The best time to visit Dubrovnik is May to June and September: it is 21 to 25 °C (70 to 77 °F) in the afternoon, the sea is warming up and the city is less crowded than in July–August. July and August are the hottest and driest months, but also the most expensive and the busiest. Winter is mild for Croatia, but rainy, and some services close.
Dubrovnik has a Mediterranean climate: hot, sunny summers and mild, wet winters. According to the Croatian weather service normals, average highs rise from about 12 °C (54 °F) in January to over 28 °C (82 °F) in July–August, and rain is concentrated from October to April, with a peak in November. For a city this small and this popular, weather is not the only criterion: crowds of cruise passengers and day visitors, accommodation prices and the Summer Festival matter just as much. Here is how to choose your period, based on the official normals.
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When to go to Dubrovnik at a glance
- Best times May–June and September; early October for a quiet stay
- For swimming June to September
- Hottest month August, with an average high of 28.5 °C (83 °F)
- Driest month July, with about 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain
- Wettest month November (142 mm (5.6 in)), followed by October and December
- Major event the Dubrovnik Summer Festival, in July and August
- Cheapest period November to March, when some hotels and restaurants close
When to go to Dubrovnik by priority
- Best weather: May, June and September: 21 to 25 °C (70 to 77 °F) in the afternoon and a pleasant sea from June
- Cheapest: November to March, but it rains more and many places close; April and October remain mid-priced
- Fewest crowds: October, still mild; in May, crowds remain moderate before the summer wave
- Events: the feast of St. Blaise in early February, the Summer Festival in July–August, Advent events in December
Dubrovnik: the calendar at a glance
✅ Best months: may, June, September, October
❌ Period to avoid: November
Dubrovnik weather month by month
The table below uses the normals for the Dubrovnik station published by the Croatian Meteorological and Hydrological Service (DHMZ). The reference period is 1971–2000.
| Month | Avg. max | Avg. min | Rain | Crowds | Prices | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 12.3 °C (54 °F) | 6.6 °C (44 °F) | 98 mm (3.9 in) | Very low | Low | ⚠️ Mild but rainy, many places closed |
| February | 12.6 °C (55 °F) | 6.8 °C (44 °F) | 98 mm (3.9 in) | Very low (St. Blaise) | Low | ⚠️ Quiet and cool, feast of St. Blaise |
| March | 14.4 °C (58 °F) | 8.4 °C (47 °F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | Low | Low | ⚠️ Early spring, still wet |
| April | 16.9 °C (62 °F) | 11.0 °C (52 °F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | Moderate (Easter) | Moderate | ⚠️ Pleasant for sightseeing, rain still frequent |
| May | 21.5 °C (71 °F) | 15.3 °C (60 °F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | Moderate to high | Moderate → high | ✅ Mild, ideal for the walls |
| June | 25.3 °C (78 °F) | 18.9 °C (66 °F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | High | High | ✅ Warm, dry, first swims |
| July | 28.2 °C (83 °F) | 21.4 °C (71 °F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | Very high | Very high | ⚠️ The driest, but crowds and heat |
| August | 28.5 °C (83 °F) | 21.6 °C (71 °F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | Very high | Very high | ⚠️ The hottest and most expensive, thunderstorms possible |
| September | 25.1 °C (77 °F) | 18.4 °C (65 °F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | High | High | ✅ Warm sea, crowds easing |
| October | 21.1 °C (70 °F) | 14.9 °C (59 °F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | Moderate | Moderate | ✅ Mild, but the rains return |
| November | 16.6 °C (62 °F) | 10.7 °C (51 °F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) | Very low | Low | ❌ The wettest month |
| December | 13.4 °C (56 °F) | 7.8 °C (46 °F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | Low (holidays) | Low → moderate | ⚠️ Mild and damp, Christmas atmosphere |
Note: according to the same normals, Dubrovnik has about 11 to 12 rainy days a month from November to April, compared with fewer than 5 in July. Sunshine rises from about 125 hours in December to nearly 350 hours in July. The rain in August and September often falls as brief thunderstorms, which do not necessarily spoil the day.
Dubrovnik’s seasons: pros and cons
Spring (March to May): the Old Town before the crowds
March and April remain changeable (14 to 17 °C (57 to 63 °F) in the afternoon, over 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain a month), and the sea is still too cold for most swimmers. May changes things: 21.5 °C (71 °F) average high, falling rainfall and long days. It is an excellent month for walking the city walls without suffering from the heat. Easter already brings people.
