12 Best Beaches in Croatia for Families

Banje is an enticing combination of turquoise perfection and exceptional scenery. The top beach of UNESCO-protected Dubrovnik, it comes with a spectacular view of the walled Old Town. It’s also a very convenient place to swim after a busy day exploring the many sights of Croatia’s most famous seaside town. Banje is just 5 minutes on foot from Ploče Gate, so your family is always close to all the action. For a more low-key atmosphere, check out family-friendly Sveti Jakov Beach down south and Uvala Lapad on the Lapad peninsula.

Why Families Love It: There is a private beach club where you can rent loungers and umbrellas, while adults can have a drink at the scenic bar. Kids will love the tiny pebbles and shallow water entrance.

We can’t talk about the best beaches in Croatia for families and not include the iconic Zlatni Rat (or “Golden Horn”). Located on Brač island in Dalmatia, this stretch exemplifies Adriatic bliss and beauty. Stretching for over 500 meters into the blue sea, it tends to change its shape under the power of the wind and waves. It’s a natural spectacle and your kids are guaranteed to love it here. Once you’re ready to go, a promenade will take your family to charming Bol town with numerous cozy taverns and restaurants.

Why Families Love It: The pebbles are great for playing around; there’s a floating waterpark and many activities like jet skiing, parasailing, and kayaking for older ones. Zlatni Rat also has a lifeguard’s post for safety and a children’s playground surrounded by the beautiful pine forest.

Croatia is known for its expansive leisure resorts set against idyllic Mediterranean scenery, and Valamar’s Lanterna, near Poreč, is one of the largest of its kind. It comprises apartments, high-end hotels and a camping area, all surrounded by a magnificent pine forest. Also, it’s the best place for a family beach experience. The resort spans an entire peninsula, offering a variety of beach stretches to choose from. Staying here on a family holiday is never a bad idea, but you can also just visit on a day trip (be ready to pay for the parking, though).

Why Families Love It: Lanterna Beach boasts crystal-clear waters, a shallow entrance perfect for kids and multiple playgrounds.

While most Croatian beaches offer a more intimate, smaller-scale experience, Vela Plaža Baška is a bit different. Stretching for more than a mile, it’s a picture-perfect beach that also happens to be one of the best in Croatia for families. Here, you can sunbathe with a gorgeous vista of the mountainous landscape of Krk Island and the lunar scenery of Prvić Island. Vela Plaža Baška is also a Blue Flag-awarded beach (ensuring high standards of cleanliness and safety).

Why Families Love It: Vela Plaža Baška is an amazing place for kids: it’s clean, there’s always space and the water is a beautiful, vibrant blue. Families will love the playgrounds, water sports center with paddleboarding and kayaking and the many cafés and restaurants for a relaxing break.

Not all beaches in Croatia are pebbly. Located outside of Zadar, Zaton is the country’s most sandy stretch. Almost a mile long, this Blue Flag beach is the ultimate family destination. Kid-friendliness is the philosophy here. Soft sands are gentle on the feet, the water is shallow and the playgrounds are plenty. Moreover, there are paved paths for people with disabilities and wheelchair sea access. Be aware that Zaton Beach is part of a holiday resort and there’s an entry fee.

Why Families Love It: Where Zaton excels is the variety of activities. You’ve got a water sports center, a play area with climbing nets, a beach volleyball field and a mini golf pitch. All of this plus gorgeous views.

Baška Voda is a dreamy beach town on Makarska Riviera practically made for family holidays. The main stretch, Nikolina, is a pebbly Blue Flag gem next to the city center. You’re also getting the azure, transparent water and a superb panorama of the high mountains of Biokovo Range. As Baška Voda’s coastline is basically one never-ending beach, be sure to also check out Podluka on the northern side of the town. There, you have a kid’s playground, pleasant small pebbles and clean turquoise waters.

Why Families Love It: It’s perfect for careless lounging to the sound of waves and active fun on inflatable water playgrounds.

