Weather in Croatia in January

January climate overview

Daytime highs across Croatia in January run from 9.1°C (Pula) to 10.7°C (Dubrovnik). Days over 25°C are rare anywhere in Croatia in January. Nights average 4.8°C; the coldest 10% of nights in Pula fall to 2°C or below.

Rainfall in January

Expect around 11 rainy days (1 mm or more) in January, with Pula the driest (10 days) and Cavtat the wettest (12 days). The wettest January at Dubrovnik between 1991 and 2020 was 2010 with 325 mm; the driest was 1993 with 16 mm.

Sea temperature

The sea averages 13.4°C around Croatia in January - warmest at Dubrovnik (14.3°C). That is cold for swimming without a wetsuit.

Sunshine and daylight

Around 4.1 hours of sunshine a day on average, out of 9.2 hours of daylight (sunshine estimated from cloud cover).

January against the rest of the year in Croatia

January is the 12th warmest month of the twelve in Croatia. It is 1.1°C cooler than December and 0.7°C warmer in February. The hottest month here is August (28°C) and the coolest January (10°C).

Which part of Croatia in January?

• Most sunshine: Cavtat, 4.3 h a day.
• Driest: Pula, about 10 rainy days.
• Warmest sea: Dubrovnik, 14°C.
• Hottest: Dubrovnik, 11°C by day.
• Coolest (better for walking and cities): Pula, 9°C.

What to pack for Croatia in January

Based on the averages: proper layers and a jacket - daytime highs average only 10°C; a warm layer for evenings, when it drops to around 5°C; a rain jacket - roughly 11 wet days.

Similar weather elsewhere in January

Within 1.5°C of Croatia's January daytime average: Alonissos (11°C, sea 14°C), Budva (11°C, sea 14°C), Halkidiki (10°C, sea 14°C), Madrid (10°C), Florence (9°C). See the full ranking for January.

Where to go for the mildest weather

Dubrovnik is the best fit if daytime warmth is your deciding factor, averaging 11°C, though that still means jacket weather rather than reliable outdoor lounging. Cavtat and Split both average 10°C by day, so the temperature difference is too small to make either a substantially warmer-feeling holiday. Split has the chilliest nights here at 4°C, making an extra evening layer sensible. Pula is coolest by day at 9°C, but its 10 rainy days compare with 11 in Dubrovnik and Split and 12 in Cavtat. That is a modest trade-off, not a reason to count on a dry stay: choose Dubrovnik for mildness, but keep rain in your plans wherever you base yourself.

What to pack and how to plan your days

Bring a waterproof outer layer, warm clothing you can adjust and shoes suited to wet conditions. The country average of 4.1 hours of sunshine leaves scope for brighter spells, but January is not a dependable sunshine holiday. Keep outdoor plans flexible rather than building each day around sitting outside, and have an indoor alternative when rain arrives. Evenings average 5°C, so do not pack as though mild daytime weather will last after dark. The sea averages 13°C nationally, which makes this a poor choice for casual holiday swimming. January suits travellers comfortable with cool walks and changeable plans much better than those looking for beach days.