When is the best time to visit Croatia?

Thinking about taking a holiday, but not sure when to go? Here are some of the things to think about when you’re deciding on the best time to visit Croatia.

Weather

Like other European countries, Croatia has hot summers, cold winters and mild seasons in between. Temperatures in summer can climb into the forties in July and August, so if you’re a sun worshipper you might enjoy basking in the heat and sunshine. If you’re thinking about doing some snorkelling or diving while you’re in Croatia, you’ll also want to think about temperatures and conditions beneath the waves.

Crowds

Like everywhere in Europe, Croatia is at its busiest during the warmest months of the year, from June to August, and particularly during school holidays. That means that attractions are more likely to be busy, whether they’re the country’s natural wonders – beaches, national parks and so on – or cultural hotspots such as the many UNESCO World Heritage Sites. That said, if you like vibrant nightlife, summer is a great time to experience the atmosphere of long, warm evenings out on the town.

Cost

It goes without saying that with more people wanting to travel in the summer, there’s greater demand for flights and hotel rooms at this time of year. That pushes the price of your holiday up over the summer months, so if you’re on a budget, you’ll probably want to avoid travelling during these months.

Winter is when you’ll get a real bargain, though you’ll find the beach resorts have shut up shop; head inland for a winter Croatian adventure. The weather may be cold, but you can go skiing for a lot less than you’d pay at the more famous ski Alpine ski resorts.

Events

Another aspect to take into consideration is whether there are any specific events you’d like to experience while you’re in Croatia. If you’re a huge fan of music, for example, and want to soak up the sun and sounds of Croatia’s many fantastic music festivals, then you might want to go in summer, as they tend to happen between late May and September.
Or perhaps you’d like to experience the magic of Zagreb’s famous Christmas market, consistently voted one of the best in Europe? The run-up to Christmas is an increasingly popular time to go to Croatia, so if you’re not after a beach holiday then it’s an enchanting time to visit.

So, overall, when is the best time to visit Croatia?

The best time to visit Croatia depends on what you want from your holiday, and whether or not your time off is dictated by school holidays. If you want the hottest weather and long days of sunshine for relaxing on the beach, summer is when you’ll get most from a Croatia holiday. But if you want to explore the country’s stunning monuments or national parks, you might prefer slightly fresher temperatures and fewer people to share your destinations with.
The short answer, then, taking into account all the above, is to visit Croatia during the ‘shoulder seasons’ either side of the high season: May and June and September and October. This is when you’ll enjoy beautifully warm weather and you’ll have more places to yourself. Perfect!