Croatia Family Travel

When crafting your family vacation to Croatia, there's a lot more to consider than when traveling with just your partner or a friend group. Take a look below at our top tips for planning your trip, such as the best family experiences in Croatia or three family-friendly itinerary ideas for spending one week in the country. Once you’ve settled on a time frame, you can consider some of our recommended itineraries below, such as this 8-day excursion from north to south or this 12-day trip along the Dalmatian coast.

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Planning your family trip to Croatia

1 Week in Croatia - 3 Family-Friendly Itinerary Ideas

In a week, you can cover three to five destinations, opting for an adventurous itinerary for the whole family that encompasses an ATV excursion in Split, a visit to Krka National Park, and a day at a local farm from Dubrovnik. Swap out city exploration for active tours such as sailing, kayaking, hiking, cycling, and swimming to and around Hvar Island. Families looking for a culture and history-focused trip will relish visiting one of Zagreb's many museums and exploring the Istrian Peninsula.

Mother and son looking at Dubrovnik, Croatia

10 Days in Croatia - 3 Family-Friendly Itinerary Ideas

With 10 days in Croatia, you can explore the family-friendly beaches and enchanting Old Towns of the Dalmatian Coast on a highlights tour or opt for an island-hopping trip of Hvar, Korčula, and Vis that's perfect for older children and teens. If you're looking to spend your evenings in charming small towns while ticking off bucket list day trips to Dubrovnik and Plitvice Lakes National Park, a family adventure to Trogir, Stari Grad, and Cavtat will delight parents and children alike.

Take to the water with the family on a fun stand up paddleboard excursion in Croatia

2 Weeks in Croatia - 3 Family-Friendly Itinerary Ideas

Two weeks in Croatia allows you to spend time in three to five destinations, opting for a family-friendly itinerary that includes a visit to Zagreb's museums, a day in Plitvice Lakes, and a truffle hunting expedition from Split. Swap Split for Hvar Island and the coastal city of Trogir, and add another country to your itinerary on a day trip to Montenegro. Tour the caves on Vis Island, kayak around the Pakleni Islands, and relax on Brac Island. See the Old Town of Dubrovnik and incorporate a trip to Krka National Park or the small island of Krapanj for an off-the-beaten-path destination.

Family Travel in Croatia: Kid-Friendly Activities & Travel Tips

Croatia is a great place to travel with kids—this is a country full of walkable cities, kid-friendly lodging, and plenty of ways to explore the great outdoors. Give your kids a fun history lesson among the Roman ruins of Istria, or take a traditional fishing trip in the Dalmatian Islands. From Split to Dubrovnik, from national parks to beaches, here’s where to go and what to do with tykes in tow—and some itinerary ideas to help you start planning.

Croatia is a wonderful destination for families

Top Family Experiences in Croatia

Croatia is a family- and kid-friendly destination, filled with hiking, paddleboarding, castle hunting, and plenty of beach time. The country's culture works well for families of any age, as it's slow-paced with tasty cuisine and activities that you can adapt to your interest. Discover waterfalls in national parks, go truffle hunting in Istria, or explore one of the numerous islands that dot the Croatian coastline. End each day with ice cream and a sunset.

Croatia family-friendly itineraries

Beachgoers wade in the crystalline waters of the Adriatic Sea near Zadar

Dalmatian Coast Family Holiday: Zadar, Split, Hvar & More - 14 Days

Planning a two-week family vacation in Croatia may seem daunting, but with plenty of activities for the family, the choices are endless. This itinerary is chock-full of cultural exploration and lazy beach days, from the historic city of Zadar and the small island of Krapanj to the ancient coastal city of Split and the stunning island of Hvar. You'll relax, swim, snorkel, and kayak in the sparkling Adriatic, discover dramatic waterfalls and glittering emerald-green lakes in Krka National Park and catch the most beautiful sunsets in Zadar.

