Best time to visit · Hvar · Croatia
The best time to visit Hvar
Weather, crowds, prices and events for every month, so you can pick the trip that suits you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Carsten Steger, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Quick answer
The best times to visit Hvar are May to June and September, when the sea is warm, the island is open and crowds are smaller than in July and August. Late June adds the lavender bloom. Midsummer is hot, busy and the highest-priced. From November to February most hotels, restaurants and bars close and ferry schedules are reduced.
Key facts
- Best months
- May–June and September
- Shoulder season
- April, July–August and October
- Warmest month
- July (avg high 30°C (86°F))
- Coldest month
- January (avg high 12°C (54°F))
- Rainiest month
- January (~11 rainy days)
- Lowest hotel prices
- November–March
Seasons
Hvar has a sunny Mediterranean climate, often promoted as one of the sunniest places in Croatia, with hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters. The sea is warm enough for most swimmers from June to early October.
March–May
Spring
Wild flowers, Easter processions and mild weather, with businesses reopening through April and May and a cool sea.
June–August
Summer
Lavender in June, hot sunny days, warm sea and peak nightlife, but heavy crowds and high prices in July and August.
September–November
Autumn
Warm sea and grape harvest in September, quieter October, then closures and rain in November.
December–February
Winter
Mild but wet and windy, with most tourist services closed and limited ferry connections.
Month by month
Long-term averages (rounded). Crowds and prices are relative, 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). Daylight is sunrise to sunset on the 15th.
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Sea | Daylight | Crowds | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 12°C | 6°C | 11 | 14°C | 9.3 h | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| February | 12°C | 6°C | 9 | 13°C | 10.5 h | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| March | 14°C | 8°C | 9 | 14°C | 11.8 h | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| April | 18°C | 11°C | 8 | 16°C | 13.3 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| May | 22°C | 15°C | 7 | 19°C | 14.7 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| June | 27°C | 19°C | 5 | 23°C | 15.4 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| July | 30°C | 22°C | 3 | 25°C | 15.1 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| August | 30°C | 22°C | 3 | 25°C | 13.9 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| September | 26°C | 19°C | 6 | 23°C | 12.4 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| October | 21°C | 15°C | 9 | 21°C | 10.9 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| November | 17°C | 11°C | 11 | 18°C | 9.6 h | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| December | 13°C | 8°C | 11 | 15°C | 9 h | 1/5 | 1/5 |
Yearly events
Recurring dates shift from year to year; confirm with the organiser before you book.
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| February | Carnival celebrations in island villages (usually February) |
| March | Za Križen — overnight Holy Week procession in six villages (Holy Thursday, March or April) |
| April | Easter (March or April) |
| June | Lavender festival in Velo Grablje (usually late June or early July) |
| July | Hvar Summer Festival — concerts and theatre (usually July–August) |
| August | Feast of the Assumption (15 August) |
Cheapest and quietest times
Hotel prices are usually lowest in November–March, and the sights are quietest in November–March. Many visitors avoid December–February.
What to pack
| Season | Pack |
|---|---|
| Spring | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Summer | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Autumn | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Winter | Layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best month to visit Hvar?
The best times to visit Hvar are May to June and September, when the sea is warm, the island is open and crowds are smaller than in July and August. Late June adds the lavender bloom. Midsummer is hot, busy and the highest-priced. From November to February most hotels, restaurants and bars close and ferry schedules are reduced.
+When are hotel prices lowest in Hvar?
Usually in November–March. Mild but wet and windy, with most hotels and restaurants closed and limited ferry schedules.
+What is the rainiest month in Hvar?
January, with about 11 days of rain on average.
+How hot does Hvar get?
The warmest month, July, averages highs of 30°C (86°F) and lows of 22°C (72°F).