Croatia is an ideal location for family holidays – just a short flight away from many places in Europe, the country has fantastic weather all summer long, lots to see and do and relatively tranquil seas (as well as some pretty shallow beaches). It’s no wonder that many parents and little tots enjoy themselves here year after year! In this section, we take a look at some of the best family hotels in Croatia for you and your little ones to enjoy.
Don’t forget that hotels are not the only option if you’re travelling with little ones in tow – you may prefer to rent an apartment or villa or stay on a campsite (many of which offer permanent mobile homes…it’s not just tent pitches!) that may well have fantastic facilities for families.
These days, family hotels in Croatia can be found all over the country – from Istria in the north to the Dalmatian islands, Dubrovnik and everywhere in between. So you’re quite spoilt for choice!
Take a look at our advice on Family Holidays in Croatia. And if you are travelling with little ones in tow, don’t forget to check out our advice on Travelling to Croatia with Babies and Toddlers!
Family Hotels in Istria
Umag
The Sol Garden Istra is a 4* star option in this town, one of the most northern on the Croatian coast. Family rooms are available, and the hotel has a large outdoor pool (as well as an indoor one), an on-site small ‘aqua park’, a sports entertainment programme, activities/areas for children of different ages (as well as a special lunch/free drinks in the afternoon for them) and wellness treatments for the adults.
Porec
Porec is perhaps one of the best choices for families as it has plenty of family-friendly accommodation. One such option is the Valamar Tamaris Resort which is set a little outside the town on a site with fantastic facilities. There are various-sized rooms, suites, villas and even the option to stay in a lighthouse suite! Child-friendly items such as safety equipment, bathroom items (potty, stepping stool, baby tub), and even games sets can be requested for the rooms. The resort’s excellent facilities include four different beaches (one of which is a sandy beach), some with floating water parks; a large pool with water slide/water features plus a small kid’s pool; a relax pool for the adults; a wellness centre; sports facilities; gym; tennis club; kid’s clubs for babies up to 3, kids 3 to 12 and even a ‘teen hangout’; and a number of restaurants and bars. You and your family won’t be bored here!
Other options in Porec include the 4* Garden Suites Park, which offers small suites with terraces that sleep two adults and two children, or the Hotel Park. (Both are part of the Plava Laguna Park complex.) As part of the Park resort, you can make use of the several outdoor pools, the splash zone, restaurants and sports facilities. These hotels are also close to the beach.
Rovinj
The 4* Family Hotel Amarin is part of the Kinderhotels group and situated on a peninsula about 5km outside Rovinj. Open all year round, this hotel is set in lush Mediterranean gardens and features three pools (a large adult pool, a kid’s pool, a baby pool with sprinklers) and even a lazy river – all are freshwater pools. There are also three indoor pools (adults’, kids’, babies’) which is perfect if you’re visiting in the colder months.
If that’s not enough, there’s also over 1km of beach (pebble-y) nearby. Accommodation comprises standard rooms, family rooms and suites, and baby/kid equipment – baby monitors, sink step stools, changing tables, baby baths, bottle warmers and kids’ toilet seats – for rooms is available on demand. Purées for babies are available at the hotel’s restaurants, or even at night via room service if needed!
There are outdoor playgrounds and indoor ones too, including a messy play area, kids’ cinema and a science corner. And of course, there are also full-day kids’ clubs for children aged 0-3, 4-7, 8-11 and a teen club for 12 to 17-year-olds.
We haven’t even begun to mention evening entertainment and sports facilities for adults and kids…! It’s no surprise these excellent facilities mean that many consider this one to be one of the top family hotels in Croatia!
Family Hotels in the Kvarner Region
Island of Krk
The Falkensteiner Hotel Park Punat (4*) is located in the town of Punat on the island of Krk. Krk island is connected to the mainland by bridge (and is also where Rijeka Airport is located) so this hotel may be a great choice for those who’d like to do some exploring in the region and on the mainland.
Completely renovated in 2017 with a beautiful design in keeping with its surroundings, the Hotel Park Punat has a large outdoor pool with a water slide; “Falky Land” children’s world and indoor play area; kids’ all-inclusive service at the hotel bar; mini-golf; e-bikes and classic bikes available for hire; and sports and entertainment offerings.
The hotel is also only a few minutes walk from the beach, or a ‘mini-train’ can be taken as a transfer instead.
Island of Losinj
The 4* Family Hotel Vespera is a member of the Kinderhotels Europe hotel group, so you know this one’s a winner when it comes to holidaying with your children! With a range of rooms and suites, there are pools on three levels (including a splash zone) and two playgrounds.
The club also runs different Pino Clubs (Pino being the hotel’s mascot) for kids aged 2-4, 5-7, 8-11 and a Pino Teen Club for kids aged 12+. These clubs offer a varied sports, educational and entertainment full-day programme in summer (4 hours a day during other months) and there are often ‘themed’ days.
Adults can enjoy sports, fitness and games entertainment and in the evening there’s a mini disco and entertainment shows that the whole family can enjoy.
The hotel is also only a 20-minute walk away from the charming Mali Losinj, which is a nice option for exploring in the afternoons or for a nice meal out.
The small Aquapark Cikat is also easy to reach by bus for some more family entertainment, and a boat trip to the small island of Susak is also possible.