The emerald-green waters of Skradinski Buk falls in Krka National Park

Croatia Family Vacation: Zagreb, Rovinj, Split, Hvar, & Dubrovnik - 11 Days

If spending 11 days traveling with the kids in tow through Croatia's top cities and historic sites sounds perfect, then this complete itinerary is for you. You'll explore the charms of the Istrian peninsula from Pula's mini-Colosseum to the Venetian-inspired architecture of Rovinj before spending three nights in the ancient coastal city of Split discovering nearby Krka National Park and the stunning landscape beyond the coast. End in Dubrovnik and let the kids' imagination run wild as they tramp through the centuries-old streets, climb towering walls, and "sail" through the air up to Srđ Mountain.

The Old Town of Sibenik along the Adriatic Coast

Croatia Family Vacation: Zagreb, Rovinj, Šibenik, & Dubrovnik - 15 Days

This 15-day family-friendly vacation focuses on a few great locations and kid-friendly hotels to keep everyone entertained from Zagreb to Dubrovnik. Enjoy a day at the beach on Cape Kamenjak, kayak from Šibenik to explore the island fort of St. Nicholas, wander the ancient Diocletian's Palace in historic Split, and take a speedboat to discover the villages, hidden caves, and cliffs of the Elafiti islands.

Ride the cable car up Srđ Mountain to overlook Dubrovnik and the nearby Elafiti Islands

Croatia Family Vacation: Split, Hvar, & Dubrovnik - 5 Days

Uncover Croatia's colorful history and culture on this kid-friendly 5-day itinerary focused on Split, Hvar Island, and Dubrovnik. Begin in Split, along the sunny Dalmatian coast, to explore Roman remains and an ancient palace before venturing out into the countryside on a fun ATV tour with the family. Find your way to Hvar to check out the rugged island terrain and kayak out to the nearby rocky Pakleni Islands, ending your adventure in the fortress city of Dubrovnik, a child's stone kingdom.

Explore the Dalmatian hinterland on an ATV tour from Split

Croatia Family Vacation: Split, Hvar & Dubrovnik - 7 Days

This packed weeklong itinerary is perfect for adventurous families who are short on time. Hit the top highlights with visits to Split and Hvar, where you'll tour ancient Roman ruins, explore the Dalmatian hinterland and rugged island terrain, and kayak the Adriatic sea to nearby islets. End in Dubrovnik to go back in time as the kids stroll the monumental city walls, peer inside fortresses, and discover hidden stairways and elusive alleys leftover from the Middle Ages and Renaissance.

Twins playing in the shallows of the clear Adriatic Sea

Croatia Family Vacation: Zagreb, Rovinj, Split, Hvar, & Dubrovnik - 10 Days

Enjoy this 10-day family adventure highlighting the top attractions that will delight both parents and children. From Zagreb, you'll transfer to the romantic countryside of the Istrian peninsula to check out Pula and its Roman ruins before settling in Hotel Amarin for two nights just outside Rovinj. Next, you'll explore the coastal cities of Zadar and Split and kayak from Hvar Town to the Pakleni Islands, capping off your holiday with time spent in Dubrovnik, the "Pearl of the Adriatic," and a child's playground.

Dalmatia Family Adventure: Split, Cetina River & Hvar - 7 Days

This weeklong itinerary is perfect for adventurous families looking to explore the Dalmatian coastline through fun, sporty activities. Starting and ending in Split, you'll spend time exploring the historic city and paddling the Marjan Peninsula before taking the day to hike, climb, swim, and jump your way down the Cetina River. Next, you'll set sail to swim and snorkel around Brac Island as you make your way to Hvar Island in time to paddle amid the Pakleni archipelago and join a cycling tour of the island's dynamic island terrain.

Kayaking the open Adriatic Sea to the Pakleni archipelago from Hvar

Croatia Family Vacation: Split, Hvar, & Dubrovnik - 6 Days

With an exciting focus on activities sure to keep both parents and kids entertained, this quick 6-day itinerary begins in the ancient coastal city of Split and ends in the limestone-paved town of Dubrovnik. You'll discover Roman ruins throughout Split, from palaces and sphinxes to historic gates, kayak the Adriatic Sea to the wooded Pakleni Islands from sunny Hvar, and enjoy an afternoon looking on as the kids take up the reins and ride a pony (or horse) at Honey Valley, near Dubrovnik.

