When to go

As regards the weather in Croatia, May to September is the best time to visit, but the coast becomes pretty crowded during July and August, and September is better as the hordes have gone home leaving the beaches open and off-season rates applying.

January
Continental Croatia is nippy indeed and the coast, while often sunny and pleasant, is not exactly swimmably warm. Still, Stradun in Dubrovnik is a wonderful place to celebrate New Years Eve.

February
It's still cold in most of Croatia but the energy level is definitely picking up. Catholic Croatia makes a big deal out of Lent and Carnival is celebrated enthusiastically. It's generally agreed that the Carnival (Karneval) of Rijeka is the best. Another great event is the Feast of St Blaise in Dubrovnik on February 3, replete with dancing in the streets.

March
It's great outdoors weather along the Adriatic coast, especially for hiking although still too chilly to swim. Depending on the calendar, you may be able to take part in Holy Week in Korcula when the streets of the Old Town are filled with processions by Korcula's age-old brotherhoods.

April
Hardy souls can venture into the water in southern Dalmatia but it's a great month to visit Zagreb. There's the Sweets Festival and the prestigious Biennial of Contemporary Music in odd-numbered years, both in Zagreb.

May
This is a delightful month to visit Croatia. It's usually warm enough to swim from one of Croatia's beaches and hordes of tourists haven't yet arrived. Plus, you get great deals on accommodation.

June
We're in prime coastal and island-hopping season now and there are plenty of interesting cultural events. Try the Festival of Contemporary Dance, Festival of Animated Film or Festival of Avant-garde Theatre in Zagreb or Evenings of Medieval Music in the churches of Rab.

July
The tourist season is in full swing now as coastal resorts fill up and excursion boats leave the dock groaning with passengers. Summer music festivals swing into gear; the best is the Dubrovnik Summer Festival with a full array of classical musicians. The amphitheatre in Pula usually has top-name international performers playing under the stars. There are also major summer music festivals in Split, Zadar and smaller festivals on most resorts and islands. Sveti Kristofor day in Rab (July 27) highlights traditional games and contests and the Motovun Film Festival in Motovun is the place to catch up on the latest artsy international films.

August
Don't show up on a small island without a hotel reservation or you may find yourself on the next boat out. Busy, busy, busy along the coast but all is quiet in Zagreb; it's residents have long ago fled to the Adriatic.

September
The tide of tourists has largely receded leaving the resorts quiet, if not completely empty. The weather and sea are still warm and accommodation prices start to drop.

October
The weather is turning cooler but it's often still possible to swim in southern Dalmatia. Music lovers head up to Varazdin for the relaxing Baroque Evenings that begin at the end of September. Istria celebrates their famous truffles in the October Truffle Days.

November
Both Zagreb and Dubrovnik have lively cultural scenes with a full range of classical and pop concerts.

December
Hoteliers along the coast have long since closed up, readying their establishments for the next season's onslaught.

Relevant links for your travel to Croatia