’s Split city bans alcohol sales in stores from 8pm to 6am
- The new regulations will initially only apply to the city center and will not apply to bars and restaurants.
- Other Croatian cities, including Novalja and Makarska, are considering similar restrictions on alcohol sales.
One of Croatia’s most popular seaside destinations is under crackdown on unruly tourists.
Starting this summer, Split will become the first city in Croatia to ban the sale of alcohol in shops and liquor stores from 8pm to 6am, local media Net.hr reported.
The mayor of Split, Tomislav Szta, announced the new ordinance earlier this month, and it is expected to be voted on by the city council.
“A situation has arisen precisely here that undermines the safety and quality of life of tenants, and it is not excluded that such rules could be extended to other areas of Split,” Shuta said, according to Net.hr.
The ban will initially only apply to shops in city centres, not bars, clubs and restaurants. “Although you can still enjoy drinking after 8pm, the aim is simply to move the act of drinking and drinking off the streets and into appropriate locations,” Dariho Šarić, CEO of Croatian luxury travel company VIP Holiday Booker, said in a statement. “These measures are aimed at encouraging responsible drinking, rather than stopping fun.”
Following Split, fellow Croatian cities Novalja and Makarska are also considering implementing similar bans, Croatian media outlet Tportal reported.
“In the past, Split has tended to be more of a ‘party destination’, and at times may have encouraged parties between visitors,” Šarić said. “However, Croatia’s tourism industry is currently actively rebranding to move away from that reputation and instead focus on its rich cultural heritage, natural beauty and family-friendly environment.”
The alcohol ban is Croatia’s latest measure in the fight against overtourism. Last year, Hvar, a popular party island especially during Yacht Week, introduced noise regulations on par with crowded restaurants. Establishments that exceeded the limit were fined 1,320 euros (about $1,562), and individuals were fined 300 euros (about $355). In 2017, the island began fining misbehaving tourists of 700 euros (about 82,800 yen) for drinking in public.
