Croatia with kids
Croatia With Kids: How to Plan a Family Trip to Croatia
Croatia gives families the Mediterranean without the crowds or prices of Italy and France. Walled cities on the coast, waterfalls you can swim under, islands you reach by a 20 minute ferry, and food that is fresh and affordable. Plan 10 to 14 days and you can cover Zagreb, the Plitvice Lakes, Split, and Dubrovnik without feeling rushed.
Croatia keeps showing up on my planning calls and I understand why. Families are looking for a European trip that feels different from the standard London, Paris, Rome rotation, and Croatia delivers that. The coast looks like something out of a movie (literally, Game of Thrones filmed in Dubrovnik and Split), the national parks are world class, and the price point is still lower than Western Europe.
What works for families is the variety packed into a small country. You can start in Zagreb for a day or two of city exploring, drive south to Plitvice Lakes for the waterfall boardwalks, then hit the Dalmatian coast for beaches, old towns, and island hopping. The whole route is drivable, and the drives between major stops are three to four hours with good roads and great scenery.
The food is the part that surprises people. Fresh seafood on the coast, grilled meats inland, and pizza and pasta everywhere for the picky eaters. A family dinner at a waterfront restaurant in Split costs about what you would pay at a casual chain in the US. And the gelato is excellent.
When to go
Croatia on a US school calendar
- 1June through mid July
Early summer and the best family window
Warm enough to swim, long daylight hours, and the big summer crowds have not arrived yet. This is the sweet spot for families. Plitvice is green and full, the coast is alive but not overwhelmed, and hotel prices are reasonable.
- 2Mid July through August
Peak season
Dubrovnik and Split get packed with cruise ship passengers and European holidaymakers. Temperatures hit the 90s on the coast. If this is your window, book early and consider the islands (Hvar, Brac, Korcula) where the crowds thin out. Plitvice has timed entry and fills up quickly.
- 3September through mid October
Shoulder season
Still warm on the coast, the water is its warmest, and the cruise ships drop off. September is one of the best months for Croatia. Some island ferry schedules reduce in October. Great for families who can pull kids out of school for a week.
- 4Late October through May
Off season
Most coastal hotels and restaurants close for winter. Zagreb stays open year round and has Christmas markets that are consistently ranked among Europe’s best. Spring (April and May) is beautiful for Plitvice and the national parks before the heat arrives.
Where to go
Zagreb to Dubrovnik, with stops
Most families drive the route from north to south: Zagreb, Plitvice Lakes, Split, then Dubrovnik. Each stop is three to four hours apart on well maintained roads. Add an island day trip from Split (Brac or Hvar) and you have a full trip.
Split
A Roman emperor’s palace turned into a living city. Diocletian’s Palace is the old town, with restaurants, shops, and apartments built into 1,700 year old walls. Add the Riva waterfront, Marjan Hill for hiking, and ferries to the islands. Three to four days.
Zagreb
The capital often gets skipped, but it is worth a day or two. The Museum of Broken Relationships is one of the most interesting museums in Europe. Add the upper town, Dolac market, and the funicular. Great first stop before driving south.
Where to sleep
Rooms for a family of 4 or 5
Croatia has a strong apartment rental culture, especially on the coast. Many families find that a two bedroom apartment with a kitchen is more affordable and more comfortable than a hotel room. Hotels range from small family run properties to larger resort style options.
