Food & cultureBy Clever Tourists · Published
The best souvenirs from Croatia are a red licitar heart from Zagreb, handmade lace from Pag, a wedge of Paški sir (Pag's protected sheep cheese), a bottle of maraschino from Zadar, Istrian olive oil, and a silk tie from the country that gave the cravat its name. Licitar and Croatian lace are both on UNESCO's intangible heritage list, and Pag cheese is an EU-protected product, so each has a real version worth seeking out. Below are 10 souvenirs grouped by type, where to buy them in Zagreb, Zadar and Šibenik (we travelled through in August 2023), what to skip, and the tax-free and customs rules. Prices are tiers: $ is small change, $$ a considered purchase, $$$ a splurge.
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The cheapest good souvenirs are in supermarkets and morning markets: Vegeta, ajvar, rakija and olive oil. Lace and cheese are best bought on or from Pag.
| Souvenir | Price | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Licitar heart | $ | Zagreb and northern Croatia |
| Handmade lace | $$ to $$$ | Pag, Lepoglava, Hvar |
| Silk tie (cravat) | $$ | Zagreb tie shops |
| Paški sir (Pag cheese) | $$ | The island of Pag |
| Maraschino liqueur | $ to $$ | Zadar |
| Olive oil | $ to $$ | Istria and Dalmatia |
| Truffle products | $ to $$ | Istria (read the label) |
| Vegeta | $ | Any supermarket |
| Ajvar | $ | Any supermarket |
| Rakija or travarica | $ to $$ | Markets, small producers, supermarkets |
• A licitar heart ($). Red-glazed, decorated gingerbread hearts, the symbol of Zagreb. Gingerbread craft from northern Croatia was added to UNESCO's intangible heritage list in 2010. They are decorative rather than for eating and keep for years. They are everywhere at Zagreb's Advent market.
• Lace ($$ to $$$). Croatian lacemaking from Pag, Lepoglava and Hvar is also UNESCO-listed. Buy it on Pag from the lacemakers or from a lace cooperative, and expect to pay for the hours that go into it.
• A Croatian tie ($$). The cravat takes its name from Croatian soldiers' neckcloths, and Zagreb shops sell silk ties on that story. A light, flat gift that is easy to pack.
• Paški sir ($$). The hard sheep's cheese from the island of Pag, made from the milk of the island's native sheep. It has been an EU-protected designation of origin (PDO) since 2019, so only cheese made on Pag (and the small islands of Maun and Škrda) to the agreed method can use the name. Buy a vacuum-packed wedge.
• Maraschino ($ to $$). The clear cherry liqueur made from sour Marasca cherries was born in Zadar, and the Maraska distillery still makes it there. A bottle from a Zadar shop or supermarket costs far less than abroad. See what to eat in Zadar and our Zadar guide.
• Olive oil ($ to $$). Istrian olive oil is excellent and mostly sold at home rather than exported. Buy from a producer or a market stall rather than the cheapest supermarket brand.
• Truffle products ($ to $$). Istrian truffles come in autumn. Products range from real truffle in oil to "truffle-flavoured" jars with no truffle at all, so read the ingredients.
• Vegeta ($). The all-purpose seasoning mix in blue and yellow packets that Croatian kitchens really use. Light and very cheap.
• Ajvar ($). Roasted red pepper spread, sealed in jars; the Croatian version is often milder than the Serbian one.
• Rakija or travarica ($ to $$). Fruit brandy, and travarica is the herb-infused version. Strong and good travellers.
More in what to buy at a grocery store in Croatia and what to eat in Zagreb.
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• Zagreb: Dolac market for cheese, honey and local produce; licitar hearts and ties in the old town shops. See our Zagreb guide.
• Zadar: maraschino and other liqueurs; the old town has plenty of shops.
• Šibenik and Split: morning green markets for olive oil, figs and rakija. Coastal markets run in the morning and some close outside summer.
• Pag: lace and cheese at the source.
Croatia uses the euro and shop prices are fixed. At markets you can ask for a little off when you buy several things, but this is not a haggling culture. Our Croatia guide and the Zagreb, Zadar and Dubrovnik itinerary cover the route.
• Cheap mass-made hearts sold as licitar. Fine as a fridge decoration, but not the craft.
• Machine lace at handmade prices. Ask who made it and where.
• Coral, shells and anything made from protected wildlife. Many are banned from export at source and seized again at home.
• Pršut and Pag cheese if you are going home to the UK. See below.
• VAT refund: Croatia charges 25% VAT (PDV), and visitors who live outside the EU can claim it back on goods bought in shops showing a Tax Free sign. Sources disagree on the minimum spend for one purchase, so ask the shop before you pay. Get the form stamped by customs where you finally leave the EU, which may be another country if you connect.
• United Kingdom: since 12 April 2025 travellers may not bring meat or dairy from any EU country, Croatia included, into Great Britain in their luggage. That rules out pršut and Pag cheese.
• United States: solid, aged cheese such as Paški sir is generally allowed if declared; cured pork from Europe is not.
• Australia and New Zealand: declare all food, and anything wooden or woven.
Tipping is covered in tipping etiquette in the Balkans. For 19 other countries, see the best souvenirs to buy by country.
The red licitar gingerbread heart from Zagreb, whose craft is on UNESCO's intangible heritage list. Pag lace, Pag cheese, maraschino from Zadar and a Croatian silk tie are close behind.
Technically it is gingerbread, but licitar hearts are made as decorations and keep for years. Treat them as an ornament.
To the US, generally yes if you declare it, since it is a solid, aged cheese. To Great Britain, no: travellers may not bring dairy from EU countries since April 2025.
Yes. Non-EU residents can reclaim Croatia's 25% VAT at shops showing a Tax Free sign. Ask the shop about the minimum spend and get the form stamped by customs at your last EU exit.
Zadar. The cherry liqueur is made from sour Marasca cherries, and the Maraska distillery in Zadar still produces it.
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Look up Croatia hotels near the places in this guide on Trip.com.
