14 of the best campsites in Istria - holidays in Croatia by the sea

Published on: 2019-10-15

Did you know that most of the areas where campsites in Croatia are now do not belong to them? In the 1990s, the Croatian government gave these areas a long-term free lease to boost tourism in the country. Even in 2015, the legal situation of these leases was quite unclear. Everyone asked themselves the following questions: Will the owners of the facilities be given further lease? If so, for how long? Or maybe they will be able to buy them for their own? Therefore, the owners of campgrounds for a long time did not make large investments in campsites, fearing their unprofitability. But it was in 2015 that something changed and the Croats began to modernize the campsites one by one, and in fact most of the campsites from the list below are camps with a long tradition, which have been renovated in the last 4 years. So they have new swimming pools , new bathrooms, new mobile homes , new beaches and new infrastructure at the campsite. We keep our fingers crossed for the further development of tourism in Croatia!

Camping Lanterna Premium Resort - Istria, Croatia

Camping Lanterna is one of the largest campsites in Croatia and, as I wrote, was also renovated in 2015. It has new fresh and salt water pools. In fact, this pool complex is already a real aqua park , because there are: slides, a shallow pool for children with a pirate ship, a water playground (the so-called spray park) and a floating obstacle course at sea. All 8 pools are heated to 28 ° C, and the shallowest for children is heated to 30 ° C. The campsite is located directly by the sea and has several beaches (3 km of coastline!) Including a dog beach . There is a water equipment rental and spa center next to the beach, so you can enjoy a relaxing massage overlooking the sea.

Next to the aqua park there is a huge area with football, basketball, volleyball courts, tennis courts, ping-pong tables and a very nice mini golf course.

Attractions for children

In addition to the aforementioned shallow swimming pool with a pirate ship and a partially covered spray park, all-day animations and mini-disco evening entertainment for the youngest children take place on the campsite. There are also special activities for older kids and teenagers: art, sports, workshops and tournaments. The camping has two play rooms inside called Maro Baby Club for toddlers (0-3) and Maro Club for older children (3-12 years old). There are also places for teenagers where they can spend time together and play, for example, computer games. There are two water parks nearby: Istralandia and Aquacolors

Where to eat

There are 4 restaurants on the campsite to choose from, including one trattoria with Italian food and, for example, the Oliva Grill restaurant, where local specialties are served.

What to see?

The campsite is situated halfway between Novigrad and Poreč. Both of these towns are worth seeing.

Is there a beach?

Yes, the campground is located directly on the 3km beach and has several of them. There is also a dog beach . There is also a water playground in the sea.

Istra Premium Camping Resort - Istria, Croatia

The camping was established in 2019 on the premises of another campground. However, it can be safely said that there is no trace of the first one, because it has undergone such a huge metamorphosis that the owners even changed its name! The campground is very modern and has a great Aquamar aqua park . It has 5 pools, including one infinity pool , four large slides with a total length of 350m, including the highest Twister Slide, which is 10m high, and other water attractions such as a water castle with several smaller slides. All pools are heated to 28 ° C and the toddler pool is up to 30 ° C and is partially shaded. Some pools have fresh water and some have salt water. The campsite also has a water sports equipment and bicycle rental, as well as brand new football, volleyball and basketball courts and tennis courts.

Attractions for children

In addition to the previously mentioned swimming pools with warm water and partial shade in the toddler area, there are also many other attractions for children of all ages, including teenagers. There are sports tournaments, workshops, art and music classes , you can also play games or watch a movie in the cinema. Some of these activities are conducted in playrooms and playrooms. There is also a play area for small children indoors in case of bad weather. There are two water parks nearby: Istralandia and Aquacolors.

Where to eat

The campground has two great restaurants, one fast food bar and one snack and drink bar.

What to see?

The campsite is located close to the town of Funtana and about 6 km from the town of Poreč, which you definitely have to visit when you are nearby.

Is there a beach?

The campsite is located directly by the sea. Several pebble beaches can be found on the 1.5 km long coastline.

Camping Porto Sole - Vrsar, Istria, Croatia

It is a year-round camping with chalet plots by the sea , approximately 1.6 km from the town of Vrsar and is accessible on foot, which means that you have access to the attractions that this town offers at your fingertips, and there is something going on all year round. This campground is perfect for sports lovers. There are numerous tennis courts , a diving center and water equipment rental. You can also launch your own boat.

In the area of Porto Sole there are, among others supermarket, kiosk and hairdresser. Valuable items can be left in the safe at the reception (for an additional fee). Wireless Internet is included in the price of the stay.

There are many bike paths around the campsite, and you don't need your bike to use them. You can rent it on site with a guide for a day trip, individual or group.

