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Best time to visit Croatia: month by month
Short answer
May, June and September are best, with coastal highs of about 22–27°C, warm sea and fewer crowds. July and August are hot (around 30–31°C) and expensive; from November to March the coast is quiet and many island services stop.
Month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 12°C | 5°C | 13 | low |
| Feb | 13°C | 4°C | 8 | low |
| Mar | 14°C | 6°C | 9 | low |
| Apr | 16°C | 8°C | 13 | medium |
| May | 22°C | 14°C | 9 | medium |
| Jun | 27°C | 19°C | 4 | high |
| Jul | 31°C | 21°C | 2 | very high |
| Aug | 30°C | 21°C | 7 | very high |
| Sep | 26°C | 18°C | 6 | high |
| Oct | 22°C | 13°C | 8 | medium |
| Nov | 17°C | 10°C | 16 | low |
| Dec | 14°C | 7°C | 15 | medium |
Temperatures and rainy days: Copernicus ERA5 averages, 2021–2023. Crowd levels are our estimate.
Season by season
Spring (Mar–May)
Mild, about 14–16°C in March–April and 22°C in May; Plitvice's waterfalls are full and the coast is quiet.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Hot and dry, about 27–31°C, with warm sea, busy beaches, festivals and peak prices.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
September is warm (about 26°C) with sea still warm; October is pleasant at about 22°C; November is wetter.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Mild on the coast at about 12–14°C but rainy; Zagreb's Advent market is a highlight and Plitvice can be snowy.
Events worth planning around
- Advent in Zagreb, the Christmas market (December)
- Dubrovnik Summer Festival (10 July to 25 August)
- Ultra Europe music festival in Split (July)
- Feast of St Blaise in Dubrovnik (3 February)
When to avoid
Avoid late July and August if you dislike crowds and high prices. Avoid November to March for island-hopping, as ferries are reduced and many hotels close.
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Common questions
What is the best month to visit Croatia?
June or September, with warm sea and fewer crowds than July and August.
When is the sea warm?
Roughly from late June to September; May and October can be fresh.
Is Croatia worth visiting in winter?
For Zagreb's Advent market and quiet old towns, yes; for beaches and islands, no.