Packing for a trip to Croatia? Good, we believe you’ll love it here. This article will make you familiar with Croatia’s diverse climates, landscapes, and seasonal changes . What to wear in Croatia depends on the season you plan to visit it, and in this article, we’ll give you a quick overview of the whole year, month by month, and tell you a bit about the weather and what would be good to wear at that particular period.
We are locals who have lived through more than 30 summers, winters, autumns, and springs in Croatia and we pretty much know what to expect, even though you never know with the weather nowadays. Anyways, here’s a month-by-month guide on what to wear in Croatia, with tips based on temperature, weather, and regional differences .
January We are starting and ending with the coldest months in Croatia . January is a cold on moist month, and many say that it’s the most depressing time of the year. The Christmas Markets are over, the days are short, and it often rains. Yes, that’s January. Here’s what to expect when it comes to the average temperatures :
Coast (Dubrovnik, Split): 5–13°C (41–55°F), mild but can be windy and rainyInterior (Zagreb, Plitvice): 0–7°C (32–45°F), cold, sometimes snowy
What to Wear:
Winter coat, warm layers, scarf, gloves, and waterproof boots
Thermal underwear and wool socks for mountain or inland visits
Umbrella and waterproof jacket for the coast
February February is somewhat similar to January when it comes to temperatures, but you can slowly feel the spring approaching and some days can get very sunny and warm, at least on the coast. The days are also getting longer and longer. Still, it’s winter and it’s cold on most days, especially in inland parts of Croatia. We live on the coast, and we still remember how most of the snowfalls in Dalmatia were in February.
Coast: 6–14°C (43–57°F)Interior: 1–9°C (34–48°F)
What to Wear:
Keep wearing warm coats and winter layers, just as in January
Snow boots and insulated jackets are a must if visiting higher elevations or places like Biokovo Nature Park or Northern Velebit National Park
Lighter scarf and gloves for sunny coastal days
March March is the turning point of the year and the month in which winter is replaced by spring. Actually, it’s late March right now as I write these lines, and it’s stormy weather outside. You never know with the March, last year it was sunny and this year it’s more rainy. Still, the days are getting longer and warmer, and it’s the perfect month for all kinds of outdoor activities in Croatia.
Coast: 8–16°C (46–61°F)Interior: 2–12°C (36–54°F)
What to Wear:
Trench coat or light down jacket
Layered outfits (t-shirt + cardigan + light jacket)
Waterproof shoes for the usual spring rain
April April is the month in which anybody living on the coast starts to wear t-shirts. The days are getting longer and longer, and it can get very warm. Still, the nights can be cooler, so don’t bring only the spring clothes just yet. April is the month in which the first serious numbers of visitors start to arrive in Croatia. It’s still cold for swimming for most people, too, but you can do it if you don’t mind colder sea temperatures.
Coast: 11–19°C (52–66°F)Interior: 6–16°C (43–61°F)
What to Wear:
Light jacket, long-sleeve shirts, and jeans
Comfortable walking shoes or sneakers for sightseeing and nature walks
Pack an umbrella or raincoat just in case
May Spring is in full swing in May, and this is one of our favorite months in Croatia, together with September. May is a beautiful, warm, and lush month that brings the best temperatures of the whole year. if you want to explore Croatia in pleasant weather and with not so many other visitors, then May is one of the best options to do so.
Coast: 15–24°C (59–75°F)Interior: 12–23°C (54–73°F)
What to Wear:
T-shirts, lightweight pants, or shorts
Light sweater or jacket for evenings
Swimwear and sandals for beach days
June June is the month in which most of the locals start swimming as the sea temperature rises steadily. And so does the air temperature, too. June is also the month in which the summer starts, and it can get very hot on some days. It’s also the last month before the peak season kicks in and Croatia becomes hot and crowded.
Coast: 20–30°C (68–86°F)Interior: 17–28°C (63–82°F)
What to Wear:
Shorts, sundresses, t-shirts
Swimwear, sunglasses, and a hat
Light linen or cotton clothes because of the heat
July July is one of the hottest months in Croatia . It’s peak season and more and more tourists are coming to Croatia with each passing week. It’s a full summer with the temperatures rising to 40°C on some days. You need clothes in July only because of the social norms, and the most important thing is sun protection, which we strongly advise you to have and apply.