Dogs are welcome at this parc.

There is a hairdressing salon and a massage parlor. Live music will make your evenings more pleasant.

Attractions for children

There is an outdoor swimming pool on the campsite with a depth of up to 2.08 m and a smaller pool for children , where the little ones can splash in fresh water with a max. 0.45 m.

But attractions for children are not only a playground or a swimming pool - in the summer season, a lot of attractions and entertainment await them. Children 4-11 years old will love the mini club, in summer there are also dance lessons and various workshops on the campsite. The animators organize sports activities for children, including sports competitions, aerobics, aqua aerobics and zumba.

There is also a playground with an obstacle course at sea.

Where to eat

The Lungomare Restaurant right next to the Pineta Hotel guarantees a beautiful view of Vrsar and its marina decorated with lots of lights. The restaurant has a terrace, so you can enjoy your dinner with pleasant cool air from the sea.

What to see?

If you want to explore the area, sign up for a one-day group trip by coach or rent a car at the campground if you don't want to move your camper.

Particularly worth seeing: Vrsar (where the tourist train runs to Vrsar) and Funtana, but organized tours will take you all the way to Pula. Nearby is the aqua park Aquacolors Water Park and a very original place worth visiting - the Dušan Džamonja sculpture park.

Is there a beach?

Yes, there is a beach with a Blue Flag badge over 1km from the campsite. There are parts with small pebbles and rocky ones, and there are also concrete parts. There is also a paddling pool for dogs .

Camping Valkanela - Istria, Croatia

The campsite is situated between the towns of Vrsar and Funtana. It is about 3 km to both. The bus stop is at the campground. The campsite has as many as 2,000 plots, each of which can be connected to water and electricity. The campsite has a swimming pool complex accessible to all and between some of the bungalows there are private pools for only a few bungalows.

The supermarket is on the campground.

Attractions for children

Within the swimming pool complex there is a water playground for small children with figurines of animals. There is also a playground with an obstacle course at sea. Older children will love the opportunity to ride an inflatable pontoon or a banana behind a motorboat. There is also a very nice mini golf, animations and a playground.

Where to eat

Trattoria Basilico on the seafront, overlooking the marina. Serves homemade pizza and pasta. There is also a great ice cream shop on site.

What to see?

Vrsar and Funtana.

Is there a beach?

Yes, the campsite has beautiful pebble and concrete beaches with a Blue Flag badge. There are showers on the beach.

Orsera Camping Resort - Istria, Croatia

The campsite is located right by the sea, a few minutes from Vrsar. It is a great place for active people and those who love nature. The campsite is very large, as it has an area of 9ha. There you will find lots of different plots, from tiny 40m² hidden in the shade of trees to large plots with a sea view of 80m². There are many walking and jogging paths around the campground, and there is a tennis court complex about 1km from the campground. The campsite has a diving center and water equipment rental. You can launch your own boat here and there is even a crane for launching . Dog owners will love that the camping is friendly to them and even has dog bathing facilities and a dog beach.

There is also a fruit and vegetable shop and market on site.

Live music makes the evenings fun for everyone.

Attractions for children

The campground does not have swimming pools, but there is a special place by the sea for children to play with sand. There are also other facilities for children, such as special rooms for changing and bathing babies - a baby room , a playground and animations.

Where to eat

There is one restaurant and bar on the campsite overlooking the sea and beautiful sunsets.

What to see?

About 600m from the campsite is the interesting Dušan Džamonja sculpture park. The town of Vrsar can also be reached on foot (1 km).

Is there a beach?

The beach is almost 1 km long. Concrete and pebble beach with natural shade of pine trees and has the Blue Flag badge. The campsite offers massage services on the beach.

Val Saline Camping - Istria, Croatia

Camping Val Saline is located 4 km north of Rovinj in a protected landscape bay, spreading over an area of 11.70 hectares right by the sea. The campsite has holiday homes and spacious pitches, mostly terraced directly by the sea, ranging in size from 100 to 140 m2. Most of them also have water and sewage connections. The sanitary buildings are modern and comfortable, adapted for people with disabilities, special toilet facilities for children and a baby changing room. There is also a marina for boats, where you can of course launch your own equipment (up to 5m).

The reception offers: sale of tickets for excursions, bicycle rental for children and adults, refrigerator rental, wireless WiFi point, safes, ATM. There is also a shop and a fruit and vegetable stand on site.

There are sports tournaments and recreational activities for teenagers and adults, and live music in the restaurant in the evenings.

The campsite is located right next to the sea, has a unique water lagoon with natural stones, and additional refreshment is guaranteed by the swimming pool for children and adults.

Pets are NOT allowed on the campground.

