When you think of camping holidays, you may think of trying to pitch flimsy tents in uneven fields before being rained on all night and shivering for warmth in a thin sleeping bag. Let me tell you, camping in Croatia is nothing like that! And let me also tell you that camping in Croatia is big news, with many truly excellent campsites – some almost like little towns. Such campsites have fantastic facilities that attract hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Here, we will round up some of the best campsites in Croatia for you to enjoy on future holidays.
About Campsites in Croatia
Of course, there are plenty of campsites in Croatia at which you can pitch up your tent by the sea or turn up in a campervan. However, many offer much, much more – from villas to apartments, mobile homes to glamping spots. Some campsites have multiple pools (some even have mini water parks), several restaurants, cafes and bars, sports courts and facilities, private beaches, kids’ playgrounds and entertainment/clubs, pet-friendly possibilities…the list goes on!
And given the excellent facilities that some campsites offer, some are even open year-round. (Yes, really!)
Of course, you may want to stay away from a large-scale resort and enjoy and experience a holiday at the other end of the camping scale – simply pitching a tent in a shady spot by the Adriatic Sea and getting back to basics. That sort of thing is absolutely possible at a campsite, and there are plenty of smaller campsites in the country too.
Can’t I just do wild camping in Croatia?
No.
Please be aware that “wild camping” (camping on any piece of land, outside of a properly designated campsite) is illegal in Croatia. You will very likely be fined if you attempt wild camping in Croatia.
The Croatian Camping Union has a great guide to Camping FAQs as well as Camping Etiquette, both of which are essentialy reads.
Campsites in Croatia – Istria
Some of Croatia’s best-equipped and most popular campsites are located in Istria, and when you look at the facilities they offer visitors, you won’t be surprised.
The accommodation chain Valamar offers several of these campsites through three distinct brands – Premium Camping Resorts with first-class accommodation, Camping Resorts for mid-range offerings and Sunny Campsites for a more basic way of holidaying in a campsite. Amongst their best is the Istra Premium Camping Resort near Porec, which is a 5-star-rated campsite that’s open year-round and which offers a glamping village, premium mobile homes and pitches.
Another highly-rated Istria campsite from Valamar is the Lanterna Camping Resort, which is located between Porec and Novigrad. The 4-star resort offers glamping tents, camping chalets, camping homes and pitches. With 3km of coastline alongside the resort, there are a variety of beaches (including a sandy one) for you to enjoy, plus 17 (yes, 17!) pools, a waterpark and a water playground, sports grounds, mini golf, exercise programmes, clubs for children of assorted ages (even a baby club for parents to join with their little ones) and plenty of restaurants and bars.
As we’ve mentioned, Valamar offer many, many different types of campsites throughout Istria and the Kvarner region, so it’s worth taking a look at their website to find the sort of place that would suit you best.
Bijela Uvala Camp near Porec is another popular campsite and perhaps what one thinks of more traditionally as a campsite. There is space for 1200 tents and campervans, and the campsite offers four pools, a pebble beach, restaurants and bars, sports facilities and Mini Clubs for kids.
Campsite Valkanela near Vrsar is a 3-star campsite situated on a beautiful bay that offers pitches and mobile homes. There’s an incredibly wide range of amenities here, including a beach, outdoor pool, two restaurants, a pool bar, a kids’ playground and more.
For something a little different in Istria, head inland to the San Servolo Wellness Camping and Resort near Buje. This 5-star resort has space for 28 campervans and wellness mobile homes, indoor and outdoor heated pools, Finnish and Turkish saunas, a whirlpool bath, relaxation rooms, bike rental and a kids’ playground. Pets are also welcome!
Campsites in Croatia – Kvarner Region
Camp Cikat on the island of Losinj (near Mali Losinj) is another excellent camp that is open year-round. Nestled in thick pine forests, there are assorted pitches for tents and campervans, plus glamping and mobile home options. When you come to book a pitch, you can even select a particular one online from the campsite’s interactive map! This campsite is next to the Aquapark Cikat, to which all campsite guests get free entry.
On the island of Cres you’ll find the top-rated Camp Kovacine that’s set amongst fragrant pine and olive trees. As well as the standard sort of camp accommodation, this camp also offers the 13-room Tamaris House with unparalleled views of the twinkling blue Adriatic Sea. The camp has its own pool with a smaller kiddie pool (with a slide!) alongside it, both of which are next to an indoor children’s playroom.
Campsites in Croatia – North Dalmatia
Camp Strasko on the island of Pag is spread over 57 hectares, making it one of the largest campsites in Croatia. Again, there are pitches, glamping and mobile home options here. One of the top draws here is the campsite’s beautiful beach that stretches out for over 2,000 metres. There are three restaurants here, including a pizzeria, and several beach bars. This campsite also has sister venues near Omisalj on the island of Krk – Camping Omisalj – and Camping Jezera Lovisca on Murter further south in Dalmatia. The latter would be a great option for those attending one of the many Festivals in Croatia taking place in near Tisno!
Adriatic Kamp in beautiful Primosten offers pitches and modern, nicely furnished mobile homes that sleep 4/5 people. The camp’s Restaurant Adriatic is where to dine, and also where to find evening entertainment; there is also a daytime kids’ club and a good selection of sports facilities.
Campsites in Croatia – Mid Dalmatia
Camping Strobec Split is one of the top-rated campsites in Croatia and is located in an area (around Split) where campsites are in fact few and far between. Situated on its own peninsula, the campsite has pitches and mobile homes, as well as offering two Blue Flag pebble beaches, sports and water activities, three outdoor pools (one of which is a children’s pool, and one which has its own bar!), a wellness and spa zone, a restaurant and bars.
Campsites in Croatia – South Dalmatia
Autocamp Lavanda near Orebic on the Peljesac Peninsula is in a prime position for a relaxing holiday. With pitches and mobile homes for rent, the campsite has its own restaurant, playground and private beach – parts of which are open to doggies.
Campsites in Croatia – Inland Croatia
Inland Croatia isn’t lacking in excellent campsites – far from it!
One of the top-rated campsites in the whole of Croatia is located in Terme Tuhelj, which is north of Zagreb, close to the Croatian border with Slovenia. Camp Vita offers pitches whilst the nearby Glamping Village Terme Tuhelj is home to luxury mobile homes that sleep 2 to 6 people. Whilst the latter has its own pool and wellness centre, both have access to the Water Planet, which is a complex of indoor and outdoor pools, slides, sprinklers, water playgrounds and more.
To really feel at one with nature when you visit the Plitvice Lakes National Park, why not stay in a campsite? The Plitvice Holiday Resort has an amazing array of camping options – from the usual pitches to mobile homes (some right next to the pool), tipi tents, lake houses and even tree houses. (Yes, really!) There’s an on-site restaurant, cafe and pool bar and a wellness centre. There are also plenty of activities to get stuck into in the nearby area.
For something completely different, what about the OPG Hazic Wine Camp? I know what you’re thinking – “I don’t know what that is, but sign me up!” Located in Sveti Martin na Muri in northern Croatia, north of Varazdin, this small camp offers pitches named after grape varieties and mobile homes set near vineyards. Once here, come visit their wine house for tastings alongside tasty cold meats and cheeses. The camp is also very close to the Terme Sveti Martin spa and wellness centre.
More info
You can’t go wrong with the highly informative Croatian Camping Union website, which provides information on campsites in Croatia.