Croatia Has Some of Europe’s Best Campsites: Here’s Where to Go

So where should you go camping in Croatia?

The largest camping regions in Croatia are Istria, Kvarner and Dalmatia. You can find different types of camps, from small family campsites with a capacity of up to 200 people to ones that can accommodate up to 5,000 people.

These large camps are practically small towns, with swimming pools, aqua parks, sports facilities, restaurants, shops and private beaches. 

You can stay in campers, caravans, tents, mobile homes and bungalows. For glamping lovers, there are also more luxurious campgrounds in Croatia, which offer accommodation in apartments and villas.

Tourists come to this Mediterranean paradise for its incredible natural beauty. In Croatia, you can explore interesting old towns, visit some of the eight national parks and enjoy countless beautiful beaches, bays and islands.

Here are some of the best camping destinations in Croatia.

Camping in Istria 

In search of the best campground destinations in Croatia, we start from Istria, a peninsula near Slovenia and Italy. One-third of the peninsula is covered with pine forests, and the sea around Istria has some of the warmest temperatures in Europe. There are 50 beaches awarded the Blue Flag.

Istria has many restaurants with excellent food, as well as dozens of wineries. You can also spend time on bike paths or tennis, golf and volleyball courts. Also, Istria has beautiful places for snorkeling and windsurfing. There are, in a relatively small area, as many as 26 camps, most of which are near Umag, Porec, Rovinj and Pula.

Park Umag, one of the largest campsites in Istria, is located near the border with Slovenia. It is known for numerous quality awards. It’s a great place for families with kids; they will be impressed by the pool’s giant pirate ship.

This campsite can accommodate about 6,000 guests. The caravans, tents and around 700 mobile homes are provided for accommodation. Campers have 10 sanitary blocks, washing machines, showers on the beach and a dog-washing area. 

During the day, you can spend time at numerous sports courts. An entertainment program awaits you every evening, and the campsite also has several bars and restaurants, two fast-food restaurants and grocery shops.

The Most Prestigious Campsites 

Camp Bijela Uvala, near Porec, is of a similar size to Park Umag. This four-star campground in Croatia has also received the prestigious ADAC quality award, international recognition for campsites that go beyond the usual range of offered products and services.

Camp Bijeva features four swimming pools, restaurants, pastry shops, a supermarket and a souvenir shop. Kids can have fun at creative workshops, and there are also courts for football (soccer), volleyball, table tennis and golf.

One of the best European campsites is located in Istria. Lanterna Premium Camping Resort is located in a Mediterranean setting, surrounded by pine and oak forests.

It is one of the exclusive campsites, with glamping tents, mobile homes, caravans and tents, as well as a mega luxury plot. It features a water park, 16 sanitary blocks, three supermarkets, five restaurants, six pastry shops, and fast food. Amenities for guests include boats for rent, a hairdresser, tennis and golf courts, and babysitting.

There are several other good campsites in Istria, such as Istria Premium Camping Resort, Camp Zelena Laguna, Valkanela and Bi Village Camp near Brijuni National Park. There are also two famous naturist (nudist) camps: Solaris Camping Resort and Koversada Naturist Park.

When camping in Istria, be sure to visit the city of Pula. The crown jewel is the Pula Arena, one of the best-preserved Roman amphitheaters in the world and the only one to retain its full outer wall. Built between 27 BC and AD 68, it once held up to 23,000 spectators for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles.

Today, it hosts the beloved Pula Film Festival, concerts, and opera performances. You can also explore the underground passages where gladiators and animals were once staged before battle.

The old town of Rovinj and the small town of Vrsar are also worth visiting. Don’t forget to visit Porec as well, home to the UNESCO-listed Euphrasian Basilica.

Camping in Kvarner

Kvarner is widely regarded as one of Europe’s top camping regions. In addition to having the largest Croatian bay, Kvarner includes the islands of Krk, Cres, Lošinj and Rab. There are 28 Blue Flag beaches.

When it comes to gastronomy, you have to try local dishes like lamb and Kvarner’s shrimp. In Kvarner, you can enjoy various activities such as sailing, canoeing, rafting, windsurfing, cycling and beach volleyball.

Krk Premium Camping Resort is a family camp on the island of Krk. It can accommodate 1,300 campers. For those who like a little more luxurious accommodation, modern mobile homes are available.

This campground in Croatia has a rocky 800-meter-long (2,624 feet) beach. If you love cycling or jogging, you will be delighted with the numerous trails.

Like other high-quality camps, Krk Premium Camping Resort has tennis and mini-golf courts, bars, restaurants and a supermarket. Staying there can be exciting for the kids as well because the camp has a children’s playground and organized entertainment.

Camping Resorts on Rab and Mali Losinj Islands

San Marino Camping Resort is located on the island of Rab. It is rated four stars, and its specialty is one of the most beautiful beaches on the Croatian coast. Paradise Beach is excellent for families and non-swimmers.

An animation program awaits you in the evening, and during the day you can enjoy recreational facilities such as beach volleyball, table tennis, rock climbing and a fitness studio.

Padova Premium Camping Resort is another excellent campsite in Rab. With a capacity of 1,500 people, it also offers accommodation in the shade of a pine forest, a 500-meter-long (1,640-foot) pebble beach, and boat and bicycle rentals.

Camp Cikat is located on the island of Mali Losinj. When it comes to accommodation, the camp’s capacity is 2,500 guests, and they can choose between tents, bungalows, apartments and mobile homes.

