Croatia
Old walled towns on the Adriatic, more than a thousand islands and the waterfall lakes of Plitvice make Croatia a coast-and-mountains trip.
Croatia is a country on the Adriatic coast in Central and Southeast Europe. Zagreb is its capital and largest city, and it is the political, cultural and economic center. Most visitors come for the Dalmatian coast and its islands. Croatia has more than a thousand islands and islets, and Cres and Krk are the largest. Split has Diocletian's Palace, built for a Roman emperor who retired there in AD 305. The old town of Dubrovnik is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Inland, Plitvice Lakes National Park links 16 lakes with waterfalls, and its colors run from turquoise to mint green, grey and blue.
The trip suits travelers who want walled old towns, swimming and boat days, and a few days in the mountains or the interior. Summer is the peak season and the busiest time. July and August bring full ferries and crowded old towns. May, June and September are a better balance of warm sea and fewer people, with coastal sea temperatures of about 25 to 27 °C in summer. Plan at least a week to pair one coastal base with one inland stop without rushing.
Five things to know before Croatia
- Expect EES registration at your first Schengen border
Non-EU visitors give a photo and fingerprints, and passports are not stamped. The EU says the system has been fully operational since 10 April 2026, and kiosks at six Croatian airports let first-timers pre-register. EES explained
- Check the rules for your passport
US, UK, Canadian and Australian visitors need no visa for up to 90 days in any 180 across Schengen. ETIAS is not yet in operation; the EU will announce a start date months ahead. Visa checker
- Carry ID on the Slovenia land border
The UK government notes checks at Slovenia's borders with Croatia. Carry your passport or ID card and allow time on summer road trips between Istria, Zagreb and Slovenia. Motovun and inland Istria
- Buy Plitvice tickets online for summer
Webshop tickets are valid only at the entrance you choose, and summer days can sell out. Arrive at opening to walk the lower lakes before the groups. Plitvice Lakes
- Know which ferry ticket you hold
Jadrolinija's fast-ship tickets are tied to the departure you choose, while its car-ferry tickets cover any sailing on the printed date. In July and August, arrive early with a car. Hvar
Croatia travel guides
Practical guides from writers who live there.
The walls, the old town and where to stay outside it.
Read the guideSplitDiocletian's Palace and ferries to the islands.
Read the guideHvarIsland beaches, ferries and quieter villages.
Read the guidePlitvice LakesTickets by entrance, trail routes and the best hours to go.
Read the guideZagrebThe upper town, museums and café culture.
Read the guideZadarSea Organ, island boats and the gateway to Kornati.
Read the guideRovinjThe Istrian old town, with Pula and Poreč nearby.
Read the guideVisa checkerEntry rules by passport, checked against official pages.
Read the guide
Destinations in Croatia
CityZagrebExplore
CityZadarExplore
CityTrogirExplore
CityCavtatExplore
CityRovinjExplore
CityPulaExplore
CityŠibenikExplore
CityHvar TownExplore
CityOpatijaExplore
CityRijekaExplore
CityDubrovnikExplore
CityStari GradExplore
CityMakarskaExplore
CityPorečExplore
CityBolExplore
CitySplitExplore
CityMali LošinjExplore
CityMotovunExplore
Hostel beds, cheap eats, buses and free sights.
- Bed a night
- €25
- Food
- €20
- Transport
- €4
- Sights
- Free
A 3-star room, casual restaurants, public transport and one paid sight a day.
- Bed a night
- €45
- Food
- €45
- Transport
- €15
- Sights
- €15
A 4-star room, good restaurants, taxis and a guided tour.
- Bed a night
- €75
- Food
- €80
- Transport
- €40
- Sights
- €50
When to go
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Best
- JanuaryPartly cloudy10 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh5°Low-1°Mild, quietJanuaryPartly cloudy
- High
- 5°
- Low
- -1°
- Precipitation
- 64 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quiet
- FebruaryPartly cloudy8 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh9°Low1°Mild, quietFebruaryPartly cloudy
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 1°
- Precipitation
- 60 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quiet
- MarchPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh13°Low4°Cool, showersMarchPartly cloudy
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 68 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, showers
- AprilPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh17°Low7°Spring, mildAprilPartly cloudy
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 69 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, mild
- MayRain16 rainy daysHigh21°Low11°Warm, fewer crowdsMayRain
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 119 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, fewer crowds
- JunePartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh27°Low16°Warm seaJunePartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 91 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm sea
- JulyClear10 rainy daysHigh29°Low18°Hot, crowdedJulyClear
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 92 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, crowded
- AugustClear10 rainy daysHigh29°Low18°Hottest, busiestAugustClear
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 81 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hottest, busiest
- SeptemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh23°Low13°Warm seaSeptemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 101 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm sea
- OctoberPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh18°Low9°Mild, quieterOctoberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 76 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quieter
- NovemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh11°Low5°Wet, quietNovemberPartly cloudy
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 95 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, quiet
- DecemberPartly cloudy10 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh7°Low1°Mild, wetDecemberPartly cloudy
- High
- 7°
- Low
- 1°
- Precipitation
- 67 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, wet
Average daily high and low in Dubrovnik, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Croatia
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
8
- Feels like
- 6°
- Humidity
- 72%
- Wind
- 16 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 30%
Zagreb
12:22 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today8°7°30%Tuesday: Rain. High 8°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 30%.
- Wed10°7°25%Wednesday: Rain. High 10°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 25%.
- Thu10°3°1%Thursday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 1%.
- Fri9°1°0%Friday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sat10°3°9%Saturday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 9%.
- Sun10°3°12%Sunday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 12%.
Updated 09:36 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
NovemberSalzburg Christkindlmarkt
NovemberNuremberg Christkindlesmarkt
NovemberStrasbourg Christmas marketFestivals by month
- Jan
- FebRijeka CarnivalRijeka
- Mar
- Apr
- MaySudamjaSplit
- Jun
- JulDubrovnik Summer FestivalDubrovnik
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- DecAdvent in ZagrebZagreb
On tour in Croatia: Rod Stewart The Final Encore Pula, Jun 22, 2027
Before you go to Croatia
Croatia FAQ
Do I need a visa for Croatia?
Not for short stays on a US, UK, Canadian or Australian passport: up to 90 days in any 180 across the Schengen area. You register in the EES at the border, and ETIAS is not yet in operation; the EU says it will announce the start date months ahead.
Does Croatia use the euro?
Yes, since 1 January 2023. Cards are common, but keep some cash for island bakeries and small beach bars.
How many days do I need in Croatia?
Ten days covers Zagreb or Plitvice, Split, one island and Dubrovnik. With a week, stay on the coast from Split to Dubrovnik and add one island.
How do I get from Split to Dubrovnik?
By bus along the coast in about four to five hours, or by catamaran in season, which stops at islands on the way.
When is the best time to visit Croatia?
June and September give warm sea water with fewer crowds than July and August. May and October suit sightseeing and hiking more than swimming.