So, there I was, thinking about a trip. Croatia in September. It’s one of those places, and times, you hear a lot of good things about. Fewer people than summer, supposedly still nice and warm. That was the dream, anyway. The first thing I did, like anyone would, was a quick online search. You type it in, and up pop these general ideas, you know? “Oh, it’s lovely,” “perfectly warm,” that sort of thing.
But then I started to actually plan where I wanted to go. It wasn’t just one city. I was thinking Dubrovnik, for sure, then maybe up to Split, perhaps Hvar, and definitely wanted to see Plitvice Lakes. And then it hit me – Croatia’s a long country. It’s got that massive coastline, but then Plitvice is inland, up in the hills a bit. Surely the weather isn’t going to be exactly the same everywhere, right?
That’s when I decided I needed to dig a bit deeper than just the first search result. I started poking around on some travel forums, reading what folks who’d actually been there in September had to say. And yeah, it started to get a bit more nuanced. Some people were all about how hot it still was on the coast, perfect for swimming. Others mentioned that evenings, especially later in the month, could get a bit fresh. And a few folks specifically warned about Plitvice being cooler, particularly in the mornings. One person even said they regretted not having a warmer top for an early start there.
It became pretty clear that just packing for a straightforward summer holiday wasn’t going to cut it. The south, like around Dubrovnik, generally holds onto the heat longer. But as September goes on, and if you’re heading a bit north along the coast, or inland like to Plitvice or Zagreb, things definitely cool down a notch, especially once the sun sets. You might get brilliant sunshine during the day, making you think it’s full-on summer, but then the evening rolls in and you’re wishing for an extra layer.
So, what did I end up doing for packing? Well, it was all about layers. That became my mantra. I definitely packed for sunny days: t-shirts, shorts, a couple of light dresses, and my swimmers, of course. Couldn’t go to the Croatian coast without those. But, crucially, I also made sure to include a couple of long-sleeved tops, a comfy cardigan that wasn’t too bulky, and a light, packable windbreaker. That jacket turned out to be a lifesaver on a couple of breezy evenings and for that early morning wander around Plitvice Lakes. And comfortable shoes are a must – you walk a ton, believe me.
The main takeaway for me was that September in Croatia is generally fantastic, don’t get me wrong. You often get the best of both worlds: warm, sunny days and fewer crowds. But you just can’t assume it’s going to be baking hot everywhere, all the time. The beginning of the month is usually warmer than the end. The coast is usually warmer than inland. Evenings can be surprisingly cool. So, my advice? Check the forecast closer to your travel time, for the specific places you’re visiting. And definitely, definitely pack those layers. It made all the difference to being comfortable and enjoying everything without shivering or sweating buckets.
