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Best Time To Visit Croatia
Continent: Europe
What is the best time to visit Croatia?
The best time to visit Croatia is from June-August or September – October. Croatia has a mild climate throughout the year. The country is divided into two regions, inland and coastal. Historic centres in the coastal area, namely, Split, Dubrovnik and Zadar are great for sightseeing during mild winters. During the peak season, coastal Croatia is hot and ideal for sunbathing and swimming. September and October, on the contrary, are less crowded and the weather is pleasant too. From October till March, the coastal region is significantly quiet with a host of excellent accommodation options and hotels closed for tourists. Inland Croatia consists of places like Zagreb, Plitvice and Motovun, and these are better not experienced during the winter months.
The best time to visit inland Croatia, which is often termed as the most beautiful part of the country, is during autumn. During this time, the travellers can enjoy new wines and enjoy the picturesque natural beauty at the fullest. December is, however, the rainiest month in Croatia and hence, should be avoided by the tourists.
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Croatia in Summer (June to August)
Croatia Weather in Summer
June, July and August are Croatia High Season. During this time, the weather is warm, sunny and great for hitting the beach. For that picture-perfect beach vacation, get yourself a place in the luminous beaches of Split, Hvar Island, Dubrovnik or Korcula Island. The afternoons are great for swimming. The only thing which might bother you is the crowd around. Croatia is the most crowded during this time, and also the accommodation costs are on the higher side.
Events during Peak Season in Croatia
· The biggest open-air music festival known as INmusic Festival and International Folklore Festival takes place in Zagreb in June.
· Ultra Music Festival in Split brings in the most prominent DJs and electro music in July.
· Film Festival in Motovun in July is great for the movie buffs.
· Croatian Summer Salsa Festival is a week-long festivity filled with dance nights and pool parties in Rovinj during the end of June or early July.
· Summer Festival in Dubrovnik starts from mid-July and goes on till the end of August.
· Full Moon Festival in Zadar takes place in July-August and on the full moon night, the Riva Island brightens up with torches and candles.
June, July and August are Croatia High Season. During this time, the weather is warm, sunny and great for hitting the beach. For that picture-perfect beach vacation, get yourself a place in the luminous beaches of Split, Hvar Island, Dubrovnik or Korcula Island. The afternoons are great for swimming. The only thing which might bother you is the crowd around. Croatia is the most crowded during this time, and also the accommodation costs are on the higher side.
Events during Peak Season in Croatia
· The biggest open-air music festival known as INmusic Festival and International Folklore Festival takes place in Zagreb in June.
· Ultra Music Festival in Split brings in the most prominent DJs and electro music in July.
· Film Festival in Motovun in July is great for the movie buffs.
· Croatian Summer Salsa Festival is a week-long festivity filled with dance nights and pool parties in Rovinj during the end of June or early July.
· Summer Festival in Dubrovnik starts from mid-July and goes on till the end of August.
· Full Moon Festival in Zadar takes place in July-August and on the full moon night, the Riva Island brightens up with torches and candles.
Croatia in Winter (October to April)
Croatia Weather in Winter
October to April is the low season in Croatia. The temperature gets cold, and the accommodation and all other prices hit rock bottom throughout Croatia and hence, it can be a fantastic time for travellers to have an ultra-luxe vacation! During the colder months, skiing can be an excellent option to enjoy your holiday. However, it’s necessary to keep off from the Adriatic coast during these months for the beaches will be closed and the resorts will be abandoned. For the best winter adventures, head to inland Croatia. It is an excellent time to experience how to locals live in Dubrovnik and Zagreb. During Christmas and New Year, Croatia gets busy with several carnivals, and you can enjoy these local festivities in full swing. In case you are up for skiing, make sure to check out the Mount Sijeme in Zagreb.
Events during Off Season in Croatia
· Night of the Museums takes place on the last Friday of January across Croatia. Here, for one night, entry to all the art galleries, museums and other cultural places are free.
· Rijeka Carnival takes place from mid-January till early-March, and it is the biggest carnival in all of Croatia which includes street parades, pageants and masked balls, ethnic dancing, concerts, etc.
· Zagreb Festival of Lights in mid-March will offer you spectacular lighting displays with illusions in all parts of Zagreb.