Attractions for children

The campsite offers many attractions for children and opportunities to spend time actively in water and on land: tennis, ping-pong, badminton, universal basketball and volleyball courts, 9-hole mini-golf, 5-person football pitch , beach volleyball, outdoor gym, swimming pool and water lagoon for children, as well as a water playground with an obstacle course at sea. There are also animations for children and teenagers.

Where to eat

You can go for a romantic dinner at the Cap Aureo restaurant located on the 5th floor of the Grand Park Hotel in Rovinj. The very view of Rovinj from this place is worth all the money. The restaurant mainly serves vegetable dishes. The price for a 3-course menu for one person is about PLN 250.

What to see?

Rovinj is especially worth seeing.

Is there a beach?

A 730m long pebble beach stretches across the entire length of the campground.

Camping Veštar - Istria, Croatia

Veštar is a 4-star camping that will surely be enjoyed by all your family. In addition to amenities such as gravel and sand beaches , swimming pools, playgrounds and animations, the campsite has its own marina with boats and pedal boats. Sailing enthusiasts will surely be interested in the fact that you can launch and moor your own boat here. This year the campsite has modernized the paths between the houses and the plots and enlarged the beaches.

Attractions for children

Older children will like the opportunity to spend active time in the water: pedal boats, kayaks, inflatable boats to pull on a scooter or boat, the possibility of diving. For younger children, apart from the beach, there is a great water zone with a water playground and playgrounds on land. The camping has its own mini club for children aged 4-12.

Where to eat

Pizzeria Kamin and grill restaurant Ulika serve delicious dishes from standard pizza to delicious fish caught in the bay by the campsite.

What to see?

Rovinj is only 5 km away.

Is there a beach?

There are beaches with the Blue Flag designation, and interestingly, there are beaches for naturists , as well as for people who like to come on vacation with their dogs.

Camping Amarin - Istria, Croatia

The campsite is large, as it covers an area of 9 ha. If you can not imagine how much, I will tell you that there are as many as 13 buildings with sanitary facilities in its area! In addition to bathrooms, you will of course find laundries and drying rooms, but also rooms for bathing dogs. In addition to the sanitary facilities at this campsite, you will of course also find all the amenities that will make your vacation a hassle-free and enjoyable experience. It is worth paying attention to the fact that the camping has the possibility of launching its boat and a marina .

Attractions for children

Young children love the local playgrounds, trampolines and animations. Older children will love the numerous football, beach volleyball, basketball and tennis courts. You can also enjoy activities such as water skiing , windsurfing or rent a kayak. The climbing wall on the water is also great.

Where to eat

An interesting fact is that camping guests who sleep in holiday cottages can take advantage of catering in a pizzeria and restaurant with a 10% discount.

What to see?

Rovinj is a stone's throw from the campsite, which you can get to by bus or even by water taxi. If you do not want to move your camper from the lot, the campsite has a car rental that will allow you to explore the entire area. The campsite also offers organized day trips.

Is there a beach?

Yes, the campsite has its own beaches. Some parts are rocky (with small pebbles) or rocky and concrete. There is a beach for children and for dogs. The whole thing is decorated with the Blue Flag.

Camping Polari - Istria, Croatia

This campground by the sea has 5,000 lots and a beautiful view . It is very close to the town of Rovinj. Right on the beach there are several smaller shallow water pools and a huge spray park , and a little deeper into the campground is a large leisure pool and a diving pool. The animators are fantastic and the music and games go on late into the night.

There are also several private pools between the bungalows for just a few of the bungalows nearby. Interestingly, in these places you can relax on free sunbeds.

Attractions for children

A very large spray park, right next to it is also a playground, inflatables, trampolines,

Where to eat

There is a great restaurant on the campground with delicious food. In Rovinj, head to Hotel Adriatic for tagliata or seafood at Brasserie Adriatic. The price for the main course is about PLN 100 for one person.

What to see?

Be sure to go to Rovinj, which is about 5 km away.

Is there a beach?

Yes, the campsite has a beach that is about 2 km long. It is partly rocky and partly concrete. He has the Blue Flag badge. There is also a dog beach here.

Bi Village Holiday - Istria, Croatia

This campsite is located in the south of Istria, very close to Pula and opposite the Brijuni islands , famous for their natural beauty and national park. During the day you can take advantage of many interesting sports offers that the camping has prepared for its guests, e.g. windsurfing lessons , archery, diving, mountain biking, mini golf and many more. You will not be bored in the evenings. The campsite has an animation program for children and adults, including fire spinning shows.

Attractions for children

The campground has a large recreational pool with a small slide, but there is a very large playground with an obstacle course in the sea. In addition, the campsite has a large playground and all day entertainment including sports activities and tournaments. There is also a room for playing computer games.

