Croatia in shoulder season: May, June, September & October

If you can travel outside July and August, do. The shoulder months — May, June, September and October — are when Croatia is at its best: warm, calm, affordable and yours.

The weather & the sea

May and June bring long, warm days, and the sea is swimmable from mid-June. September is the secret weapon: after a whole summer of heating, the Adriatic is at its warmest, while the air has eased off. October is cooler but often still golden.

Fewer people, lower prices

The crowds that pack Dubrovnik, Split and Hvar in August melt away, accommodation drops well below peak rates, and you can actually get a table and a ferry seat without a battle. See is Croatia expensive.

What to watch

Ferries still run frequently in May, June and September; by late October some island businesses and seasonal catamarans wind down, so check schedules. Pack a layer for cooler evenings.