Rain and vacation go hand in hand only if you have a vacation in a rainforest. Anywhere else and rain may completely ruin your holiday. Croatia is considered to be a sunny destination, so if there are going to be a lot of rainy days during your visit, it could really prevent you from enjoying your vacation to the fullest. This article aims to answer does it rain a lot in Croatia and give you some useful insights when it comes to rain in Croatia.
Croatia is well known for its stunning coastline, historic cities, diverse landscapes, and Mediterranean climate which has a lot of sunny days. If you’re planning a trip or just curious about Croatia’s climate, this guide will provide you with an in-depth look at Croatia’s rainfall patterns, supported by data from our weather station located on Makarska Riviera (the coastal part of southern Croatia).
Storm on southern part of Makarska Riviera Overview of Rainfall in Croatia Croatia has different types of climates in different parts of the country. Coastal regions enjoy a Mediterranean climate, while the inland parts are characterized by a continental climate. This variation means that rain levels differ significantly across the country, ranging from 600 mm to 3,500 mm annually, depending on the region. But what does that mean in practical terms?
The wettest areas, like Gorski Kotar , get as much rain as London or Seattle over the course of 1 year.
The driest areas, like some Adriatic islands, experience rainfall similar to Los Angeles .
Great news if you’re visiting the Dalmatian coast is the fact that it’s the driest part of the country, especially when it comes to summer months.
There are always a blue skies after the rain Regional Rainfall Patterns in Croatia When answering does it rain a lot in Croatia we have to observe the rainfall through different parts of Croatia. Let’s see the amount of annual rain in different regions of Croatia.
1. Northern Adriatic (Istria and Kvarner) The northern coastal regions and nearby highlands receive substantial rainfall, particularly in the autumn and winter months. Think of it as a region where you might need an umbrella as often as in Ireland or Switzerland .
Rijeka : 1,552 mm annually over 101 rainy days (almost one in every three days has rain )Pazin : 1,086 mm annually over 94 rainy daysGospić : 1,366 mm annually over 110 rainy daysOgulin : 1,525 mm annually over 123 rainy daysParg (one of the wettest locations in Croatia): 1,841 mm annually over 134 rainy days (rain falls here as frequently as in Vancouver! )Zavižan : 1,983 mm annually over 135 rainy days (expect wet weather similar to a rainforest city like Bergen, Norway )
Stormy weather in Gradac on Makarska Riviera 2. Southern Adriatic (Dalmatia) Dalmatia is generally much more than the northern Adriatic, with more sunshine and fewer rainy days. However, when it does rain, it can pour a lot. Although these kinds of showers don’t last for long. Think of it as having Mediterranean dryness like Greece but with occasional rain showers .
Dubrovnik : 1,064 mm annually over 87 rainy days (a bit wetter than Barcelona but with similar sunshine levels )Split-Marjan : 783 mm annually over 81 rainy daysHvar (one of the driest areas and the sunniest place in Croatia): 714 mm annually over 73 rainy days (similar to parts of southern Spain )Zadar : 879 mm annually over 83 rainy daysKnin : 1,026 mm annually over 92 rainy days
Amount of rain in May in Croatia recorded through our weather station in southern Croatia – first half of May was dry and sunny and there were total of 3 days with significant rainfall 3. Continental Croatia (Central and Eastern Regions) Continental Croatia has a classic four-season climate, with moderate to high precipitation in certain areas. Rainfall in this region is more evenly distributed throughout the year, with occasional summer storms. If you’re used to places like Munich or Budapest, the weather here will feel familiar .
Zagreb (the capital): 917 mm annually (similar to Berlin’s rainfall levels )Osijek (eastern Croatia): 700 mm annually (comparable to Vienna )
Seasonal Rainfall Trends in Croatia Rainfall patterns in Croatia also vary throughout the year, with autumn and winter being the wettest periods, particularly in coastal areas. On the other side of the spectrum, spring and summer tend to be drier, especially in Dalmatia, where long sunny periods dominate. This is just one of the reasons why most of the people visit Croatia in summer.
For example, the wettest month in Dubrovnik is November , with an average rainfall of 198 mm—that’s almost as much rain as London gets in an entire winter month .
August of 2024 – there was a relatively high amount of rain but all the rainfall was only in 2 days. What This Means for Travelers But what does all this information mean to you as someone who wants to visit Croatia? When it comes to rain in Croatia and different seasons, here’s what to expect in a normal year:
Spring (March-May): Moderate rainfall, mild temperatures – great for sightseeing and outdoor adventures with an occasional drizzle .Summer (June-August): Least rain, ideal for beach lovers – if you hate rain, visit Croatia in this period! Autumn (September-November): Slightly increased rainfall, especially in the coastal regions – bring a raincoat, especially in October and November .Winter (December-February): Rainy and cold inland, milder but with frequent rain on the coast – expect cozy indoor time and some dramatic seaside storms .
Rainy clouds rolling over Hvar Island Before You Venture to Croatia Weather is unpredictable and when it comes to rain in Croatia , it can happen during your vacation. Maybe you dreamt about days spent on the beach but rain is ruining your plans. Our best advice – embrace it. You can’t change the weather. Don’t stress about it. There is a high chance it will last only for a day or two. Find another thing to do while it’s raining. There are plenty of indoor activities you can enjoy on a rainy day in Croatia.
But rain in Croatia can also be an opportunity. Take Dubrovnik as an example. It’s the most visited destination in Croatia and it can be very crowded on some days. But when the rain falls streets suddenly become empty and you can explore them in a unique moody atmosphere. We suggest bringing any kind of raincoat with you when coming to Croatia in a more rainy season. These are lightweight and will protect your whole body in case of rain.
Embrace the rain in Croatia and enjoy your holiday no matter what.
