Makarska, on Croatia’s Dalmatian coast, enjoys a hot-summer Mediterranean climate with long, sunny summers and mild, wet winters. The city boasts over 2,700 hours of sunshine annually, warm Adriatic waters, and dramatic mountain backdrops. With vibrant springs, lively beach seasons, and comfortable autumns, Makarska is a popular destination for travellers seeking sun, sea, and outdoor adventure.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Makarska’s climate features pronounced seasonal contrasts, shaped by its coastal setting and the sheltering Biokovo mountains. Summers (June–September) are hot, dry, and mostly clear, with average highs of 28–33°C and lows of 19–24°C. July and August are the hottest and driest months, with minimal rainfall (as little as 5–15 mm) and up to 10–11 hours of sunshine daily. The Adriatic Sea warms to 24–25°C, perfect for swimming and water sports. Gentle maestral breezes cool the afternoons, and humidity remains moderate, making the heat more bearable. Days are long, with up to 15 hours of daylight in June.
Winters (November–March) are mild and wetter, with highs of 10–15°C and lows of 3–9°C. Rain is frequent, especially in November, the wettest month, which can see over 150 mm of rainfall. Snow is extremely rare at sea level. Spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October) are transitional, with mild to warm temperatures (16–25°C), moderate rainfall, and vibrant natural scenery. May and September are especially pleasant, offering warm weather, fewer crowds, and sea temperatures suitable for swimming. Annual precipitation averages 1,400–1,500 mm, with most rain falling from October to April. Winds are generally light to moderate, but can be brisk during storms, especially in autumn and winter. Makarska’s climate supports lush Mediterranean vegetation and a lively outdoor lifestyle nearly year-round.
| Average climate data for Makarska, Croatia | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 6 | 6 | 10 | 15 | 18 | 23 | 26 | 27 | 21 | 17 | 12 | 7 | 27 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | -0 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 12 | 9 | 6 | 1 | -0 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 114 | 116 | 103 | 89 | 110 | 89 | 53 | 39 | 70 | 96 | 177 | 123 | 1,180 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 14 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 17 | 14 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 15 | 13 | 172 |
| Average snowfall (mm) | 51 | 51 | 29 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 28 | 161 |
| Average snowfall days (days) | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 9 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 79 | 82 | 79 | 74 | 73 | 72 | 65 | 62 | 69 | 75 | 82 | 80 | 74 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 11 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 10 |
| Average water temperature (°C) | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 18 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 20 | 18 | 16 | 19 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 9 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 5 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 8 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 46 | 48 | 40 | 34 | 31 | 21 | 15 | 12 | 21 | 28 | 41 | 40 | 32 |
| Average UV index | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
The best time to visit Makarska is from June to September, when temperatures are warmest, rainfall is minimal, and the Adriatic is perfect for swimming. June and September are especially ideal for enjoying sunny weather and lively beach life without the peak summer crowds. These months offer the best conditions for outdoor activities, festivals, and exploring the coastline.
The least favourable time to visit Makarska is from November to March, when rainfall is highest, days are shorter, and some tourist services may be limited. While winters are mild compared to much of Europe, frequent rain and cooler sea temperatures can restrict outdoor and beach activities, but the town remains peaceful for those seeking a quiet escape.
Makarska has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate with long, sunny summers and mild, wet winters. Summers are hot, dry, and ideal for beaches, while winters are cooler with frequent rain. Spring and autumn are mild and pleasant.
The best time to visit Makarska is from June to September, when the weather is warm, the sea is perfect for swimming, and the town is lively. June and September offer great weather with fewer crowds than July and August.
Rain is most frequent from October to April, with November being the wettest month. Summers are very dry, with little rain from June to August. Annual rainfall averages 1,400–1,500 mm, mostly in the cooler months.
Summer highs in Makarska typically reach 28–33°C, with July and August being the hottest months. The maestral breeze helps keep afternoons comfortable, and nights remain pleasantly warm.
Yes, the Adriatic Sea is warmest from June to October, reaching 24–25°C in July and August. Swimming is comfortable during these months, though the water is cooler in spring and late autumn.
In summer, bring light, breathable clothing, swimwear, sun protection, and a hat. For spring and autumn, pack layers and a rain jacket. Winters require a jumper and rain gear for cooler, wetter days.
Snow is extremely rare in Makarska due to its mild coastal climate. Most winter precipitation falls as rain, and the town remains green year-round. Snow is more common in the nearby Biokovo mountains.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is August (27.1 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (5.6 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 15.7 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is August (16.2 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is January (-0.2 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 7.6 °C.
The month with the highest average water temperature is August (25.1 °C). The month with the lowest average water temperature is January (14 °C). Overall, the average water temperature over the whole year is 18.9 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is November (176.8 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is August (39.4 mm). Over the whole year there are 1,179.6 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is May (19 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is August (10.5 days). Over the whole year there are 172.2 days of rain on average.
The month with the most snowfall is February (50.8 mm). The months with the least snowfall are April, May, June, July, August, September and October (0 mm). Over the whole year there are 161.2 mm of snowfall on average.
The month with the most days of snowfall is January (2.8 days). The months with the fewest days of snowfall are July and September (0 days). Over the whole year there are 9 days of snowfall on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is November (82 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is August (61.6 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 74.3 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is February (12.3 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is August (8.4 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 10 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is February (48.5 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is August (11.5 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 31.5 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 15 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 9 h). Over the whole year there are 11.8 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is August (Average sunshine: 12.1 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is January (Average sunshine: 5 h). Over the whole year there are 8.1 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are June, July and August (UV index: 6). The months with the lowest average UV index are January, February, November and December (UV index: 2). Over the whole year the average UV index is 3.7.
