** CAMPSITES IN CR0ATIA **

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The interactive map (right) gives the location of all the campsites used by us in Croatia on our March~May 2008 trip.

     Click on the map's campsite locations to link to
                                              details in the chart below  

The chart gives details of:

  • campsite name and location
  • the date of our stay
  • our comments and assessment-rating

It is important to stress that prices quoted, and comments on features such as occupancy and noise-levels relate only to the dates we stayed there. At other times of the year, particularly the peak summer months of July~August, the whole of the Dalmatian coast would be an absolute no-go area in terms of tourist traffic and campsites overwhelmed with noise and bedlam; so be warned. During the early~mid Spring period, most of the sites were largely empty and delightfully peaceful.

Most of Croatia's regular campsites are concentrated along the Dalmatian coast and generally are of a high standard. Inland however in the Krajina region and Slavonia, where the tourists do not usually venture, there are simply no campsites; ingenuity is called for and our experiences may suggest a few venues.

SITE NAME LOCATION DATE OF STAY COST / NIGHT FEATURES and COMMENTS RATING
+5 excellent
    ~
-5 dreadful
THE JOURNEY OUT:  
Vogelsang Camping, Brodenbach In wooded valley above village of Brodenbach in Mosel Valley 13 March €10 10 kms from A61 junction 39, down into Mosel Valley; an old favourite of ours, so convenient on a cross-continental drive; and the Yachthaven bar in Brodenbach village is the closest thing in atmosphere to an English pub +4
Tenda Park Camping, Bad Feilnbach, Bavaria Just south of A8 junction 100, near village of Bad Feilnbach 14 March €20 Germanically efficient site with facilities to match and pleasantly wooded pitches; open all year round, and again it's a  convenient site for journeying south-east to Slovenia or over the Brenner to Italy +4
Kamp Kamne, Mojstrana, Slovenia Near villages of Dovje and Mojstrana opposite Vrata Valley in Julian Alps 15~16 March €17 The Voga family offers a hospitable welcome and are open all year round; flat pitches are terraced up the hillside with superb views across to the Vrata valley to snow-covered Triglav; Mercator supermarket in Mojstrana village +5
ISTRIA:  
Porton Biondi Camping, Rovinj 1 km north from Rovinj along main road at Porton Biondi village 17~18 & 21 March 125 kuna inc CCI discount Large site but superbly terraced up pine-wood covered hillside overlooking bay; a lovely position; helpful owner comes round in van to collect rent; 15 minute walk from site to Rovinj centre +3


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Stoja Camping, Pula Signposted on coastal headland at Stoja, southern suburbs of Pula 19~20 March 120 kuna inc 10% CCI discount Huge site covering entire headland, but exposed to Bura wind; quiet in March but would be hideous in summer; helpful reception; facilities superficially OK, but totally impracticable - minimal hot water, no shelves or hooks; excellent bus service into Pula from Stoja terminus immediately outside camp +1



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Auto Camp 1, Mošćenička Draga On coast at Mošćenička Draga village, Istria 22~23 March 132 kuna Good setting squeezed between looming down-slopes of Mount Učka massif and small coastal village (cafés and shops); staff pleasant and welcoming, but facilities woe-begone and limited; ground very muddy after rain +2


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ISLANDS OF CRES, KRK, RAB and PAG:
Kovačine Camping, Cres Town Island of Cres: 15 minutes' walk around lungomare from Cres town 24~25 & 27 March 96 kuna Large autocamp set in olives groves alongside beautiful Adriatic beach; excellent value, welcoming staff, clean modern facilities with plenty of hot water and washing machine, mini-market with excellent bread; site is just 15 minutes walk around lungomare to Cres town. In March~April deserted and peaceful but with all facilities open; all you could want of a site (BUT not in summer!) +5





