Should You Visit Croatia in September? Here’s What to Expect

Are you considering a trip to Croatia in September and wondering what to expect in terms of weather and crowds?

When I was planning my first trip to Croatia, I wasn’t sure when the best time to visit was. Everyone recommended summer, but our travel plans required us to visit at the end of September instead. It ended up being the best decision ever!

September in Croatia is the perfect mix of warm weather, lower prices, and fewer crowds. This is what travelers call “shoulder season”, meaning the season between peak (summer) and low (winter). Restaurants and tours are still operating, the sea is warm enough for swimming, and you’ll have a much easier time getting into popular spots.

We spent a week in Croatia in September exploring the popular towns of Split and Dubrovnik and felt like we had some areas all to ourselves.

So, if you’re wondering whether September is a good time to visit Croatia, the answer is yes! And in this post, I’ll provide you with all the details on what you can expect in terms of crowds, temperatures, reservations, and things to do in September!

Quick Mini Guide to Croatia

Don’t have a lot of time? Here’s a quick mini guide to Croatia to help plan your epic adventure!

Where to Stay:
– City Walls Irundo (our adorable seaside apartment in Dubrovnik!)
– Luxury Rooms Skyfall (gorgeous apartment in Split with perfect location!)

Best Time to Visit: Mid to late September for low crowds and perfect weather!

Things to Do:
– Blue Cave Tour from Split (see 5 islands in one day!)
– Epic Game of Thrones Tour (a must for GoT fans!)
– Krka Waterfalls with Boat Cruise (one of Split’s top day trips)

check out all of my croatia blog posts here!

Weather in Croatia in September

September in Croatia brings some of the most pleasant weather of the year. On average, daytime highs range from 75–82°F (24–28°C) along the Dalmatian coast, while nighttime lows hover around 60–65°F (16–18°C).

That’s a noticeable drop from the peak summer months of July and August, where daytime highs can reach 90°F (32°C) or more, especially in cities like Split and Dubrovnik.

Rainfall is minimal early in the month, though it can increase slightly toward the end. Still, storms are usually brief and followed by clear skies.

During our trip at the last week of September, we experienced exactly that. On our first morning in Split, there had been a rainstorm the night before, so the weather was a little cooler than normal.

I wore linen pants and brought a jean jacket, but I barely needed it. After that, it was sunny and warm every single day! Even heading out on a boat at 7am, the air felt mild and comfortable, not chilly at all.

Each day was warm enough for the beach or swimming but without the oppressive heat of summer. The only time I remember feeling hot was while walking along the City Walls, one of the top things to do in Dubrovnik! With no shade and lots of stairs, it was definitely warm, but still manageable!

Nights were cool in the best way, not sticky or humid like July and August can be. We were able to enjoy dinners outdoors without jackets and stroll around town comfortably well into the evening.

As for the sea temperature, the Adriatic typically stays around 75°F (24°C) in September. That might sound warm, but as someone from Florida who avoids cold water, it was a little bit of a shock every time I got in the water.

However, it wasn’t cold enough to keep me out! Whether it was cliff jumping at Buža Bar or lounging at the beach in Split, the water felt refreshing but not freezing. We swam every single day during our week in Croatia!!

Compared to the ocean temperatures in the Greek Islands in May, Croatia in September was much more enjoyable! However, if you want the warmest sea possible, you’ll want to visit in August, when water temperatures peak around 78–80°F (25.5–26.5°C).

And while you might get similar air temperatures to September in the early summer months like late May or early June, the sea is much colder during this time, around 70-72°F.

Crowds in Croatia in September

Yes, there are still crowds in September, but not nearly as many as in the peak summer months! September is considered shoulder season in Croatia, which means the crowds have started to thin out, but the country is still lively.

In Europe, July and August are huge travel months for locals and tourists; however, most children return to school at the beginning of September, making mid to late September the perfect time to visit!

During our trip, popular spots like Dubrovnik’s Old Town and Split’s promenade were still active but not overrun with tourists. We never had to elbow our way through crowds or wait in long lines for attractions.

In Split, there were certainly people exploring Diocletian’s Palace and the Riva during both day and night. However, it was still very enjoyable and not overly crowded.

One of the most noticeable differences is the drop in cruise ship traffic, especially for Dubrovnik. We were in Dubrovnik over a weekend and only saw one group from a cruise, but I have seen videos of Dubrovnik in August flooded with large tour groups!

Your experience with crowds will also depend on where you stay, especially in Dubrovnik. During our trip, we chose to stay outside of the Old Town walls in Pile Bay, also known as the West Harbor.

In my opinion, this was the perfect area to stay in Dubrovnik, as we were walking distance to all the popular sites but tucked away from the crowds.

Most nights walking back to our apartment (which overlooked the harbor!), the area was completely empty! We got to enjoy the beauty of the West Harbor at night with no people around, which was so incredible.

Transportation, Restaurant, and Tour Availability

Transportation Options

One of the biggest concerns travelers have about visiting in shoulder season is whether things will still be open.

