There's a reason it's been voted among the top 10 countries to visit. Here's what you need to know about the best time to go to Croatia.
The Best Time to Go to Croatia, According to Travel Experts
Published on Nov. 07, 2024
If you’ve loved traveling to Greece and Italy—or daydream about going there—Croatia should be on your radar. Stretching along the stunning Adriatic Sea, just a stone’s throw from Central Europe, the country looks like postcards of the Mediterranean: sun-drenched white limestone buildings, crystal-clear water along endless coastlines, the freshest seafood, historical treasures at every turn and a friendly, vibrant culture. It’s one of the most incredible travel destinations, especially if you know the best time to go to Croatia and exactly what to check out.
“Croatia gives the term hidden gem new meaning,” says Edi Peršen, a product manager for Unforgettable Croatia, the largest luxury travel company to Croatia. But the secret is starting to get out. Croatia has seen a surge of tourism, with more than 20 million visitors last year, up 33% from the year before, according to Peršen.
I was one of those tourists last month, cruising around a handful of beautiful islands and inlets dotting the Adriatic coast and taking in the UNESCO-listed sites, including charming Old Town Dubrovnik and the Roman ruin of Diocletian’s Palace in Split. I couldn’t stop snapping photos of the 13th-century stone fortress island of Korčula or get enough of swimming in the unbelievably clear sea. And then there were the fresh oysters, native truffles and delightful local wines from family-run vineyards. Trust me—you don’t want to miss the chance to try blends made from local grapes Grk and Plavac-mali. I also probably ate my weight in local olive oil, and I’d happily do it again.
Read on for all the details about how to plan the perfect trip to Croatia, which should definitely be on your bucket list.
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What’s the most popular time to visit Croatia?
The most popular season in Croatia, especially for students and families with kids, is summer—specifically, June to August. “It’s perfect for enjoying the country’s beaches, island-hopping and going to open-air festivals in Dubrovnik, Split and Hvar, among others,” says Leila Krešić-Jurić, the director for North America at the Croatian National Tourist Board. She adds that 100% of the nearly 1,000 beaches in Croatia are swimmable, with the water of the Adriatic Sea ranked as the cleanest in Europe.
The second most popular times to visit Croatia are in spring (April and May) and fall (September and October), when explorers, nature lovers and history and culture enthusiasts can enjoy milder weather, fewer crowds and more affordable rates.
When is the weather best in Croatia?
Croatia has enviable Mediterranean weather year-round, according to Krešić-Jurić, but you’ll get the most pleasant touring temps during late spring (May to June) and early fall (September to October). During these months, the country’s coastal regions, including the Dalmation Coast cities of Dubrovnik and Split, have highs around 68 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit, and the inland areas, such as the capital city Zagreb, are milder, about 59 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit. There will be some rain, but it’s usually scattered storms that pass quickly.
If you like it hot, visit from June to August, when temperatures along the coast are in the upper 80s and 90s with hot sunny days, perfect for daily swimming and lounging.
You can visit Croatia in winter, but it will be in the low 30s and 40s with occasional snow. If you go in November and December, head north to Zagreb, Croatia’s capital, which has an active advent calendar and one of the leading Christmas markets in Europe, according to Peršen. She also recommends Istria, the food and wine epicenter of Croatia, which hosts small harvest festivals in late autumn and winter.
What time of year is cheapest to visit Croatia?
You’ll get more for your money in shoulder season: April, early May and October, which are the official low-season months in Croatia, according to Peršen. Hotels can be 20% to 50% cheaper, car rental rates cost about 40% to 55% less, and entrance fees to popular attractions are also reduced. For example, a ticket to Hvar’s iconic Blue Caves goes from 25 Euro in high season (June to August) to 20 Euro outside those months. Entrance to Plitvice Lakes, a forest reserve with amazing waterfalls, is reduced from 40 Euro to 23.50 Euro in April, May and October.
How many days in Croatia is enough?
