35 excursions in 9 regions, by area and place.
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This is part of our Travel guide for Croatia, with tolls, traffic rules and routes.
You know the feeling: the tent is up, the weather isn't playing along and the children want to do something fun. So we've put together, region by region, what there is to do nearby in Croatia.
Looking for things to do near your campsite? Pick your region below. For each place you'll find the excursions, each with its official website. We picked them for children of around 7 and 9, and we only list places whose own website we checked on 14 October 2026. Opening hours, age limits and prices change, so take a quick look at the website before you go.
Written by Arjan (Zuidlaren) · visited in person · updated 20 October 2026 · About this page
Some excursions have a button to Viator. These are affiliate links: if you book through them, we receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you. The official website is always listed too.
35 Excursions
Location: Brtonigla Species: Wasserpark
According to its own website, the best-equipped water park in Croatia, in Istria. There is a wave pool, a family pool, a pirate castle for the little ones and many slides, from family rafting to free fall. Online tickets are cheaper.
★ 4.5 (Google, 13,046 reviews, Oct 2026)
ℹ️ Good to know: Summer
Location: Poreč Species: Wasserpark
Water park near Poreč that claims the biggest slides in Croatia. Alongside slides such as Magicone and Windigo, there is a wave pool, a lazy river and a separate children’s water playground with Crocodile Bay. According to the website, online tickets are considerably cheaper.
★ 4.4 (Google, 9,793 reviews, Oct 2026)
ℹ️ Good to know: Summer
Location: Poreč Species: Indoor fun
Karting centre near Poreč which, according to the website, has been around for almost twenty years. There is a main track, a family track and a track with bambini karts for children aged 6 to 12. Plus padel, paintball and an adventure park. Closed in the winter months.
★ 4.7 (Google, 3,748 reviews, Oct 2026)
ℹ️ Good to know: March–Autumn (according to its website)
Location: Funtana Species: Dinopark
Family park at Poreč, where dinosaurs, nature and shows come together. According to the website, forest trails lead past life-sized dinosaurs, plus live shows, a petting zoo, pony rides and driving attractions. In winter, the park takes a break, the season begins in spring.
📍 Funtana (near Poreč)
ℹ️ Good to know: April–November (according to its website)
Our opinion: We found the park, near our holiday accommodation by Poreč, very dated and not worth the money. Many things, such as paintball, cost extra. Check the website to see what the ticket includes.
Location: Pula Species: Indoor
According to the website, the largest aquarium in Croatia, housed in a 130-year-old Austrian-Hungarian fortress near Verudela in Pula. There are fish and sea animals from the Adriatic, and the fortress itself is already an adventure. Ideal for a grey day.
★ 4.5 (Google, 16,036 reviews, Oct 2026)
ℹ️ Good to know: Indoors
Location: Nova Vas near Poreč Species: Cave
Istria’s first show cave, in the hinterland of Poreč, with guided tours only. With a bit of luck you’ll see the olm, the mysterious cave creature. Next to the cave, the Traktor Story exhibition shows old tractors.
★ 4.7 (Google, 10,698 reviews, Oct 2026)
ℹ️ Good to know: With guidance (according to its website)
Cool, so also good on hot days.
Also via GetYourGuide · Official website
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Location: Fažana Species: National Park
An archipelago off Pula, according to the website with unspoilt nature and a rich history. You take the park boat from Fažana. On the main island there is a safari park with animals and Roman remains: a day of discovery for the whole family.
★ 4.6 (Google, 13,277 reviews, Oct 2026)
Also via Official website
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Location: Rijeka Species: Museum
Museum in the centre of Rijeka, five minutes from Korzo, with more than 1,000 pieces of computer history on 300 m²: computers, game consoles and rare old computers. According to the website, you can touch most of it. There is also a childhood museum full of toys.
★ 4.9 (Google, 1,065 reviews, Oct 2026)
ℹ️ Good to know: Indoors
Location: Crni Lug Species: National Park
Forested mountain area above Rijeka, pleasantly cool in summer and habitat of brown bear, wolf and lynx. At the visitor centre in Crni Lug, the short educational trail Leska begins, ideal for children. The source of the Kupa is also worth a visit, tickets are available online.
📍 Crni Lug (Gorski kotar)
ℹ️ Good to know: Outside
Location: Učka Mountains Species: Nature
Mountain park between Istria and Kvarner Bay, with educational trails, the Vela Draga waterfall and the observation tower on the summit Vojak, which is almost reached by car. According to the website, there are barbecue areas, e-bike rentals and a visitor centre in Poklon.
