Generally Easter marks the opening of Croatia's spring season. On the long Easter weekend, lots of Croatians from the interior head to the coast and islands for a little foretaste of summer even though it's much too cold to swim. Dubrovnik, Pula and Hvar Island are favorites among Croatians, Italians and Slovenes for long weekends in March, April and May. While hotels in those places can get busy, hotels in most of the other islands, especially in the northern Adriatic, remain closed. Private accommodation can also be difficult to find.

Early spring is generally the best season to visit Plitvice Lakes National Park as the lakes and waterfalls are swollen with melting winter snow and there are fewer visitors. In fact, it's a fine time to visit most of Croatia's spectacular national parks.

As the days grow warmer and longer in late spring, the season becomes the best time to visit the Croatian coast and islands. By mid-May southern Dalmatia can be pleasantly warm. You won't be alone but you also won't have reached the point where tourists outnumber natives on Croatian islands! Plus, hotels haven't yet jacked up their prices for the peak summer season.

The main disadvantage of travelling within Croatia in the spring is that Jadrolinija does not launch its summer schedule until the last weekend in May. Until then, there are fewer ferries running from the mainland to the islands and among the islands. So, you won't have as much flexibility in planning your schedule.

Zagreb in spring is really a sight to behold as the city's parks are abloom with flowers. Nightlife is great and there are number of cultural festivals.

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