Plan to spend seven to 10 days in Croatia. “This time frame would allow you to explore the country’s best-known locations and cities, such as Dubrovnik, Split, Zadar, Opatija and Zagreb; visit at least one of the popular islands, such as Korčula or Hvar; and enjoy one of its natural attractions, such as Plitvice Lakes,” Krešić-Jurić says. Two natural attractions we particularly loved were Mljet National Park, a tranquil island park where we kayaked, biked and swam in saltwater lakes, and Krka National Park, a natural reserve near the UNESCO World Heritage–listed medieval town of Trogir, where we hiked along the most elaborate waterfalls I’ve ever seen.
If your goal is to see the greatest hits of the Dalmatian Coast, I highly recommend a small-ship cruise—I took one with Unforgettable Croatia that delivered me directly to the city center of Croatia’s top destinations, along with a few more remote stops, like the UNESCO-protected village of Pučišća. Home to one of only three stone-masonry schools in the world, it would have been challenging for us to reach on our own. We also had exclusive experiences like a wine tasting at a family-owned vineyard in Stari Grad, about an hour’s drive from Hvar Town.
If you have more time, consider tacking on two to three nights to check out Croatia’s neighboring countries to the north and south—Slovenia, a top spring break destination, and Montenegro, one of the world’s most beautiful countries that’s just below Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Where should you go in Croatia?
Wanda Radetti, founder of VisitCroatia.com, a luxury tour operator in Croatia, recommends the following highlights for your visit.
- Dubrovnik: Dubrovnik is a well-preserved walled city with stunning medieval architecture and some of the best restaurants and shopping in Croatia. We loved Restaurant Dubrovnik, a Michelin-recommended fine-dining restaurant that highlights the region’s fresh seafood. If you’re craving street food, we adored Holy Burek, a small shop that sells savory pastry sticks stuffed with different variations of cheese and meat. Just don’t trust the time on the clock tower in town—it gives residents a three-minute grace period (meaning it’s always three minutes late).
- Korčula: The most picturesque island we visited, Korčula is a visual reflection of medieval Venice, with narrow limestone streets and buildings overlooking the water. We strolled up and down the scenic streets, stopping in jewelry, olive-oil and gelato shops. We ate dinner at the Michelin-starred Restaurant Filippi, one of more than a dozen eateries with sweeping views of the Peljesac channel and the islands of the Korčula archipelago.
- Split: One of the greatest hits of the Dalmatian coast, Split is home to Diocletian’s Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built more than 1,700 years ago by the Roman emperor Diocletian as his retirement home, this ancient ruin is now the city’s vibrant heart, where we grabbed drinks and heard live music in the evening. Split is the second-largest city in Croatia, and it has ferry service to all the nearby islands, including the Roman town of Solin (Salona), where Diocletian was born.
- Hvar: Hvar is known for its stunning stone streets, incredible lookout point and colorful nightlife. We had our best meal of the trip at Black Pepper, with tables perched on multiple levels of stairs, and gelato from L’Amore Per Il, made famous by the Netflix reality show Somebody Feed Phil. (If there’s a line, head to the secret second location on the other side of the docks.)
- Zagreb: Check out this elegant capital city for history, culture and urban bustle. You can explore its historic Upper Town, lively green market and many piazzas, where friends and families have spontaneous get-togethers. Consider visiting the Museum of Illusions and the Museum of Broken Relationships as well.
- Istria: This heart-shaped peninsula, where the Adriatic Sea meets the heart of Europe, is a mosaic of Germanic, Italic and Slavic cultures. It’s known for scenic coastal towns, white truffles in winter, black truffles in other seasons (try some truffle-hunting yourself!), rolling vineyards, and ancient olive groves that yield some of the tastiest olive oil in the world (leave room in your suitcase). Nearby, check out the Venetian-style seaside town of Rovinj or the Roman city of Pula.
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At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. For this piece on the best time to go to Croatia, Aviva Patz tapped her experience as an award-winning lifestyle journalist with more than 25 years of experience who recently visited Croatia. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Sources:
- Leila Krešić-Jurić, director for North America at the Croatian National Tourist Board; email interview, June 2024
- Edi Peršen, Croatia product manager for Unforgettable Croatia; email interview, June 2024
- Wanda Radetti, founder of VisitCroatia.com: Tasteful Croatian Journeys; email interview, June 2024
