Family-friendly stays around Šibenik
Around Šibenik you swap sand for calm, clear water, and a riviera of relaxed villages. Most of our stays here are marked by our partner as suitable for families.
Search family stays near ŠibenikThe first decision with children is to stay out of the old town. Šibenik's historic centre is a maze of steps and lanes where cars cannot go, which is charming for an evening walk but hard work with a pushchair and beach bags. The villages along the coast are far easier. Brodarica has Rezalište, a renovated pebble beach with play facilities for children, and a small boat across to Krapanj. Pirovac has pine-shaded Lolić, with shallow water near the shore and a promenade to the cafés. Grebaštica sits in a sheltered bay with several small pebble coves. The shore is pebble, rock or concrete almost everywhere, so pack water shoes.
For a day away from the beach, Aquapark Dalmatia at the Amadria Park resort in Zablaće, west of town, is the region's big water park. It has children's zones with water playgrounds as well as slides, wave pools and a long lazy river, and it is open to outside visitors with a ticket as well as to resort guests. Krka National Park is a short drive inland: swimming at Skradinski buk is no longer allowed, but the boardwalks around the falls are a good family walk, and boat trips run inside the park. In town, Banj beach has a children's playground behind it, and in early summer the International Children's Festival fills the streets with theatre and workshops.
Many villages here climb up from the shore, so check how the stay is reached. A house a few minutes from the sea may still involve steps or crossing the busy coastal road, which matters with small children. Grebaštica, Žaborić and Brodarica are quiet in the evening, good for early bedtimes; Pirovac and the area around Amadria Park have a little more going on. A car is almost essential, and nearly all our stays on this riviera have their own parking.
Family-friendly stays on the Šibenik riviera
Loading current offers…
Tips before you book
- Ask whether the walk to the beach crosses the D8 coastal road, and whether there are steps on the way.
- For toddlers, confirm a cot and high chair, and ask whether terraces and balconies have secure railings.
- If the stay has a pool, check that it is fenced or can be closed off from the garden.
- Croatian law requires a suitable child seat for younger children, so reserve one with your hire car or airport transfer.
Frequently asked questions
Is Šibenik good for a holiday with small children?
Yes, if you base yourself in a village rather than the steep old town. Brodarica, Pirovac, Grebaštica and Zablaće have calm pebble beaches, some with play areas and cafés close by. There is no real sand here, so water shoes help, but the sea is clear and generally calm in summer.
Is there a water park near Šibenik?
Yes. Aquapark Dalmatia is part of the Amadria Park resort at Zablaće, a short drive west of the town centre. It has children's water playgrounds, slides, wave pools and a lazy river, and outside visitors can buy a ticket. Check the opening calendar before you go, as hours vary through the year.
Can children swim at Krka waterfalls?
No. Swimming at Skradinski buk has been banned to protect the waterfall's travertine barriers. Children still enjoy the wooden boardwalks over the water and the boat rides inside the park. Go early in the day in summer, when it is cooler and less crowded, and combine it with an afternoon swim back on the coast.
Which airport is best for Šibenik with children?
Split Airport is usually the closest, around an hour by car, with Zadar a little further. Buses serve the town, but reaching a village stay with luggage and children is much easier with a hire car or a pre-booked transfer that provides child seats.