When is the best time to visit Croatia?
Croatia is an extraordinary country not only full of spectacular beaches boasting golden sand and sparkling turquoise waters but also rugged mountain ranges and surrounding areas that come to life with a heavy dusting of snow, making this country one of the best for year-round travel.
While the best time to visit Croatia is generally considered to be July and August (summer), figuring out when you want to travel to Croatia largely depends on what kind of holiday you want to have. There's always something to do regardless of the season but Croatia's climate can vary from continental to mediterranean so some regions are more known for various events, festivals, and activities than others.
Winter in Croatia
Best for: Christmas markets, snow-based activities, and exploring national parks
Winter in Croatia can get pretty cold (think 0°C/32°F temperatures) but you shouldn't let that deter you. Regular snowfall during the months of December, January, and February transform cities into magical wonderlands full of snow-capped houses on softly-lit streets. Feeling like you've just stepped into a Narnia-like world is not uncommon and the many Christmas markets and fairy light-filled squares do nothing to convince you otherwise.
Whether you want to wander the Old Town of Dubrovnik or try your hand at skiing in one of the country's premier snow destinations, winter offers plenty of heartwarming and adrenaline-pumping activities you can participate in. Winter is also considered the 'low' season so you won't have to share the stunning sights of Plitvice Lakes National Park with a heap of tourists or fight crowds for an unimpeded photo of a Game of Thrones filming location.
Spring in Croatia
Best for: sailing, rafting and kayaking, and Holy Week events
If you're looking for nice weather that isn't too hot and you'd rather avoid the crowds (and exorbitant prices) that summer brings then spring is the perfect time to travel to Croatia. Known as the 'shoulder' season, spring weather is still relatively warm at around 20°C/68°F making water-based activities like swimming and sailing still an option. While the possibility of frequent rainfall is still there, especially in March and April, the days in spring generally experience more sunshine hours so it's a perfect time to explore Croatia's natural beauty without getting too uncomfortable.
Some of the best activities to try out include sailing, rafting, and kayaking as rivers swell with the water leftover from storms and the rainfall of winter. Flowers are also blossoming in spring, adding another layer of colourful beauty to Croatia's already lively and vibrant gardens, as well as its lush vegetation. Another major reason to travel to Croatia in autumn is Holy Week, a 500-year-old series of events carried out during the month of April.
Summer in Croatia
Best for: swimming, diving, and festivals
Summer in Croatia isn't for the faint of heart with temperatures reaching up into the 30°Cs and large crowds of travellers congregating at popular locations and attractions. As summer is considered to be the 'peak' or 'high' season to travel to Croatia, accommodation prices increase during this time so make sure you book your trip well in advance to avoid spending too much or avoid disappointment as unavailability rises closer to your travel date.
Summer is definitely the season to soak up as much Croatian sun lying on as many beaches as you can with the sparkling bays and enticing waters at coastal destinations such as Korcula, Split, and Dubrovnik proving too alluring to resist (and why would you want to?) There are also a bunch of festivals running during the month of July with the Dubrovnik Summer Festival, the Split Summer Festival, and the Full Moon Festival in Zadar being among the most popular.
Autumn in Croatia
Best for: wine tastings, spending time outdoors, and visiting castles
Autumn is another great time to visit Croatia as the months of September and October still average warm temperatures of around 17°C/45°F but the crowds of summer have largely dissipated. As October rolls into November, cities start to quieten down so be wary of limited timetables and closed restaurants/cafes in popular locations. Rainfall will also increase heading into winter and so will daylight hours so keep that in mind when planning activities for your trip.
St Martin's Day in November is celebrated in all the wine regions across the country so it's a great time to taste some local wines, as well as feast on local produce. The dreary weather of autumn also lends itself to wandering castles and exploring ancient, medieval buildings - just make sure to rug up before you go.
Read more about the weather in Croatia
Read more about Europe
Jun 07, 2018
Why Italy is an amazing destination...
Thought you had to skip the pizza, pasta and gelato? Think again.
Jan 08, 2019
Why Palermo is Italy’s best-kept secret
Palermo is the gateway to Sicily, and is the Sicilian capital of culture, food,...
Nov 10, 2016
Stockholm vs Copenhagen: Which should...
Are you a stylish nature lover who likes security and convenience, or a hipster...
May 12, 2017
Split: The Croatian city that should...
While Split may never shine as brightly as the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’ by tourist...
Jul 31, 2017
10 must-see places when you visit...
From the peaks of the Caucasus mountains to Kakheti’s rolling semi-deserts, the...
Feb 28, 2018
What to pack for a trip to Iceland:...
No matter what time of year, no matter how clueless you are, no matter whether you...
Nov 17, 2017
Why Iceland is the dream destination...
This island destination features soothing hot springs, majestic wild horses and...
Oct 07, 2019
Dunes, DJs and disaster in the Sahara...
Like most disasters, it began with what I thought was a good idea at the time....
Jul 26, 2022
What is Greece known for? A deep dive...
Greece is known for many things including the invention of democracy, mythology...
Jul 27, 2022
The planet-friendly way to stretch...
Getting to and from your trip’s start and end points should be part of the journey...
Sep 10, 2019
How to do the French Riviera on a budget
The words ‘French Riviera’ and ‘budget travel’ don’t usually squeeze into the same...
Dec 18, 2017
I’m on a boat: the Intrepid guide to...
There are a lot of myths about sailing the high seas, but with Intrepid's handy...
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...
Mar 16, 2017
We rank the 7 best breakfasts in Paris
If you’re after something a little more nourishing than a croissant (or simply...
Oct 31, 2016
Seven days sailing on the French Riviera
Sunshine, retro swimsuits, striped umbrellas, aquamarine Mediterranean waters and...
Aug 31, 2015
A walking tour of Paris’ best foodie...
When I landed in Paris for the first time, I spent a happy few hours Googling the...
Jul 29, 2018
Why cycling the French Alps is what...
I’m lucky enough to live an hour’s drive from the French Alps and can honestly say...
Mar 10, 2017
6 cities in France to visit before...
There's just so much more to France than its capital, Paris. Here are six of the...
Sep 08, 2017
5 European day hikes everyone should...
Europe’s varied geography lends itself to hundreds of day walks that require...
Apr 10, 2022
Where to celebrate Pride in Europe 2022
With European summer just around the corner, it’s time to get your Pride plans in...
Jul 05, 2017
A local’s guide to the hidden gems of...
We all know the Eiffel Tower and the Champs-Elysées, but discovering lesser-known...
Mar 27, 2019
10 weird and wonderful facts about...
Sandwiched by Poland, Ukraine, Latvia, Lithuania and Russia – Belarus occupies a...
Sep 03, 2019
The top 8 destinations for travel in...
Whether you’ve always wanted to slurp schnapps at a Swedish celebration, track...
Nov 30, 2017
Calling all explorers: 5 uncharted...
On the hunt for your next big out-there adventure? These might make your decision...