AIBU - Croatia with two children under 5

[NCforthis2019]

My husband wants to visit croatia, but im unsure - i have 2 children under 5. A friend has been and she said the last time she went, most of the beaches are stoney and not very accessible. She also mentioned the locals were not very friendly and that she struggled with her children making friends with some other children there. And advice from you lovely people on if i should just go - i guess i'm just looking for advice on people with younger children who have gone. Thanks everyone.

I've been to Croatia several times and it isn't very (small) child friendly. Beaches are stoney. A good couples destination in my view.

We've been lots of times. Most beaches are stoney but I found the restaurants and bars are so much more child friendly than any other country I've been to. Most restaurants didn't even charge when we asked for a small portion of something off the menu for the children

We had a family holiday there last year. My kids were 6 & 3, plus my niece and nephew who were 5 & 1. We had a villa with a pool near a stony beach. Fantastic time. The sea water was warm and clear. The kids enjoyed playing with the pebbles on the beach. The food has a strong Italian influence so they loved the pizza and pasta. Highly recommend.

hmmm - so the beaches might be a no-no. Ok thanks!

You can still take kids to a stoney beach

I went with my kids when they were little - they were happy at the pool but hated the beach. It’s often pebbly or even rocky so not even fun to throw a ball. And the food in all the towns was very touristy. (Altho the towns are very pretty)

Much preferred the south of Italy

Croatia is really nice but isn’t the best holiday with little ones because it can be quite pricey (be careful when eating out and seafood is charged by weight, esp calimari etc £££!).It depends where you go , but don’t forget Croatia is a very glam destination for Italian tourists, lots of designer shops (d&g type), fancy restaurants. Not quite bucket and spade toddler territory everywhere!
The pebbles beaches are really nice but I seem to remember... urchins can be an issue?! You need those little foot protecting paddly shoes and then it’s fine.
There are loads of eco tourism farms etc which little ones seem to love.

Not many sandy beaches that's true, but the water is very clear and calm, it's a great place to learn to swim. I grew up there and actually couldn't get used to sand for a long time! As for friendliness, I imagine that local children will play with their friends but there are many tourists who'd be in the same position as you.
(If you want sand and child-friendly, Lumbarda on Korčula is an option. Also close to Korcula town, which is lovely)

We've just been to Montenegro and Croatia with 2 under 5. Montenegro had a sandy beach but most of the others were rocky/stoney. I really enjoyed it and so did the kids.

The locals were friendly and lovely with the kids.

Croatia is expensive but Montenegro was very reasonable.

I guess it depends what you want from a holiday, if a sandy beach is key then it's deffo not the place to go.

TBH it's very like Italy, maybe just go to Italy?