Luckily, September is still a busy travel month in Croatia, especially in coastal cities like Dubrovnik and Split, so you won’t run into shuttered restaurants or closed-down tours.

In addition, transportation options like ferries and buses are still plentiful in September, so you don’t have to worry about not being able to get between cities.

While we chose to travel from Split to Dubrovnik via private transfer, all ferry routes run through end of September, and the Krilo and TP lines actually go through end of October! After October, most lines shut down for winter, opening back up in the spring.

All buses and shuttles run normally in September, so no concerns there either!

Restaurant Availability

We ate out for every meal during our trip and never encountered a closed kitchen.

In Split, we didn’t make dinner reservations and never had to wait for a table! There was no need for reservations, even in busy areas near Diocletian’s Palace. We even visited a popular restaurant on the Riva for brunch one morning and had the entire place to ourselves for most of our meal.

During our two full days in Dubrovnik, we did make reservations twice during our trip: once for lunch at the Panorama Restaurant on the top of Mount Srd and once for dinner at Nautika Restaurant, which overlooks Pile Bay.

These are the two most popular restaurants in Dubrovnik, so reservations are pretty much needed year-round. However, when we arrived the Panorama Restaurant, our seat was upgraded to an “edge-view” table because they had extra availability!

For our other meals, we walked up to restaurants at peak dinner time and had no issues, even in popular spots in Old Town, like near the Jesuit Staircase.

On our first night in Dubrovnik, we visited the popular Banje Beach Restaurant for dinner. Even though I did make reservations, it was pretty empty, and we were able to sit right on the water with barely anyone else around us!

The inside of the restaurant looked like a club, but it was empty as well. When I asked the waiter about it, he said it’s a very popular spot in the summer months, but most of the crowds are gone by late September!

Tours and Activities

In terms of tour availability, we only did 2 organized tours on our trip, and we did book those in advance (though I’m not sure it was really needed).

Our main activity was our Split Boat Tour, which we booked 2 months ahead of our trip in July. The other tour we booked in advance was our Game of Thrones tour in Dubrovnik, 1 month before our trip!

I’m not sure if either of these were sold out by the time of our trip, but it’s always better to book in advance if you can! I’d hate for you to miss out on an experience because you waited too long to book.

When we were Split, we considered booking a last-minute tour to Krka National Park, a popular day trip from Split. We didn’t end up booking it, but there were plenty of options to choose from! This was also during the week (not a weekend) which helps with availability.

Costs of Visiting Croatia in September

Another benefit of visiting Croatia in September is cost! In general, traveling to Croatia in September can be more affordable than during the peak summer months. While it’s not quite low season yet, prices for accommodations, flights, and even some activities tend to dip once the calendar flips past August.

During our trip, we noticed that hotel prices were noticeably lower than what they’d been just a few weeks earlier. In Dubrovnik and Split, where accommodations can skyrocket in July and August, we were able to find centrally located apartments at a much more reasonable rate.

Even now, when you compare apartments in Old Town Dubrovnik between dates in August to late September, there’s a significant drop. For some places, it’s around 30–40%, but others are in even more.

Note: Split tends to be a bit cheaper than Dubrovnik when it comes to accommodation. Read my full comparison guide on Split vs Dubrovnik for more details!

Some tours follow the same principle, though a little less drastic. Our Split boat tour, for example, cost ~$140 in September, but jumps up to $170 in July and August. Even the Blue Cave tickets that you have to buy as part of this tour cost more between end of June and early September.

On the other hand, some tours don’t have fluctuating pricing. The Game of Thrones tour we went on in Dubrovnik costs $28 regardless of what time of year you are visiting.

Overall, if you’re flexible on timing, visiting in September can offer the same experiences at a better value, especially when it comes to where you stay.

What to Do in Croatia in September

One of the best things about visiting in September is that you can still do almost everything you would during peak summer, just with fewer crowds! From swimming and sightseeing to enjoying the slower pace of coastal towns, we packed a lot into our week in Croatia.

Swimming & Beach Time

We swam every single day of our trip, from the beaches in Split to the rocky lagoon of Pile Bay. The Adriatic was cool but refreshing, even in the late afternoon.

In fact, one of my favorite memories of our trip was cliff jumping at Buža Bar in Dubrovnik before sunset. The bar itself is carved into the cliffs outside the city walls, with a swimming spot just below, perfect for an afternoon dip. There’s even a ledge on the side of the cliff that you can jump off of straight into the sea.

We also visited Lokrum Island, which is just a short ferry ride from Dubrovnik. The island is pretty spread out, and most places we had entirely to ourselves. We found a quiet spot to swim near the ferry dock and enjoyed every minute of it!

In Split, hitting the beach is one of the most popular things to do, even in September! We spent one day relaxing on Trstenik Beach, located a short Uber ride from the city center.

Unfortunately the Mistral Beach Club, part of the Raddison Blu hotel, was closed on our visit, but we still got to relax on the beach, and there was barely anyone else there!

