Climate of Croatia
Where is the country of Croatia located? Croatia, officially the Republic of Croatia, is a country at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe. Croatia can be divided climatically into three parts. The lower coastal areas have a Mediterranean climate, with mild, fairly wet winters and drier, warm summers. On the mainland, immediately behind the coast loom the Dinaric Alps, a mountain range that runs from north to south along the entire coastal area of Croatia. According to many sources and maps, a Mediterranean climate would also prevail here, but that is not correct. In the higher areas there is a continental climate or a moderate maritime climate, according to the Köppen-Geiger system a Dfb climate. The winters here are colder and wetter, even in the summer the temperature is not as high as directly along the water in the lower areas.
The eastern part of Croatia, which borders Hungary, is much flatter and lower than the western part of the interior. There is unmistakably a moderate continental climate here, where the influence of the sea is almost negligible because the area is located behind a mountain ridge.
Sun destination
Croatia has been on the rise as a popular sun destination for years. In the summer months the temperatures are at a comparable level as on the French Riviera, but the chance of rain is greater than along the Côte D’Azur. It is especially the beaches with bright blue sea that evoke associations with the French coast. Many campsites along the Croatian coast are a great place to stay in the summer months.
Precipitation
In Croatia there is precipitation all year round, the amounts strongly depend on the place and the period. For example, most rain and snow falls in the autumn and winter months. The eastern tip of the country is the driest, with about 700 mm of precipitation annually, the northern part of the Dinaric Alps accounts for more than two thousand millimeters per year, making that area one of the wettest regions in Europe.
Winter sports & snow
In winter, precipitation mainly falls in the form of snow, especially in the mountain areas. The Gorski Kotar area, which is located east of the city of Rijeka, has therefore developed considerably as a winter sports area. The average height of the available slopes is about 1500 to 1700 meters. The region is less snow-sure than popular ski resorts in the Alps, but the chance of beautiful skiing and cross-country skiing conditions is certainly reasonable in the winter months.
Climate figures
The figures below are based on long-term average climate statistics for the city of Zagreb and Dubrovnik water temperatures. The temperatures are displayed in degrees Celsius (°C).
| Maximum temperature | Minimum temperature | Hours of sunshine per day | Days of rainfall per month | Water temperature | |
| January | 3℃ | -4℃ | 2 | 12 | 14℃ |
| February | 6℃ | -1℃ | 3 | 11 | 14℃ |
| March | 11℃ | 2℃ | 5 | 13 | 14℃ |
| April | 17℃ | 6℃ | 6 | 14 | 15℃ |
| May | 21℃ | 10℃ | 7 | 15 | 18℃ |
| June | 24℃ | 14℃ | 8 | 15 | 21℃ |
| July | 26℃ | 15℃ | 9 | 13 | 24℃ |
| August | 26℃ | 15℃ | 8 | 13 | 25℃ |
| September | 22℃ | 12℃ | 6 | 12 | 24℃ |
| October | 16℃ | 7℃ | 5 | 12 | 20℃ |
| November | 9℃ | 3℃ | 2 | 13 | 17℃ |
| December | 4℃ | -2℃ | 2 | 14 | 15℃ |
Best time to visit Croatia
Do you want to know when is the best time to travel to Croatia? You can determine the best time to travel to a destination based on the weather and climate. In addition, there are other factors that are not directly related to the weather and that can influence the best travel periods for a travel destination. Think, for example, of holidays or festive periods, which makes traveling more interesting or not, because daily life comes to a standstill as a result. The Republic of Croatia is a country located in southeastern Europe. This jug used to belong to Yugoslavia. After Croatia became independent in 1991, tourism increased. In recent years, the country has become a very popular holiday destination. Thanks to the Mediterranean climate that prevails on the coast, Croatia is mainly a summer destination. When you realize that the country has no less than 5835 kilometers of coastline, of which 1777 kilometers from the mainland, it should come as little surprise. The Dinaric Alps separate the coast from the plains behind it, which extend as far as Hungary and have a continental climate type.
These are the best months for Croatia
The best time to travel to Croatia partly depends on your destination. For a general holiday, the period from May to September is the best time to travel to Croatia. Temperatures range from pleasant to very pleasant, with average maximum temperatures of around 27 to 30 degrees Celsius in the hottest months. Precipitation per month varies a bit by destination. Inland and on the northern coasts, the summer months are somewhat wetter, while the summer is the driest period in the central and southern coastal areas.
Sun holiday
If you want to travel to Croatia specifically for a sun holiday, then the months of July and August are the best time to travel. The afternoon temperatures on the coast are then around thirty degrees, the sun shines frequently and rainy days are rare. In the northwest it is a bit wetter and there can be occasional (heavy) rain or thunderstorms. The beach is pleasant with sea water temperatures around 25 degrees Celsius. June is slightly cooler, but a good alternative for the busier and more expensive high season months. In September the temperature is often still fine, especially in the first half of the month. The chance of rain does increase in this month.
City trip
The period from April to October is suitable to very suitable for a city trip to, for example, Dubrovnik, Split or Zagreb . The months of May, June and to a lesser extent September are the best travel times for a city trip to Croatia. July and August are guaranteed to be warm, but can also be too hot to visit a city in the middle of summer. The afternoon temperature can occasionally rise towards 35 degrees or even higher.
Winter sports
In winter you can enjoy winter sports in Croatia due to the combination of mountains, cold and snow. Especially in the Medvednica mountains you can enjoy skiing or snowboarding, if the weather conditions want to cooperate. The slopes are located in Croatia at altitudes of about 700 to 1300 meters above sea level. As a result, Croatia is less snow-sure than ski destinations such as Austria, France or Italy. The greatest chance of good snow conditions and therefore the best travel time for a winter sports holiday in Croatia is in the months of January and February.
