Month guide · Split · Croatia
Split in January
What January is really like in Split: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Mark Ahsmann, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
January is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 11°C (52°F), lows of 5°C (41°F), about 9 rainy days and roughly 9.3 hours of daylight. Mild but often windy and wet; the bura wind brings cold, clear days, and island services run reduced timetables.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 11°C (52°F) / 5°C (41°F)
- Rainy days
- About 9
- Daylight
- About 9.3 hours
- Sea temperature
- 14°C (57°F)
- Crowds
- Very quiet
- Hotel prices
- Lowest
Weather in January
January is the coolest month in Split: days average 11°C (52°F) against a yearly average high of 20°C (68°F), and nights fall to about 5°C (41°F). Rain falls on roughly 9 of its 31 days. Compared with December (12°C (54°F)), January is about as warm; by February highs stay near 12°C (54°F).
- Sunrise (15 January)
- About 07:24
- Sunset (15 January)
- About 16:43
- Daylight
- About 9.3 hours
- Sea
- 14°C (57°F)
Winter (December–February). Mild but windy and wet at times, with Advent on the Riva and Carnival; many island services are reduced.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, January rates 1 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 1 for hotel prices (highest in July). That makes January one of the better-value months to book.
Events in January
January has no major recurring festival in Split, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in January
With cold days, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
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Religious site · Old Town (Diocletian's Palace)
Cathedral of Saint Domnius and bell tower
The bell-tower stairs are steep and open in places; climb early, before the heat and the queues build.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- History
- Views
- Architecture
- Rainy day
Historic site · Old Town (Diocletian's Palace)
Palace substructures (cellars)
The vaulted basement halls beneath the emperor's former apartments survive almost intact because they were used for centuries as storage and a rubbish dump.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Kids
- Architecture
Gallery · Meje
Meštrović Gallery
Combine it with a swim at Kašjuni beach, about 15 minutes' walk further west.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Rainy day
- Architecture
- Off the beaten path
- Views
Museum · North of the old town
Archaeological Museum
Founded in 1820, Croatia's oldest museum displays Roman and Greek finds from Salona and the Adriatic, including carved sarcophagi in a garden lapidarium, mosaics, coins, jewellery and pottery.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Art
What to pack
For highs near 11°C, lows near 5°C and 9 wet days: a warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is January a good time to visit Split?
A quieter month with trade-offs. If your dates are flexible, May–June and September are better overall. Compare every month.
Split in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is January a good time to visit Split?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Mild but often windy and wet; the bura wind brings cold, clear days, and island services run reduced timetables.
+How warm is Split in January?
Average highs are around 11°C (52°F) and lows around 5°C (41°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Split in January?
Expect rain on about 9 days of the month.