Camoing in Istria

Picturesque old towns, turquoise waters, fine wines and long, balmy summer evenings: The Istrian peninsula in north-west Croatia offers a variety of holidays for nature and culture lovers, sports enthusiasts, gourmets and connoisseurs. Despite its popularity, Istria enchants with its original and nostalgic charm: Venetian villas, secluded mountain villages, imposing fortresses and dense forests alternate and are framed by the glittering Adriatic Sea.

When camping in Istria, swimming plays the main role for most campers, which is why the campsites in Istria are located on the coast and at the same time at the gates of one of the romantic coastal towns. Many campers have fun in the water during the day, while in the evening they stroll through the nostalgic alleyways and stop off at the idyllic restaurants. On Istrian campsites, people barbecue, play music and laugh until late in the evening. Couples and families alike feel at home when camping in Istria. Some campsites even allow you to bring your own dog. The dense forests and olive groves in the hinterland are ideal for hiking with your four-legged friend or for mountain biking.

Special features of camping in Istria

Istria in the north of Croatia is a paradise for campers of all ages. As the interior of the sunny peninsula is sparsely populated, campers in the hinterland usually drive along adventurous gravel roads. Some of the mountain villages look like they belong to a bygone era. There is a lot of warmth and hospitality in this rural idyll, but only a few campsites. With a bit of luck, you can park your motorhome by the roadside or in a farmyard.

The spacious campsites, such as the Aminess Maravea Camping Resort near Novigrad-Cittanova or the Lanterna Premium Camping Resort, are mainly located along the coast. The bays and pebble beaches on the west coast of Istria are particularly popular, as are the enchanting towns of Umag, Porec, Rovinj, Pula and many others. Almost all towns on the west coast have a historic town centre, whether they are old fishing villages or Venetian-influenced harbour towns.

Istria's holiday resorts and campsites are located in the surrounding area and promise a relaxing and restful holiday thanks to their modern facilities and high quality. The pitches and mobile homes can be booked for reasonable prices. However, there are few sandy beaches in Istria, but the water in the bay of Plomin-Fianona and in the fjord-like inlets appears clear and crystal-clear due to the rocky subsoil. Many campers will not only dive to the bottom of the pool at their campsite, but also deep to the bottom of the Adriatic.

Children are particularly important at campsites in Istria. A playground, children's entertainment, baby changing rooms and separate children's sanitary facilities are the standard for a balanced camping holiday at almost all campsites.

Catering

When camping in Istria, restaurant visits offer a tasty change of pace, but most Croatian dishes can be prepared at any campsite barbecue. Campers can buy strongly flavoured grilled meat such as ražnjići and Ćevapčići at markets or supermarkets. Frittate, which are omelettes filled with all kinds of fillings, are a quick and filling egg dish for active holidaymakers. Onion rings and ajvar as well as French fries or rice are among the side dishes for fish and meat dishes.

A good drop of wine from the wine-growing regions of Istria should not be missed with the meal. Red wine is often served slightly chilled or with orange juice as a cocktail. Campers can not only sample the popular Malvasia in one of the taverns along the wine routes of the wine-growing regions, but also buy it for the barbecue.

Destinations in Istria

It is not far from most campsites in Istria to the nearest sights. Old cathedrals, fishing settlements and town walls can be admired. Ice cream parlours, taverns and fish restaurants provide culinary delights as you wander through the historic villages. Campers can experience the flair and charm of the past in the following towns in particular:

Poreč

Poreč is a popular romantic holiday resort with a former bishop's residence. The well-preserved cathedral complex with the Euphrasian Basilica decorated with mosaics is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Vrsar

Not far from Poreč lies Vrsar - an idyllic fishing village that once served as the summer residence of the bishops of Poreč and is characterised by small Venetian town palaces. Its noble past still defines the charm of this thriving town today.

Rovinj

The historic town is located on an almost circular peninsula, on which numerous pretty houses nestle close together. The narrow streets take campers into one of the most beautiful old towns in the region.

Pula

Pula' s town history goes back over 3,000 years. Traces of Roman times can be admired here by holidaymakers: The well-preserved amphitheatre stands in the middle of the town centre. The influences of the Austrians, who used the city as a naval base, are also immortalised in the city's architecture.

