CROATIA IN OCTOBER: A COMPLETE GUIDE TO VISITING CROATIA IN AUTUMN

If you’re thinking of visiting Croatia in October, let me tell you why that’s an excellent idea!

Although Croatia is mainly a summer destination, this country is stunning all throughout the year. Depending on what kind of holiday you like, October, or autumn in general, might be an even better option for you than summer months. As a Croatian, I can tell you that Croatia is absolutely beautiful in autumn. There’s nothing I like more than early autumn on the coast.

If you’re planning on visiting Croatia in October, I’ll tell you more about the weather, what to bring, what to do, which places to see, and why October might be the best time to visit Croatia!

WEATHER IN CROATIA IN OCTOBER

While Croatia has the nicest weather during the summer months, that weather usually continues well into autumn. On the coast, the temperatures range from 15-22°C (59-72°F), but it’s often even warmer. Inland areas such as Zagreb usually enjoy temperatures of 10-15°C (50-59°F), so it’s quite chillier inland.

When it comes to rain, October does have some rainy days but they’re more prominent inland, and the coast is usually sunny in the first half of the month.

At most places, the sea temperature is around 20°C (68°F), so you can even take a dip if you’re brave enough. Some locals swim in the sea well into November, so definitely bring your swimsuits and decide on the spot if that’s something you’re prepared to do!

HOW TO DRESS AND WHAT TO PACK FOR CROATIA IN OCTOBER

If you’re visiting Croatia in October, prepare to pack for all kinds of weather conditions, depending on where you’re visiting.

When it comes to clothing, if you’re visiting the coast, pack light layers for daytime warmth. Often during the day, you can still wear short sleeves, but you’ll definitely need warmer layers such as sweaters and jackets for cooler evenings. You’ll also need warmer clothes if you’re travelling inland to Plitvice Lakes or Zagreb.

You’ll definitely need a waterproof jacket or umbrella because there’s always the possibility of rain, but also bring your swimwear because you might be brave enough to swim in the sea, or at least at in the hotel’s pool wherever you’re staying.

Finally, good footwear is really important in Croatia. You definitely need comfortable walking shoes, because you’ll spend hours walking around the cobblestoned Old Towns and nature parks.  It would be great to even bring waterproof boots, just in case the weather turns for the worse. If you’re planning on swimming in the sea, water shoes are a must in Croatia.

WHERE TO GO IN CROATIA IN OCTOBER

There are many destinations in Croatia you can visit in October and have an amazing time. Here are some of my absolute favourites:

Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is best explored in the off-season, so October is perfect for that. You can explore the Old Town, climb the City Walls, and enjoy most of the usual trips without crowds and with more affordable prices. The weather in Dubrovnik is usually very sunny all throughout the October, so you can enjoy Dubrovnik the way it’s supposed to be enjoyed. Most likely, you’ll also be able to enjoy the Adriatic Sea if you’re visiting in the first half of the month. Here’s a detailed Dubrovnik travel guide you can check out.

Split

Split is usually overrun by tourists in the summer season, so visiting it in October might be the best option. You can visit the famous Diocletian’s Palace, the Riva promenade, and the Marjan Hill without tons of people around you. Split is also the second biggest city in Croatia, so you don’t have to worry if you’ll have restaurants and bars which are open – they always are. Check out this 2-day Split itinerary!

Plitvice Lakes National Park

Plitvice Lakes NP is Croatia’s most popular national park, and it’s absolutely breathtaking in autumn. The stunning waterfalls and lakes have an even prettier backdrop with all the different colored leaves and trees. On top of that, the entrance ticket is cheaper and the crowds are fewer. Keep in mind that the restaurants in the NP might be closed. Prepare some snacks and water to bring with you! Here’s a guide to visiting Plitvice Lakes.

Zagreb

It’s always a good time to visit Zagreb, but in October, the capital is the city that will give you the most activities and things to do. The capital city has vibrant street life, many museums, and loads of historical architecture worthy of visiting. No matter sun or rain, there’s plenty of things you can do in Croatia’s capital. Here’s a detailed guide to 20 best things to do in Zagreb!

