If you’re thinking of a holiday to Croatia with kids, then you’re in for a treat. To make the most of your family trip, here are some of the best places to go.
This is a collaborative post
Stunning Croatia has grown hugely in popularity as a destination for family holidays in the last 10 years and it’s easy to see why it’s one of the most sought-after places to go.
Whether you’re in search of the dazzling blue shorelines of crystal clear waters, towns steeped in medieval history or stunning waterfalls, mountains and national parks, there is something for the whole family on a holiday to Croatia.
Best Places to Visit in Croatia with Kids
Dubrovnik
Think of Croatia, and most people think of Dubrovnik – with good reason. Known as the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’, it is a medieval town and UNESCO World Heritage site located on Croatia’s southern coast. It’s famous for its Old Town, surrounded by ancient walls, narrow streets, with terracotta roofs as far as the eye can see, and offers a fabulous blend of history, culture and beautiful scenery.
Kids will love walking along the ancient walls of Dubrovnik old town with their rich history, but go early if you’re there in the height of peak season to avoid the heat – and the cruise ship passengers. This place gets busy! But the views out over the Old Town and the Adriatic Sea are superb and totally worth it. Game of Thrones fans will also love it, with much of it being filmed here.
For another stunning vista head up Mount Srd. If your children are a bit older then you might be up for hiking 213 metres to the top. But if you have little kids, you can take the Dubrovnik cable car up. And wow – the panoramic views are breathtaking! The Old Town looks splendid, then your eye takes you out onto the Adriatic and to Lokrum island – which is also worth a visit whilst you’re in Dubrovnik.
Once you’ve returned to the bottom you most definitely deserve a gelato on the iconic Stradun Street which is famous for its shops, restaurants offering local cuisine and delicious ice creams. There’s also an aquarium and Dubrovnik National History Museum that children will love, as well as Banje beach, just a short walk from the old town. Dubrovnik is an absolute must on a Croatia family vacation.
Split
Further along the Dalmatian coast is Split, Croatia’s second-largest city and a must-visit during a family holiday to Croatia. It’s full of things to do with children, from its captivating shorelines, shops, markets and cultural heritage. Chances are if you’re flying from the UK, you’ll have flown to Split airport.
Head to Split’s Diocletian’s Palace. It’s a 4th-century palace built by a Roman emperor and is an exciting labyrinth of passageways, and narrow alleys of cobblestone streets which open up onto busy squares filled with local restaurants, shops, hotels and ice cream shops. You can bet the kids will always find the ice creams! You can either explore yourselves or take a walking tour to learn more about the history of the place. And don’t forget to rub the toe of the statue of Grgur Ninski which is said to bring good luck and is one of Split’s most popular attractions for small kids.
Take a break on the Riva, Split’s waterfront promenade lined with bars and restaurants offering the perfect place to relax and catch your breath. It’s also a great place to look out to the marina and do some cracking people-watching. For a cooling dip in the sea head to Bacvice Beach, just a short walk from the marina and one of Croatia’s most beautiful sandy beaches. Or if you want to experience great views back over the city, go to Marjan Park which is a forest park with outdoor activites such as cycling and hiking trails just a few minutes from the Riva.
Split has a large ferry port too, so is the perfect base to do day trips to some of the hundreds of nearby islands on the Dalmatian coast.
Discovering the Dalmatian Islands
The coastline of Croatia has well over 1,000 islands, so no wonder a holiday to Croatia with kids must involve at least a few day trips, if not overnight stays on some of them. Or why not do a bit of Croatian island-hopping and see how many you can get to.
Many of the popular islands are off the coast of Split or Dubrovnik and are in withi easy access via ferries or catamarans from the cities.
- Hvar – the island of Hvar is one of the most well-known, and is famous for its glamorous nightlife, pristine beaches and four UNESCO World Heritage Sites. But if you’re on holiday in Croatia with kids, don’t be put off by a visit to Hvar as young children will love it too. You’ll often see the yachts of the rich and royal in the posh harbour which is known as the French Riviera of the East. But children will love the beaches on Hvar, known as being among Croatia’s best. Many of them shadowned by imposing church towers and surrounded by local seafood restaurants. And they’ll be guaranteed to be less crowded than beaches on the mainland which is always a winner for the entire family.
- Vis – the island of Vis is smaller and farther from the coast than its sister islands so is often quieter. Ideal for a family day trip if you’re seeking somewhere away from the crowds. Vis was a military base from the 1950s to 1989 so has a lower population and scale of development compared to other islands. It’s also famous for where the Mamma Mia sequel was filmed! One of the main attractions and reasons holidaymakers head to Vis is to see the Blue Cave, on the tiny island of Biševo at Vis’ tip. Children will love a boat trip to the Blue Cave which got its name from the blue tone that results when the sun’s rays illuminate it through an underwater passage. It’s only accessible by boat and is something pretty special.
