Family Days Out in Croatia

Families do well in Croatia when the day is built around one boat, one boardwalk or one short walk. These notes cover the places with reliable child fares, the rules that matter when children are along, and the beach details that surprise parents. Prices are in euros.

National parks and their child tickets

Plitvice Lakes. A child between 7 and 18 pays EUR 15 in the summer months, EUR 6 in spring and October, and EUR 4 in winter. Under 7 enters free. The ticket includes the electric boat and panoramic vehicle on your chosen programme, and programme A, at 3.5 km, is the gentlest. Everyone must stay on the boardwalks, bicycles and swimming are not allowed, and dogs go on a lead. The area is in Lika-Senj county, where staying on the marked routes is the standing advice. Tickets use entry time slots, which you can book on the park website .

Krka. Children and students pay EUR 15 from June to September, EUR 12 in spring and autumn, and EUR 4 from November to March. A boat runs from Skradin to the Skradinski Buk boardwalks. The longer trip to Visovac island takes 2 hours and costs EUR 15 for an adult. Swimming at the main falls is banned, so budget the day around walking and boat rides. The boat and the bus run from 1 April to 31 October. Check the official rules .

Animals, tunnels and music

  • Brijuni. Lanka, the Indian elephant, lives in the 9-hectare safari park on Veliki Brijun, along with zebras, zebu, llamas and peacocks. A sea-turtle rescue centre is nearby. The park boat leaves from Fažana, and the crossing takes about 15 minutes.
  • Pula Arena. Tickets cost EUR 10 for adults and EUR 5 for pupils and students. Underground rooms show Roman wine jars and olive presses.
  • Zadar waterfront. The Sea Organ plays tunes from 35 pipes as waves move beneath the steps. Beside it, the Greeting to the Sun is a 22 m circle of glass plates with solar modules. Both are free.
  • Zagreb. A ride on the 66 m funicular is EUR 0.66, which turns a hill climb into a treat.

Dubrovnik with children

The cable car costs EUR 8 return for children aged 4 to 12, and children under 4 ride free. It is shut from January to March and in December, and it stops in strong wind. Lokrum has peacocks, gardens and a salt lake, and the EUR 30 adult ticket includes the boat, but confirm the child price. The City Walls are steep and unshaded, with sea-side drops, and children under 7 enter free. Keep little ones close and supervised. Read about timings at dubrovnikcablecar.com .

Beach practicalities

Zlatni Rat on Brač is a long pebble spit with fine, white-gold stones, so plan for pebbles rather than sand, and take water shoes for sea urchins. Banje and the Lapad coves in Dubrovnik are also pebble and rock. In summer, bring a hat and plenty of water. Open fires and barbecues are banned from 1 June to 31 October except in designated areas, and the number for wildfires is 112.

Booking help

Family-friendly tours can be compared on GetYourGuide .

Read more: day trips in Croatia and outdoor activities .