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Where To Go Camping In Croatia
Ever thought about going camping in Croatia? Well, you should! Croatia is full of natural and cultural treasures, from beautiful beaches and rugged mountains to medieval towns and stunning waterfalls. Its location and terrain make it a wonderland for outdoor adventures.
Croatia also has a very strong infrastructure system, including a modern highway making travel around the country very easy.
The natural beauty and rich cultural history make Croatia a country worth visiting for a camping trip. The fact that it is very well priced is a further incentive to add this to your travel list.
Are There Dispersed Or Wild Camping For Free In Croatia
Croatia doesn’t allow free, dispersed camping. This is common in most European countries as they don’t have the amount of open public land as North America.
You will need to stay on camp grounds or at designated Croatia campsites. With that in mind, there are countless places to camp, ranging from luxury glamping locations to primitive sites in rural and wilderness areas.
What Is The Best Time To Camp In Croatia
Along the coast, the weather in Croatia is very mild from spring to fall, with cool and wet winters.
Summer, from June to September, is the best time to visit, with a daily average high of around 26C.
The late spring or early autumn can be lovely for most activities, with daily averages in the mid to high teens. The benefit is lower prices and less traffic, but the water temperatures will be too cold for most people to enjoy swimming.
If you head into the country’s interior, especially the mountains, expect it to be noticeably cooler temperatures, even in the summer. Dinara, the highest peak in Croatia, is about 60 kilometers from the coast so bundle up if you want to mix your sea-shore adventure with some mountain scrambling, as the ecosystems are vastly different.
Best Budget Camping In Croatia
Polidor Family Camping Resort, Poreč
If you are looking for an affordable but clean place to camp with easy access to the water, then Polidor Family Camping Resort is a prime destination. Located on the western coast of the Istria Peninsula in Northern Croatia, you have beachside access and many on-premises amenities.
Istria juts out into the Adriatic Sea with rocky shores, sandy beaches, and crystal-clear azure-colored water. This coastal area is pedestrian and cycling-friendly, with the beach, restaurants, shops, and entertainment a short walk from the resort.
The resort has multiple swimming pools and onsite massage therapy for relaxation after a day of exploring.
Polidor Family Camping Resort has a good reputation for cleanliness and excellent customer service. They have several accommodation levels, from tents and mobile campers to villas and cottages, to cover just about any price point. The various types of units are comfortable with space for couples up to families of 6.
Each Croatia campsite is around 80 sq Meters giving you more than enough room to fit a large-sized camping tent. The tent and camper pitches have electricity, water hookups, and enough space to park a car or camper van. If you bring your tent, you can get a spot for as little as 40 Euros per day for up to 6 people.
The onsite restaurant and bar have many locally sourced seafood dishes and their specialty, “Polidor Steak.” The poolside bar offers many snack options and well-priced drinks.
The Polidor Resort has a train that will take you 800 meters to the beach. You will get a discount for beach access by booking at the resort. The bar has good food and affordable drinks, making for a fun day at the seaside.
Beyond the beach are bike trails, hiking trails to explore, and a medieval keep on top of a hill to check out.
Best Luxury Camping In Croatia
Aminess Atea Camping Resort, Krk
On the island of Krk, just off the coast, Aminess Atea Camping Resort is a perfect camping getaway when you want to luxuriate in comfort. Located right on the beach in the fishing village of Njivice on the island’s western shore, you will be surrounded by turquoise water and views of beautiful islands off the channel.
To get there, you will need to take a ferry from the mainland, or you can drive across the bridge that connects to the north end of the island. There are also flights into the Krk Airport from some European cities.
Campsites are on offer for tents, campers, and vans. Traveling without camping gear, you can also rent a trailer or cabin. The resort boasts many shaded sites with
The resort has almost a kilometer of pebble beach with many amenities, including cabanas, a bar, open-air massage, standup paddle boards, kayaks, and a kid’s waterpark. You will also have access to the swimming pool for adults and children. The beach is perfect for relaxing or being active with long walks and watersports.
Within Aminess Atea Camping Resort are several restaurants, bars, shops, and services, including a spa. Just because you are camping doesn’t mean you can’t pamper yourself after a day on the beach.
The surrounding area offers many cycling, hiking, and outdoor sports options. On the island, you can hike summits up to 600 meters above sea level and explore caves in the Karst rock formations.
