A guide to packing for Croatia in October! When you think of Croatia, you automatically think about warm, sunny summer days. But summer in Croatia also means crowds and higher prices. So if you are wanting to visit Croatia during shoulder season, but are worried about the weather, don’t be! Read on for:
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Weather in Croatia in October
Weather in Croatia in October is incredible! The water may be a little cooler and the temperatures may not be AS warm as the summer, but I promise you will be able to enjoy sunshine and summer activities!
- The average highs in Split in October are around in the mid 60s F to low 70s F,
- The average highs in Dubrovnik are mildly warmer
- Obviously temperatures begin to get cooler the further into October you visit and may not quite hit the 70s F.
Our packing guide is focused on the Dalmatia region, Split and Dubrovnik, during October. Check the weather before you go!
Did you know it’s warm enough to kayak around Dubrovnik or swim in the Blue lagoon?!
Essential Items to pack for croatia
Most of the time, the weather is mild to hot in the Dalmatia region along the coast. We were in Split and Dubrovnik in October and I never used a jacket. I wore jeans comfortably in Split, but in Dubrovnik I wore shorts and short-sleeves the whole time. Even in October, packing for Croatia must include:
- Water-friendly shoes
- Bring a pair of Chacos, Keens or Tevas if you plan to do any water activities. Many of the beaches in Croatia are rocky, especially at the Blue Lagoon if you plan to take a day your there!
- Comfortable walking sneakers
- You will likely do a lot of walking around the old towns of Split and Dubrovnik, so be prepared for that. I have been using my reliable white Nike shoes for my last several trips and they always do me well.
- Swimsuit
- Believe it or not, it will be warm enough to do water activities in Croatia in October so be sure to pack a swimsuit!
- Sunscreen
- Don’t forget sunscreen! The temperatures will be mild enough to sometimes forget that the sun is cooking you 😬
- Quick-dry shorts or cover up for water activities
- We went on a tour to the Blue Lagoon in Split and did a kayak tour in Dubrovnik. I prefer to wear quick-drying shorts when doing water activities like these, but a swimsuit coverup will work as well.
- Comfortable shorts or pants
- With the amount of stairs and the temperatures, I recommend wearing light, breathable material. Linen shorts or pants are always a great option
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Other Items to pack for Croatia
I wouldn’t say it is essential to include cute clothes while packing for Croatia, but it certainly helps 😜 However, from a practical standpoint, know that most of what you do will include a lot of walking, quite a bit of stairs and warmer temperatures. So be mindful of the materials you pack!
- Sundress or jumpsuits for day time
- If you want to look a little cuter, but still comfortable for day time explorations, I find t-shirt dresses or jumpers to be so useful for this. They look decent and can be dressed up or down or double as a swimsuit cover!
- Comfy sandals to walk in when your feet get hot
- I typically tire of my water-friendly sandals and my sneakers and prefer to have a lighter, comfortable sandal to wear in the evenings.
- Dress for the evening
- Not necessary obviously, but Split has a great nightlife and Dubrovnik is beautiful at night. Sometimes it’s nice to look decent after looking “comfortable” all day 🙃
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What you can likely leave behind
The weather will be mild in October. Leave the jacket at home. We experienced only sunshine and didn’t even need a rain jacket or umbrella (although it doesn’t hurt to have an umbrella or light rain just in case).
Jean pants can be left at home as well. I did pack a pair because we had come from Austria and Slovenia, but they are heavy and really not necessary in Croatia. Opt for a lighter, more breathable option.
Luggage vs Backpack
One thing you’ll notice quickly is that there are a LOT of stairs in Dubrovnik. There is also little parking, so if you are driving your designated parking spot may be quite a walk from your actual accommodation.
With that being said, a backpack or carry-on suitcase are your best options.
- I encourage you NOT to overpack when visiting Dubrovnik or you may be carrying 50 pounds up multiple flights of stairs or dragging it nearly a mile to get to your rental car.
Packing for Croatia In October Recap
Luckily packing for Croatia can be pretty straight-forward during most times of the year due to a pretty mild climate along the Adriatic coast. No significant weather changes throughout the day or the week! However, with that being said, if you plan to visit during the winter, bring warmer clothes (at least a jacket). It WILL cool off in the winter. Check the weather and pack accordingly.
Here is a great way to spend 4 days in Croatia!
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