When is the Best Time to Visit Croatia?

Croatia has quickly become one of the top destinations for travelers in the world, thanks in part to the hit show “Game of Thrones,” which used a number of its enticing spots as filming locations. It’s filled with everything from ancient fortified cities to island gems with beautiful beaches, wineries and vineyards for tasting tours, countless restaurants serving delicious Dalmatian cuisine and especially friendly, welcoming people.

But we probably don’t have to tell you why to go; the word is out by now. The real question is, when is the best time to visit Croatia? The general answer is any time from late May through late September. Throughout this period, the Balkan sun begins to heat up, waking up Croatia’s vibrant spirit and prepping the island for the beginning of the tourist season. Restaurants, beaches and attractions open their doors fully, providing you with the best entertainment Croatia has to offer during this peak time.

Those who are pondering when the best time to visit Croatia is, have six months of the year to choose from. This Croatian travel guide has been created to help you decide when to visit Croatia for your ultimate summer vacation. Our experts break down the best time to go based on the type of experience you’re wanting, including a month-to-month analysis of things to do and the weather in Croatia.

Croatia in May

Croatia in May marks the start of the shoulder season and the cruise season, where the weather begins to breathe life back into the country’s tourism. The average temperature in Croatia in May is around 67°F, the weather is fairly steady with the occasional light rain shower, and the summer crowds haven’t yet arrived. If you prefer a quiet, more relaxed vacation without the Balkan sun in its prime, May could be the best month to visit Croatia for you.

If you plan to visit in May, you’ll want to bring clothing that can be layered and a light jacket in case the weather takes a turn. The sea is unlikely to be warm enough for an enjoyable swim, but you may want to pack a bathing suit to enjoy a hotel swimming pool. If you plan to visit Split, you may be able to catch the beautiful Festival of Flowers.

Croatia in June

June is one of the best months to visit Croatia for a cruise, as the days are much warmer consistently, typically hovering around the high 70s along the coast. Be sure to pack your swimming gear, as the sea will likely be pleasant enough for a refreshing swim. You’re unlikely to need a jacket or sweater, but you should bring plenty of sunscreen.

Hvar‘s beautiful landscapes become blanketed in purple during this month, as June brings in the lavender harvest. If you happen to still be in Croatia in June late on, you may be able to attend the Lavender Festival, which happens at the end of the month.

Croatia in July

As one of the peak summer months, Croatia in July will be very hot, with the average high temperature along the coast climbing to the mid-80s, though it can surpass that. This is one of the best months to visit Croatia if you’re after long days at the beach, where you can bask in the sun and relax. If you like to break up your sunbathing with a dip in the sea, water temperatures are comfortable now at around 75°F; perfect for watersports and participating in fun outdoor activities.

This is also one of the best times to visit Croatia to enjoy the nightlife, beach parties and live concerts. Dubrovnik’s summer festival begins around the middle of the month, providing visitors with the opportunity to attend the largest cultural festival in Croatia, complete with performances by actors and musicians from around the world. You won’t want to miss it!

Croatia in August

Croatia in August is much like July, continuing the hot and dry weather, whilst bringing in some of the biggest crowds of the year. It is the best month to visit Croatia if a vacation filled with sun, sea, and a bustling atmosphere is what you’re after.

The good news is, if you plan to come for a cruise during this period, those luxury cruise ships come equipped with air conditioning for when you need a break from the sweltering heat. Pack all the summery, light clothing you own, your finest frocks for the evenings, and a couple of bathing suits to keep cool in the crystal-clear waters of the Adriatic.

Croatia in September

The weather in Croatia in September remains hot, but as the end of the month embraces the shoulder season once again and the crowds dwindle, it gradually cools down, landing on an average temperature of around 72°F. The Adriatic remains a very pleasant temperature at about 74°F, ideal for swimming and snorkeling.

September is another one of the best months to visit Croatia for a cruise, as the weather settles at a beautiful temperature, the beaches and cities are quieter but still atmospheric, and the prices are more reasonable than in the prime summer months.

If you’re in Croatia in late September, it could be perfect timing for you to enjoy Truffle Days on the Istrian peninsula. Pack thin layers and a light jacket for cooler evenings.

Croatia in October

Many places start to shut down in Croatia in October, but this month can be ideal for those who want front-row seats to the best sightseeing in the cities and are looking for cheap flights to Croatia. There will be some cruises running during the first half of the month, though like May, it comes with a bit of a risk of some inclement weather.

There is a chance it might rain, while afternoon temperatures tend to be around 60°F along the coast. If you’re planning to visit Croatia in October, you’ll want to pack a mix of clothing for both warm and cooler days, along with a light rain jacket and comfortable shoes for exploring.

Suppose the primary reason for your trip to Croatia is to visit the tourist attractions, including those “GoT” filming locations. In that case, you’ll want to avoid the peak summer months of July and August when tourist crowds are thick and the weather is hot, averaging in the mid-80s Fahrenheit, though the mercury can and often does climb up into the 90s. That typically means the best times to visit Croatia for sightseeing is anywhere from about mid-April through the month of May or mid-September through mid-October.

