Campsites in Istria

Pine-shaded campsites on the Adriatic, Roman arenas, Venetian harbours and truffle-scented hill towns: Istria packs sea, history and splash-park fun into one sun-soaked Croatian peninsula.

5 destinations

About Istria

Istria is Croatia's largest peninsula, a slice of the northern Adriatic where blue sea meets green hills. Locals divide it in two. Blue Istria is the coast, with marinas, Venetian-style harbour towns, seafood restaurants and beaches. Green Istria is the inland, with vineyards, olive groves and medieval hill towns perched on cliffs. The earth is dark red, the sea glitters, and Rovinj alone enjoys about 2,437 hours of sunshine a year.

The coast is made for lazy days and curious afternoons. Beaches are mostly pebbly coves backed by pines, with clear water that rewards a pair of swimming shoes. Between swims, wander the car-free old town of Rovinj and watch the fishing harbour. Visit the 6th-century Euphrasian Basilica in Poreč, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. Or step into Pula's Roman Arena, built in the 1st century for up to 20,000 spectators. Boats also leave for the 14 islands of Brijuni National Park.

Then there is the food. Istria is known for truffles, olive oil, wine and seafood. Think clam buzara and spider crab salad on the coast, and manestra soup, sheep-milk cheese and Istrian prosciutto inland. The forest around Motovun is famous for its white truffles, and the hilltop town itself looks like a film set.

Camping is part of the local DNA: a third of all tourist accommodation in Istria is campsites. Ours stretch along the west coast, from Umag down to Valbandon, with big pool complexes, water parks and beachfront pitches. Over 500 km of cycling trails, including the Parenzana on a former narrow-gauge railway, keep active families busy. From Utrecht it is about 1364 km, roughly 12 hours of driving, and you arrive in a region where seven of Croatia's ten most visited destinations are found.

Why holiday in Istria?

Sun and sea – Rovinj enjoys about 2,437 sunshine hours a year

Pools and water parks – Slides, spray parks and sea aquaparks at our campsites

Roman and Venetian heritage – Pula's Arena, Rovinj's harbour and Poreč's UNESCO basilica

Cycling and nature – Over 500 km of trails, including the Parenzana

Truffles, wine, olive oil – Delicious flavours from sea and hills

Easy drive – About 12 hours from Utrecht, with euro payments

A family holiday in Istria

With young children in Istria

Istria is a playground for little ones. At Camping Istria Park Umag, six outdoor pools, a pirate ship and shallow-water adventures make splashing safe and silly. Homair - Camping Valkanela has three large freshwater pools and a dedicated children's area. Beyond the gate, Dinopark Funtana offers dinosaurs, pony rides and a small zoo where children feed goats and rabbits. In Rovinj, watch the morning catch come in at the working fishing harbour. Level family cycling routes and a 1 to 1.5 hour visit to Pula Aquarium complete the week.

Camping Istria Park UmagUmag

With teenagers in Istria

Teenagers will find plenty of adrenaline in Istria. Valamar Camping Lanterna (Tar) has the Aquamar Lanterna Waterpark with family pools, waterslides and a spray park, while Camping Bi Village adds an inflatable sea water park open daily. Nearby, Aquapark Istralandia's 27 m Free Fall slide is a rite of passage, and the Pazin zipline sends you over caves and gorges at up to 50 km/h. Glavani adventure park offers climbing trails, a 120 m cable run and an 11 m swing. Add paddleboarding, kayaking and snorkelling for sea-sparkled days.

Valamar Camping LanternaTar

Camping Bi VillageValbandon

As a couple in Istria

Couples will love Istria's slow pleasures. Camping Bijela Uvala sits directly on the Adriatic in shaded pine forest, between Poreč and Vrsar, and Homair - Camping Polari near Rovinj offers glamping and safari tents beside the pines. Spend days on truffle hunting and wine tasting, or wander the hill towns of Motovun, Grožnjan and Hum. Browse the Istrian Olive Oil Museum in Pula, then end the day on a sunset boat tour or a dolphin-watching trip. The peaceful coves of the Umag Riviera are perfect for quiet swims.

Camping Bijela UvalaFuntana

Campsites by the sea in Istria

Istria is made for seaside camping. Pebbly coves, clear water and pine forests run right down to the Adriatic, so a morning swim is only a few steps from your pitch. Camping Bijela Uvala sits directly on the sea in shaded pine forest, with four freshwater pools and a splash park for rainy-day-free fun. Valamar Camping Lanterna (Tar) offers 3 km of private beaches, plus a free Aquamar Family Waterpark with 10 heated pools and slides for all ages.

Camping Bijela UvalaFuntana

Valamar Camping LanternaTar

Camping Istria Park UmagUmag

Camping Bi VillageValbandon

On holiday with your dog in Istria

Istria is a lovely place to explore with your four-legged friend. Pine forests, coastal paths around Rovinj and the Parenzana trail make daily walks a pleasure, and the cooling sea is never far away. Camping Bi Village has its own beach for dogs, plus dog facilities, so everyone gets a proper holiday. Camping Bijela Uvala also welcomes dogs with dog facilities, directly on the Adriatic in shaded pine forest. Pack the lead and the ball, and the whole family can enjoy it.

Camping Bi VillageValbandon

Camping Bijela UvalaFuntana

Valamar Camping LanternaTar

Where to stay in Istria

Most of our Istrian campsites offer mobile homes, a comfortable choice for families who want a kitchen, space and a short walk to the pool. Camping Bijela Uvala and Camping Istria Park Umag are good examples, both on the sea with water-park fun close by. Couples and adventurous families who want a bit more romance will enjoy the glamping and safari tents at Homair - Camping Polari in Rovinj, set in lush pine forest beside the Adriatic.

