September 14, 2023 – We have explored the options, and though it’s not a big country, Croatia offers an incredible amount of places and activities for just about anyone. So far, we looked at all the top places to take your kids in Eastern Croatia and Central Croatia. In our tour from east to west to south, let us now suggest just a few of the best places to take kids on vacation in Istria.
Where to even start, though? As Croatia’s leading tourist region, Istria is incredibly diverse and packed with content. You’ll find just about anything there, from the rich history and tradition to quirky little towns, stunning beaches, and all kinds of activities. And since it would not be right to talk about Istria without it, here’s an honorable mention of the magnificent Brijuni. Now that we got that out of the way, let’s jump right in – these are our favourite places in Istria where you can take kids on adventures!
Istria Full of Adventure: Best Active Vacation Spots for Kids
Let’s start with the obvious – waterparks! There are two big ones in Istria – Aquacolors and Istralandia. They both offer so much for little and slightly more grown-up adventure seekers. There are slides, waves, rivers, games, anything you can imagine. They are located near Poreč, and while you could in theory visit both in the same day, due to their size we do recommend dedicating an entire day to each.
The natural progression from here would probably be to move on to the popular adventure parks. There are quite a few of those in Istria. They offer high ropes and courses in the “jungle”, something they call a 2G swing, even zorbing and paintball. If you’re looking for an active day out, you can’t really go wrong with any of these. Just make sure no one is afraid of heights!
Finally, let us play the devil’s advocate and suggest something that might not be on the very top of any mom’s bucket list – some high-speed fun! Istra Kart at Motodrom Poreč has been operating and upgrading the offer for almost twenty years. Their offer includes go-karting, cross-karting, quad-biking and paintball. They do group tours and events, and there is a sports bar right next to the track for you to keep an eye on your little and big kids alike.
And Now for Something Special…
Did you know that In the Cretaceous period, 80 to 140 million years ago, dinosaurs roamed the Istrian peninsula? Diver Dario Boscarolli from Monfalcone accidentally discovered a site of bones on the seabed near Bale in 1992. Those are the first and so far the only discovered remains of dinosaur bones in the entire Mediterranean area. The bones indicate the existence of at least a dozen species of dinosaurs. One of them is a brachiosaur, a herbivore, one of the largest that existed on earth, whose body length was 20 to 25 meters, and the length of the neck was almost 10 meters.
Dinopark Funtana is a theme park with life-size dinosaurs. It is located in an old quarry, and it’s got moving dinosaurs which you can even ride. The shows and entertainment activities visually and acoustically bring to life these unusual creatures that ruled the earth for millions of years. In the show arena, there are daily performances of the Variety Circus and the Magic Show. There is also a dino-cinema, a dino-shooting range, a children’s train, and trampolines. You could also enjoy the daily performances of the Flying Devils group, who love riding a motorcycle on a wire at a height of 25 m. We can honestly say that this one tops my personal list of the best places to take kids on vacation in Istria (mostly because I would love to go myself).
Kids Friendly Resorts in Istria
Is your heart telling you to go to Istria, but the grandparents are busy? Fear not; there truly is something for everyone there. And as the colder months are slowly approaching even here in Croatia, taking a little break in one of Istria’s kids friendly resorts might not be a bad idea at all.
A great place to start could be the hotels selected by Miss7Mama, which offer all-inclusive service and spacious and comfortable family rooms with four to six beds. The combination of a relaxing atmosphere, a safe environment, and plenty of entertainment will get you the rest that you need, while the kids will love this unforgettable adventure.
Family hotel Amarin in Rovinj just might have it all. There are babysitting services and a hair salon available. There are playgrounds, a pool complex, wellness and spa, restaurants and snack bars, playrooms, the Amarin Kids Club – something will keep the little ones entertained. The hotel also includes 4 restaurants with special menus for children. The outdoor pool complex includes 4 pools for parents, children, and babies. The old town of Rovinj is only 4 km away.
It’s All About Playgrounds, Pools, and Pets
Well-designed playgrounds and age-appropriate equipment make Girandella Valamar Collection Resort perfect for kids of any age. This entire resort was designed with families in mind. The little ones can hang out with their parents or with professionals, while teenagers can find privacy and people their own age. Spacious family rooms and suites are well-equipped and come with everything children might need. I mean, there are slides and climbing walls right there in the lobby. There are both outdoor and indoor pools there, with all kinds of fun equipment and effects.
Finally, the famous Hotel Park in Punat on Krk came to life a few years ago with a completely new family concept. It offers a diverse entertainment program and is only a few minutes away from the beach. There is a large outdoor pool with two slides, as well as the Falky Land playground with a covered playground and a direct view of the park. It is also worth mentioning the attractive ambient family playground with a cinema and its own stage for performances, as well as a rich sports and entertainment program. And the best part – your pets will love it here, too!
