Europe · Best Jun & Sep
Dubrovnik and Croatia coast packing list for families
Croatia's coast is part history lesson, part boat trip, with stone streets and pebble beaches that call for the right shoes. Here is how I pack for Dubrovnik and the islands with kids.
Photo by Ivan Ivankovic on Unsplash
Kristina's notes on Dubrovnik & Dalmatian Coast
- Walk Dubrovnik's city walls right when they open. There is little shade and lots of stairs, and by midday the heat and crowds make it hard with kids.
- Most beaches here are pebbles or rock, not sand. Water shoes for everyone is my number one Croatia packing tip.
- Island hopping by ferry or catamaran is the best part, but schedules change by season. Leave a little slack in your plans and pack motion sickness help.
Best timeJun & Sep
PlugsType C/F, bring an adapter
MoneyEuro
PassportYes
Your packing edit
Dubrovnik & Dalmatian Coast
This time of year
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Every item links to what Kristina would buy. Tap Add to bag on what you're missing, then check out on Amazon in one tap.
Carry-on8
Carry-on suitcase per personKristina's pick
Packing cubes, one color per personKristina's pickEveryone knows exactly which cube is theirs.
Kids' headphones, volume-limited
Tablet with downloaded shows
Snack box with dividers
Reusable water bottles
Change of clothes for each kid
Car seat travel bag
Clothing4
Daytime outfits8 per person
Pajamas2 per person
One nicer outfit for dinners and photos
Underwear and socks9 per person
Shoes1
Sandals
Beach & pool11
Swimsuits2 per person
UPF rash guardsKristina's pick
Mineral sunscreen
Wide-brim sun hats
Swim diapers
Hyperlite life jacket for boat and ocean daysKristina's pickA properly fitted life jacket for boats and open water.
Lightweight beach tote
Goggles
Water shoes for the familyKristina's pickMost Dalmatian beaches are pebble or rock.
Snorkel masksThe Adriatic is clear and great for spotting fish.
Packable beach matSoftens rocky beaches and flat slabs.
Little ones5
Diapers and wipesenough for 3 days, buy the rest there
Portable sound machineKristina's pickMakes every hotel room feel like home.
Travel blackout shades
Favorite lovey, plus a backup
Soft baby carrier instead of a strollerKristina's pickStairs, cobblestones, or trails make strollers hard here.
Little things15
AirTag in each checked bagKristina's pickYou'll know your bag made the connection before you do.
Stain remover penGelato happens. Photos still look great.
Laundry detergent sheetsOne sink wash halfway through means packing half the clothes.
Gallon zip bags, a handfulWet swimsuits, sandy shoes, and the occasional car-sick emergency.
Pen in your carry-onFor arrival forms, so you're not borrowing one in the immigration line.
Hair ties and a small detangling brush
Hand sanitizer wipes and pocket tissues
Lollipops or gum for takeoff and landingSwallowing helps little ears pop.
A few wrapped surprise toys for the flightUnwrapping buys you twenty minutes. Unwrapping slowly buys thirty.
Tap night lightHotel rooms are pitch dark, and the bathroom is never where they expect.
Kids' nail clippers and tweezersSplinters from boardwalks and docks are a vacation classic.
Kids' sunglasses
Wet bag for swimsuits
Electrolyte packetsHot days and long walks catch up with kids before they say they're thirsty.
Earplugs and an eye mask for the grown-ups
Health & toiletries5
Travel first-aid kit
Kids' fever reducer and allergy medicine
Bug spray
Hanging toiletry bag
Motion sickness bandsFerries and boat days can be choppy.
Documents & tech3
Portable phone chargerKristina's pick
Passports for everyone, valid 6+ months past your trip
Travel plug adapterKristina's pickType C/F, bring an adapter
The outfit edit
Aegean
Whitewash, Aegean blue, linen, sage
For the grown-ups
For photos
- White against the blue doors
- Sunset in Oia is busy, try mornings
Tap any piece to shop the look.
Month by month
Dubrovnik & Dalmatian Coast weather and what's happening
Typical daytime highs and what each month feels like with kids.
| Month | Typical high | What it's like | Don't miss |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 54°F 12°C | Cool and rainy at times, very quiet. Some island ferries run reduced schedules. | |
| February | 55°F 13°C | Cool and rainy at times, very quiet. Some island ferries run reduced schedules. | Feast of St. Blaise on February 3, Dubrovnik's patron saint festival. |
| March | 59°F 15°C | Mild, sunny spells, still too cold to swim. | |
| April | 64°F 18°C | Mild, sunny spells, still too cold to swim. | |
| May | 72°F 22°C | Warm and bright. Sea warming up, crowds building. | |
| June | 79°F 26°C | Warm and bright. Sea warming up, crowds building. | Lavender blooms on the island of Hvar. |
| July | 84°F 29°C | Hot, sunny, and busiest, especially when cruise ships are in. | Lavender blooms on the island of Hvar. Dubrovnik Summer Festival brings open-air music and theater into the old town. |
| August | 84°F 29°C | Hot, sunny, and busiest, especially when cruise ships are in. | Dubrovnik Summer Festival brings open-air music and theater into the old town. Warmest sea temperatures for swimming and snorkeling. |
| September | 77°F 25°C | Warm and calmer, sea still warm in September. | Warmest sea temperatures for swimming and snorkeling. |
| October | 70°F 21°C | Warm and calmer, sea still warm in September. | |
| November | 62°F 17°C | Mild and wet, the rainiest month. | |
| December | 56°F 13°C | Cool and rainy at times, very quiet. Some island ferries run reduced schedules. |
Questions families ask
Dubrovnik & Dalmatian Coast with kids, answered
When is the best time to visit Dubrovnik & Dalmatian Coast with kids?
The best time is Jun & Sep. Warm and calmer, sea still warm in September.
What's the weather like in Dubrovnik & Dalmatian Coast?
Typical daytime highs range from about 54°F (12°C) in January to about 84°F (29°C) in July. See the month-by-month table on this page.
Do I need a passport for Dubrovnik & Dalmatian Coast?
Yes. Bring a passport for everyone, including babies, and make sure each one is valid for at least six months past your trip. Check visa and entry rules before you go.
What kind of plug adapter do I need for Dubrovnik & Dalmatian Coast?
Type C/F, bring an adapter.
What's your top tip for Dubrovnik & Dalmatian Coast with kids?
Walk Dubrovnik's city walls right when they open. There is little shade and lots of stairs, and by midday the heat and crowds make it hard with kids.
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I'm Kristina, and planning family trips is what I do.
As a luxury travel advisor with KM Luxe Travel, I plan the hotels, the flow of the days, and the little details, often with perks like breakfast and upgrades when available.