The best accommodations Istria

Budget & Tips

The seasonal nature of accommodation has a major impact on vacation budgets. Whether you're staying in a youth hostel or a 5-star hotel, the category and standard of the accommodation you choose will not be the same if you plan to leave at the beginning of June or the beginning of August.

Seasonal rentals in private apartments start at €40 for a double room(sobe), with studio apartments starting at €50. For the whole apartment, the price varies according to the number of rooms, the season, the standing, from €65 (2 people), a house/villa from €140 per day (4 people).

A night in ahostel: from €20-30 per day per person, in dormitory formula. Hostels often offer double rooms, from €50.

3-star hotel: between €70 and €90 per double room (mid and off-season); €120 to €150 (high tourist season).

5-star hotels : prices vary according to room standard, exposure (sea view), quality of wellness and relaxation facilities, and services on offer. In summer, prices range from €189 to €284 per night for 2 people in a double room.

Camping: small independent campsites - increasingly rare - still offer pitches for tents at around €15-30 per night, motorhomes at €30-50 and bungalows at around €50-60 per day. While the huge coastal campsites rent out pitches for tents and motorhomes, the trend towards glamping and luxury accommodation has taken hold in Istria. This is particularly true of the water resorts (Lanterna Premium Resort in Porec or Camping Mon Perin in Bale), which offer comfortable bungalows and mobile homes with sea views. Price: €500-700 per week. Book in advance to get the best rates. For example, Early Booking offers up to 30% off on the Tohapi rental platform: www.tohapi.fr/camping-istrie.

To be booked

For this extremely popular summer destination, it's best to make your choice online in advance! To be sure of finding the accommodation of your dreams, from home, on the Internet, the major reservation centers are very useful (Booking.com, Abritel, Belvilla.fr, Airbnb) as are the offer comparators (Tripadvisor, partir.com, kayak). Travelers who prefer to see the sights for themselves will have no trouble finding a villa, apartmani or sobe (room) to rent if they contact local tourist offices or incoming agencies.

What's very local

Seasonal rentals from private individuals are the mainstay of Istria, as they are throughout the country. This type of service is subject to strict administrative regulations. It is suitable for all types of travelers, from modest rooms to luxury villas with swimming pools. This long-informal market has evolved positively in recent years. Cleanliness, comfort, connectivity, availability of the owners, who sometimes act as tourist agents, have all been greatly improved to give travelers the impression of feeling "at home", with more privacy than in a hotel or campsite.

For food lovers

There's a big difference between a continental breakfast in a hotel or a traditional breakfast in the countryside. What remains the same is the importance attached to this morning meal.

On the coast, in tourist resorts or large cities, breakfast is very similar to that in France, and is often served as a sweet and savoury buffet, with tasty jams, especially rosehip jam(šipak džem or marmelada). In rural areas, and the further north you go on the peninsula, the greater the proportion of savoury foods at breakfast. On the table, generous dishes of cold meats, smoked meats, cheese, yoghurts, omelettes and cereal bread. We also note that the glassful of brandy(rakija) in the morning coffee has not completely disappeared!

Smokers

Smoking is not permitted inside hotel establishments, although in some hotels it is tolerated on terraces and balconies. In private rentals, it's much the same rule, although smokers will have more freedom, especially on the balcony.

Tourist traps

At bus stations, when you get off the bus, you may be greeted by people, often elderly, who hand you a business card. These are not really touts, but the owners themselves, trying to lure the customer without going through a tourist agency or central booking office. The rental status has not been checked by a professional.