The Best Campsites in Istria: From Family Resorts to Secluded Retreats

The difference isn’t just in price, but in the kind of experience you’re looking for. Some campsites offer only the basics – a pitch, electricity, and shared facilities – which is perfect if you want to stay close to nature. Others feel more like full resorts, with kids’ parks, sports courts, and organised activities.

That variety is what makes Istria such a flexible destination. The coast is always within reach, but how you experience it depends on how much structure you want in your holiday.

To highlight the best campsites in Istria, we looked at the picks from the Croatian Camping Association, which highlights top-quality camps across the country with its “Croatia’s Best Campsites” label.

Below is a selection of camps that stand out for their location, facilities, and overall experience.

Best 5-Star Campsite

While the kids try to beat their record on the waterslide, you can be here

Valamar Camping Istra is where camping stops feeling like a compromise and becomes a choice, sometimes even a better one than a hotel stay. Set on a wooded peninsula in Funtana, between Poreč and Vrsar, this 5-star campsite in Istria brings together premium facilities and the freedom of staying outdoors.

The Aquamar water park, with five heated pools and a 10-metre waterslide, isn’t just an extra – it’s the heart of the experience for families. The Histri Island Edutainment Park goes beyond standard animation, turning kids into little Bronze Age explorers. And in the evening, the Istra Theatre raises expectations with professionally produced shows, live music, and entertainment you wouldn’t usually associate with a campsite.

The accommodation follows the same standard. You can choose between luxury villas with private pools, contemporary glamping tents, spacious camping homes, or seaside pitches – all without compromising on comfort.

Whichever option you go for, you’ll have access to everything the resort offers – from the Aquamar water park and well-kept beaches overlooking the Vrsar archipelago to restaurants and the wellness area.

Best Family Campsite

Lanterna offers childcare during peak season, while Maro Ropeland keeps kids entertained for hours

Valamar Camping Lanterna isn’t a typical campsite, it feels more like a small seaside village. It stretches along three kilometres of coastline between Novigrad and Poreč, with beaches, restaurants, shops, and facilities unfolding across its different zones.

You can choose between pitches, glamping tents, and camping homes, organised into themed villages with distinct concepts – from Maro Village near the kids’ facilities to Marbello Village closer to the beach.

At the centre is Aquamar, a premium water park with ten pools, slides, and a pirate ship that quickly becomes the highlight of the day for younger children. Through Maro Club programmes, playrooms, and the Teen Lounge, activities are tailored by age group, so every child has their own space, and parents get some time to themselves.

That’s exactly why Valamar Camping Lanterna stands out as one of the best campsites in Istria for families who don’t want to compromise between facilities, flexibility, and actually being able to relax.

Best Naturist Campsite

Nature, the sea, and that feeling of finally switching off

Camping Solaris is one of the best-known naturist campsites in Istria, focused on what guests come here for – peace, nature, and a sense of freedom. Located on the green Lanterna peninsula between Poreč and Novigrad, it’s the kind of place where it’s easy to disconnect from everyday routines.

The long coastline, with a mix of coves, rocky and pebble beaches, gives everyone space to find their own spot, without crowds or noise. Pine forests provide natural shade, and the entire campsite keeps a calm, unforced rhythm that’s hard to find in popular summer destinations.

The experience at Solaris isn’t built around big attractions, but around simplicity and freedom. Days naturally fill up with swimming, seaside walks, light sports, or relaxing by the pool. Everything is within easy reach, but never overcrowded.

Accommodation includes spacious pitches, camping homes, and apartments, designed for guests who want a balance of comfort and an authentic outdoor stay.

Camping Solaris is the right choice for those who don’t see naturism as an add-on to their holiday, but as its foundation.

Best Premium Campsite

Sunset, an infinity pool, and the feeling of having an entire bay to yourself

Punto Blu Valamar Camping Village is as close as camping gets to a boutique resort experience. Set above Tar Bay, between Poreč and Novigrad, it’s a small, thoughtfully designed space with just around thirty premium chalet homes. Intimate enough to feel peaceful, yet with views and amenities that bring a sense of exclusivity.

Here, the focus is on the atmosphere. An infinity pool overlooking the sea, breakfast that’s included, and touches like concierge service or a relaxed “bubbly hour” make it feel like everything is already taken care of. Free bikes are another bonus, perfect for easy rides along the coast or spontaneous exploring.

Although it feels private and tucked away, Punto Blu isn’t isolated. You still have access to all the facilities of nearby Valamar Camping Lanterna – from restaurants and sports activities to the Aquamar water park – but without having to be part of the crowds.

The accommodation reflects the same idea: modern chalet homes with spacious terraces, sea views, and a level of comfort you’d expect from a hotel, just set in nature.

Punto Blu Valamar Camping Village offers something larger resorts often can’t – space, quiet, and the feeling of having your own corner by the sea, without giving up on facilities.

Best Campsite to Completely Switch Off

Clear sea, quiet coves, and the simplicity of camping as it used to be

Valamar Camping Marina reveals a completely different side of Istria. On the eastern coast near Labin and Rabac, overlooking the Kvarner Bay and its islands, it offers wide, open sea views and a sense of space rarely found on the busier western coast.

The campsite is known for one of the best diving centres in the Mediterranean, complete with an infinity pool designed for introductory dives and full-service support for divers.

But you don’t need to dive to appreciate it. Most pitches are set right by the sea, overlooking the Kvarner islands of Cres and Susak. The beaches are natural and pebbled, without rows of sunbeds. Bistro Punta offers a half-board option for those who don’t want to cook, but there’s no animation, no shopping zone, and no crowds.

Valamar Camping Marina is the place to come when you want to experience Istria differently – more open, more peaceful, and closer to nature.

Find Your Istrian Campsite

Camping in Istria today is about much more than a simple stay in nature.

From large family resorts with pools and organised programmes, to smaller seaside camps, to premium concepts that come close to boutique hotels – each option offers a different kind of holiday.

That’s why the decision isn’t really about which campsite is “the best”, but which one suits you best. Do you want days filled with activities, or more space and quiet? More structure, or more spontaneity?

That’s also Istria’s biggest advantage as a camping destination – it’s easy to find a place that matches your rhythm, instead of having to adjust to it.

In the end, the difference isn’t in the number of stars, but in how you want your days to feel.