We are planning a trip to Croatia for autumn 2025. Due to schedule are options are 8/30 to 9/7 OR 10/4 to 10/12. Plan is to spend a majority of time in Dubrovnik, Hvar, and Split (with maybe a day trip to national park, but we could pick the best weather day for that). We want to spend most of our time outdoors, exploring, beach, etc. I know the early September dates offer better weather chances but more crowds, while October the weather can still be good but is not guaranteed. Anybody have any experience around these times? We were leaning to October as we can deal with not hot temperatures, but rain would be a trip killer it seems. Thanks!
Posted by
Citizen of the World
2349 posts
After October 5, the weather gets real iffy on the Dalmatian coast. Ferries, Beach clubs, bars and restaurants start scaling back their operations as the rains can start any time and the strong “bura” winds can start as well.
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
21228 posts
It's a summer resort. Go in summer. If you are worried about crowds, go instead to Dubrovnik and Budva and Ulcinj.
Posted by
Washington DC
28689 posts
I concur. There's a very substantial risk fall will arrive in early October, and with it considerable rain.
If the "national park" you mentioned is Plitvice, please do not attempt to see it on a day trip from Split. The park is beautiful, but it gets totally swamped with day-trippers to the point you'll be part of a mob as you traverse the over-water walkways. My most recent visit there was in 2015, and visitor loads are surely even heavier now. I was very aware that if anyone stumbled, several people were going to end up in the water. Just nothing like the experiences I had before Croatia became the place to go. The way to enjoy Plitvice is to arrive around mid-afternoon, see part of the park in the late afternoon, spend the night and see the rest of the park really early the next morning. If you can't do that, in my view you should spend your time elsewhere. You don't have a lot of time; I'd hate to see you waste a day on an inferior visit to what under other circumstances would be a beautiful place.
Posted by
Nanaimo, BC, Canada
178 posts
Your week in the southern Adriatic could be still summery in September, and even into October. Check the websites of both Split and Dubrovnik for recent weather patterns. which are all changing. Dalmatia is warmer than the Northern Adriatic for longer. Restaurants across the Adriatic may start to close at the end of their 6 month summer licence as early as Sep 30th, but local ones operate year round. Both Split and Dubrovnik are large places with old and new towns. A rainy day will be met by rain screens on outdoor cafes and restaurants, and business will continue inside the less crowded interiors. IMHO Croatia is gorgeous at the end of September, which is when I arrive every year. October can be all of the above with wind and rain, but the crowds are gone, the locals are more relaxed, people are going olive picking once the fruit ripen, also variable lately, and life goes on. Normal life,. that is.
I do not think you can predict the weather any more. Check two or three of the last years for examples and see what the Tourist Offices say about this year. They all try to offer activities to extend the season as long as possible. Indoor concerts for example.
Good luck ad take non slip shoes for any rainy day on limestone steps. I swrar by Merrells, as their rubber seems to grip the best. In streets empty of crowds and full of beauty. Dobar dan!