SEASONS

*For my friends from the Southern Hemisphere, bear in mind that winter months in your country are summer months here.

SPRING AND FALL

Early spring is one of the best times to see cascades and waterfalls and go hiking along the Krčić canyon. The water is high from the melting snow and rain, and there is still no lush foliage to block the view.

If you plan to drive to the mountains nearby this time of year you can still get stuck in the snow in some places. Also, when the weather is warmer, streams from the melting snow can cut and erode mountain roads quite badly.

As well as being pleasant in the sense of temperature, late spring or early fall are the best seasons for outdoor activities.

The weather is mild, the days are long, there are less tourists this time of year, and you can probably go to the beach if the temperature is right. Sometimes it gets warm as early as May, and it gets cold as late as November, but unless you're at the end of a long hot summer, there's always a chance that the sea will be a little chilly. Packing a thin neoprene suit or a "shorty" is always a good idea if visiting the Adriatic.

Late fall can be spectacular with incredibly vivid colors , but there's more probability of heavy rains and the days are getting shorter.

SUMMER

Knin in summer is super hot during the day, real feel is worse than the actual temperature, the air is dry, and it's like being in the oven. You can get to the coast fairly quickly as Šibenik, Zadar or Split are within about 1-1,5 hr drive.

Krčić river dries out during summer months and returns usually in late October or early November, so there is no great Krčić waterfall nor cascades.

If you want to enjoy the shade, you can go to some of the National Parks, Krka or Plitvice, or cross the border and visit Bosnia and Herzegovina, Šator mountain is a good choice and it's quite near. Bear in mind that Dinara, Promina, and most of Dalmatian mountains are mostly rocky, bare, with no trees, so you'll be baking in the scorching sun if you go hiking during the day. Same goes for biking, in the town or around it.

Canoe or boat rides on Krka could also be nice, and if you don't have your own equipment a local agency is advertising tours (https://www.facebook.com/kninoutdoor). I'm not sure about the temperature of Krka this time of year, it is measured usually in the national park, I would say some 15 ºC but you can check it here on the day when you plan to go https://meteo.hr/podaci.php?section=podaci_hidro&param=temp_vode

Another option if you want to get cool are Cerovac Caves, the temperature inside is constantly around 7 ºC.

All that said, summer is not my favorite season here, everything is crowded, towns, roads, especially the coast, and with the heat that melts soft plastic in your car, being outside is not a pleasant experience.

Also, if you go hiking be aware that Dalmatia is home to 3 kinds of venomous snakes which are active during this season. It's a good idea to carry a hiking pole or a stick to announce your presence.


WINTER

On a clear day it's magical, and not many people come to visit, so you can enjoy the beautiful scenery in peace and quiet. Also, there is no thick vegetation to cover the view if you go hiking along the canyon.

On the other hand the days are short, mountains are often covered with snow, some mountain roads could be inaccessible, there's often a thick fog, and hiking requires a higher level of skill and special equipment.

In the highlands speed has to be reduced due to the thin layers of ice on the roads, and it takes longer than usual to get to your destination. Since days are shorter, it's a good to keep this in mind.

Bura (bora), the regional cold North East Wind, is also typical for this time of year. It can get especially strong in Knin, and some bridges might be closed if you plan to travel in the broader area.

What to do on a bad weather day?

Knin is still developing in the sense of tourism, and there still aren't many indoor options. You could visit the museums and the restaurant at the fortress, which could take a couple of hours, depending on your pace and interest.

Cerovac caves are some 45 min drive from Knin, just check their tour times, you should be there 30 min before the tour.

You can also go to some of the coastal cities that provide more indoor contents- you can visit museums, go to cafés, or if you're visiting between September and May you can go swimming in one of the indoor pools at the local sport centers (Crnica in Šibenik, Višnjik in Zadar or Poljud in Split).