Family holidays can sometimes feel like a project. Where should we go? What should we book? Will the kids get bored? And how do we fit everything into one day? But what if you simply didn’t have to plan that much?
A family holiday in Makarska can be wonderfully simple. Start with a beach, add a pool, find an ice cream when the mood strikes and leave the rest of the day open. With many of the things families need close by, there’s plenty of room for spontaneous plans, slow mornings and doing absolutely nothing for a while.
Because sometimes, less planning is exactly what makes a holiday feel like a holiday.
Where to Stay for an Easy Family Break
When travelling with kids, where you stay can make a big difference. The less time you spend getting from one activity to another, the more time you have to actually enjoy the holiday. That’s exactly where Sunny Makarska by Valamar comes in.
It’s set in a green, natural environment among olive groves and pine trees, just a short walk from the pebble beaches. The nearby coastline is lined with pines, giving families the option to find some natural shade when they need a break from the sun. The beaches are also just 50 to 200 metres from the resort, so going back for forgotten sunglasses, a snack or a quick change is easy.
Family time here doesn’t have to mean finding somewhere new to go every day. The Play Zone brings together several different spaces, so children can choose what they feel like doing. Younger kids can climb, crawl and explore in the Softplay Zone, with soft surfaces and sponge blocks designed for safe play. Smart Play offers a more interactive experience, with playful and didactic attractions that encourage children to explore, create and stay active.
For older children and parents who want to join in, the Game Lounge offers consoles and video games for different ages. It can be a good option for a quieter break during the hottest part of the day or simply when everyone wants to swap the beach for some indoor fun.
There’s plenty of room to play outside, too. The outdoor playground and trampolines give kids space to run, jump and burn off some energy, while the outdoor play area offers more opportunities for games and creative play. That means even an afternoon spent around the resort can feel like an activity in itself.
And because family holidays don’t always run according to plan, the resort makes it easy to keep things flexible. Spend the morning at the beach, move to the pool after lunch, let the kids disappear into the play zone for an hour and finish the day with dinner without having to organise a complicated schedule. With so many family-friendly options close at hand, there’s no need to plan every moment. The choice is yours.
Beach Days, No Schedule Required
In Makarska, the beach can easily become the main event of the day. Grab your beach bag, put on your sandals and head towards the sea. The local beaches are mostly pebble beaches, with shallow areas that work well for families with children. And because many of them are surrounded by pine trees, you can look for a spot in the natural shade when the sun gets too strong.
One practical tip for parents
Timing can make your beach day much easier. During the busiest summer weeks, heading to the beach earlier in the morning is a good way to avoid the biggest crowds and enjoy a quieter start to the day. You can always head back to the hotel around lunchtime, when the sun is strongest, and return for another swim later in the afternoon.
There’s no reservation to make and no timetable to follow. Stay for an hour, stay until lunch or come back later in the afternoon. And when the only important decision is whether to go for another swim or get an ice cream, you know you’re on holiday.
If you feel like exploring beyond the beach, you can also discover plenty of easy ideas along the Makarska Riviera without having to turn the day into a full itinerary.
A Change of Scenery: Aquamar
Even on a seaside holiday, a change of scenery can be nice.
At Aquamar, families can spend the afternoon by the freshwater pool, where new water slides keep older children entertained while the separate baby pool gives little ones a safe space to splash and play.
Whether they are racing down the slides or enjoying the shallow water, Aquamar gives kids plenty of reasons to stay in the pool a little longer.
Adventures Around Makarska
When you feel like getting out, keep it simple. Take a walk along the waterfront, wander through the streets of Makarska, stop for an ice cream or sit down for a coffee while the kids enjoy the change of scenery.
If you feel like adding a little more adventure to the day, there are plenty of ways to add something different to the day. You could take a panoramic boat trip along the Makarska Riviera or head up to Biokovo for the spectacular Skywalk and its views over the coast and islands. Both are a great way to see a different side of the destination without having to spend days planning every detail.
For families staying a little longer, there’s always the option of going further afield, too. A full-day trip to Split and Trogir combines historic streets, Mediterranean atmosphere and UNESCO-listed heritage, giving you a chance to discover more of the coast in one go.
When you feel like getting out, keep it simple. Take a walk along the waterfront, wander through the streets of Makarska and, of course, make time for ice cream. Škatula is a must-try if you’re looking for some of the best ice cream in town, with plenty of flavours to choose from for both kids and grown-ups.
The key is not to fit everything in. Pick one thing, see how the day goes and leave the rest for another time.
Let the Day Plan Itself
A good family holiday doesn’t have to be packed from breakfast to bedtime.
Sometimes, the best days are the ones where you wake up without a plan. You go to the beach because the weather is good. You spend the afternoon by the pool because the kids are having fun. You get ice cream because someone asks for it. And suddenly, it’s evening.
That’s the beauty of Makarska with kids. There are plenty of things to do, but you don’t have to do them all.
So leave some space in the itinerary. Bring your beach bag, follow the kids’ mood and see where the day takes you.
Because when everything you need is close by, your family holiday can be less about ticking things off the list – and more about actually enjoying the time together.
