Climate in Croatia

Croatia’s climate is greatly affected by its Geography. It features mainly 2 types of climates: Continental and Mediterranean. The warmest weather goes around the coast and it’s primarily Mediterranean, and it encompasses cities like Istria, Kvarner, and Hvar. These are the places to go for travelers and expats looking for the sunniest parts of the country, all along the Adriatic Sea.

Continental Climate In Croatia

Including Zagreb and Slavonia, it is mostly separated by the Adriatic sea by the Dinaric Mountains and is completely different to the Mediterranean climate. This means winters can be pretty cold, with temperatures often below the 0°C/32°F mark. Snow is a common sight during this time of the year.

During Summer, the weather gets warmer, with heat waves bringing the heat up to an average 18°C/64°F, with average highs rounding about 28°C or 82°F. The continental climate offers a great escape from people that seek to escape from the Mediterranean’s heat waves during summer.

The mountains of Croatia are one of the best places to ski, even having an official “Ski Season” near the Velebit range and Medvednica (near Zagreb).

Mediterranean Climate in Croatia

The Mediterranean climate takes Croatia’s coast and islands, from Istria to Kvarner. However, cooler temperatures can reign in the northern Adriatic rather than the south. In summers, average temperatures range from a pleasant 24°C to 26°C near the coast. Summers in this part of Croatia are the driest seasons. The islands can be the driest, especially ones away from the mainland. For example, the island of Vis only averages 557mm of rain through the year.

This type of climate has the most manageable winters, with average temperatures between 2°C and 9°C. Snow is rare across these regions. Winter is the rainiest of seasons, being Dubrovnik one of the rainiest cities of the coast, especially from October to December.