Family-Friendly Croatia: Hvar, Trogir & Dubrovnik - 14 Days

This 14-day family adventure takes you to some of Croatia's standout destinations, with a few off-the-beaten-track surprises along the way. Start on the island of Hvar to see the colorful caves of nearby Vis, kayak to the Pakleni Islands, and play on Zlatni Rat Beach. Then, it's off to Trogir for hiking through Plitvice Lakes National Park and rafting down the Cetina River. Climb the ancient walls of Dubrovnik, hop around the Elafiti Islands, and enjoy an authentic Croatian meal in the Konavle Valley.

Meet the farm animals at Medena Dolina (Honey Valley), near Dubrovnik

Croatia Family Vacation: Zagreb, Rovinj, Split, Hvar, & Dubrovnik - 13 Days

From Zagreb's cobblestone streets to Dubrovnik's monumental encircling walls, this 13-day trip is the perfect family-friendly Croatian adventure. Discover the Roman ruins of Pula and the wonderful amenities of Hotel Amarin just outside Rovinj in Istria, then venture south along the Adriatic coastline to Zadar, Krka National Park, and the coastal city of Split with two nights spent along the Hvar Riviera. Finish in the "Adriatic Pearl," and let the kids roam the limestone-paved streets and climb the centuries-old stone ramparts of the city's many fortresses.

Sail to the Elafiti Islands on this family vacation

Family Adventure on Croatia's Dalmatian Coast - 10 Days

Perfect for older kids and teens, this 10-day family tour along Croatia's sun-soaked Dalmatian Coast is brimming with boating adventures, Adriatic swimming, and plenty of beach time. Sunbathe on the wave-like formation known as the Zlatni Rat, then explore lakes, waterfalls, and diverse wildlife at Krka National Park. Hop a motorboat to Hvar and enter the famous Blue and Green Caves, kayak around Korcula's coastline, and end your tour with a laidback sailing trip aboard a private vessel from Dubrovnik.

A father and daughter duo ride the tree-lined trails of Park šuma Zlatni Rt near Rovinj

Croatia Family Vacation: Zagreb, Rovinj, Split, Hvar, & Dubrovnik - 14 Days

Spend two weeks exploring Croatia with the family on this packed 14-day itinerary. Stroll the pedestrian-friendly streets of Zagreb's historic neighborhoods, hunt for mushrooms alongside truffle-sniffing dogs in Istria, then continue down the Dalmatian coast to spend time in the ancient Roman city of Split and the famous island town of Hvar. Let the kids peer off Dubrovnik's imposing fortress walls and wander tucked-away stairwells and alleys and if they're up for it, enjoy a horse (or pony) ride at charming Honey Valley.

A young boy swims underwater in the crystalline Adriatic Sea

Croatia Family Vacation: Zagreb, Rovinj, Split, Hvar, & Dubrovnik - 12 Days

Bring the family and spend 12 days exploring Croatia's top historical and cultural sites, featuring two nights at the kid and parent-friendly Hotel Amarin outside Rovinj. You'll begin in the capital of Zagreb before working your way around the charming Istrian peninsula from Motovun and Pula to Rovinj and nearby Park šuma Zlatni Rt. Then it's off to discover the Dalmatian coast: listen to Zadar's Sea Organ, visit an emperor's palace in Split, and swim in an emerald-green lagoon at Krka National Park, ending your stay amid secret stairwells, imposing walls, and the gleaming streets of Dubrovnik.

Family Time on Croatia's Coast - 9 Days

Go beyond the typical European hotspots and take your family on an unforgettable nine-day adventure to Croatia. Kayak around the sun-kissed Dalmatian Coast, walk amid ancient Roman palaces in Split, and marvel at the medieval fortress walls in Dubrovnik. Along the way, you'll hop aboard private boats for island excursions to some of the most beautiful beaches in the Adriatic Sea for snorkeling and sunbathing.

