Camping in Croatia – Our tips

Croatia is one of the most popular destinations for European campers. Nature is beautiful and varied and cities are steeped in history and full of exciting culture. From national parks with waterfalls to sandy beaches to culture and ancient buildings. There's something to enjoy for everyone while camping in Croatia.

So, do also want to take a break in a camper in Croatia? We do and that’s why we’ll tell you everything you need to know before your camping holiday and also reveal our top 5 campsites.

On your journey through Croatia you will probably already encounter many beautiful places that invite to stay before arriving at your actual destination.

Of course, you can choose from many routes. Which route is the most suitable depends on each camper. From Munich it's easier to drive through Salzburg, Villach, Ljubljana and then across the border of Croatia. On this route you are already passing many beautiful places. Ljubljana for example is the capital of Slovenia and definitely worth a visit.

Road tolls are of course an important topic to talk about as they will arise already on the way to Croatia and differ from country to country. The use of Austrian freeways and expressways requires a so-called “Vignette” which can be purchased at almost every gas station in Austria and at gas stations near the border to Austria. The price of the vignette varies depending on the duration of use. In Slovenia a vignette must be purchased as well in order to use highways or expressways. In Croatia on the other hand, you get a ticket at the beginning of a toll route which you hand in and pay for at a machine when you leave this route.

Once you've arrived in Croatia you will certainly have to ask yourself which traffic rules are new to you and which you should definitely be careful to follow. In general, it can be said that the traffic rules are not very different from those in Germany. However, you should have a look at the speed limits. The speed is limited to 50 km/h in the city, 90 km/h outside the city and on the highway you're allowed to drive with a maximum speed of 130 km/h.

By the way, in Croatia you pay with Croatian Kuna. One kuna currently corresponds to 13 ct.

Croatia is without a doubt a very beautiful country with many possibilities and many facets at any time of the year. Near the coast there's a Mediterranean climate. The summers here are sunny and dry while winters are humid and mild. The Pannonian Plain is a very flat basin with average summer temperatures of 26°C. Only in the Dinaric mountain region it gets cooler. Here the temperatures decrease with increasing altitude.

The best time for camping in Croatia is from May to September because in this period the average temperature is pleasantly warm to summer hot and perfect to enjoy warm evenings outdoors and beautiful days on the beach.

The cost of pitches on campsites varies. In the off season you can find pitches from 25 euros per night. In the main season they cost 40 – 60 euros for 2 people and a car.

On the subject of reservations, it all depends on how risk-averse you are. Generally speaking, it's not necessary to make reservations for campsites but in high season a campsite can be fully booked. If you want to take the safe option it's better to make a reservation in advance. If you want to travel spontaneously then you can also do so without a reservation when camping in Croatia.

In Croatia wild camping unfortunately is prohibited. To learn more you can have a look at our blog article Wildcampen mit dem Camper . There are heavy fines for violating this law. So it's better to stay on campsites for sleeping. These are usually very well equipped in Croatia.

Our tip for your packing list: Be sure to take bathing shoes with you. The sea in Croatia is turquoise blue and has a pleasant temperature. But you have to watch out as there are sharp stones and sea urchins on the ground.

Croatia is a beautiful vacation destination, this should now be clear. In addition, there are also highlights that you should definitely see while camping in Croatia.

The city is located in the south of Croatia and is considered the most beautiful city in the country. It's located directly by the sea and combines beach vacation with a city full of history and a picturesque old town. Worth seeing here are the old city walls, the beautiful old town and the island Lokrum which is located only a few metres from the old town. It's only 1,600 meters long and 500 meters wide and uninhabited. The beautiful rocky beaches, the Benedictine monastery and a botanical gardens are waiting for you.

On the Dalmatian coast of Croatia is Split. The city is known for the Diocletian’s Palace which dominates the city center and for its beautiful beaches. The palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the best preserved monuments of Roman architecture in the world. The old town is also very beautiful and invites you for a stroll. The beautiful city of Split should not be missed when camping in Croatia.

Although Croatia is mostly associated with beach vacations the mainland can also convince with the beautiful capital of the country: Zagreb. Characteristic for Zagreb is its Austro-Hungarian architecture from the 18th and 19th century. It is composed of the upper town Gornji Grad and the lower town Donji Grad. There are a lot of cafes, restaurants and bars. It’s a great place to observe the hustle and bustle of the city. Zrinjevac Park should also be on your to-do list for Zagreb. Pack your picnic blanket and head into the park. A little time out there is definitely worth it.

The nature of the country can be enjoyed very well in the Krka National Park while camping in Croatia. The river of the same name which flows through the park forms seven impressive waterfalls. On a small hike you can explore those and also many lakes. There is also a Franciscan monastery. It's located on an island in one of the lakes. From the numerous lookout points you can enjoy the great scenery. The national park is the perfect destination for the whole family because in some spots you can even go for a swim.

Last but not least, our top 5 campsites.

There's only one thing missing to make your camping trip in Croatia perfect: a list of the best campsites. You can find our favorites below.

This resort is located on a small peninsula near the town of Labin which is located on a hill and the seaside resort of Rabac on the east coast of Istria. This campsite is ideal for diving enthusiasts, active families and guests who like to relax on the beautiful beaches of the peninsula.

On the island of Losinj, surrounded by deep blue water, lies the Camping Village Polijana. It's perfect for a relaxing vacation with the family as there's a kids club, kids disco and sports fields. Due to the island location the village has several access points to the water. You can swim or also rent a boat to explore the surroundings.

On the beautiful island of Krk you can enjoy your camping vacation in the Jezevac Premium Resort. It is just a few minutes walk from the old town of Krk. Thanks to the many recreational facilities such as renting a stand up paddling board or a kayak you can not only enjoy relaxing evenings in the city but you can also spend an active holiday with the family.

Four kilometers north of the town of Rovinj in the province of Istria (which is known for its Italian charm) lies the Camp Val Saline in a bay. This camping site has numerous pitches for campers, campervans and tents. If you want to spend your vacation not only on the beach, the trips to the surrounding towns of Rovinj and Pula are worthwhile. There you can stroll through the streets and admire old buildings. In Pula you can even have a look at the remains of a Roman amphitheater.

On the island of Losinj you can stay at the campsite Cikat. The place convices with its 700 meters long rocky beach and proximity to the town of Mali Lošinj. The town is picturesquely beautiful and is known for its natural harbor and promenade. In the harbor basin you will find a variety of cafes and restaurants that invite you to linger.

Addendum: When planning your trip you should of course always take note of the current travel warnings. We do not recommend traveling to covid high-risk areas.

Croatia is the ideal country for a camping vacation and offers plenty of opportunities for an unforgettable time with its numerous scenic and cultural facets . The many small islands are great destinations and the turquoise ocean is a dream for diving enthusiasts. For your perfect camping trip in Croatia you're only missing the perfect camper van. You can find and book this camper and everything else you need on our website. Also, to take some of the planning off your hands we already created a packing list for you.