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Having been under rule by the Romans, Venetians, Austrians and Italians to name but a few, the city is an amalgamation of the empires that once walked through its streets. Around 930,000 visitors flocked to Split in 2019, and it’s hardly surprising given the breadth of history and culture that this prime Dalmatia Coast location has to offer.
Once only considered as a transit point, now, the city has become a destination in its own right for its own reasons. Its Mediterranean foodie scene, beautiful architecture, and range of annual events and festivals mean there is something to suit every preference and taste.
In this article, we’ve recommended the best times to visit Split and have separated this by month to showcase the spectacular events and festivals on offer, and the weather you can expect, so that you can explore the best that Split has to offer all year round.
Average temperatures in Split reach highs of 10°C and lows of 6°C, with around 8 days of rain throughout the month, making it one of the cooler and wetter months of the year for visiting the city.
The Night of the Museums is an annual cultural event showcasing Croatia’s museums and galleries. It happens at the end of January and is held to appreciate the contribution of these sights to the country’s cultural and tourism offerings.
The doors of the museums and galleries in Split are opened and visitors are given free access for one night only. One-off exhibitions are on offer, and concerts are organised especially.
High average temperatures of 11°C and lows of 6°C are found in February, with around 8 days of rain on average. This is a milder, but still comfortable, month for those who wish to visit Split before the end of winter.
February marks the month of Split’s annual carnival that takes place before the Christian holiday of Lent. The celebration is long-standing in Croatia and happens throughout the country. In Split, you’ll find large carnival parades and feasts offering foods that are forbidden during the Lent period, amongst other celebrations.
The month of March has average high temperatures of 14°C and lows of 8°C. On average, you’ll find 7 days of rain during the month, marking the start of spring.
The largest gastronomical event in the country, Gast Fair is an annual fair held in Split at the start of the month. In recent years, the event has expanded and now accommodates several different fairs, including coffee, beverage, and wine, and even other non-gastronomic fairs, like tourism and furniture.
It’s the ideal fair for foodies coming to the island to experience the best of Croatia’s gastronomic scene.
April has 8 days of rainfall on average annually, more so than March. But the month makes up for this with its warmer temperatures, with average lows of 12°C and highs of 18°C.
Described as getting bigger and better every year, the Croatian Boat Show is a popular boat show held in Split, spread over 8 days. It is well-attended, even in the past by local as well as international celebrities, alongside the country’s Prime Minister!
The social event showcases luxury yachts, sailing boats, and other stunning vessels to admire. Regattas and races also take place, and the event is a must-visit if you’re planning on coming to Split in April.
The month of May offers average highs of 24°C and lows of 16°C, with only 6 days of rainfall a year; much less than the other months of spring.
This festival celebrates Split’s patron saint, St Duje, and is held on the 7th of May every year. St Duje, also known as St Domnius, was supposedly sent to evangelise Dalmatia, where he was martyred.
A large procession followed by various games and a ceremony in Split’s St Duje cathedral are on offer during the day, and the day offers a fantastic opportunity for those more interested in witnessing a religious event in Split.
The start of the summer season, June, is when temperatures start to heat up in Split. There are daily average highs of 28°C and lows of 20°C, along with only 5 days of rain on average throughout the month.
The ancient festival the ‘Days of Radunica’ celebrates the oldest part of Split by the same name and refers to the traditional St Peter and St John throughout the celebration. The celebrations take place throughout the area’s streets and have been taking place for over 2 decades.
The traditional folk festival occurs over a few days, with local residents arranging excellent activities, such as sports competitions and poetry readings, as well as a large party to end the celebrations.
July boasts only 3 days of rainfall on average, making it one of two of the lowest rainfall months throughout the year. On average, temperatures reach a high of 31°C and a low of 23°C.
With ballets, operas, plays, and concerts showcasing the fantastic array of musical and artistic offerings of Split, the city’s Summer Festival hosts these events throughout the summer, starting in July and finishing in August. The musical and theatrical events are performed on open-air stages or in iconic city destinations including the Peristyle and the basement halls of Diocletian’s Palace.
August is a sweltering summer month in Split, with average low temperatures of 23°C and highs of 31°C. Like July, the month has an average of only 3 days of rainfall a year.
This 3-day event is held in honour of the ancient emperor of the same name, Diocletian, who ruled the Eastern Roman Empire. The event celebrates Split’s rich, historic past and the significance of the Roman ruling in shaping the city to be what it is today.
You’ll find residents and visitors dressing in Roman attire and bringing to life the vibrant historic Roman period that Diocletian once ruled during. Roman music and Roman delicacies are also on offer during the event.
The end of the summer season, September is when temperatures start to cool down for the year in Split. Average high temperatures reach 25°C and low temperatures are 18°C, with a mean of 6 days of rainfall.
A favourite amongst residents and visitors, Split Film Festival showcases the creations of the country’s amateur filmmakers, connoisseurs, and experimenters of the visual arts, as well as international and independent cinema.
The event occurs annually and presents screenings of videos, films and performances, whilst also holding installations and workshops. The event hosts the ideal immersive experience for visitors to see some of the best innovative visual art creations in the country.
October has average high temperatures of 20°C and lows of 15°C, with 7 days of rainfall on average.
Held annually in October, the ‘Taste The Mediterranean Festival’ in Split brings together some of the best local chefs, culinary offerings, and international chefs in the world, with special panels, gala dinners, and menus on offer for its duration. Also on offer are wine tastings and chef masterclasses. You may even find that particular restaurants may offer dalmatian speciality menus to mark the event, which you can enjoy during your stay in Split.
The autumn month of November has much cooler temperatures, with a minimum average temperature of 12°C and 16°C as an average high. There are around 10 days of rainfall on average throughout the month, making it the wettest month of the year.
Split doesn’t host any major events in November, but its neighbouring city of Dubrovnik does. Dubrovnik is another major city in Croatia that is worth a visit during your trip, and is often combined with trips to Split to make for a memorable Dalmatian Coast holiday.
Dubrovnik’s Winter Festival marks the beginning of the festive season, with events such as the lighting of the first advent candle and turning on the city’s festive holiday lighting creating a magical atmosphere for the month to follow. This is a lovely opportunity to see Dubrovnik in its magical state for the start of the festive period.
The most festive month of the year comes with an average of 9 days of rainfall,
high temperatures of 12°C and lows of 7°C.
Split’s annual advent period spans the majority of December until early January and holds festive events throughout this period. Music, food, carols, children’s events and performances are but a few things to expect if you’re planning on visiting during this festive period.
It’s safe to say that Split offers ample opportunity to discover its history, culture, gastronomy, and other unique events all year round, the only difficulty you might have is deciding which time of year you would prefer to visit the most!
Whether you’re enticed by the cultural and religious history that has shaped this Croatian coastal jewel, or you’re fascinated by the creative offerings of the city and Croatia as a whole, this guide will help you choose the best time of year that offers the best opportunities for you to make your trip to Split unforgettable.
For more information about planning a holiday to Split, why not read our guides on the best time to visit and the best places to visit in the city?
If you are planning a trip to Split and need accommodation for your visit, Vida Villas offer a stunning selection of rental properties around the island, which you can browse here. Alternatively, you can contact our team, who will be happy to provide any help or information you may need.
