Best Time to Visit Dubrovnik

Summer: hot, sunny and busy

From June to August, Dubrovnik is at its best for swimming and long days outside. July is the driest month, with just 34 mm of rain on 5 days, and it gets nearly 13 hours of sun a day. August is the hottest, with highs of 29°C and warm nights of 25°C.

The catch is the crowds. Cruise ships dock at Gruž, and the Old Town fills up by mid-morning. Walking the city walls at midday is hot work, with little shade. Go late in the afternoon, when the limestone turns gold. Swim off the rocks at Banje beach or catch the ferry to Lokrum island.

The Dubrovnik Summer Festival runs from mid-July to late August. It puts concerts and theatre in squares and forts around the Old Town. The opening night is a big moment, so expect the streets to be packed.

May, June and September: the sweet spot

Want warm sea days without the worst of the crowds? Aim for late May, early June or September. May has highs of 20°C and plenty of sun, though the sea is still cool. June reaches 25°C and is much drier than spring.

September is the best pick for swimmers. The sea has been warming all summer, and highs are still 25°C. The rain does start to come back, with 107 mm for the month, usually in short, heavy bursts. Day trips to the Elaphiti Islands or the Pelješac peninsula, known for its wine and oysters from Ston, are easy in these months.

April and October: quiet and mild

Both months rate Good or Excellent, and both suit walkers and photographers. April is fresh, at 17°C, with fewer groups on Stradun, the main street. October is warmer at 21°C, but it's wetter, with 119 mm of rain. Hiking up Mount Srđ is pleasant, or you can take the cable car and walk down.

Travelling with kids? Summer school holidays bring the most families, so spring and autumn are calmer.

Winter: wet and very quiet

From November to February, expect grey skies and rain on about 12 or 13 days a month. December and November are among the wettest, at 167 mm and 174 mm. Many restaurants and boat trips close for the season, and the sea is too cold for most swimmers.

If you hate crowds, you'll have the walls and lanes almost to yourself. The Festival of St Blaise on 3 February is a lovely local event, with a procession for the city's patron saint. December brings Christmas lights and markets in the Old Town. Bring a waterproof jacket, because the polished stone gets slippery in the rain.