Weather in Croatia in March

March climate overview

Daytime highs across Croatia in March run from 12.3°C (Pula) to 14.0°C (Dubrovnik). Days over 25°C are rare anywhere in Croatia in March. Nights average 7.2°C; the coldest 10% of nights in Pula fall to 4°C or below.

Rainfall in March

Expect around 11 rainy days (1 mm or more) in March, with Split the driest (10 days) and Dubrovnik the wettest (11 days). The wettest March at Dubrovnik between 1991 and 2020 was 2018 with 449 mm; the driest was 2012 with 6 mm.

Sea temperature

The sea averages 12.8°C around Croatia in March - warmest at Dubrovnik (13.9°C). That is cold for swimming without a wetsuit.

Sunshine and daylight

Around 5.7 hours of sunshine a day on average, out of 11.7 hours of daylight (sunshine estimated from cloud cover).

March against the rest of the year in Croatia

March is the 9th warmest month of the twelve in Croatia. It is 2.6°C warmer than February and 3.2°C warmer in April. The hottest month here is August (28°C) and the coolest January (10°C).

Which part of Croatia in March?

• Most sunshine: Split, 5.8 h a day.
• Driest: Split, about 10 rainy days.
• Warmest sea: Dubrovnik, 14°C.
• Hottest: Dubrovnik, 14°C by day.
• Coolest (better for walking and cities): Pula, 12°C.

What to pack for Croatia in March

Based on the averages: proper layers and a jacket - daytime highs average only 13°C; a warm layer for evenings, when it drops to around 7°C; a rain jacket - roughly 11 wet days.

Similar weather elsewhere in March

Within 1.5°C of Croatia's March daytime average: Naples (15°C, sea 14°C), Puglia (15°C, sea 13°C), Mykonos (15°C, sea 15°C), Naxos (15°C, sea 16°C), Nice (15°C, sea 13°C). See the full ranking for March.

Where to go for the mildest weather

Dubrovnik, Split and Cavtat share daytime averages of 14°C, making them the better choices if mild afternoons are your priority. There is little weather advantage between them: Split has 10 rainy days rather than 11, but its nights are slightly cooler at 6°C, compared with 7°C in Dubrovnik and Cavtat. That small rain difference is not a strong reason to choose your destination on its own. Pula is cooler by day at 12°C, although its night average of 8°C is the mildest of these destinations. Choose it if cooler daytime conditions do not bother you, rather than expecting the warmest March weather on this list.

What to pack and how to plan your days

Pack for cool starts, mild afternoons and chilly evenings, with layers you can add or remove rather than relying on light holiday clothes. A waterproof outer layer is a sensible choice with an average of 11 rainy days. The 5.7 hours of daily sunshine leave room for brighter spells, but do not assume every afternoon will stay dry. Keep outdoor plans flexible and use the milder part of the day for longer periods outside. At a country night average of 7°C, you will want a warm layer after dark. March is better approached as a month for being active outdoors than for sitting still in swimwear.