Family Friendly Destinations in Croatia
You know Croatia as a traveler’s paradise, but is it a welcoming place for children? The emphatic answer is “yes!” The abundant list of family friendly destinations in Croatia is sure to please the most discerning of travelers who are also parents. From beautiful islands to formidable forts, Croatia promises to delight and enchant the entire family.
Island Hopping by Boat
If your kids love the water, they’ll enjoy swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing on many of Croatia’s most popular islands. To get to these islands, we can charter you your own boat, but you may also enjoy booking a cabin on a gulet or motorized sailboat. If you have very young children, you’ll appreciate visiting the islands of Korcula, Dugi Otok, Rab, and Mljet.
Lopar Beach on Rab Island, Vela Przina Beach on Korcula Island, and Sakarun Beach on Dugi Otok boast the whitest, sandiest beaches with clear, shallow bathing areas. Similarly, the Mljet National Park has warm, shallow waters that are perfect for toddlers and babies. If you have older children, you can rent bikes to explore the surroundings or rent kayaks to paddle across the beautiful waters of the lake.
The Mysteries Behind Dubrovnik’s Walls
If your kids enjoy hiking, you’ll want to walk the city walls. It’s a unique opportunity to get a birds-eye view of Old Town, with its intricate patchwork of terra cotta roofs below. There are three entrances to Dubrovnik’s walls: Ploce Gate, St. Ivan’s Fort, or Pile Gate.
Marvel at powerful fortifications such as the Minceta Tower, Fort Bokar, and the St. Ivan Fortress as you and your children explore a historic site.
Diocletian’s Palace in Split
This ancient Neoclassical-inspired palace is a child’s dream. Brave little warriors and princesses will enjoy the mystery of Diocletian’s underground tunnels and cellar spaces that have featured in scenes from the Game of Thrones.
Of course, the underground set of tunnels also lead to basement stalls selling souvenirs. You’ll enjoy pointing out the three granite Sphinxes on site, the temple of Aesculapius, and the impressive Peristyle courts.
The Roman Amphitheater in Pula
If your kids are history enthusiasts, they’ll enjoy guided tours here. This limestone Roman Amphitheater is one of the sixth largest surviving Roman arenas in the world. Visit the underground passageways where gladiators roamed before violent battles.
A guided tour will also take you to underground chambers where you can see preserved collections of amphorae, olive oil mills, and grape presses.
Istralandia Waterpark
For more water fun, you’ll want to experience this fantastic waterpark firsthand. With more than 1,000 water pipes and slides, there’s something for the whole family to enjoy. As a plus, the kids’ pool, slides, and water house are heated. There’s also an adult pool and a dare-defying, thrill-inducing water slide called the Free Fall.
For those who prefer, there are also many fun activities on site, from Zumba to face-painting to Carnival for kids.
The Brijuni Islands
Enjoy a train tour on the main island of Veliki Brijun (where your kids will marvel at dromedaries, zebus, and llamas) or experience a unique underwater trail sightseeing tour in Verige Bay. Divers will be provided with snorkels and diving masks. If your kids are too young for the underwater tour, they might enjoy biking the Path of Good Vibrations or going on an archaeological tour of Brijuni’s historical sites.
The Sea Organ and Sun Salutation of Zadar
Zadar is a must-see destination if you’re traveling with kids. There, the sea organ will fascinate your entire family with its hypnotizing, harmonic melodies. The aquatic music is produced by sea waves interacting with a series of narrow channels connected to 35 organ pipes. Each intriguing pipe is tuned to a unique musical chord.
The pipes are situated under beautifully stunning marble steps. You and your children will enjoy sitting on those steps as you drink in the breathtaking island scenery. At sunset, you’ll want to head over to the Sun Salutation, not far from the Sea Organ.
The Salutation consists of 300 multi-layered glass plates harboring solar cells. The solar cells capture sun energy during the day, producing enough electricity to cloth the entire oceanfront in radiance during the darkest of nights.
The Waterfalls of Skradinski Buk in the Krka National Park.
This waterfall is the longest on the Krka River and is an immensely popular bathing area. The park also boasts three other main waterfalls (there are 7 in the park): the Manojlovac Slap, the Roski Slap, and the Bilusica Buk. Enjoy the spell-binding cascades, wade in the clear pools, or hike the beautiful paths at this renowned national park.
An abundance of family-friendly hotels on the sea that offer kids’ clubs and activities.
The fantastic choices in family-friendly hotels make Croatia an ideal destination for a family holiday. Hotels such as the Le-Meridien Lav in Split, the Adriana in Zadar, and the Valamar Club in Dubrovnik offer kids’ clubs, children’s playgrounds, and animation programs to keep your kids occupied while you relax.
So, what are you waiting for? While you’re planning, be sure to download our Top 10 Reasons to Travel With Your Children and learn why family travel is so beneficial for your kids and rewarding for the entire family!
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