Croatia at a Glance: Best Time to Visit
Recommended time to visit: May, June and September strike the perfect balance of beautiful weather and fewer crowds. July and August are hot but busy, with European holidaymakers flocking to Croatia during the school holidays.
Less popular time to visit: The winter months of November - February are too cold for beaches and island hopping, but cities such as Dubrovnik and Zagreb are ripe for exploring, with lower prices and fewer crowds.
Best time for beaches: Temperatures are at their highest from May - September but for the most reliable weather, June - August is the time to visit.
Exciting time to visit: Many of Croatia's islands host some of Europe's best festivals in the summer months. Examples include Hideout and Outlook. Dates vary but the festival season generally runs from June - September.
Climate - Zagreb
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp Min °C | -2 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 8 | 3 | -1 |
| Temp Max °C | 3 | 6 | 11 | 16 | 21 | 24 | 26 | 25 | 21 | 15 | 9 | 4 |
| Rainfall (mm) | 53 | 46 | 58 | 64 | 84 | 102 | 86 | 91 | 81 | 67 | 84 | 64 |
Climate - Dubrovnik
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp Min °C | 6 | 6 | 8 | 11 | 14 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 18 | 14 | 10 | 8 |
| Temp Max °C | 12 | 13 | 14 | 17 | 21 | 25 | 29 | 28 | 25 | 21 | 17 | 14 |
| Rainfall (mm) | 139 | 125 | 104 | 104 | 75 | 48 | 26 | 38 | 101 | 162 | 198 | 178 |
Festivals and Events
Croatia is becoming an increasingly popular destination for music festivals held in the balmy summer months that attract world-famous DJs, music bands and artists. Whether it's on one of Croatia's stunning islands or set in ancient forts, these festivals are a great time to visit.
What is Ultra Music Festival like?
This has quickly become one of the world's largest house music festivals combining huge names with spectacular light displays set on the stunning Adriatic coast. Previous years have seen The Chemical Brothers and David Guetta play. Highlights of the festival include boat parties and a trip to Hvar island.
What is Outlook Festival like?
Set in an abandoned fort perched above the Adriatic sea in Pula, Outlook Festival is the largest Soundsystem Culture festival in Europe with the biggest names in dance performing over four days in September.
Recommended tours
See Also
Check out our handy Travel Guide resources to help plan your holiday in Croatia with the following:
Best Places to Visit - our pick of Croatia's best cities and islands
Tourist Visas - what you need to know about visas for Croatia
Top Travel Tips - useful info on money, health and food in Croatia plus more
Traveler Reviews - hear from our past travelers
Choice of Boats - the different standards of cruise boats we offer