Family Hotels in and near Zadar
The Falkensteiner Club Family Funimation Borik (a 4-star hotel) is in a great location on a pretty bay with a lovely beach, just a few kilometres outside Zadar. This all-inclusive hotel features a lovely large pool; a smaller kids’ pool; water slide; ‘Falky Land’ children’s world, adventure playground, kids’ disco and other entertainment for children; large spa; baby equipment on request; kids and adult bike rental (included). Many of the rooms were renovated to a rather stylish standard just a few years ago.
Part of the same hotel chain, the 4* Falkensteiner Family Hotel Diadora (located in Petrcane, 12km north of Zadar) offers rooms and suites of assorted sizes that are ideal for families. There are outdoor pools (and again, a very impressive water slide!), ‘Falky Land’ children’s world, adventure playground, kids’ spa, sports facilities, kids entertainment, adult spa and more.
Family Hotels in and near Sibenik
The 4* Amadria Park Hotel Andrija is billed as Croatia’s first ‘kids hotel’, and it underwent extensive renovations, re-opening in spring 2019. As well as offering plenty for the little ones (and adults too, of course), the hotel is located right next to the Family Beach (with shallow waters) and close to Aquapark Dalmatia. There’s a large adult pool and separate kids pool; an 18-hole ‘pirate adventure’ mini-golf course; a kids club during the summer months with hotel mascot Solarko; and a large, bright and modern indoor play area. Adults will enjoy the spa and wellness centre!
Another family-friendly option in Sibenik would be the Amadria Hotel Park Jakov.
Family Hotels on the Makarska Riviera
The Medora Auri Family Beach Resort is located in Podgora, about 9km south of Makarska. This one is a great choice for those looking to be right on a beach but who also want excellent children’s facilities. Baby equipment for rooms is available, and even pushchairs can be borrowed (pre-booking essential).
There’s an outdoor playground and lovely and welcoming indoor playrooms/games rooms. The on-site restaurant offers a kids’ corner, and the hotel also has several bars for the adults to enjoy.
There are two pools here – and for once, the kids’ pool is a similar size to the adults’ one. The beach is perfectly tranquil and offers crystal clear water – its sun loungers and umbrellas can be rented for an additional fee.
There are also plenty of sports options available at the hotel/on the beach or in the nearby region, or relaxation at the wellness centre.
And if you’re parents to a furry youngster (I mean a pet!) then you can even bring them along on holiday too – pets are allowed (informing the hotel prior to arrival is essential), although they must of course adhere to strict rules.
Family Hotels on the Dalmatian Islands
Brac
The Gava Waterman Milna Resort in Milna is an all-inclusive option that’s part of the Gava beachside resort on the island. Rooms are all smartly furbished with baby cots available on request; there’s a large pool, smaller children’s pool, sports court, gym, water sports activities and a kids club suitable for children aged 4 to 12…plus an evening mini disco!
Another option is the Gava Waterman Island Cottages which are part of the above resort (and you can therefore enjoy the same facilities) but are small bungalow units, some set in a forested location.
The Bretanide Sports and Wellness Resort is also an all-inclusive option, located in Bol (home to the famous Zlatni Rat beach). The large complex features several pools (including a separate kids’ pool); three restaurants; a fitness centre; five tennis courts; other sports facilities; and kids clubs for 3-6-year-olds, 7 to 11-year-olds, and 12 to 18-year-olds.
Korcula
Just a little outside Korcula Town, the 4* Port 9 Hotel was completely renovated in 2017 and now offers some very smart accommodation including rooms, family rooms, suites and even apartments with a kitchen.
There are 8 different restaurants and bars on site and different food, drinks and entertainment events occurring every day – British visitors will be charmed by the “Tea O’Clock” party every Monday afternoon where you can sample delicious Dalmatian cakes with a cup of tea.
The Marko Polo Kids Club offers an entertainment programme based around sports and nature, arts and crafts, and geography and history for kids aged 4 to 7 and 8 to 12.
There is also a kids’ playground and sandbox; kids’ climbing wall; bike, boat and canoe rental available; mini-golf; wellness and spa centre; and not forgetting adult pools (including an infinity pool) and two kid’s pools.
Family Hotels in Dubrovnik
The 5* Sun Gardens Dubrovnik is often a top choice for family hotels in Croatia for those who want to both relax (well, the parents do!) whilst their children are being active and having fun. Located in Orasac (a little while out of Dubrovnik), you can stay in one of the hotel rooms (from standard to club suites to the presidential suite) or in one of the larger one, two or three-bedroom residences which each has its own kitchenette.
There are seven restaurants and nine bars on the resort, meaning you absolutely won’t be eating the same food day in and day out. There are several different pool areas, plus a children’s pool too, as well as a private beach. Kids’ clubs for children of different ages exist – from 9 months to 3 years, 3 to 6 years, 7 to 10 years and even tweens and teens.
A babysitting service is also available, and baby/child equipment (cots, sterilisers and similar) can be pre-booked upon request. Children aged 7 and above can have fun at the sports academy, whilst adults can enjoy themselves at one of the wine, mixology or gourmet food classes.
For those that might want to stay in Dubrovnik itself, the 3* Valamar Club Dubrovnik would be a great choice. Located on the Babin Kuk peninsula in the city (so, a short bus ride away from the Old Town), the hotel has a large pool and children’s pool, sports facilities, and kids’ playrooms and entertainment. It is also within walking distance of Copacabana and Coral Beaches. An all-inclusive option is available.