Last Minute Family Holidays to Croatia

Croatia's family resorts sit on the mainland coast and on a few islands, and each suits a different pace and budget for children.

• Bol, Brac island: Bol is the main resort town on Brac and makes a practical base for families who want a beach-focused holiday with a short walk to the seafront and simple shops. It is reached by ferry from Split, which adds some travel time to the start of the holiday, but once you arrive the town is compact and easy to explore with younger children. Restaurants along the promenade are relaxed enough for mixed-age groups. We would choose Bol for families who value calm water and a slower rhythm over nightlife. Croatia Family Holidays suit this kind of gentle, sea-focused base.
• Southern shore villages: The smaller resort villages dotted along the southern shore of the island offer apartments and simple family hotels away from the busiest town centres. Getting around usually means hiring a car or using local buses, so factor that into the budget. Shallow approaches to the water and gentle evenings make these villages popular with families who want the sea close to the door without long daily journeys. Villages here suit those who prefer quiet over busy resort strips.
• Split riviera resorts: The Split riviera resorts give families direct access to a large working city, with its promenade, ice cream shops and palace complex all within reach by bus or taxi. The sea is generally shallow close to shore in the resort areas, and the city's airport connection makes transfers straightforward. The trade-off is that beaches are more often pebble than sand, which some children find less comfortable. For families who want a big-city day alongside beach days, this is the same brief our Croatia Luxury Holidays deals are built around, and the coastal strip is a strong choice.
• Makarska Riviera villages: Villages along the Makarska Riviera are known for pebble beaches and sheltered bays that are good for swimming with younger children. The resorts are quieter than the larger towns along the coast, and many properties are family-run guesthouses and smaller hotels with pools. Access is by bus along the coastal road, which can be slow in peak season, so a hire car helps with day trips. The riviera suits families who want a peaceful village with gentle water rather than a busy resort strip. It is exactly the brief our Croatia Adults Only Holidays deals are built around.
• Porec: Porec sits on the western coast of Istria and offers a mix of sandy and stony beaches alongside a well-kept historic old town with Roman remains and a waterfront promenade. The resort has a wide range of family hotels with pools, and the town is walkable, with plenty of gelato and simple restaurants for children. Summer evenings can be busy, so families who prefer quiet should look for accommodation a little out of the centre. Porec is a dependable choice for a family base with easy access to inland Istria. Explore Istria with a family-friendly base. It is exactly the brief our Croatia Beach Holidays deals are built around.