The ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’, Croatia’s Dubrovnik is one of the most popular places to visit in all the Mediterranean thanks to its enchanting old town. Surrounded by its iconic city walls, the historic seaport sees most people visit in summer when the weather is warmest.
While many festivals take place then and there is a very lively feel about the city, its narrow, cobbled streets do get pretty packed. As such, many prefer spring and autumn when things are much calmer but the temperatures are still comfortable.
Much quieter (and rainier!), Dubrovnik loses its luster a bit in winter as there is less sun and many businesses shut for the season. You can still have a great time though, ambling along its imposing walls, admiring old palaces, gates, and forts that featured in Game of Thrones!
In this post, we’ll cover:
What’s the Weather Like in Dubrovnik?
Lying alongside the Adriatic Sea at the southern tip of Croatia’s Dalmatia region, Dubrovnik has a Mediterranean climate with hot, muggy summers and mild, wet winters. Regardless of the time of year, sudden thunderstorms can open up above the city.
During July and August, you can expect averages of around 28°C (82°F) with the dry, sunny days being perfect for sunbathing, swimming, and watersports.
Still warm but wetter, spring and autumn see temperatures range between 16 and 25°C (so 61-77°F). While April and May are a bit too chilly to swim, the water has heated up enough later in the year.
From October onwards, the bora wind blows cold gusts down its coast with the days turning darker and averages dropping to around 7 to 9°C (44-48°F).
Best months to visit Dubrovnik
While summer is perhaps the best time to Visit Dubrovnik weatherwise, it is also the most crowded and expensive period. Its streets and tourist sites are rammed with large cruise ships depositing even more visitors ashore each morning. The city does look its best though with all the fun watersports and festivals only adding to its allure.
If you want to avoid all the crowds, April to June and September or October are better bets. Still warm and sunny but cheaper and quieter, they are ideal for sightseeing and taking trips to nearby isles and towns. In June and autumn, you can also swim or sunbathe by the sea.
Despite the bad weather, December sees some come to celebrate Christmas and New Year’s. While it is cheery lights and cozy markets look magical, the town is otherwise very quiet.
Dubrovnik in January
Once its New Year’s Eve celebrations have died down and its Christmas market has packed up January is almost deserted in Dubrovnik. Many shops, hotels, and restaurants shut as all the locals head off to ski in Italy, Austria, or the Balkans.
The dark, cold, rainy days make wandering around the old town and its famous walls much less pleasant. As almost no one is around, you can snap some very atmospheric photos and visit attractions without queuing. While the cheap hotel rates can make a trip tempting, the 13 days of rain and lack of life and energy in town may not make it worthwhile.
Dubrovnik in February
February is just as dreary and desolate for the most part though some fun festivals do inject a bit of life into Dubrovnik. Still the off-season, it averages about 4 hours a day of sunshine with many businesses still being closed.
As it is quite chilly, windy, and rainy, you’ll want to wrap up warm and spend more time in its museums and galleries. Other than its vibrant carnival at the end of the month, processions and cultural events are held in honor of St. Blaise, the city’s patron saint.
Dubrovnik in March
While the weather is warming up, particularly in the second half of the month, March is still very quiet and relaxed. Temperatures of around 12°C (53°F) do make exploring the historic center more comfortable though. You’ll still need a jacket or umbrella, however, as it usually rains at least a bit for 13 days on average.
After the gloomy winter months, most hotels and restaurants start to open up again. Prices are still affordable before they shoot up around Eastertime. Some of the city’s main historic sights and tourist attractions are delightfully illuminated for its Festival of Lights.
Dubrovnik in April
As it is a few degrees warmer, the weather is fairer and many people have holidays, April is when tourists slowly start to return to Dubrovnik. Although it is still too cold to sunbathe or swim, ferries to Lokrum Island start running again. Here you can enjoy its stunning scenery and visit its centuries-old monastery and fortress before the summer crowds arrive.
Around Easter, you’ll notice more people milling about the old town with fairs, concerts, and processions all celebrating the important religious holiday. Plenty of top-class performances are also held for the Dubrovnik Musical Spring Festival. In addition, you can sample delicious local wines at its week-long FestiWine.
Dubrovnik in May
May is often considered to be one of the best months to visit Dubrovnik. This is because it is not yet too busy or expensive and the climate is very pleasant. As well as being much drier and sunnier, temperatures reach 21°C (70°F). Its 15 hours of daylight also mean you have loads of time to see its sights or sit and soak up the sun at outdoor cafes.
