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Croatia travel guide

Coastal cities and an inland capital, best in April, June, September and October

Best: Apr, Jun, Sep, Oct

Photo: Diego F. Parra / Pexels

Capital
Zagreb
Language
Croatian
Currency
Euro
Time zone
UTC+01:00
Plugs
Type C, F · 230 V
Driving
On the right
Emergency
112
Entry
EU and Schengen area

Why visit Croatia

Croatia suits a trip that mixes coastal cities such as Split, Zadar and Rijeka with the inland capital, Zagreb, and smaller inland cities like Osijek and Vukovar. Across the country, the best months are April, June, September and October. The catch is that the coast and the inland cities peak at different times. Split and Zadar are at their best in July and August, but those months are not among the best for Zagreb, Osijek or Vukovar.

  • Long summers in coastal cities

    Split and Zadar are both on the coast, and their best months run from June to September. July and August are top months for both cities, so you get the longest window for sea and city time. Rijeka, the third coastal city, is best in June and September.

  • Spring and autumn shoulder seasons

    Croatia's best months overall are April, June, September and October. These months suit travellers who want to mix coast and inland trips. September fits almost every city in the country, from Split and Zadar to Zagreb and Osijek.

  • Zagreb, a large inland capital

    Zagreb is the capital and by far the largest city, with 767,131 people. It is inland, so it works as a base away from the coast. Its best months are September, June, October and April, which makes it a good choice outside the main summer months.

  • Quieter inland cities to explore

    Osijek, with 96,313 people, and Vukovar, with 23,175, are both inland. They share the same best months: April, May, September and October. They are an option if you want a smaller city break during spring or autumn.

  • Easy trip planning for Europeans

    Croatia uses the euro, and the time zone is UTC+1. Plugs are type C and F at 230 V, and you drive on the right. The emergency number is 112. At 56,594 km², the country is compact enough to combine a capital and coastal cities in one trip.

Is Croatia right for you?

Great for

  • Beach trips to coastal Split or Zadar in July and August, their top months
  • City breaks in Zagreb in April, June, September or October, with highs of 17–26°C
  • Travellers who like long days: Zagreb averages 12.6 sun hours in July
  • Inland trips to Osijek and Vukovar in spring or autumn, their best seasons
  • Travellers from the eurozone, since Croatia pays in Euro and uses C and F plugs

Less ideal for

  • Winter sun seekers: Zagreb highs reach only 5.3°C in January, with about 5 sun hours
  • Travellers wanting dry spring weather: May in Zagreb brings 14.9 rain days and 117 mm
  • Late-autumn visitors wanting sun: November in Zagreb has 87 mm of rain and 5.1 sun hours

Croatia right now: October

8.0/10
Avg high
17°C
Avg low
9°C
Rain days
9

Averages for Zagreb.

Weather by month

In Zagreb, September and October are the best months, with highs of 22°C and 17°C, while June and April also score well, and June brings 12.3 hours of sun a day. December and January have the toughest weather, with highs of only 6°C and 5°C, lows around or below freezing, and about 5 hours of sun a day.

Average highs and lows in Zagreb by month January: high 5°C, low -2°C , 10 rain days . February: high 9°C, low 0°C , 8 rain days . March: high 13°C, low 2°C , 9 rain days . April: high 17°C, low 6°C , 9 rain days . May: high 21°C, low 11°C , 15 rain days . June: high 26°C, low 16°C , 11 rain days . July: high 28°C, low 18°C , 9 rain days . August: high 28°C, low 18°C , 9 rain days . September: high 22°C, low 13°C , 10 rain days . October: high 17°C, low 9°C , 9 rain days . November: high 11°C, low 4°C , 9 rain days . December: high 6°C, low -0°C , 9 rain days . 5°C -2°C JAN 10d 9°C 0°C FEB 8d 13°C 2°C MAR 9d 17°C 6°C APR 9d 21°C 11°C MAY 15d 26°C 16°C JUN 11d 28°C 18°C JUL 9d 28°C 18°C AUG 9d 22°C 13°C SEP 10d 17°C 9°C OCT 9d 11°C 4°C NOV 9d 6°C 0°C DEC 9d
Best months Other months (low–high) Nd = rain days

Zagreb · averages 2015–2024

Best time to visit Croatia: month-by-month weather →

Croatia's climate regions

The weather varies across the country; each region has its own best months.

