From the best Christmas market in Europe in December, to idyllic island beaches or some of Europe’s top music festivals in July, there is plenty for everyone in Croatia. So when is the best time to visit Croatia? Part of the answer, of course, depends on what you are looking for. But the good news is – there is never a bad time to check out this fabulous country.
Is it safe to travel to Croatia right now?
Before we begin, let’s deal with the corona elephant in the room – is it even safe to travel to Croatia right now? I will leave the debate on whether or not one should be travelling at all during a pandemic to others. The situation in Croatia is changing all the time. At time of writing (February 20, 2021), it seems that we are easing towards a relaxing of measures and the reopening of bars and restaurants. Croatia has tried to stay as open as possible during the pandemic. Indeed it was the only country in the EU to welcome Americans and non-EU citizens last year.
As things are changing, the best place to find current advice as you read is via the daily Croatia Travel Update. If you need a question answered quickly, the Total Croatia Travel INFO Viber community has helped hundreds if not thousands since it was formed in May, 2020. You can join here (you will need to download the Viber app).
(Photo Romulic & Stojcic)
Which part of Croatia is the best to visit?
This obviously depends what you are looking for. Most tourists come for the sun and the beach, which Croatia has in abundance. With some 1,777 km of coastline and more than 1,000 islands, there are plenty of option to find your perfect spot.
The capital of Zagreb is emerging as a trendy destination in its own right (and was Lonely Planet’s best destination in Europe in 2017). Historic cities such as Dubrovnik, Split, Zadar, Sibenik, Pula and Rovinj are also fantastic draws, while islands such as Hvar, Brac, Vis, Korcula, Mljet, Krk, Cres and Losinj all offer an authentic island experience, each unique in its own way.
But try not to miss continental Croatia, which has many hidden gems and the warmest and most welcoming people in Croatia. If you are looking for authentic experiences and traditions off the beaten track, this region has them in abundance.
(Photo Romulic & Stojcic)
Croatia is also a foodies delight. With no national cuisine as such, from the truffles of Istria, seafood of Dalmatia, and hearty meat and river fish dishes of Slavonia, a culinary tour of Croatia is truly like no other. And that is before we have started talking about the wine…
What month is the best time to go to Croatia?
Again, that really depends on what you are looking for. I wrote an article some time ago, breaking down the advantages of each month – Visit Croatia in April: Easter Traditions and the Start of the Season. Let the Swimming Season Begin! May in Croatia. June in Croatia: Summer without the Crowds. Visit Croatia in July: Peak Season Beach Heaven. Festivals, Beaches, and Parties: Croatia in August. For Gorgeous Weather and Emptier Beaches, Visit Croatia in September. An Indian Summer in Europe: Croatia in October. Olive and Wine Heaven: Visit Croatia in November. Advent in Zagreb and Elsewhere: December in Croatia. A Tourism Giant in Its Quietest Month: Croatia in January. The Best Time to Visit the Pearl of the Adriatic: Dubrovnik in February. Emerging from Winter Hibernation: March in Croatia.
You can read When to Visit Croatia: Your 12-Month Guide to Paradise here.
What is the best time to visit Croatia for the weather?
Sun worshippers rarely go wrong with July and August, when the beaches are full of the bronzed and the beautiful. As important as the air temperature for many is the sea temperature. If you are researching your trip, you can check the normal sea temperature here, as well as the quality of the beaches you are planning to visit.
The swimming season is generally May to October, but there are several people who swim all year round. If you find yourself celebrating the New Year in Hvar Town, for example, the Polar Donkeys will welcome you on their traditional New Year’s Day swim.
If you are not a fan of really hot temperatures, which can get into the high 30s in peak season, the shoulder months of May, June, September and October are usually really pleasant on the coast. September was always my favourite month on Hvar, both weather-wise and for the lifestyle after the busy season.
If you are interested in more on the weather in Croatia, including fun facts such as the hottest day or strongest bura wind recorded, check out the Total Croatia Weather in Croatia feature article.
What is the best time to visit Croatia for party tourism?
I lost count of the number of people who contacted me over the years in April, May and late September:
“Where are the clubs and the famous Hvar nightlife?” was the usual theme.
Croatia is generally not – not yet, at least – a year-round destination, and the party tourism angle is VERY limited in terms of time. Mid-June to early September is when it all happens. Hot spots include Split for Ultra Europe in July, and Zrce beach on Pag with several festivals throughout the summer, as well as Tisno on Murter. Zagreb too has a reasonable music festival scene, including the INMusic festival in June.
This was all in the pre-COVID-19 era of course. How much will party tourism return to Croatia? One of many unanswerable questions in these uncertain times.
When is the best time to visit Croatia for flights?
Flights to Croatia are seasonal. VERY seasonal. Again, corona will have its impact, but the coastal airports of Dubrovnik, Split, Zadar and Pula all do the bulk of their business in the three months over the summer. Split services more than 100 destinations in July, but less than 10 in January to give you an idea.
The situation has improved immensely on how things used to be, ever since Ryanair started the budget flight revolution in Zadar in 2007. The season has been getting gradually longer, and airlines such as easyJet and Euro Wings are very established on the market. They tend to start operations in March, gradually increasing routes and rotations as the weeks go by, before starting to reduce from September and stopping for the year in November.