If you arrive in late spring, a 10-night Zadar, Plitvice Lakes & Split Luxury Cruise & Land Package makes it easy to combine a land tour where you’ll explore top sights like Plitvice Lakes National Park when the waterfalls will really be rushing, with a cruise to popular destinations like Split and Dubrovnik as well as some of the island gems. By booking this same tour for early autumn, you can experience the park when it’s splashed with the vibrant colors of fall, while enjoying pleasantly warm weather for sightseeing. As the sea temperatures are often idyllic through much of September and into early October, swimming will feel wonderful in between all your other exploits.

Attending a local festival is not only fun, it’s a great way to delve into the culture, enjoying an authentic side of daily life in Croatia. Plan to visit Split in May, perhaps as part of the 7-night Signature Split to Dubrovnik Cruise, and you might be able to attend the Festival of Flowers. The top attraction in this medieval city is the 4th-century Diocletian’s Palace and you’ll be able to see its basement halls filled with flowers as florists compete to find out who has the most beautiful, artistic display.

One of Croatia’s most popular islands, glamorous Hvar, famous for its yacht-filled harbor and upscale eateries, becomes especially aromatic in June as it marks the lavender harvest. The Lavender Festival is hosted toward the end of the month, bringing the opportunity to participate in harvesting, and follow the entire process through to distilling and production of lavender oil.

There will be concerts, workshops and a variety of exhibitions, while the fields of endless purple make for especially photogenic shots. With Hvar on many island-hopping cruise itineraries, it’s easy to visit as part as one of these unforgettable trips like the 7-night Signature Dubrovnik to Split Cruise which also stops on Mljet, Korcula, Vis & Ston.

Dubrovnik host its popular summer festival from mid-July through much of August every year. The country’s largest cultural festival, international musicians and actors take to the stage on open-air venues within the city’s ancient walls. If you hope to attend, you might plan to spend some time here first and then embark on the 7-night Deluxe Dubrovnik to Split Cruise.

If you’re wondering when to visit Croatia to sample their famous delicacy, October is peak season for truffle-hunting. White truffles, the most valuable type, sit on the beautiful Istrian peninsula in abundance. This month brings Istrian Truffle Days, a time when multiple events will be held every weekend, celebrating the region’s famous gastronomic treat, including the chance to indulge in all sorts of dishes featuring truffles and purchase items like truffle oil and other products. We suggest combining it with a mid- to late-September cruise that culminates in Opatija, taking advantage of the wonderful early fall weather with perfect timing for the event.

Croatia is home to some of the world’s most stunning beaches, like Zlatni Rat on the island of Bol, a unique stretch that continuously changes shape depending on the tide, currents and wind. It’s surrounded by crystal-clear waters in a myriad of hues, from turquoise to deep blue, framed by mature shady pines. June, early July and September are the best months to visit Croatia for sunbathing, as the weather is warm but not as hot as it will be during the peak summer period.

No matter where you go, the sea is sure to entice you for a swim. Earlier in the season, it will probably be a bit too chilly to enjoy, but by July when the weather has really warmed up the sea temperatures will begin to climb too, making it an ideal time to hop in and cool off. It continues to warm through August, with September often ideal for swimming as tourist crowds start to diminish and the water remains quite pleasant.

An island-hopping tour in Croatia is one of the best ways to not only experience multiple islands and their beautiful beaches, like the 7-night Signature Dubrovnik to Split Cruise, but you’ll have lots of swim stops along the way. The good news is that if you book a trip during the hottest months of the year, July and August, there’s a/c on the ship if the heat gets to be too much.

Croatia offers famously fantastic nightlife that includes cheap beer, outstanding Croatian wines and creative cocktails, while DJs spin the latest tunes. There are plenty of crawls after dark too that will bring you to everything from Irish pubs to swanky cocktail bars, nightclubs, discos and raves. The summer nightlife really takes off on islands like Hvar, Pula and the Pag islands, with internationally renowned music festivals attracting big-name recording artists and DJs. The island of Obonjan near Sibenik hosts the popular Obonjan Electronic Festival each year beginning in late June, featuring electronic music, DJs, workshops, wellness events and more. Hvar attracts jetsetters from across the globe who come to enjoy some of the chicest parties, day and night.

If you’re wondering when to visit Croatia for the best nightlife, summer is definitely the “hot” season, not only when it comes to weather, but for anyone who wants to join a party or live concert. You’re guaranteed to find omething happening on any given weekend, or even any day, throughout summer in Croatia. In the islands and along the Adriatic coast where the warm nights are perfect for outdoor events after dark, you’ll typically have a wealth of different festivals and events to choose from.

Generally, the summer months, including July, August and much of September, bring the biggest number of tourists. Those who are looking for a Croatia family vacation would visit when the kids are out of school, and September is popular due to the warm sea for swimming and slightly cooler land temperatures, as well as among those who want to avoid the younger crowd.

That means the best months to visit Croatia, if you want to come at a more tranquil time when you won’t have to bump elbows with people while still enjoying pleasant weather, are May, June or late September/early October.