Croatia family holidays

Occupying a strategically important position right in the heart of Central Europe, Croatia also has a remarkably rich history. There are immaculately preserved Roman ruins, impossibly pretty Venetian palaces and of course, the medieval splendour of Dubrovnik. Although Dubrovnik may see a lot of visitors, there are few places in Europe as beguiling its cobbled streets of Dubrovnik, flanked by terracotta rooved houses and leading down to the clear waters of the Adriatic.

A Croatia family holiday will invariably mean enjoying freshly barbequed seafood at a quiet beachside taverna and kayaking around remote islands, stopping to swim in secluded coves. It will include soaking up the history in a magnificently preserved Roman amphitheatre and then letting off steam by white water rafting in dramatic river canyons. Whether you are a family that thrives on action, history, culture, beaches, food, or a combination of them all, a Croatia family holiday is guaranteed to delight. See what Stubborn Mule families did in Croatia during their summer holidays.

Why take the kids?

Some of our favourite activities on our Croatia family holidays include:

1. Exploring the emerald waterfalls of Plitvice
2. Swimming & kayaking on the beautiful Zrmanja River
3. Cycling through the olive groves on Elephiti
4. Soaking up the views in pretty Šibenik
5. White water rafting on Cetina River
6. Meandering through the streets of Dubrovnik
7. Relaxing on postcard-perfect beaches

It’s not hard to put your finger on why the kids will love a Croatia family holiday. The main attraction is of course the coastline with its sapphire blue water. Active children will be delighted by the endless opportunities for swimming, jumping off rocks, paddle-boarding and exploring little bays. Those who need a bit of post-school relaxation will be just as delighted by the opportunities presented by a sun-lounger, an ice-cold drink and a marvellous view.

But it’s not just about the coast. Inland, there is a wonderfully tempting array of activities that take place amidst Croatia’s most spectacular settings. On Zrmanja River you can canoe through canyons and duck under thundering waterfalls. The Cetina River is the base for a thrilling whitewater rafting adventure. And in Plitvice you can follow the network of trails that weave between the impossibly beautiful green lakes. See our blog post on holidaying in Croatia with kids for more ideas and photos.

Aspiring foodies will be delighted by the cuisine with its freshly pressed olive oil, juicy fat tomatoes and barbequed seafood. Parents will enjoy washing this down with a glass of local white. The hotels are lovely too; choose from small boutique properties on quiet islands, sumptuous luxury in the heart of Dubrovnik or peaceful countryside retreats with superb sea views. The kids will be happy as almost every hotel will have a pool.

Self-drive holidays are very straightforward in Croatia and ideal for families. Roads are in great condition and are well signposted. The flexibility of having your own car means that you can do things in your own time. Pack a picnic, choose the scenic route, and see where the road takes you.

Example family itineraries

All of our itineraries are bespoke which means that they are tailor-made for your own specific family. Croatia is ideally suited to an active family holiday and our sample two-week itinerary Highlights of Croatia includes many of our favourite adventure activities. However, if you need a bit more time to relax, this isn’t a problem.

Just let us know and we can intersperse active days with plenty of downtime. For a half term break, see our Croatia Short-Break example itinerary. And if you’d like to visit Slovenia, see our Croatia and Slovenia combination itinerary. You might also be interested in looking at Croatia’s neighbour, Montenegro.

We will always take into account the ages of your children, your interests and your budget.