This Captivating Coastal Country In Europe Is Perfect For A Fall Vacation With Less Crowds

You probably first saw it explode on social media during the heyday of "Game of Thrones": stunning, clear waters surrounded by stone houses with red-tiled roofs, mountains rising in the background. With many beautiful places to explore, Croatia has been a traveler favorite for years, but popular sites like Dubrovnik and Plitvice Lakes National Park can sometimes feel more like Disney World — crowded with tourists, souvenir shops, and overpriced cafés.

The antidote? Visit this captivating coastal country in fall. Temperatures along the Adriatic coast drop from sauna-like in July to a mild average of 64 degrees in October. Crowds thin, prices drop, and fall foliage adds another layer of beauty to already striking landscapes. Pack layers and a raincoat — fall can be damp — and plan at least a week to see both natural wonders and historic towns.

While buses connect Croatia's major coastal cities, including Dubrovnik, Split, and Zadar, much of its charm lies beyond urban centers. Renting a car lets you explore quieter fishing villages, discover remote beaches, and take in the slower rhythms of coastal life. Croatia also has airports in most major coastal cities, with regular European connections, so you can plan flights to match the regions you want to explore.

You can't visit Croatia's coast without dipping into its crystalline waters. The Adriatic Sea generally stays warm enough for swimming through October, and with cold plunges gaining popularity across Europe, you may be tempted to dive in regardless of temperature. Seek out beaches away from light pollution and try a night swim — you may catch Croatia's famous bioluminescent plankton glowing beneath the water, creating a trail of sparkling light as you glide through the calm seas.

Plitvice Lakes National Park and Krka National Park, both known for pine forests, turquoise lakes, and surreal waterfalls, are far more peaceful in fall. In summer, trails teem with tourists, but come October you can hike through quiet forests and swim beneath waterfalls in relative solitude. Krka offers bike rentals and guided cycling excursions, while Plitvice is known for its classic wooden rowboats.

Fall[ is also prime sailing season, with several regattas taking place along the coast. The Mrduja Regatta, one of Croatia's oldest, is hosted in Split every October. The race spans 22 nautical miles and features both competitive sailors and locals sailing for leisure. Onshore, you'll find live music, food, and festivities. Interested in learning the craft? Marlin Sailing Academy in Zadar offers three-day beginner courses, including two nights' accommodation, for about $475 in October. Experienced sailors can also take to the seas, with boat charters available in major coastal cities.

Fall in Croatia is also about food. September brings truffle season, best celebrated in Buzet, near the Croatian-Slovenian border. On the second weekend of the month, the city hosts a festival centered around a giant truffle frittata made with more than 2,000 eggs and 22 pounds of truffle. Nearby, the forest village of Livade hosts the annual Zigante Truffle Days, held every weekend from October through early November. Visitors can sample truffle-infused delicacies such as prosciutto, cheese, and olive oil at the Truffle Fair, or hop on a guided train ride through the Motovun forest to join truffle hunters and their dogs in search of prized fungi.

October also marks Marunada, the chestnut festival in the seaside town of Lovran. Spanning the last three weekends of the month, Marunada features live music, cultural events, and chestnut dishes of every variety — think chestnut pie, hearty stews, and, of course, roasted chestnuts served in paper cones, just like at street stalls across Europe.

Farther south, Dubrovnik offers even more than its incredible historic architecture: the city hosts its annual Good Food Festival in mid-October. Over two weeks, the city comes alive with street food, live music, and culinary workshops. Past events have included lessons on pairing olive oil with desserts and "sunset in a glass" wine-tastings. Food lovers can also book group dinners with celebrity chefs for a memorable evening in Dubrovnik's historic heart. Visiting Croatia's coastal regions without the crowds has never looked so tempting.