When it comes to deciding which season we love most in Croatia, we couldn’t say for sure but we know that the Autumn would be at the top 4 seasons. Why is that so? Because Autumn in Croatia is perfect part of the year for the outdoor activities and these became our lifestyle through the past decade. Let us just share a few of the other reasons why this season in Croatia is awesome – it’s not crowded, the sea is still warm for swimming, especially in the first part of the Autumn, it’s the most vibrant season of all, and so on. This article will present you what you can expect if you visit Croatia in Autumn.
If you are looking for a peaceful experience in Croatia and explore some of the best natural wonders of this country, then Autumn is the perfect season for you. The summer crowds are gone and so is the summer heat and weather becomes pleasant once again. The nature prepares for the winter and it does so in the most colorful ways you can imagine. Autumn has so many positive sides and so few downsides.
What to Expect: Weather in Autumn in CroatiaFirst things first, let’s discuss air temperatures through the Autumn months so you can get a clearer image on what to expect and what kind of clothes to pack for Autumn in Croatia.
September: Maybe we can’t decide on which season we like most, but we know September is our favorite month in Croatia. It’s still quite warm and temperatures range from 20°C to 27°C (68°F to 81°F) on the coast, and 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F) inland. The best thing about September in Croatia is the fact that the sea is still great for swimming from all the summer heat it accumulated in the previous months.October: It starts to get cooler and the air tempearture averages between 15°C to 20°C (59°F to 68°F) . The mountains and inland regions of Croatia become even cooler, which is perfect for hiking in Croatia.November: The first signs of the real winter knock on the door, especially in the continental parts of Croatia. Temperatures in November range from 10°C to 15°C (50°F to 59°F) on the coast and can drop to 5°C (41°F) or even lower in inland areas.Rainfall: The autumn months in Croatia bring more rain, especially November and October. This is good because summers in Croatia are very dry and the rain is much needed for the lush vegetation in Croatia. It’s advisable to bring waterproof gear if visiting Croatia in these months. A lightweight raincoat that covers your whole body will do just fine. Also, the rainfall is not dramatic and there are still many sunny days with the most pleasant temperatures you can imagine.
Why Visit Croatia in Autumn? A lot of people have noticed the advantage of visiting Croatia in off season periods and more and more of them are changing summer vacation for the one in autumn or spring. We listed some reasons why we love Autumn in Croatia, let us add a few new and collaborate the previously stated ones:
Fewer Crowds: The thing we like the most about Croatia in Autumn is the lack of the real crowds that are characteristic for summer. In Autumn, you have the possibility to enjoy popular destinations like Dubrovnik , Split, and Plitvice Lakes without the usual summer crowds. Still, expect a lot of people visiting in this period too.Mild Weather: The weather in Autumn in Croatia is just perfect for outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, rock climbing, kayaking, and many more others.Lower Prices: Another great aspect of visiting Croatia in Autumn – accommodation, tours, and flights are often cheaper than in peak season. You get to enjoy nice weather and save some money along the way.Autumn Festivals: There are many different festivals in Croatia in these months, especially the ones that focus on food, wine, and harvest.
Best Things to Do in Croatia During Autumn Autumn is great for many things, you can already tell that from the previous parts of this article. Here, we’re going to give you just a few ideas on how to fill you vacation in this period with the best memories and vacation stories.
1. Explore National Parks Croatia has total of 8 national parks that are beautiful in all seasons and probably the most beautiful in Autumn, especially the ones surrounded like forests. Visiting national parks in Croatia in Autumn is one of the thigs you must do.
Plitvice Lakes: The waterfalls and forests of the most famous national park in Croatia transform into a most colorful creations.Krka National Park: Another waterfall-based national park located near Šibenik in Dalmatia. You can enjoy it with fewer tourists and through different activities such as boat rides.Risnjak, Paklenica and Northern Velebit: The best national parks for hiking in Croatia.
2. Discover Croatian Wine Regions Autumn and wine go hand in hand and this is the best time of the year to visit some of the wineries in Croatia and try some of the most famous wines.
Istria and Pelješac Peninsula: Autumn is grape harvest season. This means that many wineries offer tours, tastings, and other similar experiences that are a must for wine lovers.Varazdin and Međimurje: Not as famous wine regions like some others in Croatia but they look stunning in Autumn. Don’t forget to visit castles like Veliki Tabor and Trakošćan when exploring Zagorje.
3. Attend Autumn Festivals Autumn is full of all kinds of different events and many of them are gastronomy related. Here are just a few of them:
Truffle Days in Istria: This festival is all about truffles that Istria, largest Croatian peninsula, is famous for.Marunada Festival: Dedicated to chestnuts and organized in Lovran. Festival full of featuring local food, drinks, and music.Zagreb Film Festival: Something for culture lovers. A festival presenting international and local films held in Zagreb, the capital of Croatia.
4. Enjoy the Coastline Without the Crowds Croatia can get pretty crowded in summer. It’s a fact. But most of the visitors start leaving Croatia at the beginning of September and their number gets lower and lower with each passing week. This gives you the unique opportunity to enjoy almost empty beaches in Croatia.
Dalmatian Coast: Visit Split, Dubrovnik, and other popular destinations and enjoy sightseeing with less people around you.Island Hopping: There are many boat tours to local islands still available or you can use ferries and catamarans to explore islands in Croatia.
Famous Nugal beach near the city of Makarska in Dalmatia, Croatia, which was proclaimed as one of the most beautiful beaches in Croatia. 5. Experience Traditional Croatian Food Finally, we reach the gastronomy part of these ideas for Autumn vacation in Croatia. Somehow Autumn is all about food, and a nice cozy warm dishes.
Autumn Dishes: Try local specialties such as peka , wild game stews , mushroom dishes , and pumpkin-based desserts .Local Markets: Visit local markets in any place and buy fresh local products such as dried figs.
Best Activities to Enjoy in Autumn Croatia is paradise for adventure tourism and it’s full of great adventure options. Here are some activities that are perfect for the Autumn period in Croatia:
Hiking: The best activity for this time of the year. Enjoy exploring the mountains and national parks in mild weather and get mesmerized by the autumn colors.Cycling: Many coastal and inland trails are great scenic routes. Istria and Dalmatia are the most famous regions for cycling in Croatia.Wine Tasting Tours: Experience the harvest season and enjoy some of the best wines in Croatia.Kayaking and Rafting: Water is cooler in this period of the year, but you’ll get wetsuit. Kayaking and white water rafting in Croatia are great Autumn activities in Croatia.
Tips for Traveling to Croatia in Autumn Before you start packing and book your airplane ticket to Croatia, let us just share a few final tips for visiting Croatia in this period:
Pack Layers: The weather is different in various regions of Croatia so pack accordingly. Check the temperatures range we have stated before to know what to expect.Waterproof Gear: Bring a lightweight rain jacket. It won’t take up much space and it can come in handy.Book Accommodation in Advance: There are less tourists in Croatia, but some popular places to stay can still get full.Rent a Car: This is our best piece of advice when visiting Croatia. Renting a car and driving in Croatia is the experience for itself.
Before you Venture to enjoy Autumn in Croatia Did you like what you have read about the Autumn in Croatia ? Our autumns are pretty busy and we exchange periods on the beach with the outdoor adventures. September is our favorite month for swimming in Croatia because you can finally enjoy beaches with fewer people. If you are looking to get the experience of Croatia as described in this article, consider visiting in Autumn.
Enjoy your vacation in Croatia!