There are (or were) some great bargains to be had, but prices can go up dramatically. How the market will react post-pandemic is anyone’s guess.
As the capital city, Zagreb has many more international connections throughout the year, with the tourist season bringing more flights to the capital.
For the latest flight announcements to Croatia in these uncertain times, follow the TCN flight news section.
And so to some of the top destinations in Croatia…
When is the best time to visit Plitvice National Park?
There is no destination quite like Plitvice Lakes National Park. Apart from being one of Croatia’s top tourist attractions with over a million visitors a year, as well as being a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979, Plitvice has four VERY distinct seasons. They are called Winter, Spring, Summer and Autumn/Fall. And they offer a VERY different experience. Check out winter in one of my favourite Croatia videos of all-time, from the one man and dog team of Outdoors Croatia.
Now check them out again a little later in the year. This video has some excellent advice for those visiting Plitvice Lakes – “Best way to avoid the crowd is to enter the park early and then later, after 10am rent a wooden rowing boat.”
When is the best time to visit Dubrovnik?
Dubrovnik was GLORIOUS in July 2020 when I visited. Without the crowds and with the summer weather, it was a true joy to behold. In normal seasons, however, overtourism and Dubrovnik have become almost synonymous. There are challenges ahead for the destination, and it will be interesting to see how it develops.
In normal years, mid-June to mid-September sees the Pearl of the Adriatic packed. Day-trippers and cruise ship passengers add to the throng already staying in the city. Everything is crowded, it is hot, and while popular, it is a time of year I avoid Dubrovnik completely. The shoulder months are much more pleasant, both in terms of crowds and milder temperatures. For me, however, the very best time to visit Dubrovnik is the first week of February. This is when the city celebrates the Feast of Saint Blaise, its beloved patron saint. The city is filled once more, but this time with locals celebrating their proud traditions. This is how it was for me when I went a few years ago.
Learn more about Kings Landing in the Total Croatia Dubrovnik in a Page guide.
When is the best time to visit Split?
Split has undergone an extraordinary transformation in tourism in the last 15 years. Once known simply as the Gateway to Dalmatian Islands, the Dalmatian capital has emerged as one of the hottest destinations in Europe.
As with Dubrovnik, the summer crowds can be a little off-putting, but the season is considerably longer now. Things start to pick up considerably after Easter until November, and Advent in Split is growing as an attraction. The old town of Split, aka UNESCO World Heritage Site and former Roman Imperial retirement home, Diocletian’s Palace, is much more of a living organism than the old town of Dubrovnik, with many more locals still calling it home. As such, it has more year-round appeal, at least in my opinion.
Don’t miss the festivities of the patron saint, Sveti Duje on May 7 each year. If you are music fan – or if you are not – the city is transformed each July, as the largest electronic music festival in Europe, Ultra Europe, takes place in the city in July. Embrace or avoid totally, depending on your inclination.
Learn more about the Dalmatian capital in the Total Croatia Split in a Page guide.
When is the best time to visit Istria?
If you are a foodie, it is ALWAYS a good time to visit Istria. With the possible exception of Zagreb, Istria is the region least affected by seasonality. Those coming for the beach and swimming should veer towards the summer months, of course, but Istria is developing an identity as an all-year food and activity destination. Cycling around the vineyards past those idyllic hilltop mountain villages is heaven indeed.
Learn more about this fantastic region in Istria: 25 Things to Know About the Terra Magica, a Croatian Jewel.
Is Zagreb worth visiting? The best times to visit the Croatian capital.
Absolutely! A few years ago, some German media reported their opinion that Zagreb was the most boring capital in Europe. And, at the time, I agreed with them. But Zagreb has undergone a total transformation in recent years. Now that I am a regular visitor, having relocated from Hvar to Varazdin a few years ago, I can honestly say that I prefer Zagreb to going to the coast these days.
It is at its most glorious in Spring, with May a particularly delightful month. Summer is also nice, as many of the locals have decamped to the coast, allowing a lot more space for those who visit – a welcome contrast to the mayhem on the coast.
And Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without Advent in Zagreb.
Learn more about the Croatian capital in the Total Croatia Zagreb in a Page feature.
Is Hvar worth visiting? A look at visiting Croatian islands throughout the year.
I lived on Hvar for 13 years. It was as magical in January as it was in July, but for very different reasons. The UNESCO Za Krizen procession just before Easter is incredible, my favourite time of the year. The beaches start filling up from mid-May until late September, with peak season in July and August. September and the grape harvest, followed by the olive harvest in October and November shows the true essence of life on this magical island. September is the best month overall – peak season crowds have gone, locals start to relax after the busiest part of the season, and the temperatures are much more pleasant.
It is a similar story on all islands. One thing to bear in mind, however, is that the Jadrolinija ferry schedule changes from summer to winter schedules and vice versa. These changes usually occur in late May and at the end of October. There are considerably less ferries available in the winter schedule, which might affect your island-hopping plans.
Learn more about Croatia’s premier island in the Total Croatia Hvar in a Page feature.
So when IS the best time to visit Croatia? The answer depends entirely on you and what you are looking for.
Is there something you would like to see added to this article, or do you have some information to contribute to make it better? Please contact us on [email protected] Subject Google when to visit.
What else are people interested in about Croatia? Check out more in our People Also Ask Google section.
