Family holidays in Croatia

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Ancient cities, islands and mountains make Croatia a must visit for every family. Go from taking a beautiful hike in the morning to exploring a fortress in the evening or taking a tour of sites from various movies and TV shows that were shot here. Croatia is the ultimate escape for a family holiday surrounded by nature, where you can wake up surrounded by mountains or overlooking the ocean. Stay in Dubrovnik and wander around its cobbled streets, visiting local markets and restaurants or wandering around the city walls.

Best things to see and do in Croatia with kids

What to see as a family

On a family tour of Croatia, your first stop should be Dubrovnik. Here you can relax in any of the many choices of family hotels and family-friendly accommodation, before heading out into the city to explore. Next, head to the Dalmatian Coast; the perfect place to relax on sandy and pebbled beaches, swimming in the sea and going on family boat trips offshore, exploring areas that can’t be reached on land. Croatia’s many islands mean that you and your family won’t be short of choice for changes on scenery on your trip. Visit Hvar, one of Croatia’s most popular summer resorts; an island featuring an amazing hilltop fortress. Korcula Island is another great choice, and is usually less busy for families who are looking to escape the tourist traps. History lovers will never forget seeing the roman ruins on the Island of Vis, an incredibly picturesque place where you can almost imagine the life that the roman people would have lived here, surrounded by sea, sand and nature. Finally, the blue grotto is another unmissable location to see as a family. Catch a boat to take you to this stunning ocean paradise, where you can explore and enjoy several nearby restaurants and bars before heading back to the mainland to explore some more.

What to do as a family

Croatia is a natural choice for active families, so if sitting on a beach all day is not your idea of a great trip, the Croatia is the place for you. Start off in Plitvice Lakes National Park to enjoy the lakes and waterfalls themselves, where you can swim and play, as well as stunning forests, perfect for exploring. Plitvice is covered in amazing hiking trails where you can hike to some of the area’s most beautiful points. You can also explore caves along the way and feel as though you are bona fide explorers, discovering this area for the first time. If you and your family fancy a challenge and trying your hand at something new, then your next stop should be Zlatni Rat, on Brac Island. Windsurfing is the sport of choice along the shores of this white pebble beach and it’s the perfect place for seasoned pros and beginners alike to practise their skills. Krka National Park is perfect for cycling and hiking and you’ll be able to spend your days in constant adventure here. If boating, diving or watersports are what you’re looking for on your family vacation, then there no better place than the Paklinski Islands, a chain of 16 islands with clear blue waters, a great place for snorkeling or sea kayaking before relaxing in the evenings. Parents can even try a spot of wine tasting between adventures. Families should also stop off at one of the waterparks around the coast or the capital for a day trip they won’t forget in a hurry. Spend the day running riot around a huge waterpark for fun in the sun on a scale that you won’t get in many other destinations.

Best time to visit Croatia as a family

Undoubtedly the best times to visit Croatia are during the shoulder season months of May and June and September and October, since all the summer activities are available, with no crowds of tourists in sight. The weather is still hot and sunny and ideal for younger children who may not enjoy the more intense heat of July and August. You will also find that there is much more availability for family hotels and the best hotel rooms, since the demand is less during the shoulder season. If you are tied to school holiday periods, then the peak months are still and excellent time to visit, however, you will need to be prepared to book in advance to avoid any disappointment or raised prices. If you are coming to hike or cycle then the cooler months of March and April are perfect, with spring weather meaning that the scenery is idyllic. Whenever you decide to take your family trip to Croatia, you are sure to make incredible memories.

Family holiday tips for travelling to Croatia

With a little research and knowledge you can ensure that you are as prepared as possible for your family trip to Croatia, here a few tips and tricks to ensure that everything runs smoothly on your trip:

  • Plan ahead to ensure that you can plan a tour to suit everyone’s needs. Whilst Croatia is smaller than some other destinations, it is not limited to its mainland and you should factor in some extra time to explore some of its islands.
  • Try to learn a few key phrases in the local language. This will be helpful in any situation and even if you never need it to communicate, it can be fun and educational for children to learn about the local language and culture. If nothing else, everyone likes to be greeted and thanked in their native language.
  • Bring mosquito spray. In some parts of Croatia, there can be a lot of Mosquitoes which can be an annoyance for younger children. Bring something to spray in your hotel room to prevent the unwanted stress of itchy bites.
  • Go off the beaten track when choosing restaurants and food. Local food here is delicious, so try to avoid the tourist options and steer clear of food like pizzas - you can eat these anytime, so pick something more special!
  • Trains here aren’t totally reliable and aren’t worth the stress. Luckily, the bus system in Croatia is great and convenient - use this instead. On top of this, taxis here are expensive and so buses are the best option all round.
  • Pack water shoes for younger kids. The beaches here are rocky and can be uncomfortable for young feet. This does mean that the beaches are much more exciting, with rock pools and caves to explore.

When to go in Croatia?

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Croatia has two different climates. On the coast, the climate is Mediterranean: winters are pleasant and summers are hot. Further inland, winters are very cold and summers are hot and stormy. The best time to visit Croatia is between May and September: the weather is glorious and the sea is warm enough for swimming. For those who don't like crowds, avoid the touristic coast during July and August. And beware of the wind throughout the year!
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Traveller reviews of their trip to Croatia

4.919 reviews
Jean-François
5
Igor from Tureta Travel organised us a perfect 20 days itinerary for our family of 4 (2 teenagers!) across Croatia including a stop in Mostar and Kotor. The private guides booked by Igor were all very good and made a difference in learning about the country and allow us to understand the rich history of Croatia. Thank you Igor for you professionalism, availability before and during the trip and the perfect coordination of drivers, guides and choices of hotels.
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World Traveler
5
My husband and I had already visited Croatia, Montenegro and Venice in a previous tour 10 years ago. Since we liked it so much the first time, we decided to go again with another couple (sister-in-law and her husband). We visited Zagreb, in Montenegro Kotor, Cetinje. We then went back to Croatia: Dubrovnik, Split, Zadar, Plitvice Lakes, Motovun, Porec, Pula Rovinj and finalized in Venice, Italy. It was a wonderful trip!!
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Louisette
5
We had a car from Split airport and drove directly to Plitvice Lakes which we visited the next day. By the end of our holiday, this was still our favourite day. The lakes and falls are something you should not miss. Then we drove down to Zadar and on to Sibenik. Sibenik is wonderful old town and we had a delightful apartment right in the old town. From there down to Split where we enjoyed a Wine tour and an afternoon sailing to the Island of Brac. Split old town is wonderful with so many things to see and we only covered a sample. Next a bus to Dubrovnik where we again stayed in the old town. So little time there to see all the wonders but we managed to go up in the cable car and take a ride to the Island of Lokrum where we spend a pleasant couple of hours.
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