When to go

As regards to the weather in Croatia, from May to September is the best time to come, because the Adriatic coast as a whole, becomes crowded during July and August, while September is also better representing the end of the summer and 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 warm for swimming. 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 rising up. Catholic Croatia makes a big deal out of Lent and Carnival is enthusiastically celebrated. It is generally agreed that the Carnival (Karneval) of Rijeka is the most popular within the Croatia but also abroad. Another great event is the Feast of St Blaise in Dubrovnik on February 3, replete with dancing on the streets.

March
It is great 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
The brave ones can venture into the water in southern Dalmatia but it is the best month for visiting Zagreb. There is 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 is usually warm enough to swim from one of Croatia's beaches and numerous tourists haven't yet arrived. Plus, you get great deals on accommodation.

June
We are in the 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 Theater in Zagreb or Evenings of Medieval Music in the Rab churches.

July
The tourist season is in the peak now while 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 amphitheater in Pula usually holds and invites famous international performers playing under the stars. There are also major summer music festivals in Split, Zadar and smaller festivals on almost every 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 are dropping down.

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 closed up, preparing their establishments for the next season's onslaught.

Relevant links for your travel to Croatia