Weather in Croatia
Croatia's climate is largely broken up into two - a continental climate and a Mediterranean one - depending on different regions within the country. A continental climate is felt in the cities and regions located in the mainland of the country while the cities along the Adriatic coast experience a Mediterranean climate. However, the weather in these climates can fluctuate slightly from year to year. This means the weather is slightly different in both areas of the country but, on the whole, Croatia enjoys mild winters and warm to hot summers.
Weather on the coast
Temperatures in summer can reach as high as 30°C+/86°F but usually average around the mid to high 20°Cs/82°F for most of the season thanks to the proximity of the Adriatic coast. Along with the warm, sunny weather, the months of June, July, and August rarely see any rainfall making it the best season to experience some of Croatia's incredible beaches and the many water-based activities that you can participate in. Temperatures start to slowly decrease as it moves into Autumn, however, they're still high enough to enjoy spending long periods of time outside without getting too cold (think high teens to low 20°Cs/68°F). With the arrival of Autumn comes the arrival of frequent rainfall, and as it moves into winter, this rainfall can increase to a heavy level.
While temperatures in winter on the coast can lower to 5°C/41°F, it's unlikely that coastal areas will ever see snow. On some occasions, a light dusting of snow has fallen in areas such as Zadar and Split but it's very uncommon and is often difficult to predict.
Weather in the mainland
The weather in summer can get extremely hot in the mainland regions of Croatia with temperatures around the mid to high 30°Cs/high 80°Fs to low 90°Fs quite common, especially in July. However, it can often feel warmer than that because of the lack of wind/sea breeze that the coastal areas experience. Don't let those high temperatures deter you from visiting though as temperatures are more likely to sit around the mid to high 20°Cs/82°F. Similar to the climate of the coast, summers tend to experience little rainfall until the months of autumn and winter so travelling to the country in June, July, and August is the best time to enjoy the warm, Croatian sunshine.
Does it snow in Croatia?
If you're travelling to Croatia in search of snow then you'll definitely find it with the mainland areas of the country experiencing copious amounts of snow during winter. Temperatures in winter usually average around 0°C/32°F making it the perfect condition for snow to fall and stick to the ground for an extended period of time. Although temperatures are conducive to frequent snowfall, snowfall is unlikely to be extremely heavy so if you're interested in doing snow-based activities such as skiing or snowboarding, travel to the ski resorts in the height of winter (January) to enjoy the deepest amount of snow.
Below are a list of cities/regions that experience the most snow in Croatia during winter:
- Motovun
- Gorski Kotar
- Sljeme
- Hrvatsko Zagorje region
- Plitvice Lakes National Park
Average temperatures in Croatia
MONTH |
AVERAGE HIGH |
AVERAGE LOW |
March to May |
18°C/64°F |
9°C/48°F |
June to August |
28°C/82°F |
18°C/64°F |
September to November |
17°C/62°F |
10°C/50°F |
December to February |
7°C/45°F |
1°C/33°F |
Read more about the best time to visit Croatia
Read more about Europe
Dec 31, 2022
23 new travel experiences for 2023
It’s a new year, and that can only mean one thing: it’s time for another adventure!
Dec 09, 2022
Slice of life: this Austrian café...
This year, we’re encouraging travellers to connect with new cultures through food....
Dec 07, 2022
Mountains and minarets: a sustainable...
This year, we’re encouraging travellers to find fresh experiences in lesser-known...
Sep 02, 2022
The top 8 destinations for travel in...
Whether you’ve always wanted to get off the beaten track in Romania, watch the...
Aug 13, 2022
What to expect on your visit to...
You begin at Auschwitz where so many prisoners once did, beneath the rusted metal...
Apr 12, 2022
Prague in 48 hours: plan your visit
Some cities are so ornamental, so historic and beautiful, that it’s hard to look...
Mar 25, 2022
Czech it: Exploring the creepy side...
A haunting clock, a church made of bones, and a rendez vous with the Green Fairy?...
Oct 23, 2022
England or Wales? The UK destination...
Choosing where to holiday next is tough these days...
Apr 10, 2022
Where to celebrate Pride in Europe 2023
Get ready for parades, parties and a whole lot of pizzazz.
Sep 06, 2022
The top 8 destinations for travel in...
From rum tasting in Cuba, to gondola riding along Venice’s many canals. Here's...
Sep 04, 2022
The top 10 destinations to travel in...
We're looking at where to travel in May, a balmy, sunshine-in-a-bowl sort of month...
Jul 26, 2022
What is Greece known for? A deep dive...
Greece is known for many things including the invention of democracy, mythology...
Aug 23, 2020
The top 10 destinations for travel in...
Europeans, here are our recommendations for your close-to-home adventures this...
Jul 01, 2021
Our guide to the best Christmas...
Many would agree that it’s the most magical time to be in Europe...
May 15, 2022
The top 8 destinations for travel in...
From hiking in US national parks to going on safari in South Africa, here's your...
Aug 31, 2022
Navigating the Western Balkans as a...
The Balkans is a beautiful – but complicated – part of the world. Blogger Chantel...
Mar 01, 2022
10 reasons why you should visit the...
Remote, wild and insanely beautiful. Find out why you should add the Faroe Islands...
Aug 26, 2022
Ahmed has travelled on over 30...
Intrepid traveller Ahmed El Sherif has been on 32 Intrepid trips – yep, 32! – with...
Sep 07, 2022
Travel is back and we just dropped 10...
After two-and-a-bit years of lockdowns, border closures and travel plans being put...
Mar 02, 2022
6 reasons why you should do a guided...
Here are 6 reasons why you should do a guided Camino walk instead of going it alone.
Sep 01, 2019
The top 10 destinations for travel in...
Whether you’ve always wanted to admire the Victoria Falls in Zambia, sip a pint or...
Jan 28, 2018
5 budget destinations in Europe you...
The art to exploring Europe on a budget comes down to choosing the right...
Feb 27, 2019
6 hottest food destinations in Europe...
Where will your taste buds be delighted most this summer? What cuisine will have...
Mar 24, 2016
Macedonian wine guide: we chat with...
When you say 'internationally renowned wine', places like Tuscany, Provence and...