Family Vacation in Croatia: locations & must-know tips

Planning a family trip doesn’t have to be worrisome. By choosing the beautiful and diverse country of Croatia, and following our top travel tips, traveling with your loved ones is nothing but smooth sailing.

With a surplus of sightseeing, nature exploration and family-friendly water sports to try out, family vacations in Croatia have plenty in store for you. Find the best recommendations and locations in Croatia for families with children and book your ferry tickets to numerous Croatian ports and islands hassle-free.

Here, you can find detailed information about:

• Choosing Croatia for family vacations
• Top Croatian destinations for families
• Ferry traveling in Croatia and family discounts
• Must-know tips

Carefree moments in Croatia's crystalline waters

Reasons to choose Croatia for family holidays

What isn’t there to love about Croatia? Fully explorable medieval cities, heavenly islands, endless beaches and luscious forest parks to hike through are just a few reasons for visiting Croatia with your family. In recent years, Croatian waterfalls have become popular sights as well, especially among nature lovers and families with children in search of alluring adventures.

But it’s not just its iconic and multifaceted landscapes that make Croatia worthy of a visit. Most aspects of Croatia’s nature and culture are family-friendly, offering countless sightseeing options, outdoor happening and unforgettable excursions that cater to all. There is a wide variety of group activities to participate in, such as guided tours and boat excursions that are open to families as well.

Most seaside resorts in Croatia are also considered comfortable and safe options, with top-tier amenities and hassle-free ways of moving around. Continue reading to discover some of our personal favorite locations! 🏖️

Soaking up the beauty of Dubrovnik from above

Best Croatian destinations for family holidays

Among the several holiday spots across the mainland and the Adriatic Islands, check out some of our personal favorites for family holidays in Croatia below:

Dubrovnik, mainland Croatia

Let’s begin with Dubrovnik, one of the most iconic Croatian holiday destinations, whose cinematic beauty was frequently featured in Game of Thrones. 

Wandering through the Walls of Dubrovnik and the Old Town is a delight for all, whether you choose to do so on your own or with a guided group tour. For more panoramic views, opt for the Dubrovnik Cable Car, which takes you to the peak of Mount Srđ, a once-in-a-lifetime ride.

You can also find vibrant festivals year-round that transform the Old Town of Dubrovnik into a wonderland of traditional festivities, beautiful decorations and many opportunities for shopping! The two most popular ones are the Dubrovnik Summer Festival and the Dubrovnik Winter Festival, the latter being ideal for family holidays in Croatia for Christmas.

But most importantly, Dubrovnik is the perfect gateway to many Adriatic Islands, including Hvar, Šipan and Mljet. What is more exciting for a family to island hop through the wonders of Croatia?

Tip: coast hopping by ferry in Croatia is also an option, connecting the major cities of Dubrovnik and Split.

Island of Brač

Home to Zlatni Rat, one of the best beaches in Croatia, Brač is a breathtaking island close to the mainland ports of Split and Makarska. With its three main village ports, getting there with your family is easy and convenient, while there is also a bus network covering most areas of the island.

Sandy beaches and stone villages are just the surface of what makes Brač an exciting destination for families with children to explore. Each corner echoes the island’s mythological aura, with the Dragon’s Cave in the village of Murvica being a key example.

Apart from sightseeing, the island offers many opportunities to unwind, enjoy good food and attend cultural events that are open to all. The Bol Summer Festival, taking place in the port village of Bol, should definitely be on your Croatian bucket list. Similarly, the Brač Film Festival has many kid-friendly options, combining entertainment with education.

Sumartin, one of the many seaside beauties in Brač

Makarska, mainland Croatia

The beautiful port town of Makarska weaves long coasts and mountainous landscapes together to create a beautiful scenery that steals everyone's heart. As the center of the Makarska Riviera, it’s close to numerous seaside villages and holiday resorts that you can visit with your family.

Makarska is known for its amazing nature and forest parks, which are safe locations to explore for parents and children alike. Must-visit parks include the Biokovo Nature Park and Sveti Petar Park, the latter being ideal for family walks with sunset views.

Additionally, the area in general is perfect for water sports, with Makarska, Brela and Tucepi definitely stealing the scene.

Šibenik, mainland Croatia

Less than 90 km from the medieval city of Split, Šibenik is one of Croatia’s hidden gems and a UNESCO World Heritage City, thanks to its rich medieval and baroque aesthetics.

Here, several uncrowded beaches unfold before you, full of secret beauties and places to explore. As for its Old Town, there are countless sights to visit with your family and fortresses that turn into festival venues in the summer!

From Šibenik, consider also a trip to Krka National Park, one of the most breathtaking oases around the world that includes a 75-km-long canyon!

Island of Lastovo

One of the more lowkey yet well-equipped islands of Croatia, Lastovo is the perfect destination for year-round family holidays. Apart from many all-inclusive holiday packages that provide authentic experiences, outdoor activities and gastronomic delights, Lastovo also offers many opportunities to unwind with your loved ones.

You can visit Lastovo in the summer and immerse yourself in its unspoiled natural beauty or plan a winter getaway and attend its traditional celebrations, which rank high among the best Croatian festivals!

Tip: to get to the island by ferry, check out the Dubrovnik - Lastovo ferry route page for more info.

The quaint oasis of Lastovo

Are there family discounts for Croatian ferry tickets?

The vast majority of ferry companies in Croatia, such as Jadrolinija, TP-Line and Kapetan Luka - Krilo, offer age-based discounts throughout the year. As such, while there usually aren’t discounts for families, toddlers can travel for free, while children up to 12 are entitled to reduced fares (around 50-75%).

Note: the ferries traveling between Italy and Croatia include similar age-based discounts.

Tip: if this is your first time traveling by ferry in Croatia, make sure to check out our guide about Croatian ferries, and learn all about vehicle transfer, pet policies and more!

Top tips for hassle-free family moments

As you start organizing your family trip to Croatia, consider the following must-know tips:

• If you wish to combine several ferry excursions during your stay in Croatia, make sure to download the Ferryhopper App and keep all your bookings in one place.
• Plenty of ferry routes in Croatia are served only by catamarans that do not carry vehicles. Even certain islands, like Silba, are completely car-free. Keep this in mind if you wish to rely on a personal or rented vehicle for your family holidays in Croatia. 
• When looking to try out water sports in Croatia with your family, make sure to consult professional centers that provide kids-friendly guidance as well. This is particularly true for more difficult sea activities, such as night diving or stand-up paddle boarding. Instead, easier activities to include in your schedule are snorkeling and canoeing.
• Touristy destinations like Dubrovnik offer advantageous packages that include free or discounted access to many attractions and local transportation.
• Packing comfy shoes is highly recommended for kids and adults alike. Most Croatian cities and islands include plenty of walking and hiking, while the majority of the beaches are pebbly. If you’re looking for more sandy landscapes, the island of Susak is the go-to option, as it is entirely made of sand!
• Food always brings people together. In Croatia, don’t fall for tourist traps: take your family to any konobas you can find in your area, which are taverns and/or wine cellars. Local businesses usually run them and include traditional recipes and purer ingredients.

Exploring the treasures of Šibenik

Book ferry tickets to Croatia online

Croatia’s medieval beauty, scenic coastlines and untouched islands all await you and your family! If you’re still in need of some more inspiration, have a look at our interactive Map of ferries, visualize the Croatian family vacation of your dreams and combine multiple destinations in one booking!