📍 Učka Mountains (above Opatija)
ℹ️ Good to know: Outside
Location: Plitvička jezera Species: National Park
Croatia's oldest and largest national park, with terraced lakes and waterfalls. Boardwalks take you on loops of different lengths, and the park boat and little train help small legs. With children, choose a short route, and book ahead in summer.
ℹ️ Good to know: Outside
Also via Viator · GetYourGuide · Official website
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Location: Nova Kršlja near Rakovica Species: Cave
Caves near Plitvice, with guided tours of the illuminated cave and a visitor centre with café-bistro Speleon. In addition, hiking trails such as the Ice Age Trail and a virtual tour. Combine it with a day at Plitvice or a stop at Rastoke near Slunj.
ℹ️ Good to know: Guided tour
Location: Perušić Species: Cave
According to its website, the only cave park in Europe, near the A1 motorway in the Lika. With a guided visit the cave Samograd, one of the oldest show caves in Croatia. In addition, educational trails, viewpoints, offers for children and paintball on the river Lika.
ℹ️ Good to know: Guided tour
Location: Karlovac Species: Indoor
The only freshwater aquarium in Croatia, in Karlovac, the city of the four rivers. According to the website, it follows Croatian rivers from upper to lower, with endemic fish species and introduced species. There is an audio guide and coloring pages.
ℹ️ Good to know: Inside, daily (according to its website)
Practical stop between Zagreb and the coast.
Location: Zagreb Species: Zoo
The Zagreb Zoo is located in the large Maksimir Park, so after the animals the children can still let off steam. According to the website, it is open every day of the year. There are public feedings, where the keepers tell you about the animals, and the restaurant Kod morskog lava.
★ 4.6 (Google, 27,818 reviews, Oct 2026)
📍 Zagreb (Maksimir Park)
Location: Zagreb Species: Museum
Large Museum of Technology at the Savska cesta in Zagreb, named after Nikola Tesla. The permanent exhibition features old cars, planes and trains, a replica mine and a demonstration of Tesla and electricity. In addition, temporary exhibitions, tickets bookable online.
★ 4.6 (Google, 8,375 reviews, Oct 2026)
ℹ️ Good to know: Indoors
Also via Official website
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Location: Zagreb Species: Bowling
Large family centre in Zagreb that easily fills a rainy afternoon. According to the website, there is bowling, laser tag, karting and escape room, plus arcade games, a zipline, a flying cinema and an interactive LED floor. Children’s birthday parties are also celebrated.
📍 Zagreb (Jankomir)
ℹ️ Good to know: Indoors
Location: Zagreb Species: Trampolinpark
Amazinga in Zagreb calls itself the largest family centre in Croatia, with over 11,000 m² inside. The trampoline park has 14 attractions, from the slam-dunk zone to the large air cushion. From 6 years or 115 cm you jump with, smaller ones use mini trampolines and the mini ninja course.
ℹ️ Good to know: Indoors
Location: Zagreb Species: Nature
Zagreb's wooded local mountain with the summit of Sljeme, according to the website with 2,589 mountain trails. Children usually find the medieval castle of Medvedgrad, the old Zrinski mine and Veternica Cave the most exciting. A lovely place to cool off after a day in the city.
📍 Zagreb (Sljeme)
ℹ️ Good to know: Outside
Location: Krapina Species: Museum
Modern Museum in Krapina at the site of the Neanderthals. With life-like reconstructions of a Neanderthal family and a 'time spiral' from the origin of life to today. There are audio guides, guides and programs especially for families with children.
ℹ️ Good to know: Indoors
Online reservation possible.
Location: Tuhelj Species: Wasserpark
Thermal spa in the hill country of Zagorje north of Zagreb. The site promises water, exercise and relaxation for all generations, with indoor and outdoor pools and a water park. At Hotel Well Family there are new, spacious family rooms.
📍 Tuhelj (Zagorje)
Location: Trakošćan Species: Castle
Fairytale castle on a hill above a lake, a protected cultural monument of national importance. Inside, a museum with a permanent exhibition; outside, a wooded park with a nature trail around the lake. According to the website, there is even an escape room in the castle.
Also via Official website
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Location: near Osijek Species: Bootsfahrt
A large floodplain at the confluence of the Drava and the Danube, full of birds. The park offers boat trips, canoe tours, birdwatching and a nature trail with water lilies. There’s an education centre at Tikveš Castle.
