Visit Croatia: Best Activities for Adventurous Families

Many travel writers will extol the virtues of Croatia’s unspoiled coastlines, Mediterranean weather and comfortable urban customs – but there is so much more to this fascinating country than first meets the eye.  

For one, it happens to be one of the world’s best-kept secrets when it comes to adventure holidaymaking. So, if your family are up for something a little more active this year, here’s why you should be considering Croatia as the destination for your next adventure: 

Water Sports 

For many, Croatia’s main draw is its long and storied coastline. Between the lengthy shores of the mainland and the cragged coasts that offers dozens of offshore islands, there is always a new beach spot or cultural joy to be found. This Adriatic coastline is also the perfect location for family activity holidays, on account of its rich and vibrant water sporting scene. 

For surfing aficionados, coastal Croatia is a must-visit. There is a myriad of destinations that offer the perfect waves, whether you are newbies to the sport or old hands. There are also great paddleboarding scenes along the coast, for those in search of a more tranquil way to explore Croatia’s waters.  

Inland, there are fantastic opportunities to raft your way along the turbulent Cetina River – a vital experience that all the family can get on board with. For a less touristy river experience, though, try going north to the River Mrežnica. 

Rock Climbing 

Just as Croatia is rightfully renowned for its water-sporting pedigree, it is also popular for its more mountainous pursuits. Croatia is a particularly mountainous country, despite being majority-lowlands in altitude; the Dinaric Alps describe the rockiest and most elevated points in Croatia’s geography, and are a veritable playground for rock climbing enthusiasts to boot. 

There are a great many popular destinations along the throw of the Dinaric Alps, offering single-pitch climbing routes for bouldering fans and classic routes for traditionalists. Paklenica National Park is a favoured destination for climbers of all stripes, with routes for all skill levels and some arresting views to boot. Even outside of the Alps, there are plenty of cliff faces and gorges to explore by climbing – particularly around Zagreb, where crag routes reign supreme. 

Mountain Biking 

The same mountains that provide so much joy to the climbing scene are similarly giving to the mountain bikers amongst us, with incredible mountain biking routes stippling the country. Again, there is something for everyone here; hardcore biking families can find punishing and rewarding routes in the likes of Paklenica National Park and Šestine, while easier routes abound along the coastal and across the Pannonian Basin. 

Canyoning 

If you’re struggling to decide between the above adventure sports options, why not combine them? Canyoning is a unique form of adventure sport which puts rock climbing and rappelling together with swimming and rafting, as you explore the crags and crannies carved out by millennia of stream and river flow.  

Croatia is one of the best places in the world to introduce yourself to canyoning, thanks to its mountainous terrain and rich waterways. It is also home to some incredible canyoning tour guides and tutors, which can make your family outing a fun, engaging and, above all, safe one.  

All that remains is to choose your destination! Omis is something of a mecca for adventure travel, being itself an accessible intersection between river, mountain and sea; this is a great starting point for any canyoning adventure.