This camp’s beach is 1 km (.62 of a mile) long, and there is also a playground for kids. Nearby is an amusement park with swimming pools. You will certainly not be bored at the Cikat camp, because you can go diving, sailing or pedal boating.

Other good choices for camping in Kvarner are Jezevac Premium Camping Resort, Poljana Village Camp with a boat dock, sports courts and excursions to nearby islands and 5-star Omisalj camp.  

Camping in Dalmatia

Mediterranean climate, pine forests, numerous olive trees and, of course, vineyards are something you can enjoy in Dalmatia. This part of Croatia is known for its excellent wines and Dalmatian specialties.

In addition to many islands, bays and beaches where you can relax and forget almost all that’s bothering you, Dalmatia has about 20 campsites. They are mostly located near larger cities such as Zadar, Sibenik, Split and Dubrovnik.

The Island of Pag is known for its cheese, but it also has excellent spots for camping enthusiasts. Camp Strasko is a 4-star campsite with a 2-kilometer-long (1.24-mile) beach and can accommodate around 6,500 people.

Campers can enjoy football, beach volleyball, tennis, badminton and bowling, as well as the entertainment program. You can also rent a boat or sailboat, or take a swim in the outdoor pool. Kids can attend various workshops and a swimming school. Other offerings include shops, restaurants, pastry shops and a hair salon.

With almost twice the capacity, there is another attractive camp on the island of Pag-Simuni Camping Village. Although it has only two stars, it offers excellent camping facilities. In addition to bike trails and sports courts, this camp has an open-air cinema, babysitting, sailing and diving schools, and a water park.

There is also a nearby wellness center you can use, and from this campsite, you can go on excursions and explore the beautiful surroundings. The most popular tours that you shouldn’t miss are those to Plitvice Lakes and the Krka National Park.

Read More: Croatia’s Best National Parks: From Plitvice’s Waterfalls to Kornati’s Island Maze

Campsites Near the Town of Zadar

One of the best Croatian camps and the holder of the highest European awards is located near Zadar. Zaton Holiday Resort can accommodate 4,500 people.

It is excellent for families with kids due to the pool complex and numerous sports and entertainment facilities. You can enjoy archery, horseback riding, cycling, sailing and many other activities.

It also has an ambulance, ATM, hairdresser and massage room. If you want more luxurious accommodation, modern apartments are also available.

Falkensteiner Premium Camping Zadar is located within a hotel complex 3 km (1.86 miles) from Zadar. Although there’s room for only 720 guests, it offers wellness facilities to campers. There are pools with various effects, saunas and a relaxation zone.

As in other campsites, you can use tennis courts and a children’s playground, as well as attend diving and sailing school.

Near Sibenik is the Solaris Camping Beach Resort, a four-star campsite with a capacity of 2,700 people. It boasts olive and pine forests, as well as a 1-kilometer-long (.62 of a mile) beach. You can use a seawater pool, fitness studio and sports courts, and the kids will be thrilled by the pirate ship, water slide and water park.

Dalmatia has several other very good campsites such as Belvedere Camping, Jezera Village Camping and Nevio Camping. If you are coming to Dalmatia for camping, be sure to visit and explore Dubrovnik, Split, Trogir and Zadar.

Campsites in the Continental Part of Croatia

There are not many campgrounds in continental Croatia. Among them, the best is undoubtedly the Plitvice Holiday Resort. This campsite is located near the Plitvice Lakes National Park, which attracts many visitors every year.

Plitvice Holiday Resort has a capacity of 200 guests and is located only 1 ½ hours from Zagreb, the capital of Croatia.

Most campgrounds in Croatia are located on the Adriatic coast. Whatever campsite you go to, you will be close to the beach. All camps have Wi-Fi internet, enough sanitary blocks, restaurants, bars, supermarkets and sports courts.

Pets are allowed everywhere. Many campsites also have pet-friendly beaches and playgrounds for pets, as well as places where you can bathe them.

It is up to you to choose the accommodation type that suits you best: tent, mobile home, caravan or luxurious apartment if you are a glamping fan. If you plan your arrival a few months in advance, you will probably find special offers with a discount. Waking up in the shade of a pine forest and a fantastic view of the Adriatic Sea simply has no price.

If You Go

Getting There Croatia has several international airports worth knowing about before you book — your best entry point depends on where you’re headed. Fly into Pula for Istria, Rijeka or Zagreb for Kvarner, and Split or Dubrovnik for Dalmatia. Search and compare flights at CheapOair.

Getting Around Croatia’s campsite regions are spread across a long coastline with limited public transit between them. A rental car gives you the flexibility to move between regions at your own pace and to reach the smaller, more secluded sites that don’t show up on bus routes. Compare rates at Discover Cars.

Booking Campsites Croatia’s best campsites fill up fast in peak season — particularly in July and August when European summer holidays are in full swing. Book as early as possible, either directly through individual campsite websites or via Tripadvisor. If you’re flexible on dates, shoulder season (May, June, and September) offers a quieter, often cheaper experience with most facilities still open.

Need a hand planning your trip? Here are the sites and services we rely on most, from booking tools to travel products we love.

Inspire your next adventure with our articles below:

• When to Visit Croatia: A Month-by-Month Guide for Every Type of Traveler
• 15 Surprising Facts About Croatia That Will Make You Want to Visit

Author Bio: Based in Serbia in Europe, Marija Stojanovic Petkovski worked as a journalist but realized writing about the most beautiful places in the world is something that inspires her. She is sure that a pint of good craft beer perfectly accompanies a tasty homemade lasagna. In her spare time, she enjoys playing with her children and spending time outdoors with her family. 

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