Boutique Camp Materada Beach, Poreč
Located just over a kilometer from the Poreč town center, within walking distance, and right next to a beautiful beach, Boutique Camp Materada is an excellent place for a family vacation. Surrounded by lush and fragrant Mediterranean vegetation, this holiday park offers accommodation in mobile homes or safari-style tents.
All units feature a private bathroom with a shower, kitchenette, dining room, and TV. The mobile homes have to be air-conditioned, too. The park also provides free WiFi to all guests.
This Croatia holiday park is especially remarkable for families and couples looking for a relaxing getaway on the coast of Istria. Besides super-easy beach access, guests can also enjoy the outdoor pool. Additionally, there’s an a la carte restaurant on site, which serves delicious seafood, fish, and meat meals and some truly superb wines.
Mobile Homes Camping Plitvice, Plitvička Jezera
Anyone looking to explore Plitvice Lakes National Park, one of Croatia’s most magnificent natural attractions, in detail and in-depth while enjoying some luxury should definitely look into Mobile Homes Camping Plitvice. This is one of the best-rated holiday parks in Croatia’s Plitvice area.
It’s a fantastic location to base yourself for a few days as you discover this gorgeous region. Accommodation is available in various mobile homes, ranging from double to deluxe two-bedroom. Both private parking and WiFi are complimentary.
In addition, this Plitvice holiday park also has a 24-hour reception, kids’ playground and kids’ club, outdoor pool, lush garden, and a bar. This is a particularly popular holiday park among couples. The distance to Plitvice Lakes National Park is about 8 kilometers.
Best Wilderness Adventure Camping In Croatia
Camping Plitvice, Plitvice National Park
If getting lost in the wilds is your calling, then Camping Plitvice is the place for you. Located just outside Plitvice National Park, this camping resort is the perfect jumping-off point for many days of adventure.
Camping Plitvice has cabins and trailers for rent along with campsites for trailers and tents. The onsite amenities, such as a swimming pool, restaurant, and communal gathering areas, make for a relaxing evening after a day of exploring the national park.
You can fill many days for recreation with hikes, kayaking, ziplines, cave exploring, and white water rafting. Paragliding is available for those who are particularly adventurous and want a unique view of this exciting terrain. There are many trails and roadways to tour by bike as well.
Plitvice National Park is home to many terraced lakes connecting with stunning waterfalls. This is Croatia’s oldest and largest national park, covering nearly 30,000 hectares. This park is a UNESCO World Heritage site due to the unique geological structure of the lakes. This area sees more rain than the coast, so make sure to bring a rain poncho to keep dry on those wet days.
Located in the lower elevations of the Dinarides mountains, the park has varied terrain from low-lying waterways to cliffs and low mountains. The Karst topography is caused by rock dissolving from running water, leading to various rock formations, gorges, and caves.
Best Camping For Couples In Croatia
Camp Zagreb, Zagreb
Just 15km from the historical center of Zagreb, Camp Zagreb is ideal for couples looking to camp while exploring the city. The campground has a romantic feel, located on Lake Rakitje, with beautiful sunsets and enough amenities to make a day at the campground enjoyable on its own.
Camp Zagreb offers reasonably priced trailer and tent sites, along with bungalows and glamping tents. If you are tent camping without a vehicle, the prices are pretty low at less than 10 Euros per person per night.
They also provide the perfect accommodation for a romantic getaway with their Wellness Suite. It contains a waterbed, hot tub, sauna, massage table, and terrace overlooking the lake. The Wellness Suite and Glamping Tent also include the use of kayaks at no extra charge.
World-class dining in one of Europe’s oldest cities is a big enough draw, but that is only the beginning. If you aren’t driving your vehicle, you can get into the city by train or taxi in less than 30 minutes. And the city of Zagreb is what makes this an excellent place for couples to camp.
Bordered by the Sava River to the south and Medvednica Mountain to the north, this medieval city is a mix of the old and the new. Whether you are looking for culture or outdoor adventure, all is at hand within the city limits. And for those who love to ski, visit Zagreb in the winter as there is a ski resort just north of town.
Lanterna Park Holiday Park, Poreč
Lanterna is one of the more popular parks for lounging around pools overlooking a bay. However, the real reason people flock to Lanterna is the nightlife. This is one of the more lively parks in Croatia.
Lanterna features campsites for pitching your tent or travel trailer and mobile homes that are air-conditioned and spacious. The swimming pool features a paddling area for children, a whirlpool, and a Jacuzzi for easing tense muscles after a long activity-filled day. There are also several pebble beaches scattered around the area.
