Plan Croatia for May Half Term 2026

We’re almost at the end of April, which can only mean one thing – it’s May in a few days’ time, which in turn means two bank holidays for all of those in the UK (yay) and which also means there’s another half term coming along (gulp). But, good news! The end of May is perhaps one of the best times of the year to visit Croatia, so May half term is so well placed for you to enjoy a holiday with your family in the country. But let me help you plan your trip to Croatia for May half term with this post!

Plan Croatia for May Half Term - an aerial view of Sibenik in North Dalmatia — Sibenik

Why go to Croatia for May half term?

I mean, why not, but if you really need me to twist your arm:

Flight time from the UK is roughly two or two and a bit hours, which is very doable with little ones, as that’s about 17 episodes of Bluey (remember, screen time isn’t a concern when you’re on holiday)
The weather will be great
The Adriatic will just about be warm enough for swimming in
But should you find it too cold, practically every family resort will have its own pool – maybe even an indoor one too
As it’s early season, holidays will be cheaper than during the summer holiday months of July and August
The crowds will not have descended yet, so you will have more pool-space, beach-space, sightseeing-space, national park-space and all other kinds of space to yourselves
The ice cream

Croatian ice cream (on the island of Ugljan) — Delicious ice cream

I’m not constrained by school holidays, should I go to Croatia for May half term

I mean, no. Why would you do that to yourself? Go the week before or the week after.

If you’re already booked your holiday for that last week in May, then – oh yay, well done, never mind.

Seriously, don’t worry, Croatia isn’t exactly a peak half term holiday destination.

Are you sure the weather will be good enough?

Yes. All along the coastline, the weather will be very fine indeed. Temperatures are likely to be in the mid-20s Celsius (at least), and days will be very sunny. Rain isn’t likely, but if you do encounter any rainfall, it won’t be for long.

On that note, do bring your summer clothes to enjoy the most of the weather, but pack some cover-ups (cardigans, light jackets) for evening time. Late May doesn’t bring the same kind of sweltering heat as summer does, so evenings will be a little fresher but not cold.

Fine, I’m sold. Where should I go in Croatia for May half term?

There are plenty of family resorts up and down the Croatian coastline, which of course means plenty of choice for you!

I have two hotels in particular to recommend to you in Croatia for May half term, both in the gorgeous region of north Dalmatia. First off, the Falkensteiner Funimation Hotel Borik in Zadar has multiple outdoor pools and is right on the beach, but also has a decent-sized indoor pool should the weather not play ball. If swimming gets boring, there’s a great indoor soft play (yes, really!), kids’ clubs with activities for different ages, indoor games and best of all, it’s all-inclusive! Zadar Old Town is a short journey away (book an Uber or Bolt, it will be less than €10) to enjoy everything that lovely town has to offer.

The exterior of the Falkensteiner Funimation Hotel Borik, as seen from the garden/pool area – at sunset!

My other personal favourite is the Amadria Park Hotel Jakov, which offers smart, trendy yet fun accommodation (bunk beds for the kids!) with very relaxing vibes throughout. Again, there are several pools here, including a nicely sized baby pool, a kids’ club, and a bear mascot that likes to turn up at random times. The whole Amadria Park resort is interconnected, so you can stroll along the seaside promenade to enjoy the multiple restaurants and areas. There’s even a mini golf here. Hotel Jakov’s neighbour, the Hotel Andrija, is also suitable for a holiday with kids, who may shriek with delight when they see the giant octopus on the outside. (Don’t worry, he’s not real.) And if all of this isn’t enough, the Aquapark Dalmatia is just steps away. The outdoor portion of this opens in June, but there’s an indoor section that is open year-round!

Review Jet2 Holidays - View from Amadria Park Beach — A beach at the Amadria Park resort in Sibenik

Otherwise, take a look at Visit Croatia’s guides to Family Hotels in Croatia and Family Holidays in Croatia for more ideas.

Families with older kids

Those of you who are travelling with teens may want something more than just a family hotel with a pool to jump into about 97 times a day. If so, consider renting an apartment that has access to a pool and is a short walk to a beach, but also is well placed for trips to a larger town or city for sightseeing and excursion opportunities. Here are some ideas:

Trogir is a short distance from Split and very easy to reach from Split Airport. This small island town itself is exceptionally charming, but for more traditional holiday vibes, stay on the connected island of Ciovo, which offers plenty of apartments (and some hotels) and beaches. You can reach Split very easily by bus or boat (or car, of course).
A small resort in southern Dalmatia, such as Cavtat, Slano, Zaton or Mlini, so you can have a relaxing day-to-day existence, but make the journey into Dubrovnik by bus or boat
Enjoy a city and nature break combo by flying into Zagreb and spending half your holiday there (so many sightseeing and cultural opportunities!), and then taking a bus down to the Plitvice region and taking several walks/hikes in the Park on subsequent days

A boat crossing a lake in the Plitvice Lakes National Park

Activities in Croatia for May half term

A holiday in Croatia isn’t a holiday in Croatia without an excursion of some sort. And if you only do one trip, make sure it’s getting out onto the Adriatic on a boat. Everyone will love it, trust me! Boat trips can be booked almost all along the coast – mainland or on the islands. When you’re in Croatia, enquire at your hotel or at any of the little stands you’ll see dotted around the town you’re staying in.

For a preview, take a look at some of the options below:

Late May would be an ideal time to see the magical Blue Cave before the peak summer crowds, and combining it with a trip to where Mamma Mia 2 was filmed (yes, really) – what could be better? Or dolphin watching in Istria, how amazing is that?

Day trips can absolutely include a little bit of adventure, from quad biking to fun and games on the Cetina River (which is practically adventure central in Croatia):

Or, seeing as you’re in Croatia, why not experience a bonus destination by hopping over a border and ticking another country off your list?

Book me in!

Take a look at what holiday packages operators such as Jet2 Holidays (one of my favourites), TUI, Easyjet Holidays or British Airways Holidays have to offer. You may well be able to snap up a half term deal, and tweak your holiday depending on your requirements.

Or put your holiday together yourself! (Go on, be brave!) Take a look at what flights can be booked for the end of May (the answer is plenty, but use our Flights to Croatia from the UK & Ireland page as your guide) and then snap up the accommodation in Croatia of your dreams.