  • Inland Croatia

    Zagreb, Osijek, Vukovar

    Zagreb, Osijek and Vukovar have cold winters, with January highs near 5°C, and warm summers that reach about 29°C in July. Expect about 108 rain days a year. The best months are April, June, September and October.

    Best: Apr, Jun, Sep, Oct

  • Dalmatian Coast

    Split, Zadar

    Split and Zadar are the warmest and driest part of the list. July highs reach about 31°C and January highs are about 10°C, with around 106 rain days a year. June to September is the best time for beach weather.

    Best: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

  • Kvarner Coast

    Rijeka

    Rijeka has mild winters, with January highs of 9°C, and July highs of 29°C. It is the wettest region, with about 138 rain days a year. June and September give the best balance of warmth and drier weather.

    Best: Jun, Sep

Where to go in Croatia

City guides with their own best months and weather.

Sample itineraries

7 days

Capital and coast in one week

  1. Day 1–2

    Zagreb

    Start in Zagreb, the capital and the largest city on this route, with about 767,131 people. Walk its streets, visit a museum or two and enjoy its cafés at an easy pace.

  2. Day 3–4

    Zadar

    Head to Zadar on the coast. It is a smaller city of about 70,779 people, so it suits slow days by the sea. Its best months run from June to September.

  3. Day 5–7

    Split

    Finish in Split, the largest coastal city here, with about 160,577 people. Use your last days for swimming and long meals by the sea. July and August rate best, with June and September close behind.

10 days

From the inland east to the coast

  1. Day 1

    Vukovar

    Begin in Vukovar, a small inland city of about 23,175 people. Give it a day for a quiet walk through town before moving on.

  2. Day 2–3

    Osijek

    Move to inland Osijek, home to about 96,313 people. It is calm and easy to explore on foot. Like Vukovar, it is at its best in April, May, September and October.

  3. Day 4–5

    Zagreb

    Continue to Zagreb, the capital. Explore its squares, markets and cafés, and enjoy a bigger city after the quieter towns of the first days.

  4. Day 6–7

    Rijeka

    Reach the coast at Rijeka, a port city of about 107,964 people. Mix time on the seafront with short trips nearby. Its best months are June and September.

  5. Day 8

    Zadar

    Stop for a day in Zadar, a coastal city of about 70,779 people. Walk along the sea and stay on the waterfront for the evening.

  6. Day 9–10

    Split

    End in Split, with about 160,577 people. Swim, eat by the sea and relax. For good conditions at every stop, travel in September, a best month for all cities on this route.

Where to stay

One good base in each main city and who it suits.

Donji Grad

Zagreb

Good for first-timers, museums, transport links

Zagreb's Lower Town is a grid of Austro-Hungarian streets, parks and squares that runs south from Ban Jelačić Square towards the main railway station. It puts you within walking distance of most sights, cafés and tram lines. Streets near the main square and the station can be noisy late at night and in summer.

Diocletian's Palace

Split

Good for first-timers, sightseeing, nightlife

The Roman palace walls hold the heart of the old town, with narrow stone lanes, cafés and the main sights on your doorstep. You can walk to the Riva waterfront, the ferry port and the bus station. Bars and crowds can make it loud late into the night in summer, and many buildings have steep stairs and no lift.

Centar

Rijeka

Good for first-timers, car-free travellers

The city centre around the Korzo pedestrian street has cafés, markets, museums and the old town gate, with the bus and train stations within walking distance. It is the easiest base for day trips and ferries. Streets near the Korzo can be loud late at night, especially on weekends.

Gornji Grad

Osijek

Good for first-timers, short stays

Upper Town is the modern centre of Osijek, with the main square, the large red-brick co-cathedral and the riverside promenade along the Drava. You can walk to most sights, and trams run through the area to Tvrđa and beyond. The main streets carry steady traffic, so rooms facing them can be noisy.

