Family-friendly stays around Zadar
The Zadar riviera has some of the shallowest, sandiest water in Croatia, and most of our stays here are marked by our partner as suitable for families.
Search family stays near ZadarIf your children are small, the question is less which apartment and more which bay. North of the city, Nin's lagoon and the Queen's Beach give you calm, warm, knee-deep water over sand, and Privlaka's Sabunike and Mostina are similar, with Mostina offering showers and cafés. South of Zadar, Sukošan's main beach is actually called Dječji raj, children's paradise, for its shallow water and sandy bottom; it has showers, changing cabins, toilets and pedal boat hire. These places are quiet in the evening, which suits early bedtimes, but you will drive for bigger shops and sightseeing.
If you want the city close, Borik and Diklo are the family compromise. Borik's long beach is pine-shaded and shallow near the shore, and city buses run into town. Kolovare, the main town beach, has a lifeguard service in season, playground equipment and pine shade, and is a short walk from the old town. An evening on the waterfront at the Sea Organ, where the waves play the steps, and the Greeting to the Sun light circle beside it, is usually a hit with children of any age and costs nothing.
The sandy bays have a catch: there is very little natural shade. A parasol or small beach tent is worth packing, and so is a plan for the hottest hours, back at the apartment or in the shade of a pine-backed beach such as Borik. On windy days, Sabunike and the Nin lagoon draw kitesurfers, which older children love to watch but which can make the water choppier for little ones. Most of our stays around Zadar come with parking and outdoor space, often a terrace or garden with a grill, which helps on long stays.
Family-friendly stays on the Zadar riviera
Loading current offers…
Tips before you book
- For toddlers, look at stays in Nin, Privlaka or Sukošan and check the walking distance to the nearest sandy bay.
- Ask the host about a cot, a high chair and whether the garden is fenced, since village gardens are not always enclosed.
- Pack or buy a parasol: the sandy beaches have little shade, and afternoons in July and August are hot.
- Children in Croatia must travel in a suitable child seat, so reserve seats with your hire car or transfer from Zadar Airport.
Frequently asked questions
Which beach near Zadar is best for small children?
Nin's lagoon and Queen's Beach, the Privlaka bays of Sabunike and Mostina, and Dječji raj in Sukošan all have sandy bottoms and water that stays shallow a long way out. Sukošan is handy for the airport and has showers and toilets. In the city, Kolovare and Borik are pebble with sandy patches and shelve gently.
Are there lifeguards on Zadar's beaches?
Kolovare, the main city beach, has a lifeguard service in summer, with lifeguards on observation platforms during the day. On the smaller village beaches around Nin and Privlaka, do not count on one; keep children within arm's reach in the water even where it is shallow.
Should families stay in Zadar city or a nearby village?
With young children, most families prefer a village: more space and parking for the money, quieter nights and sandy bays close by. Borik and Diklo are a good middle ground, with pine-shaded beaches and a bus into town. Staying on the peninsula itself means paid parking and busy evenings.
How far are the family beaches from Zadar Airport?
The airport at Zemunik is close to most of the riviera, typically 15 to 30 minutes by car. Sukošan and Bibinje are among the closest; Nin and Privlaka take a little longer. With children, a hire car or pre-booked transfer is easiest, as buses to the villages are infrequent.