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Slatina Camping, Martinšćica, Cres Island of Cres: near to Martinšćica village 26 March 119 kuna Enormous but desolate site; reception locked with no information about which facilities open early in year; when we eventually found open facilities, these were good but limited; thankfully rest of site was deserted but unkempt; it would be a seething abomination in summer! +2



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Bor Camping, Krk Town Island of Krk: 10 minutes walk from Krk town 28~31 March 110 kuna including 10% discount Family run site open all year round; the resident Mrakovčić family speak Italian and produce wine from their own vineyards; site rather ramshackle with lot of statics leaving limited space for visitors; facilities OK but limited; washing machine and small bar-restaurant +3      


        
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Padova III Camping, Rab Island of Rab: on coast 2 kms from Rab town 1~2 April 110 kuna including discount Ideal setting alongside beach, but poorly signed from main island road; excellent facilities but everything else closed in early April; friendly and efficient reception; 20 minute walk around lungomare to Rab town, with stunning views across marina +3



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Šimuni Camping Village, Pag Island of Pag: on western coast 5 kms from Pag town 3 April 88 kuna, inc 50% reduction for >60 and 5% CCI discount One of best value of trip; huge site, largely empty in April, terraced up steep, pine-covered hillside above lovely beach, but many pitches taken up by statics; friendly and helpful staff at reception; facilities rather care-worn but plenty hot water; fresh bread at bakery on site +3



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MID-DALMATIA:
Peroš Camping, Nin Zaton near Zadar Close to Nin Zaton village 10 kms north of Zadar 4~5 April <Camping Cheques> Small and friendly site opened in 2004 (not to be confused with neighbouring ghastly Zaton holiday complex); very helpful and hospitable warden; internet access and good facilities; buses for Zadar from Nin Zaton village (mini-markets) 20 minutes walk away +5



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Vesna Camping, Paklenica National Park On main road at corner of lane up to Paklenica Gorge 6~7 April 100 kuna Basic and straightforward site in garden of small pension, popular with climbers from Paklenica Gorge National Park, so potentially noisy; very limited facilities. There are a number of such small private sites in area; perhaps better to use Autocamp at Stari Grad village run by National Park (135 kuna/night) +1

 


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Oaza Mira Camping, Drage On coast near to Drage village 8~9 April

 

 <No charge> Campsite covers entire coastal headland and at time of our visit was in process of total renovation; not officially open, but allowed to stay free of charge; facilities open, water hot and power supplies live; when fully open in summer, site would be very crowded, but fine in April +3



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Solaris Holiday Complex, Šibenik 4 kms south of Šibenik 10 April So bad, we refused to pay
(would have been €13)		 Part of mammoth and ultra pretentious Solaris holiday complex, but in total dereliction; cross between building site and muddy car park, unfit for human habitation; poor facilities with no hot water; utterly unhelpful staff; so bad we refused to pay, and this was accepted with a shrug. TO BE AVOIDED AT ALL COSTS -5



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Wild Camp at Skradin In grassy car park near village of Skradin at Krka National Park 11 April   Delightful spot for wild camp at entrance to Skradin village, suggested by National Park warden, and convenient for early morning boats to Krka National Park; mini-market, bakers and good restaurants in village


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Krka
Camping, Skradin		 Up on high Karst plateau 3 kms above Krka gorge 12 April 80 Kuna Campsite straightforward, but open all year round and delightfully hospitable welcome from lady owner; excellent facilities; one of best sites of the trip
Next door Camp Marina looked equally good		 +5

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Rožac Camping, Trogir 2 kms south of Trogir old town on island of Čiovo 13~14 April <No charge> Renovation work still in progress and site not officially open, so invited to stay free of charge; but facilities open and power supplies live; site set on wooded headland overlooking bay with glorious sunsets; convenient for #44 bus into Trogir where parking is horrendous +3