Another beach we visited in the late afternoon was Kasjuni Beach on the edge of Marjan Hill. We had no trouble grabbing beach chairs from Joe’s Beach Lounge and staying until sunset. This beach definitely felt like more of a local spot!

Exploring Historic Sites

Croatia’s historic sites are legendary, and visiting in September means you can actually enjoy them without swarms of people.

During our time in Split, we explored Diocletian’s Palace and its surrounding alleyways day and night without feeling rushed or overwhelmed. When we were visiting the basements of the palace to see a famous Game of Thrones film location, there were only a handful of other people around!

Even at night, while there were more people around the steps of the Palace’s main courtyard (called the Peristyle), it was still peaceful and not overwhelming.

In Dubrovnik, the top thing to do is walk the City Walls, which tower above Old Town and the Adriatic Sea. We did tackle this first thing in the morning to avoid the crowds and the heat, and it paid off! For most of the day, we had entire stretches of the Walls to ourselves, something that is unheard of in peak season.

One area that was constantly packed with people was the Jesuit Staircase in Old Town, which has been made famous thanks to Game of Thrones! However, we were able to beat the crowds here and take photos with no one else around by arriving around 7am.

Afterwards, we got to experience Old Town as it was just waking up, without anyone else on the streets. Highly recommend doing this on one morning during your trip!

Another historic highlight in Dubrovnik that we loved is Fort Lovrijenac. While it was decently busy the first time we visited around 10am, we returned in the late afternoon the following day and had almost the whole place to ourselves!

What to Pack for Croatia in September

Packing for Croatia in September is all about layers and versatility. The weather is generally warm and sunny during the day, but mornings and evenings can be cooler, especially if there’s been rain overnight or as you get closer to October.

During our trip, I mostly wore summer clothes: dresses, tank tops, and shorts. But I was glad I packed a jean jacket and a pair of linen pants as well. One day after a rainstorm, I wore both, but quickly shed the layers once the sun came out!

If you plan to walk the Dubrovnik City Walls or explore Split’s Old Town during the day, breathable fabrics and comfortable walking shoes are a must. I almost exclusively wore my high-top converse for heavy walking days and my Reef waterproof sandals for boat or beach days.

Since we swam every day, I also recommend packing:

Multiple swimsuits
A long-sleeve cover up
Reef-safe sunscreen
Sunglasses and a hat
A packable, q uick drying towel
A dry bag for boat tours

For evenings, I found I didn’t need anything heavier than a light jean jacket, and even that was overkill most nights. It cooled off, but not enough to be cold, and we comfortably ate outside most nights in tank tops or dresses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Croatia hot in September?

Croatia in September is warm but not overly hot. Daytime highs along the Dalmatian coast usually sit between 75–82°F (24–28°C), with cooler nights around 60–65°F (16–18°C). It’s warm enough for beach days and exploring without the intense heat of summer.

Is Croatia sunny in September?

Yes, Croatia is still quite sunny in September. While the chance of rain increases toward the end of the month, early and mid-September often see clear skies. During my trip, it was sunny and warm every day after one brief rainstorm at night.

Is Croatia crowded in September?

September is part of Croatia’s shoulder season, so while there are still tourists, it’s noticeably less crowded than July or August. We visited popular spots like Dubrovnik’s Old Town and Split’s promenade without battling crowds or long lines. Most cruise traffic dies down too.

Is Croatia expensive in September?

Traveling to Croatia in September is generally more affordable than in peak summer. Accommodation prices drop (sometimes by 30–40%), and some tours are cheaper too. While not quite low season, it’s a great value month to visit.

What should I wear in Croatia in September?

You’ll want summer clothes with some optional layers. I mostly wore dresses, tank tops, and shorts, but was glad I packed a jean jacket and linen pants for cooler mornings or after rain. For shoes, I alternated between high-top converse and waterproof sandals depending on the day’s activities.

Is September a good time to visit Croatia?

Absolutely! September offers warm weather, fewer crowds, better prices, and all the same experiences as summer. The sea is still swimmable, tours are running, and you can enjoy everything from boat rides to historic sites without the chaos of peak season.

Where to Go in Croatia in September

If you’re wondering where to go in Croatia in September, the good news is: you can’t go wrong!

We spent our time between Split and Dubrovnik, with a stop between in Ston and a day trip to other islands around Split. Each location had its own vibe, but the weather and crowds were quite similar across the board.

Split had a more laid-back, local energy with beaches right in the city, amazing food, and Diocletian’s Palace at the center of everything. Dubrovnik felt a bit more touristy and dramatic, especially with the cliffside views and medieval walls, but it was still easy to navigate and surprisingly calm in September.

If you’re trying to decide between the two, I have a full breakdown to help you weigh the pros and cons. Read my blog post comparing Split vs Dubrovnik next to find out which city is the better fit for your trip!

Other areas to check out are the island of Hvar, Plitvice Lakes National Park, and the seaside town of Zadar!

No matter where you go, September is one of the best months to experience Croatia!

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