Where to eat

There is a restaurant on the campground overlooking the sea .

What to see?

The camping is within walking distance of the village of Fazana.

Is there a beach?

The beaches of the campsite, every year since 2005, have been awarded the Blue Flag, which proves the cleanliness of both beaches and waters. The camping also offers a beach for dogs.

Brioni Sunny Camp - Istria, Croatia

Camping Brioni is located in Pula, so this camping is a great place for everyone who is looking for a bit of entertainment in the city in addition to the peace at the campsite. Electronic music lovers will surely know Punta Christo Fort , which hosts electronic music festivals every year. And this place is only about 1km from the campground.

The campsite has a diving center and water equipment rental , including boats. You can also launch your boat about 50m from the campground

The camping offers organized group trips.

Attractions for children

Large water playground in the sea. Mini club for children with an all-day animation program

There is also a babyroom, a special room for bathing and changing babies.

Where to eat

There is a restaurant on the campsite overlooking the sea, and there is also a beach bar and a snack bar open from May 1st to October 15th.

What to see?

It is worth seeing Pula and its historic amphitheater. It is also worth going to the town of Fazana and the Brjoni islands .

Is there a beach?

Yes, the campsite has a 1.5 km long beach with a separate dog beach.

Tunarica Sunny Camp - Istria, Croatia

The campsite is located in a bay sheltered from the open sea, which guarantees that the water here is very calm and hardly blows at all. This is a good place to fish . There are fantastic hiking and biking paths around the campground in the woods , and you will find a motorboat, kayak, pedal boat and SUP rental shop on site. It is also possible to launch your own boat. The campsite has pitches by the sea or in the shade of a pine forest.

Attractions for children

There are no playing fields at the campground, but there are ping-pong tables and foosball tables to use for free. There is also a playground.

Where to eat

There is a restaurant on the campground overlooking the sea.

What to see?

The campsite is 17 km from the town of Labin, which you must see when visiting this part of Istria.

Is there a beach?

Yes, the beach is about 500m long and has a gentle descent to the sea . Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed on it. However, if you come here with your dog, there is a wild rocky beach right next to it, where you can relax with your pet.

Marina Camping - Labin, Istria, Croatia

This campground offers one of the best spots on the Mediterranean Sea with full facilities for divers . Mobile homes have space for storing equipment for divers, and toilets are adapted to washing the equipment. There is a diving school on site, you can even get diving qualifications here. The nursery offers boat trips - group or individual - to explore the surrounding caves, tunnels and shipwrecks. You can also rent diving suits here.

There is also a bicycle rental, table tennis, boat rental, a marina for boats with the possibility of launching with a crane. There is also an infinity pool overlooking the Kvarner islands and a children's pool with a slide.

It is a very quiet and peaceful camping site, with recently built new houses off the beaten track overlooking the sea. Most of the lots are also by the sea.

Attractions for children

Animation program for children, clubhouse, playground, playroom with table football.

Where to eat

There is a pizzeria close to the campground, a food bar and bars, and there is Buffey Punta on the campground where you can buy Full Board or Half Board board.

What to see?

About 9 km to the town of Labin.

Is there a beach?

Dog beach.

Arena Kažela Campsite - Istria, Croatia

This camping has undergone a total metamorphosis in 2019, so even if you've been to it before, be sure to read how it has changed, because it's not the same place anymore. The campsite has invested EUR 18 million in its redevelopment, allowing guests to enjoy new holiday homes, new plots with connections, new restaurants and new swimming pools, including a new infinity pool.

The evenings will be made more pleasant by circus fire shows , live music and cabarets. There is a sports bar next to the restaurant where you can watch all the important sporting events.

3 km from the campsite there is a horse riding center, and you can go water skiing or bananas. There is also a water equipment rental.

Attractions for children

Children will love the swimming pool with a slide , next to which there is a new playground with lots of attractions for climbing, sliding, and even a drawn place to play hopscotch. There is also a video game area for older kids and special rooms in the cute teepee tent to play inside in bad weather with brand new toys. There is, for example, a great collection for arranging wooden tracks and trains or a wooden kitchen to play with from Ikea.

In the evenings, children are eager to participate in the Mini Disco. The older ones will probably choose open-air cinema.

For older children, there are also playing fields with sports tournaments.

Where to eat

The campsite has 3 restaurants and a snack bar, a cafe and poolside bars

What to see?

The campsite is 2 km away from the center of the town of Medulin. You can easily walk there. There is a port and a promenade with restaurants and cafes.

There is a small airport close to the campsite with sports planes, where you can book a flight over the bay.