Split is an easy city to enjoy with children — compact, walkable, warm, and surrounded by beaches and boat trips. The hard part is the travel days: a late flight, tired kids, luggage, and a taxi queue in 33-degree heat.
This guide covers how to make arrival and day trips painless, and what is genuinely worth doing with children in and around Split.
Getting from the airport without the meltdown
Split Airport (SPU) is about 24 km from the city centre, roughly a 30-minute drive. It handled around 3.62 million passengers in 2024, and about 70% of that traffic falls between June and September — so in peak summer the arrivals hall and taxi rank are busy exactly when your children are least patient.
A pre-booked private transfer solves the three things that go wrong with kids:
- A driver is already waiting with your name, so no queue.
- Child seats are fitted in advance — just tell us the ages when booking.
- Door-to-door, so nobody drags suitcases and a pram across a car park.
Reasonable waiting time is included and your flight is tracked, so a delay does not cost you the ride. Full detail in the Split Airport transfer guide.
Choosing the right vehicle
Families almost always want more space than they think:
- Sedan — fine for two adults and one small child with light luggage.
- Standard or Premium Van (up to 7) — the sensible default for a family of four with suitcases, a pram and beach gear.
- Minibus (up to 13) — for two families travelling together.
Prices are per vehicle, not per person, which is why a van often works out cheaper than two taxis.
Family-friendly things to do in Split
- Bačvice beach — shallow, sandy and right by the centre; the classic choice with small children.
- Marjan hill — pine forest paths, viewpoints and playgrounds a short walk from the old town.
- Diocletian's Palace — the cellars and narrow lanes feel like a maze to children; go early or late to avoid crowds.
- Ice cream on the Riva — a non-negotiable Split ritual.
Day trips that work with children
- Krka National Park — wooden walkways over waterfalls, easy for little legs, and far less demanding than Plitvice. See the Krka day trip.
- Trogir — small, flat, full of ice cream, and only 30 minutes away.
- Cetina River rafting — the gentle guided route near Omiš is safe for ages 6 and up. See rafting from Split.
- Makarska Riviera beaches — Brela and Baška Voda are about 1–1.5 hours down the coast.
For longer drives, a private transfer means you can stop when someone needs the toilet — something a coach tour will not do for you.
Where to stay with children
Bačvice and Firule are the practical choice: quiet residential streets, the sandy beach within walking distance, and supermarkets nearby. Žnjan is newer, with more apartment blocks and a long beachfront, good if you want space and parking.
Staying inside Diocletian's Palace is atmospheric but harder with small children — no vehicle access to the door, stone steps, and late-night noise in summer. If you do, ask your driver to drop you at the nearest gate and be ready to walk the last few minutes.
Managing the heat
July and August regularly sit above 30°C, and the stone of the old town holds the heat well into the evening.
- Plan sightseeing for before 11am and after 5pm.
- Use the middle of the day for the beach, a shaded lunch or a nap.
- Air-conditioned transfers matter more than people expect on a 90-minute drive to Makarska.
- Carry more water than you think you need.
Practical tips for Split with kids
- Travel early or late in July and August; midday heat is punishing.
- Book transfers in advance — vehicles with child seats go fast in peak season.
- Give an exact address (apartment or villa name) so the driver reaches your door.
- Pack water and sun cream in hand luggage, not the suitcase.
- Ferries to islands get very busy; a private transfer to the port with time to spare removes the stress.
Frequently asked questions
Do you provide child seats? Yes, on request and at no extra charge. Tell us the children's ages when booking so the correct seats are fitted.
Can you fit a pram and suitcases? Yes — mention it when booking and we will allocate a van rather than a sedan.
What if our flight is delayed at night? Your flight is tracked and the driver adjusts. Service runs 24/7, all year round.
Is Split walkable with a pushchair? Mostly, though the old town has stone steps and cobbles. The Riva and Bačvice are easy; Marjan has some stairs.
Can we book a return transfer for the airport? Yes, and it is worth doing — early flights are common and taxis are scarce at 5 a.m. See the Split Airport page.
Plan an easy family trip
A private transfer with the right seats turns the worst part of a family holiday into the easiest. Secure Drive is rated 5.0 out of 5 from 56 Google reviews.
Get an instant fixed price on the transfers page, or contact us with your group and children's ages.