Best Time to Visit Dubrovnik, Croatia
Dubrovnik is a city located in southern Croatia, fronting the Adriatic Sea. According to legend, Dubrovnik was established in the seventh century when it was known as Ragusa and was the capital of the Republic of Ragusa.
The city has welcomed a lot of visitors throughout the centuries. The city was one of the world’s most important places for maritime trade.
While the city has changed over the centuries, it is still is one of the most visited places in the world, and certainly the most visited place in Croatia. Dubrovnik is very popular among the tourists due to its rich culture, a famous old town, and amazing beaches.
However, it is very important to pick the right date to visit the city of Dubrovnik. Below is a guide on when to visit Dubrovnik to get the most out of your journey.
Dubrovnik in May - August
Most people say that the best time to visit Dubrovnik is from May to August. We don’t fully agree with them, but they have a point. When talking about climate, there’s no doubt that this period is the best time to visit Dubrovnik. The sun is shining, and the sea temperature is perfect for swimming. But in spring and summer, the city is packed with crowds of tourists, and their number only increases every year. While May is somehow less crowded, starting from June, there will be long queues at all main attractions of the city – starting from the Old Town and finishing with Lokrum Island. The beaches are packed during this time of the year.
Another important thing to mention is that in summer prices for hotels, rented houses, and bed and breakfasts also increase drastically. In some cases, house owners ask more than 500 EUR per night.
Nevertheless, despite all the inconvenience, summer is still the most popular season for tourists. The city is known for its summer nightlife, and it’s also known for summer festivals. For example, the Le Petit Festival du Théâtre is a festival of art, theatre, and poetry. It takes place in Dubrovnik every June. Another festival that you might want to visit is Dubrovnik Summer Festival, which takes place every year.
Dubrovnik in September - October
While most people visit Dubrovnik in the summer, the truth is that the best time to visit the city is September-October, when the crowds of tourists thin out. In September, the weather is softer, but not too cold, so you can visit famous attractions, walk around, swim in the Adriatic Sea, and do the same activities that you’d do in summer, minus the crowds of tourists. October is colder than September, so the beach might be out of the list of the activities in Dubrovnik, but all the other attractions will still be available.
Dubrovnik in November - April
Most of the attractions of Dubrovnik are closed from November until April due to the weather conditions and the lack of tourists. Most of the museums, bars, and restaurants will not be open during this period.