Croatia can be divided into different climatic zones, some of which have great weather differences : the Adriatic coast, the lowlands with the capital Zagreb and the hilly central Croatia. Below you will find out all the climatic conditions and differences in the regions as well as the weather conditions in the different seasons.
Climate and weather in Croatia – Adriatic coast
The region of the Adriatic coast attracts sun-hungry tourists with its Mediterranean climate . The characteristics of the Mediterranean climate are dry and hot summers and mild but rainy winters. July and August are the hottest months in summer and the thermometer often reaches 30 degrees Celsius. The minimum temperatures during these months are between 20 and 21 degrees Celsius. The water has a wonderful temperature of 23 to 24 degrees. The number of rainy days is lowest in June, July and August with 3 and 4 days respectively. With 11 hours of sunshine on the day, you can enjoy the days in July to the fullest. Air temperatures, the number of hours of sunshine and the water temperature all decrease over the autumn. The number of rainy days is increasing. Winter has the lowest temperatures of the year. January and February are among the coldest months in winter. During the day, temperatures of 11 and 12 degrees Celsius respectively prevail. At night they drop to 5 to 6 degrees Celsius. The winter months are mild, but the season has something else in store: the so-called bora . It is a cold fall wind that is among the strongest in the world. If you are on a coastal road or a bridge you should be careful if a bora occurs. The climate table of Split is representative for the Mediterranean climate of the Adriatic coast. However, there may be some variations in the different regions of the coast. In one place the temperatures in summer are slightly higher or lower than in other places. The number of hours of sunshine can also vary slightly.
Climate table for the coast – Split
| Jan | Feb | March | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Max. Temperature in ° C | 11 | 12 | 14 | 18 | 22 | 25 | 28 | 29 | 27 | 21 | 17 | 13 |
| Min. Temperature in ° C | 5 | 6 | 8 | 11 | 15 | 18 | 20 | 21 | 18 | 14 | 10 | 7 |
| Hours of sunshine per day | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 4 | 3 |
| Water temperature in ° C | 13 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 22 | 21 | 17 | 15 |
| Rainy days per month | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 11 | 13 |
Climate and weather in Croatia – inland and northeast
The continental climate prevails in the interior of the country, the lowlands around Zagreb, north-east and east of Croatia. The climate here is similar to that in Central Europe. The seasons are much more pronounced than on the coast. The summers are hot and comparatively dry with temperatures averaging 27 degrees Celsius. In winter the temperatures can drop to 2 degrees Celsius and in the nights in January and February it is not uncommon for temperatures below zero. Snowfall in and around the capital turns the region into a popular ski area. The climate table of Zagreb is used to bring you closer to the climate and weather conditions in this region of the country . You can see all the values for the months from January to December.
Climate table for inland Croatia – Zagreb
| Jan | Feb | March | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Max. Temperature in ° C | 3 | 6 | 11 | 17 | 21 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 22 | 15 | 9 | 5 |
| Min. Temperature in ° C | -2 | -1 | 3 | 8 | 11 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 13 | 8 | 4 | 0 |
| Hours of sunshine per day | 2 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| Rainy days per month | 13 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 17 | 14 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 16 |
Climate and weather in Croatia – Central Croatia
When speaking of Central Croatia , the region of the Dinaric Alps is meant. On the sea side of the mountains there is a Mediterranean climate, on the land side towards the inland there is a continental climate. Central Croatia has a mountainous climate . That brings cool summers and cold winters with it. In summer, temperatures rarely rise above 24 degrees Celsius. In the cold winter month of January, the average temperature is 5 degrees Celsius and at night they drop to minus 3 degrees Celsius. If you want to escape the hot Adriatic coast in summer, you should settle in this hilly landscape in Croatia and enjoy the landscape.
As one of countries beginning with C defined by COUNTRYAAH, Croatia is one of the holiday destinations that you can basically visit all year round. But you should adjust your travel time to your planned activities. For a beach holiday on the Adriatic coast with maximum temperatures and an extra dose of sun, you should make a note of the summer months of July , August and September . However, since it is the main travel season in the region, you have to prepare for numerous tourists. Flight and hotel prices reach their highest values at this time of year. That’s why spring and autumn are definitely worth itto be considered as travel time. The temperatures are also suitable for swimming in these seasons, but also for hiking and, above all, for tours across the entire country. When you think of Croatia, you think of the coast with its wonderful beaches. But Croatia is also a popular winter travel destination. The winter months of December , January and February are ideal for a trip to the many ski areas .
| Best travel time to Croatia | |
| Beach vacation | May / June to September / October |
| Round trips | Spring and autumn |
| Ski vacation | December, January, February |
