In short: for a family holiday the best beaches have shallow, calm sea and a gradual entry — in Greece Nea Kalikratia, Paralia and Hanioti, in Croatia Medulin and Fažana; a door-to-door minibus makes travelling with children easier.
A trip to the sea with children is always a little different from a holiday for two. You choose a place where the beach is safe, the sea shallow and warm, and the accommodation within reach of shops and taverns. Equally important is how you reach the coast — with children and a baby, every changeover, queue at the station and carrying of cases counts double. This guide to a holiday with children across Greece and Croatia shows which beaches best suit the youngest and why the door-to-door minibus is the calmest solution for families.
The best beaches for children (sandy, shallow sea)
With children you look for sandy beaches with a gradual, shallow entry into the sea — without a sudden drop and without sharp pebbles. In Greece and Croatia there are several places that stand out for precisely this.
- Medulin (Belgrade to Medulin transfer) in the south of Istria has the sandy Bijeca beach, one of the few genuine sandy beaches on the Croatian coast, with a long shallow part ideal for the youngest to paddle.
- Hanioti (Belgrade to Hanioti transfer) on Kassandra is known for the pine wood that comes down almost to the water, so you have shade a step from the sea — which is decisive with a baby at midday.
- Polihrono (Belgrade to Polihrono transfer) is a family resort with a long sandy beach and a calm evening atmosphere, without too much noise at night.
- Platamon (Belgrade to Platamon transfer) on the Olympic Riviera is graced by a medieval castle above a sandy cove with a gradual entry into the sea.
- Paralija (Belgrade to Paralija transfer) is the liveliest on the riviera, with a sandy beach and a promenade full of shops and cafés; the quieter neighbouring Korinos suits families seeking more peace.
All these beaches have in common that a child can play for hours in knee-deep water, while parents easily watch from a sun lounger in the shade. Many of them also fly a Blue Flag for the quality and safety of the sea — on Kassandra these are Hanioti, Pefkohori and Polihrono.
Greece or Croatia with children
Both destinations are excellent, but they differ. Croatia is closer — Istria (Belgrade to Istria transfer) is reached in seven to eight hours, the sea is exceptionally clear, and places such as Medulin offer a genuine sandy beach with all the infrastructure. The shorter journey is a plus too, which means a lot with a baby.
Greece offers long sandy beaches almost everywhere, a warmer sea and somewhat more affordable accommodation and food prices. Kassandra (Belgrade to Kassandra transfer) and the Olympic Riviera (Belgrade to Olympic Riviera transfer) are the classic family choice of travellers from Serbia: a sandy shore, shallow sea, taverns and mini-markets within reach. The journey is a little longer (eight to ten hours), but thanks to the night departure the children sleep through most of it.
If your priority is a short journey and clear sea, Istria is the logical choice; if you are looking for a long sandy beach and warmer water, Greece is a sure bet.
Why the minibus with children
With children and a baby, the mode of transport decides what the whole holiday will be like. The door-to-door minibus solves exactly what bothers families most on the journey.
- Door to door — we pick you up at your address in Belgrade and drop you off right in front of your accommodation. No dragging cases and a pram to the bus station or looking for parking in an unfamiliar place.
- No changeovers — the whole family travels in the same vehicle from departure to the sea, with no changeovers and waiting for connections, which is the hardest part of any journey with small children.
- Breaks as needed — we stop for a meal, to change the baby or for a short stretch, tailored to the passengers’ rhythm rather than a fixed timetable.
- Room for luggage and a pram — enough space for cases, a pram and everything you carry with children, with no surcharge for luggage.
- Night departure — we set off in the evening, so the children sleep through most of the journey and you reach the coast in the morning, rested for your first day on the beach.
The vehicles are air-conditioned, with WiFi, and we confirm the exact pickup time the day before departure. All the prices are in the price list.
Practical tips for the journey with children
A few small things ease the journey and the first days at the sea:
- Pack a small bag within reach: water, snacks, wet wipes, a change of clothes and a favourite toy.
- For babies, bring enough nappies, food and everything needed for the first day, until you find the nearest supermarket.
- Cream with a high protection factor, a hat and a swim shirt are essential, as the sandy beach has no natural shade.
- Every child must have their own valid biometric passport — which you keep at hand at the border (Greece and Croatia are in the Schengen Area).
- Spend the hottest part of the day (from 12 to 4 pm) in the shade or your accommodation, and leave swimming for the morning and late afternoon.
Frequently asked questions
Does the minibus have a car seat for a child?
A car seat is as a rule provided by the parents, as it must suit the child’s age and weight. Let us know when you book that you are travelling with a baby or small child so we can plan the seating and the space for a pram.
How shallow is the sea for children in Greece?
On the sandy beaches of Kassandra and the Olympic Riviera, such as Polihrono, Hanioti or Platamon, the entry into the sea is gradual, so the shallow part stretches several metres from the shore — just right for the youngest to play safely.
Which is the best sandy beach for children in Croatia?
Bijeca in Medulin is one of the few genuine sandy beaches on the Croatian coast, with a long shallow part, so it is the first choice of families who want Croatia and a sandy beach.
Do the beaches for children have a Blue Flag?
Yes. On Kassandra, Hanioti, Pefkohori and Polihrono fly a Blue Flag — an international mark of proven quality and safety of the sea, which is especially important for families with the youngest. Halkidiki, by the way, has the most Blue Flag beaches in Greece.
Can we make a break because of the baby?
Yes. The minibus stops as needed for a meal, changing or a stretch, tailored to the family’s rhythm, which is a big advantage over the bus’s fixed timetable.