Here’s a beach that combines paradise-like looks and a family-friendly mentality. Punta Rata in Brela is a spot of sublime beauty. The pine trees rise over the white pebbles as the transparent Adriatic waters gently hug the shore. Brela Rock—a photogenic limestone islet with vegetation on top—emerges in the distance. This beach is ideal for a family holiday.

Why Families Love It: The forest provides a welcoming shade so your family won’t have to worry about getting sunburnt and kids can snorkel around the rocks and explore the Adriatic underwater world. Punta Rata has shallow, pebbly pockets where your younger ones can take a dip. For more fun, there’s an inflatable waterpark and a SUP rental.

Sand lovers rejoice —there’s a perfect beach for you in Croatia. Located on Rab island on the country’s northern coast, Paradise Beach is over a mile of golden sand. Your family won’t have to worry about currents and high waves as the stretch features mostly shallow waters. Livačina Beach nearby is another sandy spot on Rab with a pine tree forest close by.

Why Families Love It: Soft sands make it a natural playground for kids who can take turns building castles and wading in the warm sea. Also, the beach comes with one of the most family-friendly seaside infrastructures in Croatia. This includes a water park, slides, eight volleyball courts, children’s playgrounds and table tennis.

Omiš is arguably one of the most dramatic coastal towns in Croatia, where towering mountains frame the historic quarter and the Cetina River meets the Adriatic Sea. This stunning backdrop is also home to Velika Plaža (or “Large Beach”), one of the best family-friendly beaches in the country. The white peaks of the Dinaride range contrast beautifully with the deep blue sea, creating a gorgeous panorama. Plus, it’s just a short walk from Omiš’s charming Old Town, where you’ll find cozy cafés, traditional restaurants and souvenir shops.

Why Families Love It: Composed of soft gravel with a gradual shoreline, Velika Plaža is spacious, clean and incredibly scenic. The beach is well-equipped with showers, toilets, lifeguards and a dedicated playground for kids, so you know it’s a safe and convenient choice for families.

Stretching over five miles, the picturesque Queen’s Beach in Nin is one of Croatia’s best family-friendly beaches. According to legend, this was where the first Croatian king, Tomislav, watched Adriatic sunsets with his wife, Jelena. Unlike many of Croatia’s pebbly shores, Queen’s Beach is a long, sandy stretch that feels almost like an island, connected to the mainland by wooden paths.

Why Families Love It: The distant Velebit Mountains provide a beautiful backdrop, while the shallow waters make it an ideal spot for kids—so shallow, in fact, that you’ll have to walk quite a distance to reach deeper swimming areas. The soft sand offers a comfortable, barefoot-friendly experience, meaning there’s no need for water shoes.

Designed with families in mind, Slanica Beach on Murter Island is a true slice of Adriatic perfection. Slanica is a gravel beach with a sandy seabed, offering a mix of textures perfect for both wading and playing. A scenic promenade lined with smaller rocky beaches provides excellent spots for snorkeling and sunbathing. Right next to the beach, Camp Slanica is a popular family-friendly camping destination, featuring mobile homes and campsites nestled within a pine forest.

Why Families Love It: Unlike many island beaches, its shallow waters make it a wonderful spot for young children to swim and play safely. For extra fun, kids can enjoy the inflatable water park or take a ride down the waterslides along the shore.

Sometimes, before setting off on an island-hopping adventure or heading further south, all a family needs is a quick and easy beach break. Split, Croatia’s second-largest city and a major ferry transit hub, offers the perfect spot for that—Bačvice Beach. The beach is well-equipped with restrooms, showers and beach bars, offering everything you need for a short but enjoyable visit. Bačvice is also the only sandy beach in Split, so if you’re looking for a more classic Croatian experience with pebbles and pine trees, head to Kašjuni Beach in Forest Park Marjan.

Why Families Love It: This shallow, brown-sand beach is ideal for families with kids, providing a safe and convenient place to swim and play. Its proximity to Split Port makes it a popular choice for a refreshing stopover, whether you’re waiting for a ferry or just looking for a quick dip.