Zagreb is the capital and largest city of Croatia, a relaxed Central European city of about 770,000 people where Habsburg-era streets, a medieval hilltop Upper Town, and a lively cafe culture sit side by side. It is known for the Museum of Broken Relationships, the Dolac market, the Tkalčićeva street terraces, Mirogoj cemetery, and one of Europe's best-loved Advent festivals.
Zagreb has a humid continental climate with four distinct seasons. Winters are cold and foggy (January highs around 3°C, lows near -3°C) with occasional snow, summers are warm to hot (July-August highs around 28°C), and rain falls year-round, peaking in late spring and autumn with roughly 850-900 mm annually. Medvednica mountain to the north is cooler and often snowy in winter. Spring and early autumn are the most pleasant seasons.
Best time to visit
Best: Year-round
Avoid: None
Month-by-month weather
Typical conditions throughout the year.
January
0°C/32°F
Cold and often foggy; Advent lingers into early January, ski days on Sljeme possible
February
2°C/36°F
Cold with occasional snow; Carnival (Fasnik) season begins
March
7°C/45°F
Thawing, changeable; early spring flowers in parks
April
12°C/53°F
Spring arrives; trees bloom and terraces reopen; Easter brings visitors
May
16°C/62°F
Warm and green with occasional showers; peak for cafe terraces and parks
June
20°C/69°F
Warm, long days and afternoon thunderstorms; lake season begins
July
22°C/72°F
Hot days with cooler nights; city is quieter as locals leave for the coast
August
22°C/72°F
Hot and sometimes humid; many local shops close around mid-August
September
18°C/64°F
Warm days, cooler evenings, grape harvest; one of the nicest months
October
12°C/54°F
Cool, damp and golden; fall foliage in Maksimir and Medvednica
November
6°C/43°F
Cold, grey and foggy; short days, low season
December
2°C/35°F
Cold with frost and occasional snow; Advent in Zagreb is festive
The seasons
What to expect in each part of the year.
Spring
Months: Mar-May
Temperatures climb from about 12°C to 22°C; parks bloom, terraces fill and Medvednica hikes open up. Showers are frequent.
Summer
Months: Jun-Aug
Warm to hot with highs of 26-28°C and occasional thunderstorms; Jarun lake is at its liveliest and the city is quieter in August as many locals head to the coast.
Fall
Months: Sep-Nov
September is warm and bright, October brings golden foliage and wine-harvest events, November turns cold, grey and foggy.
Winter
Months: Dec-Feb
Cold, with highs of 3-6°C, lows below freezing and occasional snow. Advent in Zagreb is one of Europe's more popular winter events.
Crowds & peak times
When to expect tourists and when to avoid them.
- High Season
- Jul-Aug for coast-bound transit, plus the Advent period in December
- Shoulder Season
- Apr-Jun and Sep-Oct (best balance of weather and crowds)
- Low Season
- Jan-Mar and Nov (quiet, cold and cheap)
Major events & festivals
Time your visit around what matters.
Zagreb Carnival (Fasnik)
Pre-Lent masquerade parades and children's events across the city
Zagreb Spring Fair and Dani Zagreba
Spring cultural programme of concerts, food markets and open-air events
INmusic Festival
Major rock and indie festival held at Jarun lake
Zagreb Summer Evenings
Open-air classical and contemporary concerts in the Upper Town
Zagreb Film Festival
International film festival with screenings across the city
Advent in Zagreb
Christmas markets on Zrinjevac, Strossmayer promenade and Tomislav Square, repeatedly named among Europe's best