Hvar Island

Croatia’s most popular island is a great destination in October if you’re not expecting to swim. The daily temperatures are still nice and Hvar is almost always sunny, but the sea is not really warm enough. The island is still beautiful for hiking, sightseeing, and wine tasting, and you’ll have way less crowds compared to summer. Depending on what you expect out of your holiday, Hvar still might be an excellent choice.

Istria

One of my absolute favourite parts of Croatia is Istria, and this peninsula is lovely in autumn. There are barely any crowds in Istria in the off-season, so you can travel slowly and enjoy everything. Some of the towns you must visit in Istria are Rovinj, Pula, and Grožnjan. Rovinj is one of the prettiest towns in Croatia, and seeing it without the huge crowds of tourists will leave you speechless. Along with gorgeous towns, in Istria you have to try the amazing food and wines they offer. You can also go truffle hunting or visit the incredible Brijuni National Park.

THINGS YOU CAN’T DO IN CROATIA IN OCTOBER

Although Croatia in October is wonderful, there are some things you just can’t do due to the weather and October being off season.

Firstly, island hopping might be limited. Many ferry services reduce frequency or stop running after September, so you won’t be able to easily travel from one island to another, or do easy day trips from the coast.

Secondly, some seasonal attractions might be closed. Certain tourist attractions, many tours and day trips, as well as restaurants in coastal towns may be closed or have reduced hours. Be sure to do your research and figure out if you can do everything you want to do in autumn.

Next, you can’t enjoy beach clubs. While beaches are accessible, beach clubs and other facilities will most likely be closed as the weather is not warm enough for them to be open. If you’re brave you can still take a dip in the sea at one of many beaches, but you probably won’t be able to sit and have a drink or lunch at the beach.

Finally, you can’t enjoy water sports in October. For water sports, nice weather and high temperatures are crucial, and that’s just not realistic in October. Because of that, you won’t be able to rent a jet ski, paddle boards, or go wind surfing.

CROATIA IN OCTOBER -FAQ

Is it worth visiting Croatia in October?

It’s absolutely worth visiting Croatia in October. The weather is still mostly nice, but you won’t have to sightsee with thousands of other people. You can enjoy Croatia in a more calm and relaxed way. It’s not worth visiting in October only if you plan on doing water sports and enjoying the beach, because it’s not warm enough to do that.

Is Croatia still hot in October?

In October, Croatia is not hot. It’s still warm and sunny, but it’s not hot enough to sunbathe at the beach the whole day and carelessly swim in the sea. The temperature at the coast is around 20-22°C and inland around 15°C.

Are the sea and beaches warm in Croatia in October?

The beaches and sea can be warm in October, but no one can guarantee that. They are usually pleasant during the day if the temperatures are higher, but most often they’re not warm enough to enjoy water activities. Dubrovnik is still quite warm since it’s in the south, however, temperatures in other cities slowly start to drop.

Is October a good time to visit Croatia?

October is a good time to visit Croatia if you want to explore and sightsee, but it’s not a good time to visit if you just want to swim and enjoy the beaches.

Can you swim in Croatia in October?

You can swim in Croatia in October if you don’t have a problem with chilly sea temperature, which is around 15-20°C.

Do ferries run in Croatia in October?

Most of the ferries still run in October, but they can be less frequent than during the summer. Make sure you research the schedules online in great detail before making any plans.

MY PERSONAL TAKE ON CROATIA IN OCTOBER

I love exploring Croatia in October, especially along the coast. October in Dubrovnik feels really magical, and there’s something special about being able to swim so late in the year. I also love visiting Plitvice Lakes in October, because it’s stunning with all the autumn colours, and the crowds are nowhere near as big as in summer.

CONCLUSION: CROATIA IN OCTOBER

Croatia is definitely worth visiting in October and you’ll have a great time. The crowds are much smaller, the heat is not as extensive as it is in the summer, but you should still be able to go for a swim and walk around in short sleeves and dresses. I would highly recommend visiting Croatia in October, especially if your focus is on exploring and sightseeing, and not only on swimming and water sports!