Can't decide where to go?
It's the best time to visit Croatia. Croatia has beautiful cities and rolling vineyards. The 2000 km coastline tumbles down the Adriatic like a half finished puzzle. When to go to Croatia depends on what you want to see. The Dalmatian Coast is home to highlights like walled Dubrovnik and Hvar Town, as well as its hip cousin Split, which is a great place for partying. The south of Croatia is a little cooler than the north but the main difference is between the coast and interior. By the sea, summers are warm and winters mild, with slightly warmer summer temperatures and colder winters. You can use this guide to plan your trip. During the summer months, the Adriatic's warm waters charm many visitors. The booze flows freely and the resorts fill with yachters. It is great fun, but the lines at attractions are long and the cost of lodging goes up. Crowds are less noticeable and Zagreb empties as locals head for the coast. Croatia is best visited in the late spring and early fall. The country's pebble beaches and rocky coves are relatively quiet despite the pleasant sea temperatures. Sailing in Croatia can be done in May and September. This is a good time to visit the national parks on the shore. Accommodations in high season are more difficult to come by. Do you want to get some help? You can let Elsewhere plan your trip. The crowds stay away in the winter and spring. The coast is milder than the interior, but the bura wind that whips across the European plain still affects it. You can have a good time if you are here for food and culture. You will be sharing the galleries and backstreets with locals if you stay in a hotel. Christmas markets, stew, and buzzy clubs offer a warm place to hang out. It's cold in January so it's a good time to check out Zagreb's lively cafes and impressive galleries and museums. Sljeme and Platak are close to the coastal hub of Rijeka.
Key event: Night of Museums.July and August’s high season is the hottest time to visit
May and September to October have sunshine and fewer crowds
Accommodations are cheapest in November to April
January is Croatia's coldest month
What is the weather like? It's still cold and wet. It is an interesting time to visit the coast because tourists are rare and accommodations are heavily discounted. Croatia's biggest and craziest carnival is held in Rijeka.
Key events: Rijeka Carnival, Feast of Saint Blaise.
It's a good time to visit churches and galleries because of the warmer weather. The Krka and Plitvice national parks have wooded slopes between lakes and waterfalls that thunder with meltwater.
Key event: ZagrebDox.
The sea hasn't warmed up yet, but trees are bright with blossom and sunshine is always close by. Many towns have parades over Easter.
Key events: Easter, Following the Cross, Music Biennale Zagreb.
The resorts are warming up for the summer and this is a great time to take a dip in the sea. The bays and coves that are packed in the summer have a calm feel. The Cetina or the Zrmanja is a great place to raft.
Key events: Feast of St Domnius, Sea Star Festival.
Quieter than July or August, but with clear skies, dance festivals and the promise of early summer, this is a strong contender. Heading out to islands such as pristine Cres and Hvar can be done in the summer when ferries move on to their summer schedule.
Key events: Statehood Day, INmusic, Xistence.
Peak Adriatic is what this is. To find a sunbathing spot you will need to arrange accommodations in advance. You can explore the vineyards and hills of the interior if the bustle gets too much.
Key events: Dubrovnik Summer Festival, Dvorišta – The Courtyards, Zagreb Pride, International Folklore Festival, Motovun Film Festival, Full Moon Festival.
Festivals salute high summer, the sea is at its warmest, and Zagreb empties out. Island brings electronic music to Obonjan, there is a Venetian style festival on Krk, and jousting in Sinj. Festival-goers who make do with a tent will swelter, so it's important to book.
Key events: Krk Fair, Sonus, Island, Vukovar Film Festival, Špancirfest.
There are still plenty of ferries and cultural events to get you around. This is a great time for a Dalmatian beach trip since it coincides with Split's Nights of Diocletian for Roman reenactments and street food.
Key events: Nights of Diocletian, Festival of Subotina, World Theatre Festival, Varaždin Baroque Evenings.
Croatia is in shoulder season by October, with kids back in school and some ferry services and hotels closing. The coast is fairly warm with cool evenings and a mellow vibe, and you can still get anywhere and do just about anything.
Key event: Zagreb Film Festival.
Hotels and restaurants on the coast may be closed due to the cold water. Use the lower prices and shorter lines to tour cultural sights, and watch the last leaves fall as the first snow falls.
Key event: Feast of St Martin.
Many tourist businesses are closed because of the cold. The run-up to Christmas is a good time to visit Zagreb, as bars and galleries are open and there are DJs playing music.
Key events: Human Rights Film Festival, Fuliranje, Christmas.
It was first published in April 2021.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
