Best Time to Visit Croatia

Harbour - Sudurad, Croatia (Espen Faugstad)  [flickr.com]  CC BY-ND 
License Information available under 'Proof of Image Sources'
On this page, you will find information about the climate and the best time to visit Croatia. We created climate tables and charts for the locations of Zagreb und Split. These contain details about temperatures, precipitation and more.

Furthermore, we analyzed all climate data and provide a recommendation about which months are best to visit Croatia for your holiday.

Climate Overview

Thermometer Symbol -3 °C to 30 °C
Waves Symbol 12 °C to 25 °C
Rainy Cloud Symbol 0.945.59 in (3 – 13 Days of Rain)
Average Annual Temperature is between 11.3 °C (Zagreb) and 16.6 °C (Dubrovnik)
Show temperatures in degree

Geographical location

Croatia lies east of the Adriatic Sea (colloquially Adriatic) and is mainly counted to the Balkan peninsula.

It borders Hungary and Slovenia to the north, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the east and Montenegro to the south. Croatia has about 4.2 million inhabitants, the capital and largest city of the country is Zagreb with about 800,000 inhabitants.

Besides the Adriatic coast, two other landscape forms can be distinguished, the lowlands especially in northern Croatia along the rivers Save and Kupa including the capital Zagreb as well as the Croatian hill country in central Croatia.

The Adriatic coast with its offshore islands is particularly popular with tourists. From Istria over the Kvarner Bay to Dubrovnik Croatia offers exciting water conditions and beautiful bays.

The main airports of the country are Zagreb, Rijeka, Split, Dubrovnik, Pula and Zadar.

Climate in Croatia

Croatia-01756 - Old Port Dubrovnik (Dennis Jarvis)  [flickr.com]  CC BY-SA 
License Information available under 'Proof of Image Sources' The climate in Croatia is regionally quite different according to the three dominant landscape types. While the coast of Croatia has the typical North-Mediterranean climate with mild, rainy winters and hot summer months, the north-east and east of the country have a temperate continental climate.

This is defined by very hot and dry summer months and a rather cold winter. In principle, the Adriatic region is wetter than the interior.

Nevertheless, ideal conditions prevail in summer with up to 11 hours of daily sunshine and an average temperature of up to 30 °C. Water temperatures range from 20 °C to 24 °C between the end of May and mid-October. In autumn, temperatures can still be around 20 °C during the day, but then drop to 12 °C at night.

Best Time to Visit Croatia: Overview

JanuaryJan
MaximumMax. 11 °C
Water max. 12 °C
FebruaryFeb
MaximumMax. 11 °C
Water max. 12 °C
MarchMar
MaximumMax. 13 °C
Water max. 12 °C
AprilApr
TemperaturesTemp. up to 17 °C
Water max. 14 °C
MayMay
TemperaturesTemp. up to 22 °C
JuneJun
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JulyJul
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AugustAug
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SeptemberSep
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OctoberOct
TemperaturesTemp. up to 21 °C
NovemberNov
MaximumMax. 15 °C
DecemberDec
MaximumMax. 11 °C
Water max. 14 °C

When to travel to Croatia?


Due to the mild climate Croatia can be visited all year round. Who plans round trips or inspections, can arrive already in the spring or autumn and explore with pleasant day temperatures of 15 °C to 20 °C relaxed the highlights of the country.

In winter it can get very cold, inland frost is not uncommon between December and February. Summer is the best time for a classic seaside holiday in Croatia.

From the end of May, the thermometer reaches around 26 °C and usually stays pleasantly warm until the end of September. July and August are the warmest months and, due to the European summer holidays, are also the absolute high season with correspondingly high prices.

Best Time to Visit the Regions

Find the best time to visit the regions (Croatia) in the following overview.

LocationBest Time to Travel
ZagrebJune, July, August, and September
SplitJune, July, August, and September
DubrovnikJune, July, August, and September
ZadarJune, July, August, and September
PulaJune, July, August, and September

Climate Charts Croatia

In the following, you will find climate charts for the regions.

Furthermore, there are some charts you can use for quick comparison of climate between the regions.