Mobile homes

5 campsites

Camping Bijela UvalaFuntana

Valamar Camping LanternaTar

Things to do in Istria

Pula Arena

Pula

Step into a 1st-century Roman amphitheatre for 20,000 and explore its tunnels

Rovinj Old Town

Rovinj

Car-free cobbled alleys, a fishing harbour and views from St Euphemia's tower

Euphrasian Basilica

Poreč

Admire a 6th-century basilica, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997

Brijuni National Park

Pula

Take a boat to 14 islands with a safari park

Cape Kamenjak

Pula

Caves, coves and beaches south of Pula; bring bikes for an easy day

Dinopark Funtana

Funtana

80,000 m² of dinosaurs, circus shows, pony rides and a goat-feeding zoo

Aquapark Istralandia

Novigrad

24 attractions, about 20 slides and the thrilling 27 m Free Fall

Pazin Cave and Zipline

Pazin

Zip over caves and gorges at up to 50 km/h

Motovun

Medieval hilltop town in white-truffle country, famous for its film festival

Lim Channel

West Istria

Cruise a fjord-like waterway on a relaxed boat tour

Parenzana Trail

Istria

Pedal a former narrow-gauge railway through green Istrian landscapes

Valamar Camping Lanterna

Camping Istria Park Umag

Camping Bijela Uvala

Camping Bi Village

Best time to visit Istria

Mid-June to September is prime beach time. The sea is above 20°C from mid-June and reaches about 25°C in August. June days are around 24°C, July and August about 27°C, and July is the driest month with 40 mm of rain. July and August bring the liveliest holiday atmosphere on the coast. September is still lovely, with highs of about 22°C and the sea at 20 to 22°C. May, with highs of about 20°C, is ideal for sailing, windsurfing and cycling.

Practical tips

By car: Utrecht to Istria is about 1364 km, roughly 12 hours of driving without stops.
By plane: Pula (PUY) is the main airport, and Pula to Rovinj is about 40 km, around 40 minutes by road.
Tolls: Croatia has no vignette; you pay per motorway section at the barrier, and the Učka Tunnel costs €4.70 for a car.
On the way: Austria and Slovenia require a vignette, so buy it before you cross the border.
Money: Croatia uses the euro, so no exchange needed.
Rovinj: the old town is car-free, so park outside and explore on foot.
Beaches: pack swimming shoes for the pebbles and rocky coves.
Food to try: truffles, Istrian prosciutto, sheep-milk cheese, manestra soup and clam buzara.

We love Istria because it gives families two holidays in one. Our tip: spend your first days on the coast, where the pools and beaches of our campsites do the entertaining, then take one inland day to Motovun, where truffles grow in the surrounding forest and the hilltop views are worth the drive. We always suggest Rovinj in the morning, when the fishing boats bring in the catch and the old town is at its most photogenic. Climb the tower of St Euphemia's, then treat yourselves to seafood by the harbour. For active families, we recommend the Parenzana, a former narrow-gauge railway that is now a cycling trail, and a boat trip to the Brijuni islands. Pack swimming shoes for the pebbly coves, and bring a sense of adventure for the water parks. If you are choosing between campsites, pick one with a pool complex for lazy afternoons and a beachfront for sunset swims. In Istria you can easily have both.

— Our specialist

All campsites in Istria at a glance

Camping Bi Village · Camping Bijela Uvala · Camping Istria Park Umag · Valamar Camping Lanterna · Valamar Camping Lanterna

More regions in Croatia

Central Croatia Dalmatia Island Krk Islands Cres-Lošinj Slavonia

All campsites in Croatia ›

Frequently asked questions: Istria

What are the beaches like in Istria?

Istria's beaches are mostly pebbles and rocky coves with clear water, often backed by pine forest. Swimming shoes make paddling easy. If you want shallow, splashy fun, Camping Istria Park Umag has six outdoor pools with shallow-water areas for children, right beside the Adriatic waterfront.

Camping Istria Park UmagUmag

When is the sea warm enough for swimming in Istria?

The sea is above 20°C from mid-June to September, and the swimming season runs from June to October. In August the water reaches about 25°C, perfect for long days at the beach. Camping Bijela Uvala sits directly on the Adriatic in pine forest, so you are never far from a dip.

Camping Bijela UvalaFuntana

How far is it from the Netherlands to Istria by car?

From Utrecht, Istria is about 1364 km, roughly 12 hours of driving without stops. Many families split the trip with an overnight stop. Croatia has no vignette; you pay tolls per motorway section. Pula is the main airport if you prefer to fly.

Which campsites in Istria have water parks?

Several. Valamar Camping Lanterna (Tar) has the Aquamar Family Waterpark with 10 heated pools, 1,525 m² of water fun and slides. Camping Bi Village has three pools, a kids' spray park and an inflatable sea water park. Camping Istria Park Umag offers six pools and a pirate ship.

Valamar Camping LanternaTar

Camping Bi VillageValbandon

Camping Istria Park UmagUmag

Can we go camping in Istria with our dog?

Yes. Several of our Istria campsites welcome dogs. Camping Bi Village even has its own beach for dogs, plus dog facilities, while Camping Bijela Uvala also offers dog facilities. Pine forests and coastal paths around Rovinj make daily walks a pleasure for the whole family.

Camping Bi VillageValbandon

Camping Bijela UvalaFuntana