If you are rather wild
On the east coast, the road that follows the coastline offers breathtaking views. A few kilometers south of Labin-Rabac, on a small peninsula, the nature around the pebble beach Sveta Marina is unspoiled. In its quiet bay, there's just a diving school and a snack bar. On a point further north of Rabac, in the western extension of Sveti Andrea beach, the pebble beach known as Lanterna is supervised. With its gentle entry into the water, it's also worth a visit for its beautiful green environment, awarded the Blue Flag. Between Pula and Medulin, the pebble beach (Šišana) in the bay of Kala is popular with yachtsmen and locals alike. Not easy to get to, but at the end of the road lies the reward! Royal peace and crystal-clear, shallow water. The same goes for the nearby beach (Mala Draga).
At Istria's southernmost point, the tip of the large Premantura peninsula is protected. In the natural park of Cape Kamenjak, paths lead to cliffs for diving, to small pebble beaches, to sheltered or very indented bays, to beach bars that attract crowds in summer.
If you're a naturist, always on the lookout for hidden coves, look out for the three letters FKK(Frei-Körper-Kultur). On the west coast, campsites and beaches are entirely dedicated to naturism, such as Naturist Park Koversada in Vrsar or NP Ulika on a peninsula north of Poreč.
Camping by the sea
The Istrian kamps are all directly connected to the sea. In Labin, the pebble beach, lined with dense vegetation, lies at the gateway to the Tunarica campsite. Between Poreč and Funtana, the white bay (Bijela uvala) gave its name to the campsite. The seafront promenade leads down to small pebble beaches or flat rocks. The seaside area is very busy (cafés, snack bars, restaurants, stores), with both campers and day visitors. To the north of Rovinj, the 500 m-long blue-flag beach of the Amarin campsite has a stony section and an area for dogs.
There are three sandy beaches in Istria
The most popular sandy beach, Plage Bijeca, stretches for over a kilometer along the Medulin Riviera. Natural white sand for a gentle entry into the crystal-clear sea, popular with families, youngsters playing beach volleyball and senior citizens who feel safer than on the rocks. So you won't be alone in summer. There's shade under the pine trees, sun loungers and umbrellas, as well as bars and restaurants, so you can spend the whole day at the beach.
In Poreč, the Valamar hotel group has completely taken over the Sveti Nikola islet. Luxury residences line the Maro Sandy Beach, elegantly laid out with its 50 m of well-screened sand, sand-colored sun loungers, blue-flag turquoise sea and view of the old town. Mostly frequented by Hotel Isabella guests, the beach is not private.
On the last north-western tip of Istria, before the Slovenian border, the sandy Zambratija beach is crowded in summer. Everyone wants to enjoy its clear, shallow waters.
West coast, amount of developed beaches
In Novigrad, the Karpinjan Green Beach is equipped with water-saving showers, multiple bike attachments and waste sorting garbage cans. The eco-friendly municipality informs us about water quality and responsible codes of conduct. At Umag, in the Katoro district, the beach of pebbles, gravel and a little sand (Sol Polynesia), is supervised. Thanks to the cleanliness of the water and its many facilities, it is also a Blue Flag beach. In the protected forest park of Zlatni rat (Rovinj), the bays of Lone and Kurent boast well-developed pebble beaches, a rocky coastline and lawns shaded by century-old pines. In another bay, Lesso's Borik Val beach, with its rocky shoreline, is also well equipped, with access for people with reduced mobility.
Between Funtana and Vrsar, the large Valkanela Bay is bordered by a campsite and Blue Flag beaches. They've always attracted summer guests for the comfort of pebbles, the shade of pine trees, all possible facilities, right down to the dog pool!
Around 13 km from Poreč on the Lanterna peninsula, the supervised Valeta AC beach is one of the most popular in the area. A combination of pebbles and paved areas, with plenty of camping facilities for everyone to enjoy.
On this west coast, the beaches of the large Laguna resorts are rarely private. So you're free to set up camp. You'll have all the comforts and services you could wish for. Laguna Bellevue beach, about 250 m long, overlooks Regata Island. It's a good example of rocky landscaping without concrete, with gentle entrances to the sea, low stone walls and basins, and facilities well integrated into nature. If you like sunsets over the water, head for Sunset Beach, another of Poreč's beaches.
