Best Time To Visit Croatia

Croatia is always a good idea. Fact. Though, there are certain months that we think are the best time to visit Croatia. While Croatia is one of the hottest destinations in the summer months, and for good reason, we are going to break down when to travel to Croatia for budget-minded travelers, those wanting an epic dose of vitamin sea, and others looking to avoid the crowds. Let’s dive in!

May and June: Best for the Budget-Minded Travelers

Sometimes we want to save a bit of hard-earned cash while picking out our summer holidays. Whether it’s to have more for those adrenaline activities, drool-worthy local dishes, or simply because you can’t wait any longer and need to get the heck out of town ASAP for your summer adventure — we totally get it.

The months of May and June just so happen to be the best time to visit Croatia for the more budget-friendly months of the summer. Though temps might be chillier in May and weather can be occasionally moody, crowds will be lighter and travel will be much lighter on your wallet when it comes to accommodation expenses and travel. By June things start warming up even more, but you’ll still enjoy the low crowds and lower prices!

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Before or After Sail Suggestions:

• Stay in the Balkans to hit upcoming music festivals.
• Hit Dubrovnik to enjoy the Old Town without the throngs of people.
• Head to Krka or Plitvice for the natural beauty with lower crowds.

July: Best Time to visit Croatia for Smaller Crowds & Big Festivals

As the summer heats up, so do the events around Croatia. July is prime time for the festival circuit, and Croatia has become world-famous for some of the best music festivals, with some spanning a week long. The big one along the Dalmatian coast that is easy to get to at the beginning or end of a Croatia sailing holiday is Ultra Europe which takes over the streets of Split.

If you fancy lower crowds but warmer waters than May and June, July is a hot pick too. Early July hasn’t hit peak summer travel in Croatia so the islands can be explored for the most part with less crowding, though as you get closer to August it does get busier. But of course, late July is sublime for the perfect water temperatures, and the summer heat isn’t too intense!

Croatian Festivals & Events in June & July 2024*

• Hideout Festival (Pag Island, Zrce Beach) — June 23rd-27th
• Ultra Europe (Split) — July 12th-14th
• Love International (Tisno) — July 10th-16th

August: Peak Summer Sun and Fun

Oh, can you feel that sun crisping your skin with the salt crystals of your lush morning swim tingling all over as you dangle your feet off the boat enjoying the sea breeze? If you can’t imagine it yet, you’ll experience it soon enough! August in Croatia is the best time to visit Croatia as the temperatures are hot, tanning opportunities are at the max, and that unbelievable clear turquoise water is just as unbelievably amazing to dive into. You may never want to leave that floatie.

August might have the most crowds of the summer, but if you like the buzz of summer vacay vibes and endless opportunities to experience the best of Croatia’s famous nightlife, this is your time! Plus, if your goal on your sailing holiday is to meet and mingle with other awesome people, our flotillas tend to be larger so you’ll most likely end up traveling in a bigger boat family for the week while enjoying all those rafternoons under the sun.

Before or After Sail Suggestions:

• Krka National Park while you can still swim in the waterfalls.
• Spending time in Split and its legendary nightlife.
• Take easy transport to explore Bosnia or Montenegro.

September: Best time to visit Croatia for Lower Temps but also Lower Crowds

September does not mean summer is over, not one bit, and that goes for sailing and exploring Croatia! While the temperatures may be dropping to a comfortable average, the daily swim sesh and sunshine basking on the bow are still fully on the daily to-do list. It’s a month of good balance where prices, crowds, and temperatures drop but the good times are still on high.

The best part of hitting Croatia in September though is the thinning number of tourists around mainland destinations and islands. This means dining out at the restaurant of your choice is a breeze and finding space to dance to the DJ set at the bar is no fuss. And unlike May when destinations are just coming alive for the summer and some places have yet to open, bars and restaurants will still be open and lively!

Before or After Sail Suggestions:

• Krka National Park or Plitvice Lakes for autumn colors.
• Dubrovnik for smaller crowds around the jewel of Dalmatia.
• Exploring the capital city of Zagreb and beautiful outdoors.

Which month sounds more like you? The only thing to do now is book your epic MedSailors Croatia sailing holiday today and tick off those days until summer 2024!

*All festival and event dates are based on information from Visit Croatia