Camping in Istria

Holidays in Istria

Rolling hills dipping into sunlit, crystal waters. Centuries-old trading towns and easy-going Adriatic resorts. Croatia’s Istrian Peninsula is a relaxed and family-friendly spot where summers are as warm as the welcome.

Istria is a well loved region of Croatia, and is popular with holiday makers across Europe and the world. Home to towns such as Pula, it is the ideal location for a camping holiday. Camping holidays in Istria offer you a great way to explore this inspiring region - bordering Slovenia, you will get to experience a great deal of culture and adventure.

Our campsites in Istria offer the perfect spot for you to relax and explore everything that Istria has to offer.

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Visiting Istria

A tale of two cultures

There are many things to do in Istria. Roman streets and city ramparts, the red-tiled roofs of the old towns, and the symbol of the Venetian empire – the lion of St Mark – is everywhere you care to look. Signs that this sunny land was once very much connected with its Italian neighbours, while nowadays definitely being Croatian and proud of its culture.

Dive into the blue

The seas around the coast here are some of the clearest and most dazzling you’ll find anywhere. Grab a snorkel, or simply go for a swim, diving off the bathing platforms into beautiful, sun-warmed waters. You’ll find sandy beaches, too: and plenty of islands to explore.

The outdoor life

This is a sporty, outdoorsy peninsula, with cycle tracks and trails to tackle, horse riding opportunities galore, and plenty of possibilities for exploring the peninsula’s unspoiled interior. Try the Istrian Wine route if you like a reward of something cool and refreshing at the end of your journey!

More about Istria

Regional highlights

It is hard to choose the best bits of Istria, but we have pulled together some of our regional highlights.

Dinopark, Funtana
This is a theme park with a difference. And the difference is dinosaurs! Rides, shows, restaurants and plenty of places to play in this Poreč funfair with a definite slant towards the Jurassic!

Roman Amphitheatre, Pula
The largest amphitheatre outside Rome (and the only surviving one in the world with all four towers remaining), this is the main draw of an already-thrilling town. In summer, it makes for a dramatic setting for concerts.

Fazana
With its pastel-painted villas lining the sea, and its general air of easy going charm, your nearest town, Fazana, is the perfect holiday hub. There’s a string of great restaurants along the waterfront, lots of opportunities to get out on the water and explore the coast, and an atmospheric old town with winding streets, mediaeval churches and cosy bars.

Island hop in Brijuni
This group of islands off the western coast not far from Pula are part nature reserve, and part time capsule: with a cultural heritage dating from the Roman and Byzantine times. Tourist boats take you to their best bits for the day.

Speleo Adventure, Pazin
There are show caves, and there is Pazin. A zip-wiring, caving, potholing underground adventure. Not for those with even the merest hint of claustrophobia, of course. But great fun if you want to see what’s under Croatia’s surface.

Getting there

There are many different ways for you to get to Istria, whether you prefer to fly or drive.

Airports in Istria
It's never been easier to choose the fly-drive option.

Zadar
Pula

Car Hire
Europcar provide you with really competitive prices on car hire with collection from all major airports or TGV train stations.

Unlimited mileage
Third-party insurance
Collision Damage Waiver
Airport hire surcharges
Local taxes

When calling us to book your car hire you must supply us with details of your flight number and arrival time. This is imperative to guarantee your hire car will be available for pick-up should your flight be delayed.

Ferries to Istria
The old saying that getting there is half the fun is certainly true when you make a ferry ride as part of your plans.

Calais
Dubrovnik
Split

With a huge choice of operators and routes - not to mention the Eurotunnel, taking your car to the continent has never made more sense.

Days out

Istria finds itself in a great location for days out - with Italy easily reached as well as other Croatian towns.

Venice
Hop aboard the hovercraft to Venice – add another country to your holiday count and visit Italy for the day. Whilst there, take a waterbus down the Grand Canal lined with elegant and impressive houses and palaces. Navigate the side ‘streets’ on a gondola. Join the crowds in St Mark’s Square and on the Bridge of Sighs. Yes, it’s touristy: but with good reason. This is one of the wonders of the modern world, and has to be seen at least once in your lifetime! It’s a three hour sailing, but grab a spot on deck and relax in the sunshine!

Mramornica Cave
Head to the nearby town of Brtonigla to visit one of Istria’s largest natural wonders: the Mramornica Cave. This subterranean structure consists of a large chamber filled with dripstone formations of different colours and huge stalagmites some 13 metres tall and up to 10 metres wide.

Istralandia Aquapark
Just outside of Novigrad, this wonderful water world has 20 different slides and the biggest swimming pool with artificial waves in this part of Europe. Surf, swim or float on dinghies – the choice is yours.

