Best Time to Visit Zadar

Summer: hot, bright and busy

From June to August, Zadar is at its best for swimming. July and August are the hottest months, tied at a daytime high of 28°C, with the sea warm and the evenings mild. Rain is rare, and July is the driest month. You'll get long, sunny days on the pebbly city beaches and on nearby Nin, a small town with a sandy lagoon beach.

It's also high season. Ferries to the islands of Ugljan and Dugi Otok fill up, and the old town's marble streets get busy by midday. Cruise-ship days and school holidays add to the crowds. If that sounds like too much, go for June. It's nearly as warm, with fewer people, and the days are long enough for a slow evening at the Sea Organ, the steps that play music from the waves, and the Greeting to the Sun, a glowing ring of light panels on the waterfront.

Spring and autumn: the sweet spots

April and May are fresh and green. Days are mild, around 16°C in April and 20°C in May, which is perfect for walking the old town and the Roman forum. The sea is still cold, so swimming is for the brave. Hikers can head to Paklenica National Park, a canyon with climbing walls and trails, before summer heat sets in.

September and October stay warm, and the sea holds its summer heat. September is warm but the wettest of the warmer months, with 106 mm of rain. Expect sudden storms, then clear skies. Prices and crowds ease off. Autumn is also a good time to try local olive oil and Pag cheese, from the nearby island of Pag. Late spring and early autumn suit couples, hikers and anyone who wants a city break with a bit of beach time.

Winter: quiet and damp

From November to March, Zadar goes quiet. Highs hover between 11°C and 16°C, and the sun is short-lived. November is the wettest month, with rain on 14 days. Many island ferries run less often, and some seaside cafés and beach bars close.

That said, you'll have the old town almost to yourself. It's a good time for the museums, the Church of St Donatus, and long lunches of black risotto or fresh fish. Travelling on a budget? This is when rooms are cheapest. Advent brings lights and a small Christmas market to the old town, and the Zadar Advent festival is a cosy reason to visit in December. Bring a proper rain jacket, because the wind can make the waterfront feel cold.