October to April is the low season in Croatia. The temperature gets cold, and the accommodation and all other prices hit rock bottom throughout Croatia and hence, it can be a fantastic time for travellers to have an ultra-luxe vacation! During the colder months, skiing can be an excellent option to enjoy your holiday. However, it’s necessary to keep off from the Adriatic coast during these months for the beaches will be closed and the resorts will be abandoned. For the best winter adventures, head to inland Croatia. It is an excellent time to experience how to locals live in Dubrovnik and Zagreb. During Christmas and New Year, Croatia gets busy with several carnivals, and you can enjoy these local festivities in full swing. In case you are up for skiing, make sure to check out the Mount Sijeme in Zagreb.
Events during Off Season in Croatia
· Night of the Museums takes place on the last Friday of January across Croatia. Here, for one night, entry to all the art galleries, museums and other cultural places are free.
· Rijeka Carnival takes place from mid-January till early-March, and it is the biggest carnival in all of Croatia which includes street parades, pageants and masked balls, ethnic dancing, concerts, etc.
· Zagreb Festival of Lights in mid-March will offer you spectacular lighting displays with illusions in all parts of Zagreb.
Croatia in May and September (Shoulder Season)
Croatia Weather in May and September
May and September are the shoulder months in Croatia. Although termed as the shoulder months, these months can be great for travelling to the country and having a great time. The weather conditions are not so adverse with warm days and comfortable evenings/nights. There are minimal crowds around, and the accommodation and shopping prices are comparatively lower. Although the beaches aren’t’ that hospitable during these months, you can still have a good time roaming around the beaches.
Events during Shoulder Season in Croatia
· Cest is d’Best in Zagreb during the end of May is lined with six stages and features more than 200 performers with show-stopping music, dance and theatre.
· Dimensions / Outlook Festival in Pula another electro festival that takes places during early September.
· St. Martin’s Day in Kutjevo in November has special significance among the locals where they dress up as priests and baptise the grapes in wine.
May and September are the shoulder months in Croatia. Although termed as the shoulder months, these months can be great for travelling to the country and having a great time. The weather conditions are not so adverse with warm days and comfortable evenings/nights. There are minimal crowds around, and the accommodation and shopping prices are comparatively lower. Although the beaches aren’t’ that hospitable during these months, you can still have a good time roaming around the beaches.
Events during Shoulder Season in Croatia
· Cest is d’Best in Zagreb during the end of May is lined with six stages and features more than 200 performers with show-stopping music, dance and theatre.
· Dimensions / Outlook Festival in Pula another electro festival that takes places during early September.
· St. Martin’s Day in Kutjevo in November has special significance among the locals where they dress up as priests and baptise the grapes in wine.
Weather in Croatia Inland
October and November, the autumn months, are the best time to visit inland Croatia. During these months, the weather is not too chilly and hence, is the perfect time to roam around the cities of Dubrovnik, Zagreb and alike. You can also take a short trip to the mountains of the beautiful Risnjak. It’s one of the most beautiful places in inland Croatia during autumn. The national park in Risnjak is, in fact, one of the must-visit places there. In all around inland Croatia, you can enjoy some of the most delicious local, gourmet pleasures. Places like Plitvice, Pazin, Samobor, and Velebit in inland Croatia will give you a glimpse of the local culture and their hospitality delights.
Coastal Croatia
Anytime between May-September is the best time to visit coastal Croatia. The glittering Adriatic coastline of Croatia is spread over nearly 1,800 kms. A visit to the coastal part can be absolutely breath-taking for its sheer diversity. You can experience the Roman ruins in Pula, Zadar and Split, the mix of baroque and medieval in Dubrovnik, the Venetian grandeur in Rovinj, Korcula and Hvar, the barren beauty of Kornati archipelago, the old-world enigma of Opatija Riviera, and the lush green islands of Mljet. The beaches are beautiful and pebbly. During these months, the weather might remain hot mostly; you can thoroughly enjoy your time at the beaches. September, however, is a bit cooler and hence, a trip to the cities like Dubrovnik, Zadar and Split can be great to experience the local culture. Island hopping is also a great way to visit the islands. The public ferries start from coastal cities and are the most feasible options for visiting the beaches. The restaurants in the coastal region are flooded with some fantastic local, coastal dishes with varieties of fish. A plate full of Croatia’s famous Ston Oysters and a bottle of Croatia’s finest Dingac wine in a must-have experience in coastal Croatia.
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