Dubrovnik: City Guide For Families
From the moment I walked through the drawbridge into Old Town, I felt as though I had been transported through time. The history of the city gives it this incredible atmosphere. It’s laid back, but also stoic and graceful, and there are so many nooks and crannies to discover! And, as a plus for any Game of Thrones fans, it’s where most scenes in King’s Landing were shot. They even offer a Game of Thrones tour!
And even though your kids probably haven’t seen Game of Thrones, you don’t really need to a great imagination to believe that dragons may fly over the city walls at any moment. With incredible beaches for relaxing, national parks for any level of hiking, history to learn, and food to enjoy, Dubrovnik has it all.
Best Accommodations For Families
Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik
Set in a grand 1890s building and a 20th-century villa, this stately hotel is 3 minutes’ walk from both the medieval Franciscan Monastery and the 16th-century Pile Gate beside the Old Town. For families, being able to walk to Old Town and many other noteworthy attractions puts this at the top of my list.
Not only does it have an incredible location, but this hotel also includes relaxed rooms featuring flat-screen TVs, Wi-Fi and iPod docks, minibars, and tea and coffeemakers. Upgraded rooms offer balconies, sea views, and separate sitting areas, as well as access to an executive lounge with free snacks.
Amenities include an elegant restaurant, a lobby bar and a terrace bar, and a spa.
Sun Gardens Dubrovnik
If you’re looking for a beach retreat, I love Sun Gardens for its natural pebble beach that’s just a few steps away from the resort. Many other hotels in the area have a cliff or rocky sea entrance, making it difficult (or even dangerous) for kids. For that extra piece of mind, Sun Gardens has a stretch of beach with shallow, clear water perfect for families.
Conveniently located close to the medieval town of Dubrovnik, yet tucked away from the crowds, the resort offers a great choice for every type of traveler.
The vibrant, elegant design seamlessly blends with its charming Mediterranean surroundings. A vast choice of amenities and services, as well as the sublime tranquility of the lush nature and one of the cleanest seas of Europe await you.
Top Ten Things To Do With Kids
Walk the City Walls in Old Dubrovnik
The medieval fortifications around Dubrovnik are a must-see, with incredible views of the Old Town and the startlingly blue Adriatic at every turn. But the walk is around two kilometers (around 1.3 miles), so do it first thing in the morning before the heat and crowds descend, and bring lots of water! Unfortunately, it’s not very stroller-friendly, so make sure you have a carrier for little ones.
Explore the Island Lokrum
With scenic sea views and free-roaming peacocks and bunnies, the island of Lokrum is the perfect place to visit during your stay in Dubrovnik, and it’s only about a ten minute ferry ride from the Dubrovnik harbor. Gaze at centuries-old monastery ruins or walk through the historic Fort Royal Castle before taking a break at the nearby playground. With botanical gardens, swimming areas, and walking trails, there’s something for each member of the family.
Go Kayaking
Adventurous families will want to take advantage of local kayak rentals and tours. We love the family-friendly Adventure Dubrovnik tour! It starts from Pile Beach, which is situated in a small park across the bay from Fort Lovrijenac. After circling the City Walls and Lokrum Island, the tour docks at a hidden cove for an extended beach break, complete with refreshments and snorkeling opportunities.
Cable Car to Mt. Srđ
The Summit of Mount Srd offers incredible views of Dubrovnik’s Old City, the surrounding islands, and the picturesque Adriatic Sea. Plus, the cable car is much easier on little legs than hiking the summit! At the top, you’ll find restaurants, historic monuments, and a war museum. And, of course, those breathtaking views from every angle!
Dubrovnik Aquarium
Wondering why you’d go all the way to Dubrovnik just to visit an aquarium? I’ve visited plenty of aquariums with Annabelle (I mean, c’mon…watching a toddler sing “Under the Sea” to nearby sea life is pretty adorable!), but Dubrovnik Aquarium is different—instead of modern architecture, the aquarium is located in St. John’s Fortress, a medieval fort next to Dubrovnik’s harbor. Fresh seawater runs continuously into the 31 tanks, mesmerizing you and your kids from the moment you walk into a room filled with equal parts historic happenings and aquatic adventures.
Cadmos Village Adventure Park
Positioned in Konavle at a short driving distance from Dubrovnik, this adventure park will keep both you and your kids entertained for a day (or two)! Cadmos Village Adventure Park features three levels and four zip-lines, a giant swing, and other outdoor activities suitable for families, children, and adventure-seeking adults.
Island Lopud (Visit by Ferry)
Another great local island to visit is Lopud. It’s a favorite of local families because of its beautiful sandy beaches. The sea is crystal clear and water is shallow, making it perfect for little legs to splash around. Local shops are filled with fun stuff for the beach, there’re more ice cream spots than you can count, and you can rent pedal boats, bikes, or take advantage of the tennis and badminton courts.
