40+ best campsites in Istria

The region of Istria is also Croatia's largest peninsula. Located in the west of Croatia, on the northern Adriatic, it is also called Terra Magica. The diverse and recognized gastronomy of Istria is the main asset of this region, along with famous winemakers and world-class olive oils. Some of the famous cities are Rovinj, Pula and Poreč on the coast, and smaller towns in the interior such as Motovun, Grožnjan and Hum - the smallest city in the world. Due to the influence of the past and tourism, the majority of the population in Istria speaks Italian, German and English well.

You can reach Istria by car from European countries through border crossings, through Slovenia or Hungary. It is important to note that from January 1, 2023. there are no border controls - the Republic of Croatia has become part of Schengen. In the summer months, expect traffic jams on Croatian highways, especially on weekends due to increased arrivals/departures. Payment for the highway is made at toll stations, and you can pay by credit card or cash. If you book your accommodation through our website, you will receive detailed information about the best routes, weather forecast in our pre-stay mail. Distance of Istria from European metropolises: Munich - 561 km. approx. 6 hours Düsseldorf - 1,176 km. approx. 12:30 hours Frankfurt - 957 km. approx. 10 hours Berlin - 1,150 km. approx. 12 hours Amsterdam - 1,387 km. approx. 2:30 hours Zurich - 768 km. approx. 8:30 hours Vienna - 545 km. approx. 5:30 hours Warszawa -1,207 km. approx. 12 hours Prague - 869 km. what. 9 hours Budapest - 602 km. approx. 6 hours Ljubljana - 164 km. approx. 2 hours

The easiest way to move around Istria is certainly by car. If you have a large camper, it is possible to rent a car or a scooter in all major cities in Istria. Some of the larger campsites in Istria are connected by bus lines, trains or taxi boats to nearby towns. Transfers to cities are charged additionally and can be booked on the spot, without prepayment.

The climate in Istria is Mediterranean, with hot and dry summers and pleasant, mild winters. Istria has an average of 2,400 sunny hours per year, and the hottest months are June, July and August, when the average temperature is 32°C. The coldest months are December, January and February with average temperatures of 6°C. The swimming season lasts from May to October, and the sea is warmest in July and August. If you decide to travel in those months, prepare for extreme heat and crowds. We recommend staying in the pre- and post-season, when the air and sea temperatures are very pleasant for swimming, and the crowds are significantly reduced.

Beaches in campsites in Istria are mostly pebbly, while rocky beaches predominate in the south of the peninsula. Stone and concrete beaches and sandy beaches are less common, of which there are only a few in Istria. You can find sandy beaches at the Campsite Stella Maris in Umag, the Lanterna Premium Camping Resort in Poreč and the Campsite Arena Medulin. Most of the campsites have marked dog beaches, and you can find the exact information on the separate sites of the campsites. In naturist/FKK campsites, all beaches are naturist, and some naturist beaches can be found outside the campsites. On many beaches, it is possible to enjoy various water sports for an additional fee. Many beaches in Istria have the Blue Flag, which indicates a particularly high quality and cleanliness of the sea. Sunbeds and umbrellas on the beaches in the campsites are charged separately according to the valid price list for the current year.

In addition to the beaches for which Istria is famous, it is important to mention the rich cultural and historical heritage of this region. Some of the most famous sights are the Roman Amphitheater in Pula, the Euphrasian Basilica in Poreč and the Brijuni National Park. It is important to mention the town of Rovinj and its old town center, as well as places in the interior such as Motovun, Grožnjan. Small towns on the coast such as Labin, Vrsar and Novigrad also stand out with their charming streets, and you can find more on the official website of the Tourist Board of Istria County https://www.istra.hr/hr. An active holiday is also an attractive option if you are planning a visit to Istria. Namely, this region is intertwined with bicycle and pedestrian paths. All trails in one place and details about each can be found here http://www.istria-trails.com/en/home_page. Istria is also home to famous winemakers and wine cellars that are hidden at every turn. Enjoy tastings at the most beautiful locations in Istria with local wages. Istrian gastronomy is especially proud of its dishes with truffles, prosciutto, pljukanci, fuži and world-recognized and award-winning olive oils.

The average price of a pitch for a family of four in a four-star campsite in Istria is €50-70 in pre- and post-season, while in high season the price varies from €90 to €120. Plot prices are affected by: the number of people, the period of stay, the percentage of occupancy of the campsites, holiday periods, the level of equipment of the pitch and the location of the individual plot itself (closeness to the sea). The tourist tax is included in the price at certain campsites, while at some it is calculated additionally at the reception of the campsite. Pitches that have connections for electricity, water and drainage do not charge extra for the connections, they are included in the price of the pitch itself. Some pitches in the high season (July and August) are often sold out already at the end of March. For this reason, timely booking is recommended during Early Booking, in the period from November to February.

At some campsites, an advance payment or the total amount is required when booking. The amount paid in advance or the total amount is deducted from the bill for the stay in the campsite. At certain campsites, you only need to fill in your credit card information. The credit card is valid as a guarantee for the trip and confirmation of the reservation. Most campsites allow free cancellation of reservations up to a few days before the trip. Certain campsites do not allow free cancellation and keep the advance payment or charge the credit card for a certain amount. You can find the exact reservation and cancellation conditions for the desired campsite in the first step of the booking process.

Family campsites are the most common in Istria. You can find large campsites with swimming pools, but also smaller campsites that have an animation program for children and young people. Campsites in Istria are pet friendly - pets are allowed for an extra charge according to the current price list, and better campsites have showers for pets as part of the sanitary facilities. Of the other campsites, Istria has naturist/FKK campsites, campsites near cities, campsites in the interior and campsites with wellness.

In most campsites, an animation program is organized for children and adults, along with evening programs with live music. In the pre- and post-season the animation is in a somewhat more modest form. The complete animation program runs from mid-June to mid-September and is usually free. In the campsites you can find a really diverse sports and recreational offer. The campsites have multipurpose playgrounds, volleyball, soccer, tennis and basketball courts, as well as outdoor gyms. From water sports, you can try surfing, diving, pedal boats, and rent a kayak or SUP, and there are often inflatable water parks in the campsites. You can rent bicycles and scooters in most campsites, and you can find detailed information on the page of the particular camp you are interested in. Sports fields are not charged in most cases, while other activities are most often charged additionally.

The most visited and famous camping destinations in Istria are Umag, Novigrad, Poreč and Rovinj. In these locations, it is possible to find large resorts, but also smaller, simpler campsites. Istria is an ideal destination for families with children, pet owners, but also for couples and naturists.

In most cases, the campsites have boat ramps and some even have boat lifts. Some campsites offer guests buoys for rent in the campsite. Bove cannot be booked in advance and we are unable to guarantee a place in advance. Buoys are arranged with the reception on the day of arrival or with the harbor, depending on the campsite where you are staying. Prices for buoys are in accordance with the price list for the current season and differ from campsite to campsites. Boats must be up to 5 or 6 m long (depending on the campsite), for larger boats you need to reserve a place in the marina. You will find detailed information about the desired campsite on the separate pages of the campsites.

Electric charging stations for cars can be found in most of the larger campsites in Istria, and they are charged. If the campsites do not contain electric charging stations, they can be found in nearby larger cities in the region. You can check the exact data on the separate pages of the campsites or here https://chargemap.com/map