A family holiday at Sun Gardens Dubrovnik is always a good idea, but as the resort launches another incredible line-up of kids’ activities for 2025, it could be your best idea ever this year.
Sun Gardens Dubrovnik family holidays
Just 20 minutes west of Dubrovnik, five-star Sun Gardens Dubrovnik is one of the most talked about luxury resorts on Croatia’s Adriatic coast. You may have seen its Lemonia Pool featured in several prestigious, ‘World’s Best Pools With Views’ lists: well deserved as it sits right on the edge of the Adriatic. And staying with the prestige, it’s also a member of The Leading Hotels of the World.
But, apart from its superb reputation, generous share of the stunning coast and undeniable good looks, what really sets this resort apart is its family-centred approach to everything from spacious accommodation and kids clubs to activities, restaurants and entertainment.
Campioni Soccer Academy, Sun Gardens Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik family holidays that win with kids
There are several extra good reasons to think about a family holiday at Sun Gardens Dubrovnik, and your kids will definitely agree. After all it’s hard to resist the idea of a Children’s Sports Academy for young athletes, offering training in football, tennis, squash and swimming between April to October 2025, as well as the outstanding Campioni Soccer Academy led by some of Europe’s best known sporting stars.
Definitely not just a kick-around, all children’s sport academies take training very seriously while still managing to inject a lot of fun into the process, as well as building confidence and skills in kids aged between six and 15.
Wes Brown and Stiliyan Petrov, Campioni Soccer Academy
The wonderful spring and summer weather is pretty motivational generally on Dubrovnik family holidays, but the true inspiration for sporty kids is hands-on coaching from the likes of Harry Redknapp and Michael Johnson, Matt le Tissier, Wes Brown, Gabriel Agbonlahor, Adrian Whitbread, James Collins, Stuart Pearce and Francis Benali.
The Campioni Soccer Academy runs between May and October 2025, each programme lasts five-days, and there are six to choose from; although it’s fair to say that places will get snapped up fast.
Campioni Dance Academy arrives at Sun Gardens Dubrovnik this spring
Impressive footwork of another sort is also being nurtured this spring and autumn at the Campioni Dance Academy under celebrity choreographer Aimee Azari. Again, children aged between six and 15 are invited to join and, as with the Campioni Soccer Academy, programmes are designed for different ages and no experience is required.
Marco Polo Kids Club
Why children love their own space at Marco Polo kids’ club
Not all young guests are budding athletes, but they are all individuals and encouraging them to do what they love, try new things, make friends and express themselves is what time spent at the Marco Polo kids’ club is all about.
Unlike a lot of clubs, this one is divided into different age ranges, from 12-months to 15 years, with appropriate activities and experiences to suit each group. So Discoverers Baby Club cocoons and nurtures under-threes; Explorers Mini Club makes every day an exciting new adventure for three to six year olds; ages seven to 10 will love the imaginative play at the heart of Navigators Junior Club, and Tween Club packs each session with outdoor activities for energetic 11 to 15 year olds.
Plus, for kids who think they’re too old for clubs, the resort has a suitably grown-up gaming room for 11 year olds and older.
Family pool time, Sun Gardens Dubrovnik
Take time for yourself on Sun Gardens Dubrovnik family holidays
Fair warning, children do tend to fall in love with Marco Polo, but as the club is fully supervised by qualified staff, you can soothe any sense of abandonment by enjoying some totally guilt-free time to yourself: award-winning SPA Centre is a very good place to start.
Alternatively the resort also has three beautiful pools, along with tennis and squash courts, basketball and badminton courts, a gym, fitness classes and a climbing wall at the Sports Centre.
Or you might want to get better acquainted with NUKU Beach. Private and overlooked by the resort, it’s the perfect place for a swim or to just laze on a lounger and admire the Adriatic: so blue its waters can be seen from space, fact.
