Croatia

Dubrovnik

Proto Fish Restaurant

Back in the Old Town after the ferry, Proto is one of Dubrovnik's most respected seafood restaurants with an open terrace on the second floor overlooking a quiet square. Order the grilled sea bass or the black risotto and let kids try Croatian-style calamari, which tends to be a crowd-pleaser.

Dubrovnik

Dolce Vita Ice Cream

A short walk down a side street off the Stradun, this tiny gelato shop is a Dubrovnik institution with rotating seasonal flavors made fresh daily. The line moves quickly and a cone here is the perfect reward after a morning on the walls.

Dubrovnik

Nishta Restaurant

This beloved spot just off the Stradun serves creative vegetarian and vegan dishes that somehow win over even the pickiest kids, with a menu full of colorful wraps, bowls, and fresh juices. Grab a table early at lunch since it fills up fast and does not take reservations.

Dubrovnik

Lapad Promenade Evening Walk and Konoba Bonaca

End the trip with a slow walk along the Lapad promenade as the light drops, then settle in at Konoba Bonaca for a relaxed final dinner of grilled meats, fresh pasta, and local wine for the adults. The atmosphere is unpretentious, the portions are generous, and it captures exactly the kind of neighborhood evening that makes Dubrovnik worth coming back to.

Dubrovnik

Swimming at Lokrum's Rocky Coves

The eastern shore of Lokrum has a series of flat rocky platforms and clear shallow coves where families spread out for a proper afternoon swim. Bring water shoes since the entry points are rocky, and the snorkeling just off the rocks is excellent for kids with a mask.

Dubrovnik

Lokrum Botanical Garden and Benedictine Monastery

The ruins of the old Benedictine monastery sit at the center of the island and the surrounding botanical garden is full of exotic plants, shady paths, and resident peacocks that will follow you hoping for a snack. Older kids enjoy the legend of a curse said to befall anyone who tries to take the island for themselves.

Dubrovnik

Rector's Palace (Knežev dvor)

This beautifully preserved Gothic-Renaissance palace is one of the most impressive buildings inside the Old Town and gives kids a tangible sense of how the old Ragusan Republic actually worked. Pick up the audio guide for older children and let younger ones hunt for the stone faces carved into the columns.

Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik City Walls (Gradske zidine)

Start the morning early before the heat and crowds build, and walk the full 1.9km circuit of the medieval walls surrounding the Old Town. Kids love spotting the sea far below and the rooftop maze of terracotta tiles stretching out in every direction.

Dubrovnik

Lapad Beach (Plaza Lapad)

Lapad is Dubrovnik's most family-friendly beach neighborhood, and the main shingle beach here has calm, shallow water, paddleboard and kayak rentals, and a row of cafes right on the seafront. It is far less crowded than anything near the Old Town and the promenade behind it is great for a lazy walk.

Dubrovnik

Kayaking Around the Old Town Walls

Operators including Adriatic Kayak Tours run guided sea kayak tours that depart from Pile Bay and paddle right alongside the base of the city walls and around the headland, giving a perspective you simply cannot get on foot. Sessions are suitable for children around age seven and up and most tours run two to three hours.

Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik Cable Car (Žičara)

The cable car departs just outside the Ploce Gate and whisks families up to the summit of Mount Srd in under four minutes for a panoramic view of the entire city, the islands, and the coastline stretching in both directions. There is a small fortress at the top with a museum about the 1991 siege that older children will find genuinely moving.

Dubrovnik

Lokrum Ferry from the Old Town Harbor

Ferries depart every 30 minutes from the Old Town harbor and the 15-minute ride to Lokrum is half the fun, giving kids their first real view of the city from the water. The island is car-free, covered in peacocks that wander freely, and has a small saltwater lake called the Dead Sea that is perfect for younger swimmers.