Four Days of Croatian Exploration: A Family-Friendly Itinerary Featuring Beautiful Beaches

  • Day 1: Split’s Old Town
    20 minutes (12.8 km) from Split Airport

    Begin your trip in Split’s Old Town, a UNESCO heritage site. Here, take a 2-hour walking tour with a local guide to familiarise yourselves with the city’s rich history. Afterwards, enjoy a leisurely stroll through the city’s rustic streets and cafes.

  • Day 2: Biokovo Nature Park and Makarska Beach
    1 hour 10 minutes (67.5 km) from Split’s Old Town

    Embark on a scenic 5-hour drive to Biokovo Nature Park, a natural reserve with a spectacular view of the coast. Here, enjoy a family-friendly hike along the park’s trails. Afterwards, take a 30-minute drive to Makarska Beach for an afternoon of sunbathing and swimming in the crystal-clear waters.

  • Day 3: Waterfalls and River Canyons in Krka National Park
    1 hour (86 km) from Makarska Beach

    Spend the day exploring Krka National Park’s stunning waterfalls and river canyons. A 2-hour guided tour will take you through the park’s hiking trails to Skradinski Buk Falls for a panoramic view of the waterfalls. Afterwards, take a refreshing swim in the park’s natural pools.

  • Day 4: Diocletian’s Palace and Bacvice Beach
    20 minutes (2 km) from Split’s Old Town

    Visit Diocletian’s Palace, a 4th-century fortress and UNESCO heritage site. Take a guided tour and marvel at the palace’s intricate architecture and history. Afterwards, head over to Bacvice Beach, a family-friendly beach with plenty of activities for children like volleyball and paddle-boarding.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Split Walking Tour (2 hours, £30)
  • Biokovo Nature Park Entrance (1 day, £12 per person)
  • Krka National Park Entrance (1 day, £24 per person)
  • Diocletian’s Palace Tour (2 hours, £15)
  • Total Estimated Costs: £105 per person

Transportation

Travellers to Croatia can easily navigate national highways through car rentals, bus or taxi services. Ferries are also available to take you to and from nearby islands. Expect to spend at least £60 per day on car rentals with a minimum driving age of 21.

Useful Tips

If you have more time, take a day trip to Dubrovnik, another popular tourist destination with its iconic walled city and Game of Thrones filming locations. Alternatively, swap Makarska Beach with Hvar Island’s Stari Grad, for its quaint atmosphere and lovely views. If you have less time, consider cutting out Krka National Park and Bacvice Beach.

Airports

Croatia’s largest airport, Dubrovnik Airport (DBV), connects to all major cities across Europe and the world with a 15 km distance from the city centre. Other alternatives include Split Airport (SPU), situated 20 km from the centre, and Rijeka Airport (RJK), which is 30 km from the centre.

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