Dubrovnik is hottest and driest in July and August. Those are the easiest months for beach weather, but not always the easiest months for walking the City Walls or climbing through the Old Town. May, June and September are cooler, the days are still long, and September usually keeps much of the summer warmth in the sea.
From late autumn into winter the pattern changes. Rain becomes more frequent, strong winds matter more, and some sea trips or cable-car departures can be affected even when conditions in the Old Town are manageable. The climate tables below are for trip planning; for your actual dates, use the live forecast and official DHMZ warnings.
7-day weather forecast for Dubrovnik
The forecast below is useful for the next few days. If you are planning a ferry, boat tour, sea kayaking or a trip up Mount Srđ, also check the official wind and weather warnings before you leave.
Dubrovnik climate by month
Data published by the Croatian Meteorological and Hydrological Service (DHMZ). The temperature column below is the monthly mean. Rainfall, rainy days and sunshine come from the same official series.
| Month | Mean air temp | Rainfall | Rain days | Sunshine | Sea temp* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 9.2 °C | 120.8 mm | 12 | 131 h | 14 °C |
| February | 9.6 °C | 109.2 mm | 11 | 143 h | 14 °C |
| March | 11.5 °C | 102.4 mm | 11 | 181 h | 14 °C |
| April | 14.5 °C | 87.5 mm | 11 | 215 h | 16 °C |
| May | 18.7 °C | 66.7 mm | 10 | 271 h | 19 °C |
| June | 22.7 °C | 55.5 mm | 7 | 309 h | 23 °C |
| July | 25.3 °C | 32.0 mm | 4 | 351 h | 25 °C |
| August | 25.4 °C | 65.0 mm | 5 | 333 h | 25 °C |
| September | 21.9 °C | 96.2 mm | 7 | 255 h | 24 °C |
| October | 18.0 °C | 125.2 mm | 10 | 202 h | 21 °C |
| November | 14.1 °C | 142.8 mm | 13 | 132 h | 18 °C |
| December | 10.6 °C | 138.8 mm | 13 | 120 h | 16 °C |
When is Dubrovnik weather easiest for a city break?
May and June are easier on foot than midsummer. May is warm enough for long days outside, though the sea is still cool for many swimmers. By June, swimming is much more comfortable and rain is already relatively infrequent.
July and August are the months to choose if beach weather comes first. They are hot, sunny and busy. DHMZ records an average of 11 July days and 13 August days with maximum temperatures of at least 30 °C, so a midday circuit of the City Walls can be hard work.
September keeps a sea temperature close to summer levels while the air cools. Rain becomes more likely, but for a trip that mixes swimming with sightseeing, September is hard to beat.
October is noticeably wetter, yet the sea often remains around 21 °C. On a calm, sunny day you may still swim; on another October day you may need a waterproof jacket and a change of plans.
From November through March, come for Dubrovnik rather than the beach. The Old Town is quieter and winter temperatures are mild compared with inland Europe, but rain, bura and jugo play a much larger part in day-to-day plans.
Dubrovnik weather month by month
January
January is the coldest month in the DHMZ series, with a mean temperature of 9.2 °C and about 12 rainy days. Snow at sea level is rare. Wind and damp conditions are more likely to make a day feel unpleasant than extreme cold.
February
February remains a winter month: 9.6 °C mean temperature, about 109 mm of rain and roughly 143 hours of sunshine. The city is quiet, and weather can switch quickly between clear spells and rain.
March
March begins to feel like spring in the sun, but it is not reliably warm. The monthly mean is 11.5 °C and rain still falls on about 11 days. Layers are more useful than a single heavy coat.
April
April works well for walking. The monthly mean rises to 14.5 °C, sunshine reaches about 215 hours and rainfall drops below 90 mm. The sea is only around 16 °C, so this is sightseeing weather before it becomes beach weather.
May
May brings a mean temperature of 18.7 °C and around 271 hours of sunshine. Days in the low 20s °C are common, which is comfortable for the walls and longer walks. The sea, around 19 °C, is still brisk.
June
By June, summer has properly arrived. The monthly mean is 22.7 °C, sunshine averages about 309 hours and the sea reaches roughly 23 °C. There are around 7 rainy days in the long-term series.
July
July is the driest month in the DHMZ data: about 32 mm of rain and only 4 rainy days. It is also the sunniest, at roughly 351 hours. The problem is not finding good weather; it is managing the heat. Start exposed walks early and save the middle of the day for lunch, shade or the sea.
August
August is marginally warmer than July on the monthly mean, at 25.4 °C. The sea stays around 25 °C and there are about 333 sunshine hours. Thunderstorms are possible, but prolonged bad-weather spells are uncommon compared with autumn.
September
September cools to a mean of 21.9 °C, while the sea remains near 24 °C. That difference is what makes the month so useful for mixed trips: swimming still feels summery, but walking around the Old Town is usually less punishing than in August.
October
October averages 18.0 °C, about 125 mm of rain and 10 rainy days. The sea is often around 21 °C because it cools slowly after summer. Keep both swimwear and a waterproof layer in the bag.
November
November is the wettest month in the DHMZ series, with about 143 mm of rainfall and 13 rainy days. A boat-heavy itinerary is risky at this time of year; a flexible city break works better.
