Our Trip
There were six of us. Me, my wife, and our four teenage children (two each). We spent a week in Podgora in August. Finding somewhere that works for a big blended family with teenagers is not always easy, but Podgora delivered a relaxed week that suited all of us.
Where We Stayed
We stayed at the Medora Auri Family Hotel, booked through TUI. It is a modern hotel decorated to a really high standard. The views from the hotel are fantastic and the beachside location is perfect for getting to the sea, shops and restaurants without any hassle.
One thing worth knowing is that the hotel is split level, so you are going up and down stairs or using the lifts constantly. It can get tiring, especially after a long day in the sun, and the lifts are often busy. Something to bear in mind if mobility is a factor for anyone in your group.
Podgora
Podgora is a charming small town. It is not a big resort and it does not try to be. It has everything you need for a relaxing holiday: shops, restaurants, supermarkets and easy access to the beach. But it is not the place to come if you want nightlife. Most bars and restaurants close by midnight and there is no clubs or late-night scene. For us with four teenagers that was actually a positive.
One day we took a 20-minute walk to the nearby Seagull Wing monument which was a nice little outing. Beyond that, we were happy to base ourselves in the town and take day trips for the bigger excursions.
It is worth knowing that Podgora is situated quite far from the major sights, so any day trips involve a decent drive. But the trade-off is that the town itself is peaceful and not overrun with tourists.
Day Trips to Krka Falls and Split
We did two day trips during the week, both excellent but both involving journeys of around one and a half to two hours each way.
Krka Falls
We booked our Krka Falls trip through GetYourGuide. The trip included a stop at Sibenik with time to explore the town and get some food. Krka itself is stunning and well worth the journey. If you want a more detailed breakdown of what to expect from the Krka trip, Sue's Trogir guide covers the full day including costs and logistics. Be aware that admission to the falls is not included in the trip price and needs to be paid separately on the day.
Split
For Split we used Galaxy Transfers for a private transfer. Split is a brilliant city to spend a day exploring. The old town, the waterfront, the atmosphere. It gave us a chance to see a completely different side of Croatia beyond the beach.
Both trips were long days with the driving but they were highlights of the holiday and gave us a real sense of what the Dalmatian coast has to offer beyond Podgora.
Things to Do in Podgora
Podgora is great for sea activities. There are inflatables in the water that you can pay to use, which kept the teenagers entertained. We hired paddle boards on a couple of days which was good fun for the whole family.
On the last day my wife, her daughter and my sons went parasailing, which was an amazing experience and one of the highlights of the trip. Jet ski hire and boat trips are also available if you want them.
One of our favourite things was swimming in the sea as the sun went down. The sunsets in Podgora are genuinely beautiful and ending the day in the water watching the sky change colour became our evening routine.
The Food
There are plenty of restaurants in Podgora and the food is decent, though if I am being honest I would have liked to see more variety on the menus. There are a lot of pizzas. If you are hoping for more traditional Croatian cuisine or live music in the evenings, you might find the options a bit limited. That said, we never had a bad meal and the prices were fair.
Would We Go Back
It was a lovely holiday and Podgora worked really well as a base for our family. The hotel was excellent, the beach was right there, the sea activities kept the teenagers happy, and the pace of life was exactly what we needed.
Would I go back? Definitely, but there are so many other places to try first so it is unlikely to be anytime soon. Croatia reminds me a lot of Greece in many ways. If you are looking for a quiet, family-friendly beach holiday on the Dalmatian coast with stunning sunsets and easy day trips to Krka and Split, Podgora is well worth considering. For more ideas, check out our guide to the best family beaches in Europe. Just be prepared for the drive if you want to see the bigger sights.
It is a family resort and there are quite a lot of children around, so if you prefer a quieter, adults-only atmosphere it may not be for you. But for us with four teenagers, it was spot on.