While many people will still find it a bit too chilly to swim and sunbathe, its warm weather is perfect for taking day trips along the coast. Korcula Island is a very popular destination as is Mljet National Park and the Elaphiti Islands. Countless concerts also go on for the Dubrovnik Musical Spring. Some businesses do close though for Labour Day and Corpus Christi.
Dubrovnik in June
Although it is not quite the peak season, June definitely sees an uptick in visitor numbers as its charming streets and squares start to feel a bit full. Both hotel prices and airfares rise as holidaymakers flock here to make the most of its long, sunny days. With the seawater now warm enough, this is a fabulous month to sunbathe and swim or kayak, jet ski, and sail.
Averages of 25°C (77°F) can already be a bit hot for sightseeing, especially amongst all the crowds from the cruise ships. There is a lovely, lively ambience though with tons of exciting events taking place. These include Le Petit Festival du Theater and the International Opera Arias Festival. All their plays and performances carry on for the first week of July.
Dubrovnik in July
Once they come to a close, there are only a couple of days til the six-week-long Dubrovnik Summer Festival. For the rest of July and August, hundreds of concerts, plays, and folklore events are put on around the city. Besides exploring the old town and attending the festival, people lounge on its beaches, head to Lokrum, or take trips along the coast.
As July is one of Dubrovnik’s busiest and most expensive months, expect to pay high prices and jostle for space in the center. All its hotels, restaurants, and tourist sites are packed out with its ferries also being very full. As the sun shines brightly for 10 hours a day, it is best to amble along its walls earlier in the morning when it is not yet too hot.
Dubrovnik in August
August in Dubrovnik is very similar weatherwise to July with the days being hot, dry, and a bit muggy. While high temperatures of 28°C (82°F) are great for sunbathing, swimming, and watersports, both the midday heat and huge crowds do make sightseeing a tiring and sticky affair. Day trip destinations like Korcula Island and Kotor will also be heaving.
Thankfully, the evenings and nights are more relaxed as up to 10,000 visitors have returned to their cruise ships. There is still a buzz about town though with all its restaurants and bars being pretty full. The Summer Festival’s outdoor plays and concerts also help create a lively atmosphere with numerous other exciting events taking place all along the Croatian coast.
Dubrovnik in September
Once the holidays are over and the kids head back to school, things finally calm down a bit in Dubrovnik. September is still a hugely popular month though so hotel prices remain quite high but are nowhere near as bad as in summer. With fantastic weather and fewer crowds, autumn is one of the best periods for sightseeing and enjoying outdoor activities.
With less cruise ships docking, the crowds in the center are much more manageable. As well as checking out its churches and museums, average temperatures of 24°C (75°F) mean you can still lie on its beaches or swim in the sea. As things are quieter, it is worth taking scenic day trips to the Elaphiti Islands and Mljet National Park.
Dubrovnik in October
October is also a lovely month in Dubrovnik though there is less sunshine and the rains start to pick up again towards the end of it. While the seawater is still just warm enough to swim in, averages of 19°C (66°F) are maybe a bit too cool for sunbathing. That is ideal though for wandering about its walls or visiting small towns like Ston and Cavtat.
More affordable than September and the summer months, October has some great deals on hotels and airfares. Quite quiet for the most part, its center briefly revives around its Earth, Sea, and Fire Triathlon. Otherwise, you can peacefully enjoy its tasty grape and olive harvests and other local products at its Good Food Festival.
Dubrovnik in November
The rainiest month of the year, November is the end of the high season as most people are put off by its chilly, wet, windy days. Many hotels and restaurants also shut for the winter. If you layer up and take an umbrella, you can still have a fine time exploring the old town with barely anyone around. It does rain a lot though for 13 days on average!
As cruise ships now only seldomly dock at Dubrovnik, its museums have no queues outside them. Some do have shorter opening hours, however. This is also the last month until April that you can visit Lokrum though the scenery and weather won’t be so pleasant. On the plus side, the Dubrovnik Winter Festival brings some Christmas cheer and excitement to the city.
Dubrovnik in December
Despite the Winter Festival’s concerts and markets, the first half of December is rather quiet in Dubrovnik. Prices are low as averages of 8°C (so 46°F) and the darker, wetter days keep holidaymakers away. Airfares increase around Christmas as people flee even colder cities in Northern Europe.
While there is a festive feel about town, there isn’t quite the same ambience as in Cologne or Aachen for example. Its holiday decorations and lights do look wonderful though coupled with the old town’s attractive architecture. Fireworks displays and concerts then welcome in the New Year.
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