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Best time to go to Croatia

When to catch the beaches without the beach bums.

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Stephanie Yip
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There’s something to see and do in Croatia all year round. But here’s a guide to the best time to visit the country to get the best weather and to avoid the crowds.

Best time to go to Croatia

The shoulder seasons of May and June, and September and October.

Why should I go then?

Croatia is at its busiest in summer when both tourists and locals flock to the coastal resorts and islands of the country to make the most of the sun. Temperatures at this time of year sit around the mid 20s but it’s not uncommon for them to spike up to the early 30s.

To avoid the crowds and dodge any potentially stifling heat, the best times to visit are the months that bookend summer: May and June, and September and October. The resorts are quieter and prices can be cheaper at these times of year too.

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Overview

Summers on the Dalmatian coast and in the city of Dubrovnik are hot. Temperatures fluctuate from the mid 20s to the early 30s. The good news is there’s little humidity, which makes it a little more comfortable if you’re sightseeing at this time of year.

Things start cooling down around late October. Temperatures don’t tend to fall below zero at this time of year but they pogo between 1°C and 7°C, with January tending to be the coldest month.

Winters can be rainy in Croatia too, with about 13 rainy days in every month.

Weather and prices

Best time to visit Croatia weatherwise: June and September.

Cheapest time to visit Croatia: January and February.

Best time to visit Croatia for...

  • Sightseeing. Dubrovnik and the islands of the Dalmatian coast can get crowded at the peak of summer, especially around August, and temperatures can sometimes make sightseeing sticky work. Head to the country in the shoulder seasons of May and June and September and October and you’ll find there are fewer queues and temperatures lend themselves a little better to exploring.
  • Sailing. June to August is peak season for sailing holidays in Croatia so prices rocket. Costs can be a little less either side of the height of summer, in May and June and September and October. The presence of steady maestrales (north-westerly winds) adds to the experience in spring and early summer.
  • Beaches. Summer is the best time to hit the beaches, not purely because of the weather but because outside of the season boats don’t operate to certain islands or their timetables are largely limited. Similar to sailing, the shoulder season is still an ideal time to visit as the weather is warm and while the season is winding down or up there are still facilities to visit more secluded beaches and islands.
  • Plitvice Lakes. In summer tourists descend on Plitvice Lakes by the coachload and you can find yourself sharing the space with as many as 10,000 other visitors. Footpaths and ferries can get clogged with people. Head here in May and June and September and October and things are a bit quieter. In October, the autumn colours start to come out at the lakes too, which makes the place even more photogenic.

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