As a family that loves a beach holiday, there are always endless options to explore when traveling together. However, this time around, we wanted to do something a little different, so we decided to plan a trip along the Croatian coast.
The location’s amazing diversity is what drew us here. One minute, you’re looking at a beautiful beach; the next, there’s a dramatic cliff or a secluded cove. The medieval architecture is an unforgettable bonus as well.
Let me take you through our journey, in case you ever find yourself on a similar adventure.
A Family Adventure Along the Croatian Coast
We spent a total of 10 days on this trip, so naturally, if you have less time, you can pick and choose where to spend your time.
This is how we decided to cruise along the Adriatic coastline.
Dubrovnik
We started our trip in Dubrovnik, a gem of an old medieval town that left even the kids in awe.
During our stay, we walked the city walls (mornings are better) and took a trip out to Lokrum Island, which has fun beaches and even some resident peacocks. I highly suggest packing some water shoes for the rocks.
Before we left, I put on a brave face and jumped into one of the cable cars. The views were worth it, and the kids loved it.
Kor?ula
Next, we drove to Orebi? and took a short ferry to Kor?ula. I recommend you put your car on the ferry if you want to see more of the island.
Kor?ula is a pretty, much smaller, and even more relaxed location than Dubrovnik, so there is a little less to do. But, the Vela Przina and Pupnatska Luka beaches will keep you busy. Pupnatska Luka even has a beautiful hidden cove — perfect for little explorers.
Oh, and be sure to stop in at Cukarin Cake Shop for some traditional Kor?ulan sweets!
Split
From Kor?ula, we took a ferry to Split, a quintessential Croatian city. There was a lot we wanted to see and do, so we spent an extra night here.
To start, we visited Diocletian’s Palace, a real-life ancient fortress, and in the afternoon, we headed to Ba?vice Beach to cool down. On our second day, we decided to take a hike at Marjan Hill and, in case you’re worried, it’s gentle enough for kids of all ages.
Some of the other highlights of our time here were the Froggyland museum and the evening we spent walking along the Riva promenade — think great food and street performers.
Šibenik, Croatia Photo by Janek Valdsalu
Šibenik
Šibenik was our next stop, which is home to Krka National Park. If you love a waterfall as much as I do, you’re going to enjoy this one.
There are several different family-friendly hikes you can do within Krka National Park, so you’ll definitely burn off some energy. Just be sure to go early. And if you want to cool off afterward, head to the Aquapark Dalmatia.
Don’t miss the St. James Cathedral while you’re here, and if you want to taste some of the best ice cream, Sladoledarna Don Dino is the place to be.
Zadar
We decided to end our trip in Zadar, one hour from Šibenik. This is where you will get to experience the Adriatic Sea at its finest.
I highly recommend taking a boat trip to Ugljan Island if you prefer to spend time on less crowded beaches. However, the Kornati Islands were also great. In fact, we decided to rent our own boat so we could explore the islands at our own pace.
A Trip I Would Gladly Take Again
All the planning for our family holiday along the Croatian coast was so worth it! It turned out to be the perfect vacation, with something fun for everyone, even the kids.
If you want to experience some old-town magic and some of the best beaches in the world, Croatia is a must!