01Where to Stay in Baška Voda with Kids

Baška Voda is a small resort town on the Makarska Riviera in Split-Dalmatia County, about 55 km south-east of Split. Most of it sits along one long coastline, so nearly every apartment is within a few minutes of a beach. The seafront promenade is flat, which makes it easy with strollers and young cyclists.

Best area for families

Choose the centre or the Podluka side. Both put you close to bakeries, shops, a small fruit and vegetable market and a pharmacy, so you rarely need the car. Apartments within 100 m of the shore (Jerković, Villa Rozika, Villa Antonia, House Jurisic) list from €45 to €65 per night in the low season. Prices rise sharply in July and August. A two-bedroom apartment for four then often costs €100–150 per night.

What to look for in a family apartment

Two bedrooms or a sofa bed.
Studios of 13–25 m² work for two adults and one small child, not more.
Air conditioning.
Midsummer nights are warm, and this matters more than a sea view.
Parking on site.
Parking in the centre fills up in peak weeks.
A balcony or terrace.
Children go to bed early, and parents can sit outside.
A kitchen with a full-size fridge.
This keeps costs down for a family of four.

Browse family-focused properties such as Fontevita Apartments, Apartmani Stipan, Apartments Mare and Apartments Teo, which is right at Podluka Beach. Check the exact distance to the beach before booking, because hillside apartments on Naputica or in Bast involve steep walks back with children.

Skip the villas with private pools in the upper hamlets if the children want the sea every day. Some sit 2.5 km from the shore. That means a drive for every beach visit and little saving over a central apartment.

02Best Beaches for Kids in Baška Voda

Nikolina Beach

Nikolina is the main Blue Flag pebble beach next to the town centre. The water gets deep gradually and the waves are gentle. Cafés and restaurants are steps from the sand, so toilet and snack breaks are simple. It is the best choice for toddlers and non-swimmers.

Podluka Beach

Podluka is the most active beach for children. It has fine gravel, a children's playground, a trampoline, pedal boats and an inflatable sea playground. The promenade runs above it. Banana boat rides, tubes and parasailing are available for older children, and sun loungers can be rented. A car park sits beside the beach.

Quieter alternatives

Berulia and the other pebble coves along the promenade are less busy in the morning. Brela and its Punta Rata beach are a short drive or a walk along the promenade north of town.

Insider tip: Pebbles are hard on bare feet. Pack water shoes for every child under 10. They cost about €5–10 in local shops, and they prevent most beach-day tears.

03Things to Do with Kids

On the water

Pedal boats, stand-up paddleboards and inflatable sea playgrounds are available at Podluka in summer. Beach volleyball and picigin, the local ball game played in shallow water, are common on the shore. Children aged 6 and up can join in.

Short boat rides

A 30-minute semi-submarine cruise with underwater views departs from Baška Voda. It is the easiest rainy-day alternative to swimming, and young children usually enjoy it more than a long boat tour.

Day trips within 10–40 km

  • Makarska (about 10 km). It has a long seafront, ice cream shops and a relaxed harbour.
  • Skywalk Biokovo. This glass viewing platform in Biokovo Nature Park is reached by tour with pickup from the coast. Allow about 3 hours. The road is winding, so children prone to car sickness need preparation.
  • Cetina river rafting from Omiš (about 35 km). Trips take 3 to 3.5 hours and include rapids and a picnic. It suits families with children who swim confidently.
  • Brela (about 5 km). This is the nearest alternative beach town, with pine-shaded coves.

Evening routine

The promenade is busy but safe after dinner. Families usually walk to the harbour, stop for ice cream and return before 22:00. Pizzerias near the promenade work well for fussy eaters, and most restaurants offer children's portions.

04When to Go

May–June
Sea temperature18–22 °C
CrowdsLow
Apartment pricesLowest
July–August
Sea temperature24–26 °C
CrowdsHigh
Apartment pricesHighest
September
Sea temperature22–24 °C
CrowdsMedium
Apartment pricesMid

Early September gives the warmest sea with fewer people and lower prices, and it is the best compromise if school dates allow. In July and August, book apartments at least two to three months ahead.

05Getting There

Split Airport is roughly an hour away by car. Transfers cost about €60–90 per vehicle. Buses run along the coast from Split and Makarska. A rental car is useful only for Biokovo, Omiš and other day trips.

06Practical Tips for Families

  • Supermarkets in town are cheaper than shops on the promenade. A family of four can eat a simple self-catered breakfast for under €10.
  • Hire sun loungers only if you need them. Most families lay towels on the pebbles.
  • A tourist tax of a few euros per adult per night is usually added to the accommodation price. Children get a discount or exemption by age.
  • Check that the apartment owner provides a baby cot and high chair. Many do on request but do not list them.
  • Ask for a ground-floor or lift-accessible unit if you travel with a stroller, since many small buildings have steep outdoor stairs.