If you bring kids, there is an activity games room and an onsite mini-golf course and trampolines. Outdoor activities include volleyball and tennis while you enjoy a meal at the restaurant, pizza place, or snack bar, or cook your own over a charcoal barbecue. If you feel like throwing a steak on the grill, a local supermarket is onsite to meet your needs.
Plus, you can enjoy a night at the disco between June and August.
Best Family Camping In Croatia
Zaton Holiday Resort, Nin
If you are heading camping in Croatia with your family, there isn’t a better place than Zaton Holiday Resort. Located on the Adriatic Coast in the Dalmatia Region, this resort is home to everything from luxury suites to a thousand campsites.
When camping, they can accommodate trailers, camper vans, and tents for groups of up to 100 people. The prime campsites are those directly next to the beach with beautiful sunsets visible from your pitch.
With 1.5 kilometers of beach with shallow water, it is perfect for families with kids. Beach chair and umbrella rentals are saving you from bringing your own. There are also options for tube rides, kayak rentals, and other water sports to keep the family busy for days.
When it comes to kids, there are a ton of activities, including climbing nets and inflatables at the beach. There is also a kid’s pool, play center, playground, and mini disco.
This self-contained vacation community has restaurants, sports fields, bars, and shops. There is even an outdoor workout area to stay in shape on your trip.
Camping Bi Village Holiday Park, Fažana
The outdoor swimming area features a water slide for kids that is very popular. There is also an extended area for paddling and a bar pool that features spa jets for grown-ups.
At Bi Village, you will find various sports to keep your sport-loving family happy, from table tennis and two shared walls to football, scuba diving, and fishing to keep everyone in your family engaged. There is indeed no shortage of activities to keep you occupied during your stay here.
As for other forms of entertainment include outdoor shows and cabarets during the summer and an indoor disco open to those aged 16 and older. You may also purchase an activity card that will give you special discounts on some of the resort’s activities and programs.
You won’t get hungry, either. There are plenty of dining establishments on site, catering to you either having a sit-down meal or getting your food to go.
Bungalow & Mobile Homes Solaris, Šibenik
One of the most fun holiday parks in Croatia is found in Šibenik. Part of the Solaris Beach Resort, the Bungalow & Mobile Homes Solaris holiday park lies about 2.5 kilometers from the famous St. Nicholas Fortress. It has all the necessary facilities for a stress-free vacation in Dalmatia.
All units have a terrace, satellite flat-screen TV, and kitchen with microwave, stove, fridge, and coffee machine. They have three bedrooms and two bathrooms with a shower, dining room, and living room. It’s really like a home away from home. However, if you don’t like cooking, you can hit up the camp restaurant, where you can indulge in traditional meat and fish dishes typical of Dalmatia.
Regarding amenities, complimentary WiFi and several onsite sports, including basketball, football (soccer), tennis, and volleyball. Guests can also take part in several different water sports. This holiday park in Croatia has its water park, too, complete with water slides and other fun stuff. This makes Solaris a fantastic destination for families with kids, for sure.
Mobile Home TourISTRA, Umag
This is one of the largest parks in the region, boasting a capacity of over 6,000 guests at one time. The swimming pools here feature luxurious waterfalls, a pirate ship, and other fortresses for you and your family to enjoy and explore together. It is an ideal place for family getaways.
The landscape here has been designed to be eco-friendly. Accommodations feature sites that have electrical hookups for motorhomes should you need them.
Part of Park Umag’s appeal is the numerous bars, restaurants, and fast food outlets on site. Grab some of that fast food if you are on the go and need to eat quickly. No need to cook while you are on your family vacation! Relax with a drink in the evening, or sit down and dine formally together when you want to.
Besides the usual tennis and volleyball activities, this park also has more extreme sports, including diving. There are various daily entertainment programs for young and older people, and a particular club caters to younger visitors.
If the holiday park does not fulfill your thirst for fun, check out this water park less than 30 minutes away.
Wrap Up On Camping Croatia
Croatia is a perfect vacation camping destination with thousands of miles of coastline and hundreds of mountains. Whether you are into relaxing by the water or challenging yourself, there are countless options in this beautiful country.
As you can see, Camping croatia has the advantage of being easily accessible and affordable for the adventurous traveler who wants to get away from the standard tourist destinations.