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What to wear in Croatia in Spring (March, April & May)

What to wear in Croatia in Spring (March, April & May)

Do you want to know what to wear in Croatia in Spring? Spring in Croatia is classified as March, April and May and with our handy Croatia packing list for summer we aim to make packing easier while keeping you stylish and cool.

In this guide you will learn:

  • what to expect from the Spring weather in Croatia by region and month,
  • What to wear in Croatia in Spring for weather, dress codes and more no matter whether you are visiting Dubrovnik, Split, Krka National Park or beyond and
  • any special events that may affect Croatia Spring packing list.

Weather in Croatia in Spring


Being on the Adriatic Croatia has quite a mild climate even in Spring however there are some variations between the months.

How hot is Croatia in Spring?

Zagreb in Springtime
Croatia Packing List for Spring

The temperatures in Croatia are pleasant and warm in May with the average high temperature being 23°C/73.4F however in Early March the temperatures can still feel pretty wintery with average temperatures of only 12°C.

And if you are traveling to Croatia in another season be sure to check out our other guides:

How rainy is Croatia in Spring?

It really depends on the Spring month you are visiting in as to how much rain you can expect to experience. For instance, April and May only experience 15-22mm of rain across the months while March gets a whopping 50mm. For this reason we recommend having a light water proof jacket with you, as well as a compact travel umbrella with you too.

Note: we always recommend checking the forecast at your destination(s) 7 days out from travel to make sure there are no expected weather fronts i.e. heatwaves or cold snaps.

What to Wear in Croatia in Spring

What to Wear in Croatia for Women

Woman walking by water in national park in Croatia
What to wear in Croatia in Spring (March, april and May)

So what items should you add to your Croatia packing list for the Spring?

Pants

Amazon Essentials Women’s Slim Fit, Straight leg Stretch Twill Chino Pant, Dark Olive, 10
  • SLIM FIT: Close fit through waist, hip and thigh, with slight ease below thigh for a straight leg shape. Mid rise, sits below the natural waist.
  • CLASSIC KHAKI PANT: These classic chino pants are the perfect wardrobe staple. Offering a clean, gently structured silhouette, these pants fit with comfort and ease for at work, weekend exploring, or running errands.
  • DETAILS: Concealed closure with zip fly and button, front slant pockets, belt loops and functional back welt pockets.
  • INSEAM: 30 1/2″ with a 7 1/2″ leg opening on US size 6

Depending on what month you are traveling in will depend on what pants are most suitable.

For May we recommend still having some shorts with you and some linen pants too. However for March and Early April we recommend sticking to thicker and longer pants such as Capri pants, chinos and jeans.

Skirts and Dresses

On top of trousers I will usually add a couple of dresses or skirts to the packing list especially if you want to eat at some of Dubrovnik or Spilt’s more fine dining establishments.

For March you may want top add a lightweight sweater dress instead.

T Shirts

T Shirts are a great base for Croatia whatever Spring month you are visiting. For April and MAy I recommend packing short sleeve tees in natural fabrics and plain colors to make them work in a capsule wardrobe more easily but for March it is worth having some ling sleeve tees too!

Click here to shop t shirts.

Blouse


On top of t shirts I also recommend packing some nice blouses that can be used in restaurants and smarter places. I try to stick to blouses made of natural fabrics such as linen and cottons. But for March you may want to add something thicker such as a lumber jack shirt.


Layers


In Springtime layers are crucial. I usually pack a hoodie for casual daytime sightseeing and some cardigans and sweaters for evenings.

Shop layers for Croatia here.

PJs

As the weather is hot we recommend packing lightweight nightwear.

Swimwear (optional)

By late May you may be able to use the beaches so you will want to add some swimwear to your packing list. However in March unless you are staying in a hotel with a heated pool swimwear is probably not required.

Jacket

We also recommend packing a jacket with you whatever Spring month you travel. For Late April and May a lightweight rain jacket is a good idea. However for March a slightly thicker jacket would be more appropriate. Waterproof coats are always a good idea for March.

Underwear and Socks

Goes without saying. We recommend packing sneaker socks.

What to pack for Croatia in Spring for Men

The packing list for men is quite similar as the ladies packing list for Croatia in Spring and we recommend packing:

T Shirts and Shirts

We recommend natural fabric short sleeve t shirts and some shirts. For May you will want to stick to mainly short sleeves however for March and Early april you will want a mix of long and short sleeve shirts and t shirts.

Pants / Shorts

For May you will want linen pants and shorts but March still needs jeans and thicker pants.

Shop men’s travel chinos here.

Layers

Layers are the most important thing to add to your packing list. We recommend a mix of hoodies and sweaters.

Underwear, Socks and Pjs

Best Shoes for Croatia in Spring

Waterproof Shoes

For Croatia in Spring my number one shoe is a sneaker as it can deal with cobble stones streets and even walking the city walls in Dubrovnik.

I personally like a white sneaker for May as they are most versatile for a capsule wardrobe. However it is also worth packing waterproof sneakers especially in March as it is quite rainy.

Sandals / Ankle Boot

Depending on which Spring month you are traveling in will affect what second pair of shoes you should take to Croatia. For May we recommend sandals. As there is a lot of walking over uneven surfaces in the historic centers of Dubrovnik and Split and at national parks. For this reason we recommend something like a Teva which is great for walking in.

However ankle boots are still more appropriate for March.

What to pack for Croatia in Spring (March, April and May) -Non Clothing

Woman walking in old town of croatia
What to wear in Croatia in Spring (March, april and May)
  • Crossbody Bag  – I always travel with this type of bag as it is a great pickpocket deterrent anywhere in the world.
  • Backpack – for storing items on your day trips. If there is going to be very haevy rain during your travel you may also want a waterproof cover.
  • Universal Travel adaptor – Croatia uses European plugs so a travel adaptor is needed for visitors from the UK and USA.
  • Power Pack / battery packs
  • Camera
  • Travel First Aid Kit
  • Blister plasters
  • Sunscreen
  • Toiletries – for our essential toiletries packing list click here. These could be purchased in the big cities easily, however it can be easier when not familiar with language to have them packed with you.

FAQs About this Croatia in Spring Packing List


So now you know what to pack for Croatia in Spring we will answer your most frequently asked questions.

Is it OK to wear shorts in Croatia in Spring?

Yes it is ok to wear shorts in Croatia. In fact we recommend packing shorts for May for beaches and the national parks but in March and April it will still be a bit chilly for shorts.

Can you wear jeans in Croatia in Spring?

Yes you can absolutely wear jeans in Croatia in Springtime.

Have you been to Croatia in Spring? What did you wear? We would love you to tell us in the comments below!