Best Croatian Islands for a Family Vacation

Why settle for an in-room movie when you can walk on the set of an epic film? That’s right, Croatia’s Dalmatian coast dotted with high mountains and several islands has recently become the place where favorite epic flicks are filmed. And that’s a major incentive why you should visit some of Croatia’s islands, in addition to it being a place with the best sunset in the world. Here’s a list of the best islands to explore with your family in tow.

1) Island Hvar

If you’re down for some sunbathing, smelling the lavender or wild nightlife as a couple, this is the coolest place to be. To get there, take the Jadrolinija or Catamaran ferry. Coolest things to do here include: 

• Taste the wine – Hvar has the oldest vineyard according to UNESCO.
• Explore culture and history by visiting monuments such as Skor and Tvrdalj renaissance castle in Stari Grad Town
• Enjoy the beautiful Grenada cuisine – fish stew prepared with onion, garlic, and olive then served with potato. 
• Take a boat trip to the Pakleni islands – fun activities here include scuba dives and swimming.

2) Lokrum Islands

Do you love bingeing on Game of Thrones? Well, you’d be glad to know that the popular HBO series was shot in this location too – the Island of Lokrum – which appeared as the city of Qarth in the season two of the show. 

To get there, get a ferry at the old city harbor in Dubrovnik town – it’s just a 15 minutes ride.

Your family can enjoy some of its GOT themed tours: 

• Explore the Old Town, which is the inspiration behind GOT’s fictional city, “King’s Landing.”
• You can visit the Benedictine monastery and the botanical gardens where the garden scenes were filmed. 
• Climb the walls of the city and visualize the bloody battles from GOT
• Get into King Joffrey’s malicious exploits at Lovrijenac
• Track Ayra Stark’s footsteps while enjoying the tour guide’s gossips about the hit series

3) Vis

A couple of hours here and you may forget you’re in the earth – its traditional Mediterranean ambiance makes it the one of the best destionations for a family vacation. Vis island is located further from Croatia’s mainland and has therefore retained its charm. To get there, hitch a boat ride from Split Town.

• Get to know the inspiration behind the fictional town of Kalokari in the flick Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again. Yes, that’s right, the movie was filmed at this rugged charming location – especially the village of Komiza. Explore Jastozera Restaurant that appeared in the film as the Greek taverna then trace Young Rosie and Tanya’s scenes through the paved terrace of Pansion Dionis.
• Explore the blue cave and bathe in the stunning blue light as the water reflects the sun throughout the interior.
• Learn the islands history and its contribution to the resistance movement during World War II at Tito’s Cave.

4) Brač

With its beautiful Zlatni Rat Beach, an iconic array of pine trees and fun games, Brac is no doubt the best family-friendly island in the Dalmatian coast. It’s located just 50 minutes away from Split on a ferry ride. The number one incentive you should head here is the Zlatni Rat Beach has been ranked among the world’s beautiful beaches. The other thing is there are many fun things to do like scuba diving, hiking and numerous activities for young people so here’s what to do in Brac:

• Bond with your family on fishing excursions offered by companies in Bol as you all marvel in the mystery of the creatures. The tours cost 175€ for a single person.
• Get into kiteboarding at Zlatni Rat Beach and enjoy the exhilarating sport in the cool Maestral winds. Kiteboarding lessons cost 840 kunas per day.
• Explore the sacral architecture of Early Christian churches such as The Church of St. Theodore, The Church of St. Martin and more.
• Enjoy mountain biking as a couple to the Vidova Gora summit which offers a pleasant view of the Adriatic Sea and the city.

5) Dugi otok

Best for chilling out and exploring charming traditional villages because it’s not too crowded. It’s home to the Telascica Nature pack which boasts of an iconic array of birds, coastal rocks and the popular Mir – a Salt Lake known for its healing mud.

Fun activities to do here include: 

• Visiting picturesque places such as the Veliki Rat Light House and Strashna cave and immerse into Glagolitic culture.
• Enjoying the Sakarun Beach, which is famous for its shallow clear waters and surrounding pine trees that shield it from the wind.
• Trek the mountaineering path to Mount Orljak for amazing views of the sea. On your way, you will pass lush vegetation and magnificent cliffs.
• Fishing and hiking: Try out your luck for some Tuna fish at the Kornati Archipelago early in the morning followed by afternoon swimming or some scuba diving adventure to experience the mysterious underwater world.

6) Island of Silba

Island of Silba is situated in the Zadar archipelago, south-east of Island Mali Losinj, between the neighboring islands of Olib in the East and Premuda in the West. Island of Silba if full of Mediterranean vegetation and aromatic herbs. You can enjoy in pleasant vacation in the untouched nature.

No vehicles are allowed on Silba. This is why Silba is an ideal place for families with children and for relaxation and meditation. 

Along the Silba coast, there are countless smaller and larger beaches ideal for swimming and sunbathing for the whole family. The children at Silba quickly learn to swim and dive because the seabed is full of plants and animals and that is very interesting for children and adults also. Isn’t it?

So if you decide to spend your vacation at this beautiful island, we guarantee that you will have great time and that you will come back again next year.

7) Mali Lošinj

If you choose Mali Lošinj as your family holiday destination, both you and your youngest ones will have plenty of opportunities to have fun and learn something new.

5 things to do on the island of Lošinj:

• Dolphin Watching Tour  – The Lošinj archipelago is a habitat to about 200 bottlenose dolphins. Dolphin Watching Tour lasts for 3 hours and it is designed for max 12 persons. In case you do not see the dolphins, you get the possibility to go one more time for free.
• One museum, two islands, three buildings – The Lošinj Museum has three locations, in Mali Lošinj, Veli Lošinj, and in Osor, and it keeps historical, archaeological, ethnographical, and art collections.
• Theme viewpoint Providenca – Theme viewpoint Providenca combines the 300 m long educational trail Apsyrtides and a viewpoint bar with local specialties.
• Lošinj’s Fragrant Garden – The Garden hosts over 250 wild aromatic plants. In the evening, from 18:00 to 23:00, visitors can taste homemade food products. It is a small but very beautiful garden.
• Museum of Apoxyomenos –  it is a must see in Lošinj. It’s focused on a single exhibit, an ancient Greek statue discovered in Croatian sea about 20 years ago. The statue was under restoration in Zagreb for several years and looks nothing like what had been in the sea. The story of Apoxymenon is presented in a very innovative and approachable way that it can be interesting for everyone.

Croatian islands, with their Mediterranean charm and modern world glamor, offer unique cultural and fun-filled activities worth experiencing with your family. When are you coming?