Show Climate Chart for    

Zagreb

Climate Chart Zagreb
Show temperatures in degree

Split

Climate Chart Split
Show temperatures in degree

Day Temperatures

Show temperatures in degree

Night Temperatures

Show temperatures in degree

Average Temperatures

Show temperatures in degree

Precipitation

Hours of Sunshine per Day

Source of Data: German Weather Service (Offenbach) and Wikipedia

Climate Tables Croatia

In the following, you will find some climate tables for Croatia, containing information about Temperatures, Precipitation, Water Temperatures, and Hours of Sunshine.
Show climate table for    

Temperatures, Precipitation, Sunshine in Zagreb (Croatia)

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Day Temperature11°17°21°25°27°27°22°16°
Night Temperature-3°-1°12°15°17°16°13°
Precipitation (inch)2.22.131.852.323.393.743.112.912.763.463.52.64
Rainy days78881010797788
Hours of Sunshine234678986421
Show temperatures in degree
Temperatures
The annual average temperature in Zagreb is 11.3 °C.

For comparison: London 11 °C, NYC 12 °C, LA 17.9 °C

Warmest month: July (21.2 °C)
Coldest month: January (0.2 °C)

Precipitation
Overall annual precipitation: 34.02 inch on 97 rainy days

For comparison: London 24.06 in, NYC 41.57 in, LA 12.01 in

There is no rainy season (months with more than 6.9 in of precipitation).

Months that have possible snowfall: January, February, March, November, and December

Sunshine
As our climate table shows, July is the sunniest month with an average of 8.6 hours of sunshine per day. Over the year, there are 4.9 hours of sunshine per day on average. For comparison: London has 4.1, NYC has 7 and LA has 8.9 hours of sunshine per day on average.

Temperatures, Precipitation, Sunshine in Split (Croatia)

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Day Temperature10°11°13°17°22°27°30°29°25°20°15°11°
Night Temperature11°15°19°21°21°18°14°10°
Water Temperature12°12°12°14°17°21°23°24°22°20°17°14°
Precipitation (inch)3.272.682.952.62.22.011.11.972.43.114.253.94
Rainy days98886634571010
Hours of Sunshine456791011108743
Show temperatures in degree
Temperatures
The annual average temperature in Split is 15.9 °C.

Warmest month: July (25.4 °C)
Coldest month: January (7.4 °C)

The maximum water temperature in Split is 24 °C. You can take a bath at these temperatures.

Months with water temperature of at least 17 °C (Limited bathing is possible):
May, June, July, August, September, October, and November

Months with water temperature of at least 21 °C (adequate for beach vacation):
June, July, August, and September

Precipitation
Overall annual precipitation: 32.48 inch on 84 rainy days

There is no rainy season (months with more than 6.9 in of precipitation).

You cannot expect snow in any month in Split.

Sunshine
As our climate table shows, July is the sunniest month with an average of 11.1 hours of sunshine per day. Over the year, there are 7 hours of sunshine per day on average.

Highlights and Attractions


An absolute must for all nature lovers in Croatia is a visit to the Plitvice Lakes. The beautiful nature park offers a lot of natural spectacle with picturesque lakes, breathtaking waterfalls and a picture-book coulisse. Other natural highlights are waiting for you in Krka, in Paklenica National Park and on the small archipelago of Brijuni.

The Diocletian’s Palace in the old town of Split is as worthwhile as a visit to the historic city of Dubrovnik in the very south of the country. The amphitheatre in Pula is not to be missed either. A bizarre highlight is the unique Hum, with around 25 inhabitants probably the smallest “city” in the world.

For water sports enthusiasts, the Adriatic Sea is a great area for sailing, surfing and diving.

More information about the best things to do: Croatia

Popular Activities

More attractions

Split: Old Town and Diocletian Palace 1.5 Hour Walking Tour | From Split or Trogir: Plitvice Lakes Tour with Entry Tickets | Split or Trogir: Krka, Roški Falls Swim & Šibenik Day Tour | Cetina River: Rafting and Cliff Jumping Tour | Split: Krka National Park Trip with Boat Cruise and Swimming | Split: Cetina River Rafting with Cliff Jumping Tour | Rastoke & Plitvice Lakes National Park Tour from Zagreb |