December
December has a mean temperature of 10.6 °C and around 13 rainy days. The Dubrovnik Winter Festival gives the Old Town plenty of life, but beach weather is finished and winter rain is normal.
Cable car, City Walls and Old Town tour
This tour makes sense on a clear day, when the Mount Srđ view adds something to the Old Town and City Walls.
The cable car may stop in high winds, thunderstorms or heavy rain. Check the weather and cable-car status before booking a weather-dependent day around Mount Srđ.
Sea temperature and swimming season
The Adriatic warms later than the air. In May, Dubrovnik can feel summery on land while the water is still around 19 °C. The reverse happens in autumn: October air is cooler, but the sea often holds around 21 °C.
| Month | Approx. sea temperature | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| January | 14 °C | Cold |
| February | 14 °C | Cold |
| March | 14 °C | Cold |
| April | 16 °C | Cold for most swimmers |
| May | 19 °C | Cool |
| June | 23 °C | Comfortable |
| July | 25 °C | Warm |
| August | 25 °C | Warm |
| September | 24 °C | Warm |
| October | 21 °C | Still swimmable on warm days |
| November | 18 °C | Cool |
| December | 16 °C | Cold |
June through September covers the main swimming season. May and October are much more dependent on personal tolerance and the weather on the day.
For island swimming, see Lokrum, Lopud and our Dubrovnik boat tours.
Rain and sunshine
July is unusually dry by Dubrovnik standards: 32 mm of rain and 4 rainy days in the long-term official series. November is at the other end of the scale with about 143 mm and 13 rainy days.
Sunshine also changes sharply through the year. July averages around 351 hours, June about 309 and August about 333. December averages around 120 hours.
Rain in Dubrovnik is often uneven. A wet month does not mean continuous rain every day, but autumn and winter trips need some flexibility. Museums, churches and restaurants in the Old Town are easy fallbacks when a planned boat trip or long outdoor walk stops making sense.
Bura, jugo and maestral
Two local wind names are worth knowing before a Dubrovnik trip: bura and jugo. They matter most if your plans involve the sea, the cable car or exposed viewpoints.
Bura
Bura blows from the northeast and is dry, cold and often gusty. It is more common in the colder part of the year, although short summer episodes do happen. Sunshine does not guarantee calm conditions when bura is blowing.
Jugo
Jugo comes from the southeast. It is warmer and humid, and is often followed by cloud, rain and a rougher sea. Boat conditions can worsen before the rain itself becomes heavy.
Maestral
Maestral is the familiar summer afternoon breeze from the northwest. It often develops after a calm morning and can make the sea choppier later in the day. It is a normal summer pattern, not the same kind of disruptive wind as a strong bura or jugo.
Weather and transport
Ferries and excursion boats: strong wind and rough seas can delay or cancel sailings. Check the return trip as well as the outbound departure, especially if you are visiting an island outside summer.
Dubrovnik Cable Car: the operator suspends service when wind exceeds the safety threshold and may also stop during thunderstorms or heavy rain.
City Walls: midsummer sun is the problem here. Large parts of the circuit have little shade. In July and August, an early start is much more comfortable than midday.
Heat warnings: DHMZ issues regional heat alerts. Pay attention to them if you are travelling with children, older family members or anyone who struggles with high temperatures.
What to pack
April, May, September and October: light layers, comfortable shoes and a thin waterproof jacket. Bring swimwear in May and October if you are happy with cooler water.
June to August: light clothing, hat, sunglasses and proper sunscreen. Carry water on the City Walls. Water shoes are handy on Dubrovnik's pebble and rocky beaches.
November to March: rain-resistant outerwear, warmer layers and shoes with decent grip. Dubrovnik rarely becomes severely cold, but wet stone, wind and damp air can make a mild winter day feel colder than the thermometer suggests.
Forecasts, marine weather and official warnings
Long-term averages are useful when choosing a month. They are not a substitute for a forecast once your travel dates are close.
- DHMZ - official Croatian forecasts, climate data and warnings.
- DHMZ weather warnings - heat, storms, wind and other regional alerts.
- DHMZ Adriatic marine forecast - check this before ferries, boat tours, sailing or kayaking.
For emergencies and useful local contacts, save our important phone numbers.
Dubrovnik weather FAQ
What is the best month for Dubrovnik weather?
June is a good choice if you want warm weather, long days and a comfortable sea without the full heat of July and August. September is better if warm seawater matters more and you do not mind a higher chance of rain.
What are the hottest months?
July and August. The DHMZ 1961-2024 series gives monthly mean temperatures of 25.3 °C in July and 25.4 °C in August. Days above 30 °C are common.
What is the rainiest month?
November has the highest average rainfall in the official series at about 143 mm. November and December both average around 13 rainy days.
Can you swim in May?
Yes, but around 19 °C the sea is cool. Short swims are common on warm days; June is noticeably more comfortable.
Can you swim in October?
Yes, on warmer days. The sea is often around 21 °C, which is warmer than in May, but October weather is less settled.
Does it snow in Dubrovnik?
Very rarely at sea level. Winter precipitation is normally rain.
Can weather cancel ferries or the cable car?
Yes. Strong wind and rough seas can affect ferries and boat trips. The cable car can also suspend service in high winds, thunderstorms or heavy rain.