📍 near Osijek (Bilje)
ℹ️ Good to know: Outside
In autumn, according to the website, you can hear the stags roar.
Location: Osijek Species: Zoo
According to its own website, the largest zoo in Croatia: 11 hectares of nature directly on the banks of the Drava, with more than 650 animals from all over the world. The zoo is a member of the European Zoo Association EAZA. Tickets are available online.
Location: Bizovac Species: Wasserpark
Thermal bath near Osijek in Slavonia, with the Aquapolis water park full of indoor pools and slides, a wave pool and a family pool. The water is geothermal. Day packages, sauna world, overnight stay and children’s birthday parties, handy on a tour of eastern Croatia.
📍 Bizovac (near Osijek)
From Zadar and Šibenik you can also charter a sailboat yourself, with or without a skipper, for a few days between the islands: Offered by Sail Armada (Ad)
Location: Biograd na Moru Species: Amusement park
Theme park near Biograd na Moru, right on the Adriatic and a nice change from the beach. You choose between three worlds: Space, Pirate City and Wild West. There is an XD dark ride, an amusement arcade and a haunted house, and lockers are free.
Location: Skradin/Lozovac Species: National Park
Waterfalls and wooden walkways along the Krka, with the famous Skradinski buk waterfall. The park has several entrances, viewpoints, cycling and hiking routes and boat excursions. For children there is a junior ranger programme and workshops.
📍 Skradin / Lozovac (near Šibenik)
ℹ️ Good to know: Outside
Bathing is no longer allowed.
Also via Viator · GetYourGuide · Official website
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Location: Starigrad-Paklenica Species: National Park
Two canyons, Velika and Mala Paklenica, steeply cut into the southern slope of Velebit. With children you can walk a little way into the larger gorge, past educational trails, an old water mill and the Manita peć cave. The park is also a well-known climbing area.
ℹ️ Good to know: Outside
Location: Murter / Zadar Species: National Park
An island kingdom of bare islands in the sea, only accessible by boat. Day trips start in Murter and Zadar. According to the website, you can also snorkel, dive and visit the fortress of St. Nicholas.
ℹ️ Good to know: Summer season
It feels like a real sea trip for children.
Also via GetYourGuide · Official website
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Location: Šibenik Species: Indoor
One of the three restored fortresses over Šibenik, next to St Michael's and St John's. From Barone you look over the old town and sea, and according to the website an interactive presentation brings the story to life. There are also programmes for children and young people.
From Split you can charter a sailboat or catamaran, with or without a skipper: Offered by Sail Armada (Ad)
Location: Omiš Species: Adventure
Eight ziplines over the Cetina Gorge, 3 km from Omiš, together 2,100 metres and up to 150 metres above the ground. With two guides, transport and equipment included, expect about two and a half hours. According to website from 7 years.
Also via GetYourGuide · Official website
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Location: Above Makarska Species: Nature
Mountain park directly above the Makarska Riviera, "a mountain with roots in the sea", as the website says. A narrow mountain road leads to viewpoints and the glass viewing bridge Skywalk. Tickets are available in the park's webshop.
ℹ️ Good to know: Outside
Also via GetYourGuide · Official website
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Location: Dubrovnik Species: Cable car
With the cable car you float in a few minutes on the mountain Srđ, according to the website with the most beautiful view of the old town and the Elaphites. Children up to 4 ride for free. Due to annual maintenance, the railway is closed for a time in winter.
★ 4.3 (Google, 11,519 reviews, Oct 2026)
ℹ️ Good to know: April–November (according to its website)
Also via GetYourGuide · Official website
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Location: Dubrovnik Species: Bootsfahrt
Green island right in front of Dubrovnik, protected nature reserve and UNESCO heritage. The official boat departs from the old port, the boat ticket includes admission. Peacocks run around, there are historical gardens and the saltwater lake 'Dead Sea', where children can swim quietly.
📍 Dubrovnik (crossing from the old port)
ℹ️ Good to know: Summer season
Also via GetYourGuide · Official website
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Location: Mljet Species: National Park
The first marine reserve in Croatia, founded in 1960: a forest-rich island with two salt lakes. By boat you go to the island of Sveta Marija with the monastery in the middle of the Great Lake, in summer there is a little electric train, and you can rent bicycles.
📍 Mljet (ferry from Dubrovnik)
ℹ️ Good to know: Summer
Tagesausflüge
Do you want to travel from the capital for a day without driving yourself? Here you will find online bookable day trips.
Advertising links (affiliate): If you book via such a link, we will receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Prices and availability are determined by the provider.