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Stobreč Camping, Split At resort of Stobreč 5 kms south of Split 15~18 April 90 kuna Newly opened campsite (only one near to Split) formerly used to accommodate refugees from Bosnian wars; owner offering good value prices to build up custom. Superb shore-side setting with lights reflected across waters of bay in evening; helpful and welcoming staff - nothing too much trouble; facilities good with plenty of hot water; washing and drying machines; free internet; open all year round from 2009; good #25 bus service to/from Split from just outside camp; Kerum supermarket in Stobreč and mini-market at camp; only downside is young footballers playing on beach and local public walking through site, but seemingly no concerns over security +4

 

 





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ISLAND OF BRAČ and PELJEŠAC PENINSULA:
Supetar Camping, Supetar, Brač Island of Brač: just outside Supetar on road to Postira 19 April Nothing paid Dark and dingy site set in pine woods; semi-derelict facilities with only 1 working shower; elderly owner failed to appear to collect rent, but price list indicated unduly expensive -1


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Camp Kito, Bol, Brač Island of Brač: in Bol village on western shore of island 20 April 100 kuna Small private site (one of best of trip) run by hard-working, welcoming 2 generation family; beautiful setting amid green, floral gardens; small restaurant with lovely terrace; Studenac mini-market nearby; reports of an overwhelmingly noisy disco nearby are outdated - it closed 3 years ago to everyone's relief, not least the site owners! +5



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Camp Čiste, Drvenik On Magistrala road, 20 kms south of Makarska near to Drvenik (Hvar ferry) 21~22 April and
1 May		 89 kuna Site open all year round; beautiful setting just above rocky shoreline with sound of surf splashing on rocks; warden and his wife very welcoming and helpful; facilities modern, clean and well-equipped; a delightful site +5


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Nevio Camping, Orebić, Pelješac Northern end of Pelješac peninsula, 2kms before Orebić on western coast 23~25 April Normally €15, but we used Camping Cheques Beautiful setting on terraces overlooking western coast; superbly hospitable welcome; excellent facilities inc washing machine and internet access; Konzum supermarket opposite; 40 minutes walk into Orebić around delightful lungomare for ferry to Korčula; family produces very acceptable Pelješac red wine from its own vineyards (bring your own plastic bottle) +5
 



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Ficovic Camping, Hodilje, Ston, Pelješac Down narrow lane by harbour in Hodilje fishing village near to Ston at southern end of Pelješac peninsula 26 April 70 kuna Small, very basic site, full of semi-derelict caravans, 1 with UNHCR sticker, presumably used to house refugees from Bosnian wars; but family made us very welcome; lovely setting by little fishing harbour.
Camping Prapratno just round from Ston on western coast (by ferry port to Mljet) in superb setting overlooking bay; although not officially open, lady would have let us stay		 +3





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DUBROVNIK and SOUTHERN DALMATIA:
Camping Kate, Mlini Just off Magistrala road in resort village of Mlini, 10 kms south of Dubrovnik 27~29 April 88 kuna Grassy floral setting with delightful scent of orange blossom, by old mill and mill stream; hard-working, helpful young Croat-American owner; facilities rather limited; regular buses (#10 from Cavtat) along main road 20 minutes to/from Dubrovnik +4



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Camp Adriatic II, Molunat In tiny fishing village of Molunat, just before Montenegrin border 30 April 80 kuna Stunning location in tiny cove right by beach, with flat grassy pitches and beautiful scent of orange blossom and gentle splashing of waves on beach; but spoilt by grubby facilities and limited hot water +3


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Camp Ivo, Omiš On coast between Omiš and Dugi Rat 2~3 May 107 kuna Small site run by the Ivo family; level grassy pitches with trees for shade, right next to beach overlooking Island of Brač; limited facilities; Studenac supermarket in nearby Omiš; best site on this stretch of coast +3


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THE KRAJINA REGION, PLITVICE NATIONAL PARK and KARLOVAC:
Pension Lička Kapa Camping, Bjelopolje, Korenica On Route 1 between Bjelopolje and Korenica, 20 kms south of Plitvice National Park 4 May 80 kuna Grubby unofficial camping area behind road-house pension-restaurant; overwhelmed by noise of passing heavy trucks on main road, but convenient stopping-off point; no showers or hot water and use restaurant WCs -1