Cilantro, Sun Gardens Dubrovnik
You don’t have to go far to find the best restaurants on Dubrovnik family holidays
Were it not for the fact that Dubrovnik is one of the loveliest and most fascinating small cities in Europe, you would be quite happy never to leave Sun Gardens Dubrovnik during your stay.
Even the resort restaurants compete with the best on this very foodie coastline, and there are eight in all, so nobody can fault the breadth of choice.
Also, it’s not just what’s on your plate that makes eating here such a pleasure, the resort serves up regular FESTA themed dinner events throughout summer, as well as evening entertainment and even parties at NUKU Beach. Once again underscoring how Sun Gardens Dubrovnik elevates the resort experience while still remaining warm and immensely welcoming to families.
FESTA Summer evenings, Sun Gardens Dubrovnik
Breakfast, lunch and dinner with spectacular sea views on the side
You really can’t fault a line-up of restaurants that all have such sensational sea views, so it’s practically guaranteed that eating outside on warm summer evenings will be part of the memory cache you bring home with you.
Although we’re thinking kids might have a particular soft spot for fresh breakfast pastries at Giardino: buffet by design but gourmet in spirit. And La Pasta Restaurant is another favourite with young diners, who love the choice of delicious pizza and pasta on the children’s menu. Then there’s cosy Veranda, which also comes with lots of kid-appeal, not least because it’s a small, family restaurant at heart, serving traditional Croatian dishes.
Sunset, The Market
More than a hint of the Mediterranean in Dubrovnik family holidays
Naturally the Mediterranean influence is strong, and both Cilantro and The Market forge wonderful menus based on fresh ingredients and a mix of classics and innovative new ways with some of the best seasonal and local produce.
If you like a little theatre, it’s hard to tear your eyes away from the live kitchen at Butcher’s Grill, unless it’s to focus on the meltingly tender steaks, signature burgers and surf ‘n’ turf it rustles up while you watch.
Deluxe Two Bedroom Residence, Garden View
Choose Suites, Residences or even your own Villa at Sun Gardens Dubrovnik
A thoughtful take on personal space is another reason Sun Gardens Dubrovnik appeals to families, especially those who don’t conform to the two-adult-two-child standard.
Here you have the choice of Deluxe Suites with sea views that sleep up to three right through to Three Bedroom Residences sleeping up to seven guests, again with spectacular sea views, as well as private terraces and their own kitchens.
If you’re planning a multi-gen or multi-family holiday, the resort’s Five Bedroom Villa overlooks the Adriatic and features a large garden, private pool and space for up to 10, along with separate living areas, and sun terraces.
Residences, Sun Gardens Dubrovnik
Deluxe Two Bedroom Garden View Residences, which sleep five, take full advantage of the beautiful grounds to surround you with lush planting, green lawns and the scent of fresh, summer flowers from your private patio.
Or, when you want to wake up to the Adriatic, you have the choice of Deluxe Two Bedroom Residences with sea views too.
Dubrovnik Old Town, Croatia
Another reason to plan a Dubrovnik family holiday
Should you decide to stretch your horizons a little, you can join one of the group boat tours directly from the resort marina to the island of Lopud, famous for its sandy beaches. Then, of course, there’s the city of Dubrovnik itself, just 20 minutes’ drive east.
Sun Gardens Dubrovnik describes its near neighbour as magical and few would argue with that. However, unlike many grand and gorgeous medieval cities, Dubrovnik is great fun for kids, from walking along its remarkably preserved walls to visiting the extraordinary aquarium that’s set in 13th century St. John’s Fortress at the heart of the Old Town.
Most children will probably be up for a ride in the cable car to the top of Mt. Srd, for phenomenal views over the city and out towards those delectable Adriatic islands which make this part of the world so enchanting. And a visit to Lokrum, Dubrovnik’s green oasis and nature park island, is another must-do for families.
That said, everyone loves simply wandering around Dubrovnik Old Town and soaking up the atmosphere, dropping by pavement cafés, indulging in the justifiably famous local ice cream and enjoying the sun, which shines here almost constantly from May right through to the end of October.
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