Zadar, on Croatia’s Adriatic coast, enjoys a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters. The city experiences pronounced seasonal changes, abundant sunshine – especially in summer – and moderate humidity year-round. Spring and autumn bring pleasant temperatures and fewer crowds, making Zadar an inviting destination for both beach holidays and cultural exploration.
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.
Zadar’s Mediterranean climate brings distinct seasonal contrasts. Summers (June–August) are hot, sunny, and dry, with average highs of 28–31°C and lows around 17–21°C. July and August are the hottest and driest months, with minimal rainfall (as little as 30–35 mm) and up to 12 hours of sunshine daily. Sea temperatures reach 24–25°C, ideal for swimming and water sports. Humidity is moderate, dropping to its lowest in July. Occasional heatwaves can push temperatures above 35°C, but refreshing sea breezes and clear skies dominate the season.
Winters (December–February) are mild but wetter, with average highs of 10–13°C and lows near 4–6°C. Rainfall is frequent, especially in November and December, the wettest months (110–160 mm monthly). Snow is rare but possible, and the strong bora wind can make winter days feel colder. Sunshine is limited to 3–4 hours per day, but the city rarely experiences prolonged cold spells. Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–October) are transitional, with mild to warm temperatures (15–26°C), moderate rainfall, and increasing or decreasing sunshine. These seasons are ideal for sightseeing and outdoor activities, with blooming landscapes in spring and vibrant colours in autumn. Zadar enjoys about 2,600–2,700 hours of sunshine annually, and annual precipitation averages 1,100 mm, mostly outside the summer months.
| Average climate data for Zadar, Croatia | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 9 | 9 | 13 | 16 | 20 | 24 | 27 | 28 | 24 | 19 | 15 | 11 | 28 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 5 | 6 | 8 | 11 | 14 | 18 | 21 | 22 | 18 | 14 | 11 | 7 | 5 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 63 | 71 | 53 | 42 | 57 | 42 | 36 | 28 | 62 | 66 | 116 | 73 | 708 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 11 | 10 | 15 | 14 | 143 |
| Average snowfall (mm) | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Average snowfall days (days) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 73 | 73 | 69 | 68 | 68 | 67 | 61 | 60 | 64 | 70 | 75 | 72 | 68 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 17 | 19 | 18 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 18 | 17 | 15 |
| Average water temperature (°C) | 13 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 18 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 20 | 18 | 16 | 18 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 9 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 5 | 5 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 8 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 40 | 41 | 35 | 31 | 26 | 17 | 14 | 12 | 21 | 28 | 38 | 37 | 28 |
| Average UV index | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
The best time to visit Zadar is from late May to mid-October, when temperatures are warm (22–31°C), rainfall is low, and the sea is perfect for swimming. May, June, September, and early October are especially pleasant, with fewer crowds and ideal conditions for both beach and city exploration.
The least favourable time is from November to February, when Zadar is at its wettest and coolest. Frequent rain, strong winds, and shorter daylight hours can limit outdoor activities, though the city’s historic charm and cosy cafés remain inviting for off-season travellers.
Zadar has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers (28–31°C), mild, rainy winters (10–13°C), and moderate humidity. Rain falls mostly in autumn and winter, while summers are sunny and dry.
The best time to visit Zadar is from late May to mid-October, especially June and September, when the weather is warm, rainfall is low, and the sea is ideal for swimming and water sports.
Snow is very rare in Zadar, but possible in winter. When it occurs, it usually melts quickly. Most winter precipitation falls as rain, and cold spells are short-lived.
Zadar receives about 1,100 mm of precipitation annually, with the wettest months in November and December. Summer is much drier, with July and August seeing minimal rainfall.
Sea temperatures in Zadar range from 13°C in winter to 25°C in August. The best months for swimming are June to September, when the water is warm and inviting.
Yes, Zadar can be windy, especially in winter when the bora wind blows. The bora can be strong and make winter days feel colder, but winds are generally lighter in summer.
Pack light, breathable clothing and sun protection for summer. In spring and autumn, bring layers and a rain jacket. For winter, warm, waterproof clothing is essential due to rain and wind.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is August (28.3 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (9.3 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 17.9 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is August (21.6 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is January (5.2 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 12.9 °C.
The month with the highest average water temperature is August (24.9 °C). The month with the lowest average water temperature is February (12.5 °C). Overall, the average water temperature over the whole year is 18.5 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is November (116.2 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is August (27.6 mm). Over the whole year there are 708.3 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is November (15.3 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is August (8 days). Over the whole year there are 142.8 days of rain on average.
The month with the most snowfall is February (2 mm). The months with the least snowfall are January, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December (0 mm). Over the whole year there are 2 mm of snowfall on average.
The month with the most days of snowfall is February (0.6 days). The months with the fewest days of snowfall are April, June, August and September (0 days). Over the whole year there are 2 days of snowfall on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is November (74.7 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is August (59.5 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 68.3 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is February (18.9 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is July (11.7 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 15.1 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is February (41.1 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is August (12.5 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 28.4 %.
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: 8.1 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 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is February (Average sunshine: 5 h). Over the whole year there are 8.2 h of sunlight per day on average.
The month with the highest average UV index is July (UV index: 7). The month with the lowest average UV index is January (UV index: 2). Over the whole year the average UV index is 4.3.