Cool off with the family at a beach near Rovinj's town center

Croatia Family Vacation: Zagreb, Rovinj, Split, Hvar, & Dubrovnik - 8 Days

Create unforgettable memories with your little ones on this 8-day family-oriented holiday as you cover Croatia's highlights. You'll begin in the dynamic capital of Zagreb, explore the straight-out-of-a-storybook Istrian peninsula and Rovinj, and discover the Adriatic-fueled melody of the Sea Organ in Zadar, Roman emperor Diocletian's Palace in Split, and the rugged island terrain of Hvar. The kids will love peering over Dubrovnik's towering city walls, riding the cable car up Srđ Mountain, and meeting the animals of nearby Honey Valley.

Discover Pula's Roman amphiteater with your family

Family Tour of Croatia: Zagreb, Rovinj, Split & Dubrovnik - 14 Days

Immerse your family in the many charms of Croatia with this 14-day tour. Start in the city of Zagreb with visits to historical museums and the vibrant energy of Dolac Market. Then, head to Rovinj, where you'll visit Roman ruins in nearby Pula and take a private boat to the Rovinj Archipelago for swimming and snorkeling. Enjoy the peaceful greenery and wildlife of Plitvice Lakes National Park, rent paddleboards on Zlatni Rat Beach, and tour historic Dubrovnik and the nearby Elafiti Islands.

Mom and kids look over Dubrovnik's Old Town from Srđ Mountain

Croatia Family Vacation: Zagreb, Rovinj, Split, Hvar, & Dubrovnik - 15 Days

This complete 15-day family vacation covers Croatia's highlights from the dynamic capital of Zagreb to the fortressed city of Dubrovnik with an exciting focus on activities sure to keep the children entertained. From one end of the country to the next, you'll explore the charming hilltop towns and Venetian-influenced cities of the Istrian peninsula, travel down the length of the sunny Dalmatian coast with two nights spent on Hvar Island, and discover the delights of the hinterland beyond the ancient city of Split. You'll spend two relaxing nights at Hotel Amarin—a haven for families, work together as a team to solve puzzles and clues to "escape" a room in Split, and kayak the Adriatic Sea to the Pakleni Islands archipelago.

Family Trip to Croatia: Rovinj, Plitvice Lakes & Split - 7 Days

See some of Croatia's top destinations on this seven-day family tour. Start in Zagreb, where you can enjoy green space, playgrounds, and a zoo at Maksimir Park. Then, head to Rovinj for truffle hunting, and take a safari tour via train on nearby Veliki Brijun Island. Get up close and personal with nature and wildlife in Plitvice Lakes National Park, hike Marjan Hill for panoramic views of the coastal town of Split, and learn to cook like a Croatian with a hands-on cooking class!

Family Fun on Croatia's Coast: Split, Hvar & Dubrovnik -10 Days

This 10-day family adventure starts in Split, where you'll walk cobblestone streets, see historic landmarks, and swim and snorkel on pebbled beaches. Then, take a private boat tour to the unusually-shaped beach of Zlatni Rat, disembarking on the island of Hvar for bike rides through lavender fields and olive groves. Ride a cable car to the top of Dubrovnik's Srd Mountain, sea kayak to Lokrum Island, and walk the soaring heights of ancient fortress walls.

Dalmatian Coast Family Adventure: Trogir, Stari Grad & Cavtat - 10 Days

This 10-day, family-friendly Croatia tour starts in Trogir, where you'll stroll through the Old Town and take in sea views from the promenade. Visit Plitvice Lakes National Park and hike among the park's terraced lakes and massive waterfalls, then head to the island of Hvar and the town of Stari Grad for swimming, snorkeling, and beach time. Explore the mystical green and blue caves of Vis, learn to cook an authentic Croatian meal, and see history come alive in the ancient city of Dubrovnik,

Croatia Family Vacation: Zagreb, Rovinj, Split, Hvar, & Dubrovnik - 9 Days

From ancient Roman ruins to kayaking the Pakleni Islands archipelago, this 9-day itinerary is perfectly crafted for your next family adventure and features a mix of cultural, historic, and active pursuits. Explore the capital city of Zagreb before discovering remains of the Roman empire in Pula and the delights of the Istrian peninsula's west coast. You'll then tour Dalmatia with stops in historic Zadar, Split, and Hvar Island, ending your stay in Dubrovnik, a stone kingdom worthy of a child's imagination.

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