- Brac – one of the largest islands located just off Split, Brac is super popular for daytrippers. It boasts some of the best beaches in the country and is home to one of the Adriatic’s most famous beaches, Zlatni Rat or Golden Horn. You may have seen pictures of it – it changes shape according to the tides and wind direction. Kids will love building sandcastles here and splashing around in the calm shallow waters. There are also lots of water sports to try here. But if you are looking for somewhere quieter there are plenty of other stunners to head to such as Supetar, Sutivan and Milna.
- Korcula – the island of Korcula is a popular destination off Dubrovnik, and in fact its main town is often referred to as Little Dubrovnik for it resemblance to it’s mainland counterpart with 14th century walls and terracotta roofs. It is said to be the birthplace of Marco Polo and has picturesque streets filled with shops selling local crafts and delicacies. Kids will love exploring the ancient walls, visiting museums and checking out landmarks like St Mark’s Cathedral and Revelin Tower. Families will also enjoy playing on the island’s many beaches and for older children there are plenty of windsurfing schools, boat trips or kayaking.
Visit a Croatian National Park
With fabulous scenery wherever you turn, you’re spoilt for choice on a holiday to Croatia with kids. But a must-visit is to either Plitvice Lakes National Park or Krka National Park. For children who love the outdoors, either of these would be a dream come true.
Plitvice Lakes National Park is the largest national park in Croatia and is a landscape of lakes and waterfalls laced with wooden walkways perfect for you to view the scenery and of course take those perfect pictures. It covers an area of nearly 30,000 hectares including forests, meadows, and lakes. With boat trips and hiking trails, there is plenty to explore – especially its 90 waterfalls and 16 interconnecting lakes. It’s just breathtaking and little wonder it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Krka National Park is also without doubt one of the best things to do on a family holiday to Croatia with equally beautiful lakes and waterfalls to explore. The natural beauty is interspersed with man-made structures such as Krka Monastery which you can visit on a boat tour of the Krka River, Visovac Island which is home to a Franciscan Monastery that has been there for centuries, and Ključica, a huge fortress ruin. Another of the National Park’s finest attractions is its tallest waterfall, Manojlovac. Children and adults alike will be wowed by its sheer size at 65 feet. You used to be able to swim at Krka waterfalls but the decision was taken in 2021 to stop this to protect the area.
Soak up the history of Istria
If you want to experience a different feel to Croatia with kids, head to Istria – the peninsula at the northern end of the country’s coastline that once belonged to the Venetia Empire. If your kids are into history then visit the coastal gem of Pula which is steeped in it and offers plenty of sightseeing opportunities. One of the biggest highlights of Pula is its Arena – a Roman Ampitheatre and a pretty good substitute for the Colosseum in Rome. It’s just as awe-inspiring when you’re inside. It’s a great spot for the kids to explore on a fun and educational day out. They can pretend to be gladiators and run around this towering architectural marvel. Pula also has a great aquarium that kids will love, and some beautiful beaches with calm waters ideal for swimming and kayaking. Pula is also a great spot to take a boat trip to the Brijuni Islands.
And whilst you’re in Istria take a trip to Rovinj, a beautiful coastal town overlooking the Adriatic, with picture-perfect cobbled streets and a pedestrian-only Old Town full of ice cream shops, restaurants and cafes. You can also take a boat for a day trip to Venice from Rovinj. This part of Croatia is truly special.
Whether you want a beach holiday island hopping in Dalmatia, soaking up the history of the country’s ancient towns, or exploring the beauty of its awe-inspiring national parks, a holiday to Croatia with kids will be jam-packed. There’s so much to do in this beautiful country and with fabulous weather, cuisine and welcoming locals it’s a perfect destination – you’ll be sure to want to return again and again.
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If you liked this post about Croatia with kids, then you might want to read some more in my Travel Section and get some other ideas for family holidays and days out.
If you’ve got a holiday booked but can’t face the packing, check out this helpful list – Packing List For Babies and Toddlers. And if you fancy a giggle but still on the subject of UK family holidays, read this – Five Ways A Holiday Is Never The Same After Kids. If you STILL want more after that head over to my Mum Life section for funny rants about all sorts of parenting things. And if you’re local to me in Plymouth, keep up to date with the latest in my Local Stuff section.
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