Banje Beach
Banje Beach, the most well-known beach near Dubrovnik’s Old Town, is only a five minute walk from Ploče Gate. It can get crowded, but it’s a wonderful spot for enjoying the clear waters, complete with a gravel beach with views of the Old City walls and Lokum Island. Banje Beach Restaurant offers for-hire sun chairs, but you can sit anywhere on the beach in front of the sun chairs for free!
Visit Ston
If you’re looking for a day trip that’s fun for the whole family, look no further than the enchanting medieval town of Ston. Around 30 miles (50 km) away, you’ll reach the city, famous for its more than 3-mile-long (5 km) fortified defensive wall: the longest in Europe and the second longest in the world. In fact, its length has earned it the nickname “the Great Wall of Europe!” Construction of the walls began in 1358, and they protected not only the city, but also the valuable salt evaporation ponds that provided a third of the Dubrovnik Republic’s income. Ston is known for its oysters and incredible restaurants as well.
Mljet National Park
Mljet is the southernmost island and the greenest of all the islands in the Adriatic Sea. Doubling as a national park well-known for its beautiful lakes, it’s connected to Dubrovnik by a short ferry ride. The Benedictine Monastery at St Mary’s Islet or the ancient Roman village of Polače are its main attractions, complete with the ruins of a Roman palace and plenty of scenic sights. My favorite part, though, is Mljet national park. Established in 1960, the park covers the northwestern part of the island, well-known for its lush vegetation, large pine forest, and two amazingly scenic saltwater lakes encircled by tarmac paths for walking, cycling, or even stopping for a quick bath in the warm waters nearby. Water in these lakes is much warmer than anywhere else along the island’s coast!
Tips
- Old Town of Dubrovnik is not very stroller friendly. If you’re only planning on staying on the main walkways, a stroller will be fine. However, if you plan on walking the city walls or exploring the town beyond the shops and lower streets, then you should definitely make sure to bring a baby/toddler carrier along with you.
- Like most of Croatia, the beaches around Dubrovnik are rocky and/or small pebble beaches. There aren’t many sand beaches in Croatia. Plan ahead and pack water shoes for yourself and your children!
- If you decide to take the cable car, hike or drive up to Mt. Srd Konoba Dubrava is a great dining option. It’s the perfect place to enjoy traditional Croatian cuisine without the hustle and bustle of the city and tourists in the Old Town, and it even has a playground with a swingset!
- Choose travel times that are easier on the kids. If you’re flying directly in to Dubrovnik with children and have a long flight, make sure to schedule some recovery time.
- Note that young children legally must use car seats in Croatia. However, adding them to your car rental is really expensive. For that reason, you may even want to consider bringing yours from home.
- The best time to do anything in Dubrovnik with kids was as early as possible, before the masses of tourists take over. By lunch, head back to your hotel room, enjoy some downtime, and let them play for the afternoon before heading back out in the evening.
- If you plan to walk the Dubrovnik walls, visit any museums, and/or take any local buses, it’s worth getting a Dubrovnik Card (children 7 and under are free for all these things, though, so you don’t need one for them).
- If walking the City Walls with kids, start at the Ploče Gate entrance. It’s not as popular as the Pile Gate entrance, so if you arrive right when it opens, you’ll have the walls almost entirely to yourself. You also get the hilliest part of the walk out of the way first when your kids have the most energy, and the sunlight is better for taking photos before you get all sweaty!
Get Excited Before You Go:
Read:
Nestor in Croatia (Gem of the Balkans)
Lily the Ladybug Travels the World
It’s Castle Time! A Kid’s Guide To Dubrovnik, Croatia
Adult Readings:
Watch: Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again
Whether you’re walking ancient city walls, kayaking along the coast, exploring nearby islands, or simply soaking up the Adriatic views, it’s a place that sparks imagination and invites you to slow down and explore together. With the right planning (and a few smart tips), Dubrovnik becomes more than a stop on a map—it becomes a shared family adventure you’ll be talking about long after your ride home. If you’re ready to take the plunge and explore this scenic city, book a call with me today!
Who is Christina?
Meet Christina Vieira, a Traveler, a Planner, and a Mom. She is also the owner of Showcase the World Travel, a modern travel agency that helps busy Moms take the vacation they deserve without adding “planning it all” to their to-do lists. After all, Mom should get to enjoy their vacation, too!
She specializes in Disney, the Caribbean, and Europe, and has helped dozens of families have magical vacations that they will always remember. She loves traveling with her four-year-old, Annabelle. Her favorite destinations include Walt Disney World, Wyoming, and Prague.
