Weather in Croatia in April

April climate overview

Daytime highs across Croatia in April run from 15.7°C (Pula) to 17.2°C (Split). Even in Split only 1% of days reach 25°C. Nights average 10.3°C; the coldest 10% of nights in Pula fall to 8°C or below.

Rainfall in April

Expect around 11 rainy days (1 mm or more) in April, with Pula the driest (10 days) and Dubrovnik the wettest (12 days). The wettest April at Split between 1991 and 2020 was 2004 with 186 mm; the driest was 2007 with 12 mm.

Sea temperature

The sea averages 14.3°C around Croatia in April - warmest at Dubrovnik (15.1°C). That is cold for swimming without a wetsuit.

Sunshine and daylight

Around 6.4 hours of sunshine a day on average, out of 13.2 hours of daylight (sunshine estimated from cloud cover).

April against the rest of the year in Croatia

April is the 7th warmest month of the twelve in Croatia. It is 3.2°C warmer than March and 4.4°C warmer in May. The hottest month here is August (28°C) and the coolest January (10°C).

Which part of Croatia in April?

• Most sunshine: Cavtat, 6.6 h a day.
• Driest: Pula, about 10 rainy days.
• Warmest sea: Dubrovnik, 15°C.
• Hottest: Split, 17°C by day.
• Coolest (better for walking and cities): Pula, 16°C.

What to pack for Croatia in April

Based on the averages: proper layers and a jacket - daytime highs average only 17°C; a warm layer for evenings, when it drops to around 10°C; a rain jacket - roughly 11 wet days.

Similar weather elsewhere in April

Within 1.5°C of Croatia's April daytime average: Rhodes (18°C, sea 17°C), Bodrum (18°C, sea 17°C), Lisbon (18°C, sea 15°C), Rome (18°C, sea 15°C), Sardinia (18°C, sea 15°C). See the full ranking for April.

Where to go: Split and Dubrovnik for daytime warmth

Split is a sensible starting point if daytime warmth matters most, although Dubrovnik matches its average high of 17°C. Split has a slight advantage for outdoor plans, with 11 rainy days against Dubrovnik's 12, but that small difference should not decide the whole trip. Dubrovnik's sea is warmer at 15°C, though still cold for a leisurely swim. Cavtat shares that sea temperature but has slightly cooler afternoons. Pula suits travellers who are comfortable with milder days: its 16°C daytime average comes with fewer rainy days than the other destinations listed. Its 13°C sea is the clearest drawback if getting into the water is part of your plan.

What to pack and how to plan your days

Pack layers rather than treating April as an early summer holiday. A light layer may be enough during a mild afternoon, but keep a jacket handy for evenings and a waterproof for changes in the weather. With 11 rainy days on average, leave room to move outdoor plans around rather than relying on a completely dry stay. Average sunshine of 6.4 hours a day gives reason to plan time outside, without assuming uninterrupted clear skies. Midday is a sensible window for lighter clothing, but strong heat is unusual: even in Split, days above 25°C are rare. This is weather for flexible days outdoors, not guaranteed beach lounging.