Current Weather and Forecast

Current Weather in Split
clear sky     clear sky, 5.9 °C
Clouds: 0 %       Wind: 11 mph O
Air Pressure: 1035 hPa       Humidity: 22 %
Last updated: 7th Feb 2023, 11:12 am
The next days …
7th Feb 20238th Feb 20239th Feb 202310th Feb 202311th Feb 202312th Feb 2023
sky is clear-2 °C to 6 °Covercast clouds0 °C to 6 °Cscattered clouds-0 °C to 7 °Cbroken clouds1 °C to 8 °Cscattered clouds2 °C to 8 °Cfew clouds3 °C to 12 °C
-2 °C to 6 °C0 °C to 6 °C-0 °C to 7 °C1 °C to 8 °C2 °C to 8 °C3 °C to 12 °C
Clouds: 1 %Clouds: 98 %Clouds: 29 %Clouds: 56 %Clouds: 49 %Clouds: 14 %
No PrecipitationNo PrecipitationNo PrecipitationNo PrecipitationNo PrecipitationNo Precipitation
Weather information provided by OpenWeatherMap. (CC BY-SA)
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Important Regions and Cities

We have extended climate information for the following regions:

Croatia: Experiences of our Visitors

There are 13 reviews for Croatia holiday already. Average rating is 4.2 of 5 stars.
  1. Avatar Preview
    Alexander , 43 years old was there in July

    Warm to hot in summer. Slightly windy. Mostly clear. Water suitable for bathing.

    Weather Rating: 5 stars – Excellent

  2. Avatar Preview
    Dominik, 30 years old was there in July

    It was always sunny and rained only once; very hot, but not too humid; perfect bathing weather

    Weather Rating: 5 stars – Excellent

  3. Avatar Preview
    Siegfried, 59 years old was there in June

    Day temperature between 26 and 29 degrees.water 24 degrees.a lot of wind in Tisno island Murter.

    Weather Rating: 4 stars – Good

  4. Avatar Preview
    Renate, 63 years old was there in June

    I enjoyed the changing weather very much, was perfect for trips to Rijeka, Lovran and Volosko, 2 days on the beach – just awesome!

    Weather Rating: 3 stars – Mixed

  5. Avatar Preview
    Andreas, 33 years old was there in September

    first sunny and warm, then fresh and stormy (due to the bora)

    Weather Rating: 3 stars – Mixed

  6. Avatar Preview
    Irmgard, 59 years old was there in September

    3 weeks in September. The weather was very varied, from bright sunshine and calm to strong wind, continuous rain 3 days with floods. In between again and again sun with clouds. Nevertheless, it was still warm to hot. The water temperature was pleasant.

    Weather Rating: 2 stars – Tricky

  7. Avatar Preview
    hans, 71 years old was there in January

    Such nice weather is to wish all those who travel to Croatia and the National Park

    Weather Rating: 5 stars – Excellent

  8. Avatar Preview
    Heino, 60 years old was there in September

    of 11 days we had 2 days with rain and one day with storm wind force 8

    Weather Rating: 4 stars – Good

  9. Avatar Preview
    Jakob, 30 years old was there in July

    The weather was very warm throughout. During the day it was a bit too hot in the direct sun. At night it cooled down very pleasantly.

    Weather Rating: 5 stars – Excellent

  10. Avatar Preview
    Jörg, 49 years old was there in July

    the weather was sunny every day, once we had a rain shower towards evening which stopped about 15 min. afterwards it went on with sunshine. one could stroll until late evening by the alleys without it became cold. with Germany not to compare.

    Weather Rating: 5 stars – Excellent

  11. Avatar Preview
    Auguste, 70 years old was there in April

    Mostly sunshine, occasionally cloudy with day temperatures around 24°.

    Weather Rating: 4 stars – Good

  12. Avatar Preview
    Michele, 21 years old was there in August

    It was super, very warm! But also alternately, so from time to time also pleasantly cool or to the great sun a refreshing wind. Really great!

    Weather Rating: 5 stars – Excellent

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Croatia-00882 - Wow was my comment...... (Dennis Jarvis)  [flickr.com]  CC BY-SA 
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The port of Dubrovnik (Tambako The Jaguar)  [flickr.com]  CC BY-ND 
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Croatia-00869 - Great Place to Reflect (Dennis Jarvis)  [flickr.com]  CC BY-SA 
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