Poluotok

Zadar

Good for first-timers, sightseeing, evenings out

This is the walled Old Town on the peninsula, with Roman ruins, churches, cafés and the Sea Organ and Sun Salutation on the waterfront. You can walk to nearly every sight and to the ferry and catamaran port. Summer brings crowds and late-night noise, and most streets are closed to cars, so parking is hard.

Centar

Vukovar

Good for first-timers, walkers, history

The old Baroque core by the Danube and the Vuka river holds Eltz Castle, the Franciscan monastery on the hill and most of the town's cafés and restaurants. You can walk to the main sights and the riverside promenade from here. Some buildings still show war damage, and choice is limited, so book early for summer festivals.

Food to try in Croatia

Peka

Meat, octopus or vegetables slow-cooked under a bell-shaped iron lid covered in hot embers. It is common along the Dalmatian coast, and many restaurants ask you to order it hours ahead.

Pašticada

Beef marinated and then stewed for a long time in a rich wine sauce. This Dalmatian dish is often served with gnocchi, especially at family celebrations and weddings.

Crni rižot (black risotto)

Risotto coloured black with cuttlefish or squid ink and cooked with the seafood itself. You will find it on menus in coastal towns and on the islands.

Zagorski štrukli

Pastry dough filled with fresh cottage cheese, then boiled or baked with cream. It comes from the Zagorje region north of Zagreb and is widely served in the capital.

Soparnik

A thin, flat pie filled with Swiss chard, onion and olive oil. It is a traditional dish of the Poljica area near Split in Dalmatia.

Rakija

Strong fruit or herb brandy, such as plum šljivovica or herbal travarica. Hosts often offer a small glass to guests, and it is drunk across the whole country.

Know before you go

  • Plugs and voltage: Croatia uses plug types C and F, with a 230 V supply. Bring an adapter if your devices use a different plug. Check that your chargers accept 230 V before you plug them in.
  • Driving side: Traffic in Croatia drives on the right. If you come from a country that drives on the left, take extra care at junctions and roundabouts, especially on your first days.
  • Emergency number: Call 112 for emergencies in Croatia. Save it in your phone before you travel so you do not need to look it up in a stressful moment.
  • Currency: The currency in Croatia is the Euro. If you arrive from another country that uses the Euro, you do not need to change money.
  • Language: The official language is Croatian. Learning a few basic words, such as hello and thank you, is a simple way to show respect to local people.
  • Time zone: Croatia is on UTC+01:00. Check the time difference from home so you do not miss bookings, transport or calls.
  • Calling code: The country calling code for Croatia is +385. Use it when you give a Croatian phone number to someone abroad or save local numbers in your phone.

Croatia: frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Croatia?

September is the best month overall, with October, June and April close behind. September scores 8.4, the highest of the year. In Zagreb it brings highs of 22.4°C, lows of 13.1°C and 9.5 hours of sun a day. On the coast, Split and Zadar rate July and August highest, so beach trips suit high summer.

Is Croatia good in August?

Yes, August is one of the best months to visit. It scores 7.8. Zagreb averages highs of 28°C and lows of 17.8°C, with 11.9 hours of sun and about 9 rain days. The coastal cities of Split and Zadar both list August among their best months.

What is the weather like in Croatia in winter?

Winter is cold and grey inland. In Zagreb, January highs reach 5.3°C and lows drop to -2°C, with only 5.3 hours of sun and about 10 rain days. December is similar, at 6.3°C by day and -0.2°C at night. January scores 2.6, the lowest of the year. These figures are for Zagreb, not the coast.

Is May a rainy month in Croatia?

Yes, May is the wettest month in Zagreb. It averages 117 mm of rain over 14.9 rain days, the most of the year. It is still rated good, with a score of 7.4, highs of 20.6°C and 10.4 hours of sun a day. Pack a rain jacket.

What currency and language does Croatia use?

Croatia uses the euro, and the official language is Croatian. The country is on UTC+01:00, and the international calling code is +385. The capital is Zagreb.

What plugs and voltage does Croatia use?

Croatia uses plug types C and F, and the voltage is 230 V. Other useful basics: cars drive on the right, and the emergency number is 112.

Similar destinations

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