The Poreč Aquarium
Located in the heart of the city, this excellent attraction features 24 aquariums revealing the variety of life and colour the Adriatic Sea is home to, including 70 different specimens of fish, crabs and other weird and wonderful creatures.

The Wine Route
Istria’s wine roads lead to some of Croatia’s leading wine producers, including Kozlović Degrassi, Coronica and Kabola. All you need to do is choose a wine cellar or two on the wine road. Your hosts at the wine cellars and vineyards will eagerly take you through all the phases of wine growing and production.

Towns and villages

There are many towns in Istria that you should add to your itinerary on your trip.

Rovinj
Rovinj is a gorgeous holiday resort, complete with atmospheric old town rising from a spit of land jutting out into the Adriatic: all red-tiled roofs, twisting lanes and welcoming shops, galleries and bars. Climb the steps of the cathedral of St Euphemia in the middle of the old town for a smashing view. The coastline, in either direction from here, is splendid - lots of places for swimming, sunbathing or supping a drink at a waterfront bar.

Pula
A fascinating town with a long and proud history, Pula is home to the only remaining Roman amphitheatre to have all four towers intact. It’s huge and wonderfully lit up at night (even staging summer concerts). The Archaeological Museum and the 13th Century Church of St Francis are both worth your time.

Tar and Vabriga
Originally two settlements, today Tar and Vabriga are joined into one town, which descends from its 100 metre high plateau to the Adriatic. The location offers a spectacular view towards Novigrad in the north and Poreč in the south. On a clear, sunny day you can see the Alps and from the top of Tar's bell tower even Venice. This region is famed for its exceptional olive oil, so make sure you stock up before you leave (try Stojnic Antoni Nivio, Republicka 15, Vabriga).

Umag
It must be something to do with the dazzlingly clear light, but Umag attracts a distinctly creative crowd. In the centre of Umag, amongst the old town walls, you’ll find Gallery Marin. This modern art gallery is a great place to get to grips with Croatian art and you’ll find a range of unique exhibitions and events on offer throughout the year. Elsewhere, the city’s old town is a warren of enticing bars, shops and restaurants.

History

There is a lot of history to be seen in Istria - a region that has belonged to many other countries over the years - previously Italy, France and Austria briefly.

Pula's Roman Amphitheatre
The roman period can be seen across Istria, and most clearly in Pula. It is no surprise given the proximity of this region to Italy and previous rulers of the region. Pay a visit to this interesting piece of history on your trip to Istria.

Nature

Istria is home to a beautiful coastline and equally as incredible nature.

Kanegra beach
Relaxed family-friendly spot with a nice, shaded fringe of trees for when that Croatian sun gets a little too hot. It’s a shingly beach, but the waters are warm and clear, and the gently shelving sea means it’s great for little paddlers.

Tican Observatory
Got any budding Brian Cox’s in your family? Take them to this great little observatory. It’s located near the village of Višnjan, around a 45-minute drive from Pula. The centre is open on Thursdays, and it’s free. While you’re there, you can look through the telescope to see the moon and planets around the Solar System, and look at its exhibits of meteorites.

Polynesia Beach/Sol Katoro
The Blue Flag beaches of Polynesia/Sol Katoro are a delight. There are concrete bathing platforms to sunbathe on, and dive from, and a kids’ playground for little ones. Beach volleyball tournaments welcome all comers too! A tourist train will take you to the beach from the centre of the resort.

Olive Oil
Umag is proud of its olive oil. It should be. The Romans rated it very highly. You can taste it while visiting olive growers’ mills and homes. Try Farma Jola in Crveni - one of the best known environmentally sensitive producers of olive oils in Istria, who grow their olives completely organically.

Sports and activities

On top of the exploring you are bound to do, you can also get involved in plenty of activities in Istria.

Cycling adventures
Pula is a great destination for cycling. There are bike paths which stretch along the seashore as well as those which go through the rural hinterland, through forests, alongside the ruins of castles, prehistoric hill forts, churches and rustic villas.

Go for a swim
The sea quality in Istria is uniformly high, with a plenty of Blue Flag beaches; the sign of clean sea, quality services and equipment, and lifeguards usually on duty. Brulo Beach in Poreč has enjoyed 21 Blue Flag awards in a row; so it’s not a bad place to start!

Try a Jeep safari
For the most thrilling way to explore the wild Istrian hinterland, hop on board an escorted Jeep safari and discover hidden bays and wonderful vantage points you only find when you really go off-grid. There are operators in Umag and Poreč.

Learn how to windsurf
The windsurfing academy at Park Canova Bay offer lessons and kit hire, if you’ve always wanted to have a go, here’s your chance. The nice, sheltered bay offers just enough of a breeze to get you up and away (and back again!).