- Pros: ideal temperatures for walking, prices still reasonable, shorter queues at the walls
- Cons: showers in March–April, cool sea, some boats and excursions not yet running in early spring
- Our tip: the second half of May, to combine sightseeing with the first swims for the less chilly
Summer (June to August): sun, sea and peak crowds
June is dry (44 mm (1.7 in)) and already hot (25 °C (77 °F)). July is the driest month (28 mm (1.1 in)) and August the hottest (28.5 °C (83 °F) average high, with nights above 21 °C (70 °F)). It is the season for swimming, boat trips to Lokrum and the Elaphiti Islands, and the Summer Festival. It is also when the very compact Old Town is at its most crowded, especially when several cruise ships call on the same day.
- Pros: almost guaranteed sun, warm sea, long evenings, the Summer Festival’s cultural program
- Cons: crowds on the Stradun and the walls, the highest prices of the year, heat on the stone in the middle of the day, and wildfires, which according to the UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 11 August 2026) are common during Croatia’s hot, dry summers
- Our tip: June, before the July–August peak; in high summer, visit the walls at opening time or late in the day
Autumn (September to November): the late season
September is a very good compromise: 25 °C (77 °F) in the afternoon, a sea that keeps its summer warmth and fewer families after the school year starts. Thunderstorms become more frequent (86 mm (3.4 in)). October stays mild (21 °C (70 °F)) but is clearly wetter (120 mm (4.7 in)). November is the wettest month of the year and many seasonal businesses close.
- Pros: sea still pleasant in September, prices falling from October
- Cons: more frequent thunderstorms and rain, many cruise calls still in September–October
- Our tip: the second half of September, for the sea and more bearable crowds
Winter (December to February): Dubrovnik at peace
Winter is mild for the Adriatic (12 to 13 °C (54 to 55 °F) in the afternoon, rarely below 6 °C (43 °F) at night on average) but damp. The bora, a cold north-easterly wind, can blow in gusts. The city gets its residents back: few visitors, walls accessible without waiting and the lowest prices. In return, some hotels, restaurants and boat services are closed or reduced.
- Pros: low prices, an almost empty Old Town, local atmosphere (year-end celebrations, the feast of St. Blaise in early February)
- Cons: rain, wind, a reduced tourist offer, swimming impossible for most travelers
- Who is it for? A short cultural and photography break, with no beach goal
When to go to Dubrovnik by trip type
| Trip | Best time | Where? |
|---|---|---|
| Old Town and city walls | May–June, September–October | Stradun, walls, Rector’s Palace |
| Swimming | June to September | Banje and Lapad beaches, Lokrum island |
| Boat trips | May to October | Elaphiti Islands, Lokrum, Cavtat |
| Summer Festival | July–August | Squares and forts of the Old Town |
| Budget | November to March, outside the holidays | Everywhere, checking opening times |
| Combining with Montenegro | May–June, September | Bay of Kotor |
Major events in Dubrovnik
| Date | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Early February | Feast of St. Blaise (Sveti Vlaho), the city’s patron saint: procession and celebrations | Old Town |
| March or April | Easter (date varies) | Old Town churches |
| July–August | Dubrovnik Summer Festival: theater, classical music, dance | Squares, palaces and forts of the Old Town |
| December | Advent and New Year events | Stradun and Old Town |
Dubrovnik weather month by month: what to expect
Dubrovnik in January: Mild (12 °C (54 °F) in the afternoon) but rainy (98 mm (3.9 in), 11 rainy days). A very quiet city, many places closed. Lowest prices.
Dubrovnik in February: Same climate as January. The feast of St. Blaise in early February is the big moment of the winter.
Dubrovnik in March: Days lengthen (14 °C (57 °F)), but rain remains frequent. A good month for sightseeing without the crowds.
Dubrovnik in April: Milder (17 °C (63 °F)), still rainy. Check the date of Easter, a busier period.
Dubrovnik in May: One of the best months: 21.5 °C (71 °F), falling rainfall, long days. Ideal for the walls and excursions.
Dubrovnik in June: Warm and dry (25 °C (77 °F), 44 mm (1.7 in)). The first real swims. Crowds rise clearly.