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Korana  Camping, Plitvice Lakes National Park 4 kms north of Plitvice Nat Park at Korana village 5~8 May €23 but we used Camping Cheques Pretentious, over-large site with few usable pitches because of sloping land; over-crowded and noisy; officious unsmiling staff; over-expensive and no washing machine. Korana and neighbouring Camp Grabovac show typically arrogant and complacent attitudes of sites with monopoly for huge tourist demand of Plitvice Nat Park; you have little choice except Autocamp Borje 10 kms south of Nat Park which was closed in May and owned by same company as Korana; probably therefore no better. Tough! -4

 




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Slapić Camping, Belavići, Duga Resa 12 kms south of Karlovac, through Duga Resa, at village of Belevići on banks of Mrežnica river 9~11 and 23~25 May Camping Cheques used Small and delightfully laid out site run by hard-working Mataković family; nothing too much trouble to make their guests welcome; excellent facilities, washing machine and good value small bar-restaurant; only site in Croatia with wi-fi internet access; 10 minutes walk across footbridge into village for mini-market, rail service into Zagreb and local bus service to Karlovac. Slapić has been recognised by the Camping Cheques organisation as One of Best Campsites in Europe.  It certainly gets our award as the Best Site of our Croatia 2008 Trip +5

 

 


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INLAND CROATIA AND SLAVONIA:
Tradicije Čigoč Camping, Čigoč, Lonjsko Polje Nature Reserve In Lonjsko Polje village of Čigoč, near to Nature Reserve office 12 May 130 kuna Superb setting in stork village overlooking Lonjsko Polje wetlands; agrotourist venture with traditional wooden house and camping developed by enterprising Barić family, originally refugees from the Bosnian wars; slightly expensive, but setting and experience made it worthwhile. Similar farmstead-camping in next village along River Sava at Mužilovčica, run by Ravlić family +5

 


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Wild camp at Omanovac Dom mountain hut, Pakrac Remote spot at 2,000 feet, near to Omanovac Dom mountain hut 6kms up single-track lane in wooded hills above Pakrac 13 May   This location originally proposed in email in response to request for information on campsites in this area; mountain hut was closed, but superb peaceful wild-camping spot alongside woods on flat grassy area  

 


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Spačva Camping, Spačva Service Station on A3 Motorway near Lipovac At Spačva service station on A3 autocesta 8 kms west of Serbian border at Lipovac 14~15 May 90 kuna Do NOT leave A3 motorway at exit labelled Spačva, which leads only to empty desolate forests and freight railhead; continue 8 kms further east to Spačva service station (Odmorišta) with access from both sides of motorway; camp is in dark woods to rear of Hotel Spačva, but well-hidden from service station lorry park; this is busy east~west trucking route and security an issue; facilities limited and erratic and had to nag hotel staff to open them; showers at hotel; for all this, it is the only official campsite in Slavonia  Camping Spačva web site +2

 

 



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Wild camp at car park of Vukovar War Cemetery Car park of Vukovar War Cemetery, 3kms east of Vukovar 16 May   Discrete corner of car park but even so, we felt our presence was intrusive for the constant stream of family mourners attending the cemetery; and the unexploded mines signs nearby added to the eerie feeling


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Kapetanova Kuča, Šarengrad On banks of Danube at Kapetanova Kuča Bar-café, Šarengrad village 17~18 May 100 kuna/ night, for camp, beer, and food !! Informal camping area on grassy banks of River Danube; here we enjoyed the wonderful hospitality of the Kapetanova Kuča's owner and his extended family.
Without doubt, this was for us the most memorable camping experience of all time		 +5
 