Coast: 25–35°C (77–95°F)Interior: 20–33°C (68–91°F)
What to Wear:
Tank tops, shorts, dresses, sandals
Swimwear, sunscreen, UV-protective clothing
Bring a light shawl or shirt for sun cover
August August is the hottest month in Croatia . In fact, the highest recorded temperature in Croatia was recorded in August in the city of Ploče in southern Croatia, and it was 42.8°C. It can get very hot in August in Croatia, and we suggest you spend as much time as possible swimming and in other sea-related activities. The beginning of August is also the peak of the peak season in Croatia.
Coast: 24–34°C (75–93°F)Interior: 19–32°C (66–90°F)
What to Wear:
Same as July: breathable fabrics, beachwear, sunhats, sun protection
Light long-sleeve shirt for evenings if it cools in inland areas such as Lika and Gorski Kotar
September September is our favorite month in Croatia when it comes to the summer part of the year. The sea is still warm in this month and it’s just perfect for swimming. Most of the tourists have gone back home, and you have the chance to enjoy pleasant weather and Croatia with fewer crowds. September offers a great mix of beach and outdoor kind of weather and it’s not as hot as during the summer.
Coast: 20–28°C (68–82°F)Interior: 15–25°C (59–77°F)
What to Wear:
Mix of summer and early fall clothing
Shorts or jeans, t-shirts, light jacket if visiting inland areas
Definitely bring swimwear for warm early-September beach days
October October is yet another great month with even fewer visitors but somewhat lower temperatures too. It’s done with the summer and the heat, and it’s time for autumn to play its game. The first half of October is still good enough for swimming on a sunny day, but closer to the end of the month you get, the colder the sea and air temperatures become. October is also the most colorful month in Croatia.
Coast: 14–22°C (57–72°F)Interior: 9–17°C (48–63°F)
What to Wear:
Light jacket, sweaters, long pants
Closed-toe shoes or boots
A raincoat or umbrella for sudden showers that are characteristic of the autumn in Croatia
November November is one of the rainiest months in Croatia. Similar to January, many people say it’s one of the most depressing parts of the year, and there is that melancholy vibe after the warm days of summer are gone and winter is ahead of us. We still like it and spend most ofthe November sunny days outdoors doing activities like hiking or kayaking.
Coast: 10–17°C (50–63°F)Interior: 4–12°C (39–54°F)
What to Wear:
Warm sweaters, jackets, boots
Waterproof outerwear for rainy days
Scarf and gloves for colder inland evenings
December We love December because of the Christmas Markets. It gets very cold, but it’s somehow the warmest part of the year because of all the Christmas lights and Christmas events in Croatia. If you are into these kinds of events, we suggest visiting Croatia in this part of the year and make sure you visit the Zagreb Christmas Market which was proclaimed as the best one in Europe for many years.
Coast: 6–14°C (43–57°F)Interior: 0–7°C (32–45°F)
What to Wear:
Winter coat, insulated boots, hat, and gloves
Thermal layers if you want to go exploring mountains or snowy areas
A festive outfit for Christmas markets or holiday dinners
Extra Tips by Region We can split Croatia into 4 different parts when it comes to the climate, so here they are, and here’s what to expect when it comes to the weather and climate in each of these.
Dalmatian Coast (Split, Dubrovnik, Hvar)
Mediterranean climate: hot and dry summers, mild winters
Light, airy clothes in summer
Jacket and umbrella in winter
Zagreb & Inland Croatia
Continental climate: hot summers, cold winters
Pack warmer layers and coats from October to April
Istria (Pula, Rovinj)
Mediterranean climate, but still a bit cooler than on the Dalmatian Coast
Light summer gear and warm jackets in winter
Mountainous regions (Plitvice, Gorski Kotar, Lika)
Colder year-round, especially in winter
Bring hiking boots, thermals, and snowproof gear from November to March
Before You Venture To Croatia We hope this article about what to wear in Croatia in certain periods was helpful and gave you some useful information regarding the weather in Croatia. As I write these final lines, it’s still raining outside, just as it was when I started writing this article. This is going to be one rainy March. We also have a detailed month-by-month analysis on our blog, so make sure you explore it if you are interested in visiting Croatia in any particular month.
We wish you a pleasant stay in Croatia!