Dubrovnik in July: The driest month (28 mm (1.1 in)), hot (28 °C (82 °F)). Start of the Summer Festival. Crowds and high prices.
Dubrovnik in August: The hottest (28.5 °C (83 °F)) and the most expensive. Thunderstorms possible. Book very early.
Dubrovnik in September: Sea still warm, 25 °C (77 °F). An excellent compromise between beach and sightseeing.
Dubrovnik in October: Mild (21 °C (70 °F)) but rainy (120 mm (4.7 in)). Prices fall, some businesses begin to close.
Dubrovnik in November: The wettest month (142 mm (5.6 in)). Absolute calm, reduced offer.
Dubrovnik in December: Mild and damp (13 °C (55 °F)). Year-end events in the Old Town.
Which periods should you avoid for Dubrovnik?
- July–August: the city is saturated when cruise ships arrive and prices reach their peak
- November: the wettest month (142 mm (5.6 in) on average)
- November to March for the beach and the islands: cool sea and many places closed
When to book your stay in Dubrovnik
The Old Town has few places to stay, and well-located options go fast. For June, July, August and September, book 3 to 6 months ahead; for May and October, 1 to 2 months is generally enough. Plan flights on the same logic and check operating days and seasonal schedules with the airlines.
Planning your trip to Dubrovnik
- Entry requirements: rules depend on your nationality and can change; see the entry requirements for Croatia in our country guide and check them with official sources before you leave.
- Time difference: Croatia is on Central European Time (UTC+1, or UTC+2 in summer): 1 hour ahead of London and 6 hours ahead of New York.
- Currency: the euro, which Croatia adopted on 1 January 2023 (European Commission).
- Health and safety: the UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 11 August 2026) lists biting insects and ticks among the health risks in Croatia and advises checking vaccine recommendations well before you travel and having appropriate travel insurance. Wildfires are common in hot, dry summers: in woodland, take care and call 112 if you see a fire.
To plan your visit, see our Dubrovnik travel guide. For a wider trip along the Dalmatian coast, see when to go to Croatia, our Croatia travel guide and our page on Split.
To prepare your visits, read our guide to visiting Dubrovnik. For a combined trip: when to go to Montenegro and when to go to Croatia. To compare with other destinations, see also our picks for where to go in May.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit Dubrovnik?
May, June and September: 21 to 25 °C (70 to 77 °F) in the afternoon, little rain in June, a pleasant sea from June and fewer people than in July–August.
When can you swim in Dubrovnik?
From June to September. The air exceeds 25 °C (77 °F) in the afternoon and the sea is warm enough for most swimmers. In May and October, the water is cooler.
What is the wettest month in Dubrovnik?
November, with about 142 mm (5.6 in) according to the 1971–2000 normals of the Croatian weather service. October and December also exceed 100 mm (3.9 in).
Is Dubrovnik too crowded in summer?
The Old Town is small and heavily visited in July–August, especially on days when several cruise ships call. Visit the walls at opening time or late in the day, and stay inside the walls or in Lapad to enjoy the quiet hours.
Can you visit Dubrovnik in winter?
Yes, for a short cultural break: it is 12 to 13 °C (54 to 55 °F) in the afternoon and the city is calm. Expect rain and wind, and check opening times: some hotels, restaurants and boats only run in season.
Which months should you avoid in Dubrovnik?
July and August for the crowds and peak prices, and November, the wettest month (142 mm (5.6 in)). From November to March, the sea is cool and many places are closed, so it is not the time for the beach or the islands.
Is Dubrovnik in October a good idea?
Yes for sightseeing: about 21 °C (70 °F) in the afternoon and moderate crowds. The rain returns (120 mm (4.7 in) on average): keep some leeway for the walls and the islands.
Dubrovnik in May or September?
Both are among the best months. May is milder (about 21.5 °C (71 °F)) and the sea still cool; September is warmer (about 25 °C (77 °F)), with a warm sea, but crowds are still heavy.
Our sources
- Croatian Meteorological and Hydrological Service (DHMZ): 1971–2000 normals for the Dubrovnik station
- Safety and health information read on 26 October 2026: UK FCDO, foreign travel advice for Croatia (GOV.UK, updated 11 August 2026)
- European Commission, Croatia and the euro, read on 11 November 2026
- Dubrovnik Tourist Board (visitdubrovnik.hr): Dubrovnik Summer Festival, read on 11 November 2026
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026.
