May Day in Croatia – recommended places and attractions

In Poland, the weather during the May Day weekend can be capricious, so it's worth going where you have a good chance of sunshine. A good choice is Croatia, and especially the Istria peninsula, where you'll find breathtaking landscapes, sandy beaches, warm sea and picturesque medieval towns. This region will charm everyone!

Istria separates Central Europe from the Adriatic Sea. This beautiful peninsula attracts tourists with its mild Mediterranean climate, clean beaches and picturesque towns. Many of them, especially those on the coast, such as Rovinj or Vrsar, also have a wonderfully developed tourist base . On the Istria peninsula, you can relax in the sun, stroll through the romantic streets of local towns or visit one of the local health resorts. And these are just the beginning of the many attractions that await you in this region! See for yourself why the May Day holiday in Croatia is a great idea and where to go during your holiday in Istria.

May Day in Croatia - where to go, what to see?

When planning a May weekend in Croatia, we have many options to choose from, both in terms of places worth visiting and accommodation options. Both in Istria and other regions of the country, we can stay in hotels, guesthouses or camping resorts. It all depends on our preferences, but to fully explore the charms of the country, we especially recommend the latter option. Especially since campsites in Croatia are among the best in Europe, offering guests a variety of accommodation options (comfortable pitches, spacious glamping tents, well-equipped mobile homes and bungalows), excellent infrastructure and numerous attractions for both young and old.

Croatia also offers us a very wide range of possibilities when it comes to sightseeing. Regardless of whether we prefer to explore the natural attractions of the region or are more interested in local culture and history, we will certainly not be bored in Istria and throughout Croatia. May Day in Croatia is a great idea for a family vacation with children, as well as a romantic getaway for two or a trip with friends. Below we present a few places that we think are particularly worth visiting when spending the May weekend in Croatia.

Trip to Vrsar

We start our May Day in Croatia in the picturesque town of Vrsar. It is a tourist town in western Istria. The town can boast one of the most beautiful archipelagos , which consists of 18 uninhabited, small islands. The most characteristic point of the town is the bell tower of the church of St. Martin from the 19th century. There is also a beautiful park where you can see sculptures by contemporary artists. However, the most attractive are the local beaches, which have been awarded the "Blue Flag", awarded for exceptional cleanliness.

After arriving in Vrsar, it is worth staying at the family-run and valued by guests Camping Valkanela . The resort is located near the sea , making it an ideal place for beach lovers and water sports enthusiasts to relax. You can swim there on a "banana", kayaks, bikes and jet skis. Additionally, there are swimming pools on the resort, where both children and adults can swim. The camp also has a multi-purpose sports field , tennis courts and billiards. Every day, a group of animators organizes games and sports activities. Additionally, children have playgrounds , a mini golf course and a games room at their disposal.

At Camping Valkanela we can stay in very comfortable holiday cottages , which have a kitchenette connected to the living room, a bathroom and one or more bedrooms (option to choose from). Additionally, each cottage has a comfortable patio with a table and chairs. The resort also provides plots with electricity and sanitary connections , where you can easily park your camper.

The resort is very well equipped, you can relax there perfectly, and at the same time take advantage of the rich culinary offer. Istria is a land of truffles, so for dinner it is worth ordering local delicacies with this exquisite addition, e.g. meat dishes (fritada), pasta dishes (fuži, pljukanci) or regional gnocchi dumplings.

Croatia for the May Day weekend - overnight stay in a picturesque bay

If you don't find a free spot at Camping Valkanela, nothing is lost. In a picturesque bay, a kilometer from Vrsar , there is another resort, where it is also worth staying if our goal is to spend the May Day in Croatia. This is the multi-level Camping Porto Sole , appreciated for its beautiful landscapes and friendly service. It is a favorite place for lovers of diving (there is a diving course and equipment rental), sailing, kayaking, water skiing and paragliding. There are ideal conditions for practicing various sports, not only water sports. There are also sports fields, a swimming pool, bike trails and tennis courts. In the summer season, animators organize sports activities and games and entertainment for guests on the premises of the resort. Children have two playgrounds, a Mini Club and a mini golf course at their disposal.

Camping Porto Sole covers an area of 19.5 hectares. On its premises there are comfortable holiday cottages and paved pitches , equipped with the necessary connections. The resort offers accommodation of various standards and sizes. Guests can use cottages with one or more bedrooms, and in each of them there is a kitchenette, bathroom, air conditioning and a patio. In addition, guests have at their disposal not only a restaurant and a bar, but also a pizzeria and a well-stocked shop.

We are coming to Rovinj

During the May Day weekend, it is also worth visiting Rovinj. This is the most beautiful and picturesque city in Istria . In Rovinj, you will find many winding streets and unusual monuments. It is worth seeing the church of St. Euphemia, built in the 18th century with a bell tower that is 61 meters high, and the church of the Holy Cross, the chapel of the Holy Trinity, the Franciscan monastery and the city hall from the 14th century.

In Rovinj we can stay near the sea, where Camping Amarin is located. This is a resort highly valued by tourists looking for an active holiday . There you can practice water sports (e.g. kayaking, windsurfing) or spend time on the multi-purpose pitch, tennis courts or go on a bike trip. For children, entertainment is organized by animators , and the little ones can have fun on the playground and trampoline.

Camping Amarin provides its guests with holiday homes that have a kitchenette with a living room, a bathroom and a bedroom. Additionally, each of the homes has a comfortable patio, where you can drink your morning coffee. On the grounds of the resort, you will also find pitches with sanitary and electricity connections. Regardless of the option you choose, our May Day in Croatia will certainly be successful.

It is worth adding that at Camping Amarin you can taste dishes of the coastal Croatian cuisine. In the local restaurant you can eat delicious, fresh fish, cooked or grilled. It is worth trying the gilt-head bream served straight from the grill. Squid, shrimp, mussels and octopus prepared in batter or stuffed are also served. A popular Croatian dish is black risotto , colored with squid ink and served with cuttlefish sauce or shrimp.

Croatia for the May Day weekend - what else is worth seeing?

Picturesque Vrsar, charming town of Rovinj and their surroundings are just a small part of the attractions that await us during our holidays in Istria. Distances on the peninsula are relatively short, so if we like spending our time actively, in a few days we can visit many worth seeing cities and towns, get to know local flavors and admire the breathtaking Mediterranean nature. Pula with its famous Roman amphitheater resembling the Colosseum, Poreč and a picturesque promenade with a stunning view of the Adriatic waters, the smallest city in the world Hum, the sunken city of Sipar, the Brijuni National Park located on the islands along the coast or the Učka Nature Park with the highest peaks of the peninsula - all this and much more can be found in Istria!

However, in our opinion , Croatia for the May weekend is a great idea regardless of whether we want to relax actively or rather laze on the beach and admire the seaside landscapes. Clean sea, beautiful beaches, stunning views and fantastic Mediterranean cuisine make May weekend in Croatia a recipe for a successful vacation.