| Option | Sleeps | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Apartment rental | 4 to 6 | The most popular option on the Dalmatian coast. Two bedroom apartments with kitchens and sometimes a balcony or terrace with sea views. Book through Booking.com or a local agency. Confirm the parking situation and distance to the old town |
| Boutique hotel | 2 to 4 | Small, locally owned hotels inside or near the old towns. Character and location are the draw. Family rooms or connecting rooms are sometimes available but not standard. Ask before booking |
| Resort | 4 to 6 | Larger properties outside the old town centers with pools, kids activities, and beach access. More common near Split and Dubrovnik. Good for families who want a base with amenities rather than apartment style independence |
| Zagreb hotel | 4 to 5 | Stay in the Lower Town near Ban Jelacic Square. International brands and local boutique hotels are both options. Zagreb is significantly cheaper than the coast |
Getting around
Rental car, ferries, and what to know
- No nonstop flights from the US to Croatia. One stop connections through major European hubs (London, Frankfurt, Munich, Istanbul) are widely available. Total travel time is 10 to 13 hours depending on the connection
- Rent a car for the full trip. The north to south route (Zagreb to Dubrovnik) is the most popular family itinerary and the roads are excellent. An automatic transmission costs more but is worth requesting
- The drive from Zagreb to Split passes through a small strip of Bosnia and Herzegovina near Neum. You will go through two quick border crossings. Have passports ready. It takes minutes
- Ferries connect Split to the islands (Brac, Hvar, Vis, Korcula). Jadrolinija runs the main routes. The car ferry to Brac takes about 50 minutes. Foot passenger catamarans to Hvar take about an hour
- Croatia joined the Schengen zone in 2023. US citizens get 90 days visa free with a valid passport
- The currency is the euro (Croatia adopted it in 2023). Credit cards are widely accepted. Carry some cash for market stalls and smaller villages
- Plitvice Lakes requires advance tickets with timed entry during peak season. Book online the day they become available. The park has two entrances and most families spend 4 to 6 hours walking the boardwalks and trails
Before you go
The boring stuff, sorted
“Croatia is one of those places where every stop delivers something completely different. You go from a capital city to waterfall boardwalks to a Roman palace to a medieval walled city, and the whole thing is connected by a straightforward road trip. Add in the beaches, the islands, the food, and prices that feel fair, and it is one of the best family trips in Europe right now.”
Nicole Damiano, ASTA Verified Travel Advisor · Certified Family Travel Advisor with FG Luxury Travel. Former social studies teacher, mom of three, 60+ countries.
Plan your trip with meThinking about Croatia?
Tell me who is coming and roughly when, and I will map out the road trip route that makes sense for your family.
Start planningQuick answers
How many days do you need in Croatia with kids?
10 to 14 days for the full Zagreb to Dubrovnik route. If you only have a week, fly into Split and cover the Dalmatian coast: Split, an island day trip, and Dubrovnik. Add Plitvice Lakes if you can stretch to 8 or 9 days.
Is Croatia good for families with young kids?
Yes. The beaches are pebbly rather than sandy (bring water shoes), but the water is calm, clean, and shallow near shore. The old towns are walkable. The food is approachable. And the apartment rental culture means most families have a kitchen and extra space. Strollers work in the old towns but cobblestones are bumpy.
Is Croatia expensive?
Less than Western Europe but not the bargain it was five years ago. A family dinner on the coast runs 50 to 80 euros. Apartment rentals are 100 to 200 euros per night for two bedrooms. Plitvice entry is about 40 euros per adult in peak season, less for kids. Overall, Croatia is comparable to Spain and cheaper than Italy or France.
Do you need a car in Croatia?
For the full route, yes. Zagreb to Plitvice to Split to Dubrovnik is a road trip. The highways are excellent and well signed. In Dubrovnik specifically, a car can be a hassle because parking is limited and expensive. Some families drop the car in Split and bus or fly to Dubrovnik.
Can you visit Plitvice Lakes with kids?
Absolutely. The boardwalks are flat and easy for anyone who can walk on their own. Kids love the waterfalls and the turquoise water. Bring a carrier for toddlers rather than a stroller. Buy timed entry tickets online in advance during summer. Plan 4 to 6 hours and bring water and snacks.
What is the best time to visit Croatia with kids?
June or September. Both months have warm weather, swimmable water, and smaller crowds than July and August. June lines up with the start of US summer break. September is warmer on the coast (the sea holds its heat) and less crowded everywhere.
Is Dubrovnik worth it with kids?
Two to three days. Walk the city walls (the views are worth the effort), explore the old town, take the cable car up Mount Srd, and find a beach outside the walls. It is one of the most beautiful small cities in Europe. Go early morning or late afternoon to avoid cruise ship crowds.
Keep planning: Split guide, Zagreb guide, international travel with kids, step by step.
Nicole Damiano, ASTA Verified Travel Advisor · Certified Family Travel Advisor with FG Luxury Travel. Adventures We Seek is my travel blog and planning resource. Trips are booked through Favorite Grampy Travels. Prices, fees and rules last checked October 2026 and change often.
Family trip plans
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