Best time to visit

The holiday season in Istria starts at the beginning of May and ends in October, but most campsites in Istria are open all year round. Even in the early part of the year, summery temperatures attract visitors to camp in Istria. The soothing warm air from the Adriatic Sea refreshes tired winter spirits from the moment you arrive. The Mediterranean climate on Istria and the winter rain bring a blooming splendour in spring and cover the island with a delicate veil of green. The hot, dry summers warm the waters of the Adriatic to a pleasant 25°C in midsummer. In spring and autumn, bathing temperatures are around 16°C thanks to the exposed location. Thanks to the warm summer weather with little rainfall, many holidaymakers travel to Istria for camping as well as outdoor activities.

Top 5 sights

• Temple of Augustus: This well-preserved temple from the 1st century is located in the centre of Pula on Republic Square.
• Amphitheatre: The monument in Pula is an architectural monument from Roman times and one of the largest historical amphitheatres in the world.
• Euphrasian Basilica: The sacred building in Poreč is one of the most spectacular in Croatia and an important testimony to late antique and early Byzantine art in the Adriatic region.
• Limski Canal: South of Vrsar, the canal meanders 10 kilometres inland. Excursion boats ply the waterway and offer wonderful views of the lush Mediterranean vegetation, forests and rugged rock faces.
• Brijuni: The archipelago consists of inhabited and uninhabited islands in the national park of the same name. Veli Brijun is home to an extensive safari park as well as mouflon and fallow deer in the wild.

Top 3 insider tips

• Slovenian Riviera: The 46-kilometre-long Slovenian Riviera lies just above Istria. The holiday region offers particularly favourable excursion possibilities and gastronomy. With a little luck, you can also top up your holiday funds in some of the casinos.
• Zlatni Rt: In the Zlatni Rt Forest Park, you can enjoy a picnic in an elegant setting. The well-kept park offers shady avenues of cedars and cypresses and access to the sea with a jetty.
• Zero Street: Zero Street is an underground tunnel system with air raid shelters in Pula. Today it serves as an extraordinary venue for concerts.

Excursions and activities

Diving and swimming

The beaches and clear waters of the Adriatic Sea are ideal for snorkelling and diving. Caves, wrecks and underwater rocks can be explored. Water fun of all kinds awaits on the frequented main beaches. Banana boat rides, paragliding over the sea, water scooters and jet ski excursions are particularly popular. Of course, holidaymakers can also just float in the water on an air mattress or row their dinghy. Those looking for original water fun can visit Istralandia. The water park offers a colourful mix of long slides, tidal pools, beach volleyball and gastronomy.

Kayak excursions

It doesn't get much more pristine than this: on a guided kayak tour on the Limski Canal, campers can experience the changes in nature first hand. On the water, holidaymakers glide deeper and deeper into the dense riverside forests. Exciting sea kayak tours at sunrise are offered by some boat hire companies off the west coast of Istria.

Boat trips

The Venetians used to dominate Istria for centuries. Today, many holidaymakers travel to Venice on speedboats and catamaran ferries. In addition to an exciting boat trip, campers gain a brief insight into the magic of the lagoon city.

Events

May

Vinistra wine fair in Poreč: Croatia's largest wine fair is held in Poreč every year in mid-May and attracts not only wine lovers from Istria, but also winemakers from all over the world.

June

• Rovinj Beach Polo Cup: A three-day polo tournament takes place on the popular Porton Biondi beach at the beginning of June.
• Concert Summer in Pula: From the beginning of June to the end of September, contemporary and classical concerts are performed in the open air at the Pula Amphitheatre.

July

• Pula Film Festival: mid-July; the Croatian film festival presents national and international films for cineastes in open-air cinemas and various venues, including the Roman amphitheatre in Pula.
• Plava Laguna Croatia Open Umag: Top athletes take part in the ATP tennis tournament in Umag at the end of July. It is one of the oldest tennis events in Croatia. In addition to the competitions, there is also a colourful culinary programme.

August

• MTV Summerblast: mid/end of August; the electro summer festival in Poreč presents renowned DJs with gigs to party to at the end of the summer holidays.

September

• Istrian Wine Run: At the beginning of the month, the high-performance sports festival takes place in Umag, centred around a marathon through the wine-growing regions of Istria.
• Truffle Days: At the end of September, Livade celebrates the start of the truffle season with exquisite cuisine and fun. Cookery shows with top chefs and numerous gourmet products are on the programme.