We all have childhood memories of being dragged around historic buildings, castles and churches with the vague promise of ice-cream or a ride on a slide afterwards to sweeten the deal. If you’re looking for historic buildings then Dubrovnik has them in abundance, and while they are sure to capture your imagination it will be tough to promise that amount of ice-cream to your children. Don’t worry. Dubrovnik has plenty to offer for all the family, all you need is some inside information.
In these days of modern technology it’s good to get back to nature and what could be better than a day out on the beach? Although Dubrovnik sits on the turquoise Adriatic Sea there is a surprising lack of “real” beaches, especially children friendly beaches. Here are some recommendations:
Banje Beach (above, right): A stone’s throw, or should I say a pebble’s throw, from the historic Old City of Dubrovnik, the Banje is an iconic beach in Dubrovnik. Voted as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world the Banje is THE beach for holidaymakers in the city. This pebble beach is walking distance from the Old City and has a café bar, showers, a restaurant and sun loungers.
Copacabana: No, not Rio, but Dubrovnik. The Copacabana beach is located on Babin Kuk (around 15 minutes bus ride from the Old City) and is a true sandy beach, great for the kids. Like the Banje it can get crowded in the middle of summer but there are plenty of amenities, including a water park.
Uvala Lapad: The bay of Lapad is one of the main tourist sections of Dubrovnik and has a few beaches that have relatively shallow water. If you’re looking further out of the city then Mlini in Župa (around 15 minutes by bus) is a great choice, with a multitude of clean beaches with plenty of sand. And even further on the island of Lopud there is the Šunj beach. This is a wonder of nature with around 150 metres of shallow seas and glorious golden sand.
After you’ve hit the beaches and topped up your tan why not take the family on a cable-car ride to the top of Srđ Mountain? Not only will the ride get the children screaming in delight but the panoramic views from the top are mind-blowing.
If you feel like being a bit more active then try horseriding in the Konavle countryside. The Kojan Koral in Konavle, near Dubrovnik Airport, offers something for everyone, no matter how much experience you have. And the unspoilt countryside really gets you back to all the joys that Mother Nature has to offer. And don’t forget Dubrovnik’s green oasis the island of Lokrum, just a short fifteen-minute ferry ride from the historic centre, the island is one huge playground for children.
But for all the amenities that Dubrovnik has to offer by far the biggest advantage is the safety and security that comes with a holiday to the city. Children can play and run freely in the Old City without parents having to constantly shepherd them. It’s safe and secure at all times of the day and night, and after just a short time in Dubrovnik you’ll have “free-range” children.
Mark Thomas – Bio
Mark was born and raised in the UK and moved to live in Dubrovnik in 1998. He writes for numerous publications, mostly on his second home, and spends his time travelling Croatia discovering its hidden gems. He is the editor of an English language newspaper in Dubrovnik as well as writing for his website An Englishman in Dubrovnik. He jumped, feet first, into life in Dubrovnik, which puts him in a unique position to compare and contrast the two societies.
Read Mark’s introduction to Dubrovnik.
