The best time to visit Croatia

Month by month, what to expect from the weather, the sea, the crowds and the ferries.

The short answer: late May, June and September are the sweet spot for most trips. The sea is warm enough to swim, everything is open, and you miss the July and August crowds and prices. If you only care about city sightseeing and food, spring and autumn are lovely too.

July and August: peak season

This is when most of Europe is on holiday, and the coast is at its busiest and most expensive. It is hot, often above 30°C in Dalmatia, and the sea is at its warmest. Every beach bar, boat trip and festival is running, and the ferry timetables are at their fullest, but ferries and catamarans sell out and car queues at the ports can be long. Book places to stay well ahead, and see the most popular old towns, like Dubrovnik and Split, early in the morning or in the evening.

June and September: the sweet spot

Days are long and warm, the sea is good for swimming, and almost everything is open, with fewer people and lower prices than in high summer. September is often the nicest month of all: the sea has had all summer to warm up and the crowds have gone home. This is the best time for island hopping in Dalmatia.

May and October: shoulder season

Great for walking, cycling, wine and sightseeing. The weather is usually mild and sunny, but the sea is still cool in May and cooling down by late October. Ferries run on a reduced timetable, and some island restaurants and hotels open late or close early, so check before you go. In Istria, autumn brings the truffle and wine season.

April and early spring

Spring is green and quiet, with blossom inland and waterfalls at their fullest. It is too cold for most people to swim, and many coastal businesses are only just opening. Easter is celebrated everywhere and is a busy holiday weekend.

November to March: winter

The coast is calm and local, and many island hotels, restaurants and campsites close for the season. Ferries keep running to the inhabited islands, but less often. Winter is the time for the cities: Zagreb’s Advent Christmas market is one of the most popular in Europe, and the Rijeka Carnival in Kvarner fills January and February.

Good to know