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Novosel Tourizan Agro-tourism, Gat Agrotourist at Gat village, near to Valpovo and Hungarian border 19 May 158 kuna Poor value, over-expensive camp in garden of farmhouse; family tried to be hospitable but were more geared to renting rooms; only camping place in whole area around Osijek, but not at all recommended -2


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Wild camp at car park of Kopački Rit Nature Reserve Car park of Kopački Rit Nature Reserve, 8 kms north-east of Osijek 20~21 May   Helpful welcome by Nature Reserve staff who readily agreed to our camping in their car park (but not in the Reserve itself)


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Lipa Camping, Lendava, Prekmurje, Slovenia Close to Croatia-Slovenia border at Lendava, in grounds of Lipa Spa Hotel 22 May €29  !!! Just across Slovene border at Lendava; we had good memories from our stay here in 2004, but now it's a total NO-NO: charges are by the day inc use of the spa with €10 supplement for stays beyond 9-00am; camp is crammed with obese spa-users, staff are pompously arrogant and facilities limited. DON'T GO !! -5
 


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Wild camp at car park of Risjnak National Park Car park of Risjnak National Park, in 2,500 feet wooded hills near to Delnice 26~27 May   Helpful welcome from National Park staff; car park rather overwhelmed with tour-buses during daytime but peaceful at night; chance of seeing endemic brown bears!


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THE JOURNEY HOME:
Pivka Camping, Postojna, Slovenia In woods to north of Postojna (ignore signs to show cave) 28 May €22.70 Reliable campsite in southern Slovenia, open April~ October; close to motorway and Postojna, famous for its show-cave, with Spa supermarket in town +3
Miramare Camping, Punta Sabbione, Venice At Punta Sabbione on opposite side of Lagoon from Venice 29~31 May €19 Wonderfully straightforward site run by hard-working and helpful family; 10 minutes' walk from vaporetti landing stage at Punta Sabbione enables approaching Venice from across the Lagoon, leaving your camper securely at Miramare; excellent facilities, well-stocked mini-market and internet access at campsite. Don't tell anyone else about this jewel of a site - they'll all want to go ! +5
Camping l'Ardusaz, St Pierre d'Albigny, middle Isčre Valley Set amid vines at village of St Pierre d'Albigny, in middle Isčre Valley 1 June €15 Another jewel of a site, just off motorway up to/down from the Fréjus Tunnel; hospitable welcome from M et Mme Perrier; sloping ground looking out across the Savoie vineyards; Intermarché in village +4
Camping Clos Auroy, Orcet, Clermont Ferrand At Orcet village, just off jct 5 of A75 south of Clermont Ferrand 2 June €19 Over-regimented site full of noisy North Europeans; officious and unwelcoming reception and limited facilities; no means of filling with water - the mercenary Dutch owner even tried charging for water; our response is probably best left unrecorded - JUST AVOID THE PLACE - there is a better Municipal Camping at Cournon d'Auvergne -5
Moulin Fort Camping, Francueil, Cher Valley near Tours At Francueil on banks of River Cher near Chenonceau and Montrichard 3~4 June €20 Excellent site run by the hard-working and welcoming John and Sarah Scarratt; beautiful setting on banks of River Cher; good-value bar-restaurant with wi-fi internet access; supermarket in Chissay, wine-cooperative in Francueil, Friday market in Montrichard, walk along river bank to Chenonceaux Chateau: what more could you want +5
Camping Île d'Augur, Chinon On banks of Vienne river at Chinon west of Tours 5~6 June €11.50 Beautifully located municipal campsite, looking across River Vienne to town of Chinon with Plantagenet castle up on hill; hospitable welcome and good facilities; Chinon and Bourgueil vineyards nearby +5
St Louis Camping, Ardres, near Calais In village of Autingues near to Ardres, 8 kms south of Calais 7 June €20 Hospitable welcome, flat grassy pitches and good facilities; most convenient site for Calais or Dunkerque ferries +3

 

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