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Activities with children
In general Croatia offers many different activities for families
with children, with that said, families should just plan those activities
ahead of time and not just expect to go out and find something to
do. Croatians are very child friendly and kids are welcome in restaurants.
If you forgot to pack something don't worry, diapers, sun crème,
mosquito repellent, baby formula, baby food and just about anything
else you could need can all be found in local supermarkets. It's
not a third world country by any means.
Murter and its surrounding villages are not known for their theme
parks or huge amusement rides, which is great for parents who want
a holiday without beeping noises and flashing lights and actually
just want to get away from all of that. For the child who is used
to high stimulation or requires a TV or a computer for entertainment,
Murter may get boring fairly quickly. The beaches offer safe and
clean swimming and the island has a few playgrounds near those beaches
to provide a bit of extra entertainment. The advantages of the "HMS
Nautilus" and the "HMS Bounty" are that the houses
have fully stocked kitchens so you are on no one's schedule but
your own and can prepare meals at any time of the day. Also the
houses are situated in the pedestrian zones so you don't need to
worry about cars and the kids running around. Children of all ages
will find roaming around the winding cobblestone streets of Betina
adventurous and a great place to place hide-and-go seek.
As parents we come to Murter and the Dalmatia Coast to share the
beaches and outdoor activities, national parks and the Croatian
culture with our children and thus can suggest the following activities:
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BEACHES AND OUTDOORS
Murter has plentiful outdoor sports and water activities; all located
around the mains beaches which are highlighted on the map provided
on this website.
Swimming/snorkelling - There are two public beaches within
walking distance from the "HMS Nautilus" and "HMS
Bounty". One is located at the corner where Betina turns into
Murter. This is actually a sand harbour and a nice place for older
and smaller children to swim and snorkel as there are different
depths and no waves. The second beach is pebbles and located in
the Betina harbour. It can be reached via foot-brides spanning the
water canals, which have been recently added to connect the village
from "end-to-end."
The beaches are beautiful and clean and the waves calm, but you
do need to watch out for the sea urchins. These small black spiky
creatures are all over, proof the sea is clean! You find them in
between the rocks where the sea meets the shore. Solution is simple,
plastic shoes or sandals for you and the kids. Jellyfish are sometimes
spotted as well, but this is a seasonal event.
Sailing, wind-surfing and scuba diving courses are offered
to children beginning at 8 years of age from operators in Betina
as well as in Murter.
Besides the water activities, Murter also offers hiking and
bicycling opportunities. Just remember it is hot, so bring
plenty of liquids for you and the kids. The mild wind (maestral)
sometimes lead you to believe it is not that hot. It is important
to try to keep children in the shade and protect them with between
11 am and 3 pm, when the sun is the warmest. In the evening, you
may notice mosquito's, protect the uncovered parts of your body
with a mild insect repellent lotion.
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NATIONAL PARKS
Murter is ideally located to many of Croatia's National Parks all
worth a day trip to explore the natural wonders. Each of the parks
offers something a bit different and are well suited to do with
children. We have extensive information on this website under ::
National Parks to help you plan your trip and judge distances.
In this section we have simply added some tips when you are at these
locations with children.
Krka National Park - about 35 minutes from Murter
Waterfalls and fauna galore. Plan to spend the day here. Food, beverages
and clean toilets available in the park. We suggest parking in Skradin
and taking the boat into the National park from here. The kids will
love the water scenery and adventure. The boat trip is free of charge.
The park is connected with trails and foot bridges so make sure
small children are able to walk it or consider bringing a carrier.
We recommend bringing a carrier or backpack for small children rather
than a carriage.
Kornati Islands and Telašcica - day trip from Murter
A trip to Murter is not complete without exploring the Kornati Islands.
The boat ride and the excursions on-land are perfect for families.
All tour operators in Murter and Betina cater to families. Adult
and child prices include lunch and round trip passage. Discuss the
need for children's life jackets before booking the trip. Bring
sun screen, towels, mosquito repellent, those plastic shoes and
snorkel gear. If you are prone to sea-sickness, consider taking
a tablet before shoving off. If time permits and you feel like another
boat journey with the kids, ask the same tour operators' about Telašcica,
this is nice compliment to the island hoping destinations.
Vraner Lake - about 20 min from Murter
This is a biological treat and near to home and probably more appreciated
by older children just entering their science studies. If you want
to take a break from the sea and visit a different habitat, this
is worth the short drive. Kids would have fun with binoculars and
watching the different types of bird species. If you have a book
on plants and fauna be sure to pack it as it will help the discovery
process. We recommend carriers and not carriages for smaller children.
Paklenica - About 1.5 hours from Murter
A trip to Paklencia is an undertaking from Murter, especially if
you just want to spend the day. But if this is the only time you
are ever plan on being in Croatia than a visit to Paklencia is highly
recommended, especially if you are an outdoor enthusiast. The park
is approximately 1.5 hours away and is all about hiking, walking
and climbing, so the day will be a strenuous one. Add children to
the equation and it is even more strenuous. Before going, plan what
you want to do and make sure you have the equipment to do it. Paklencia
has prepared routes for rock climbers and courses for children can
be pre-arranged. The trails for hiking are clearly marked but it
is worth in investing in a map so you are familiar with the area.
There's a nice hike to the Manita Pec, which is a stalagmites and
stalactites cave which is illuminated by lights and is visited with
a guide. Great for kids of all ages. Paklencia is definitely a backpack
or other carrier trip, the terrain is not for carriages.
Plitvice Lakes - 2.5 to 3 hours away
If you have more time, then we recommend visiting Krka first and
then Plitvice, as Plitvice is the more impressive of the two, but
also the furthest away. It is a definite must see when one comes
to Croatia. Flora, fauna and waterfalls will astonish children of
all ages. The park is connected with trails and foot bridges so
make sure small children are able to walk it or consider bringing
a carrier.
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CROATIAN CULTURE
The island of Murter has a lot to offer guests of all ages,
especially during the high seasons. Each village hosts an array
of public shows during the weekdays and weekends during the summer
months; there is always a festival or event going on somewhere.
The Betina Tourist Information is a good source of information as
to where such events are going on or just pay attention to posters
on the streets advertising the activities.
Murter and Betina offer pedestrian zones for your family to walk
around and just take in the sites without having to worry about
auto traffic. The pedestrian zones are also nice to push strollers,
but the cobble stone streets may prove to be a challenge.
In Sibenik at the end of June and beginning of July is the International
Children's festival. This festival is dedicated to the creativity
of the very young. Also in Sibenik is the Bunari Museum a multimedia
exhibit that fill this 15th century vaulted water storage, transformed
into an interactive museum. Instead of the 20,800 barrels of water
once held here, there are now seven themed areas that lead visitors
on a chronological tour of Sibenik's past.
It's loads of fun for children, who can build an ancient fort in
25 seconds or play a shipwreck themed flipper game. Adult oriented
exhibits include informative text boards, video displays and glass
encased ancient amphorae.
Of course for longer city tours, the Diocletian Palace in Split
and the Old Town in Trogir are also all within an hours driving
distance away.
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