Camping in Dalmatia

Beautiful beaches, deep blue water and unique Mediterranean vegetation: Dalmatia is not so popular with campers for nothing. PiNCAMP presents the best campsites in Dalmatia and provides you with all the important information for your next camping holiday on the Croatian Adriatic.

Camping in Dalmatia: all important information at a glance

Located in the south-west of Montenegro and in the south and south-east of Croatia, Dalmatia attracts visitors with its idyllic islands, hidden bays and picturesque landscapes with high mountains. The special Mediterranean flair enchants numerous campers year after year - especially in the high season in summer, the campsites are very busy. Dalmatia is no longer an insider tip.

However, this does not detract from the camping holiday. The great location of the campsites also contributes to this. Many of the campsites in Dalmatia are located directly by the sea: carefree bathing fun for the whole family is therefore guaranteed. Dogs are also welcome at most campsites.

The facilities at some of the campsites are still quite basic, but the wave of modernisation has hit the south of Croatia in particular. Electricity and water supplies are available at most campsites, although there may be minor problems with Wi-Fi coverage in some places. There are also luxurious campsites with every conceivable comfort. Glamping, particularly luxurious camping, is also becoming increasingly popular in Croatia.

The 5 best campsites in Dalmatia

The 5 campsites listed below are particularly recommended for camping in Dalmatia. These campsites are characterised by a beautiful location, good service and an excellent price-performance ratio.

• Camp Adriatic
• Zaton Holiday Resort
• Solitudo Sunny Camping
• Camping Strasko
• Camping Paklenica

What about naturist camping in Dalmatia?

Naturist camping has a long tradition throughout Croatia. The country is still one of the most popular providers of naturist campsites in Europe and there are also numerous naturist camps in Dalmatia.

For some years now, however, more and more naturist camps have been closing or being converted into textile camps. Today, many tourism providers prioritise 5-star luxury camping - naturism is left out.

Here are some of the best naturist campsites in the Dalmatia region: - Campsite Sovinje - Campsite Kosirina - Campsite Mlaska

How to get to Dalmatia

Travelling by caravan or motorhome from Germany, Austria and Switzerland is easy, as Dalmatia is very well connected to its neighbouring countries. However, traffic jams and increased traffic volumes are to be expected in the high season. The distance between Germany and Dalmatia is around 1,000 km and can be covered safely and comfortably thanks to the well-developed Croatian motorways.

Travelling from Germany via Nuremberg, Passau or Linz is ideal. If you are travelling from the Baden-Württemberg region, drive via Munich, Salzburg and Ljubljana. Cross the Walserberg border crossing into Austria and then take the A1 motorway towards Salzburg. At the Salzburg junction, continue on the A10 motorway, pass the Tauern Tunnel and the Katschberg Tunnel and follow the road to Villach.

From Villach, take the A11 motorway to the Karawanken Tunnel border crossing and continue through Slovenia. The route then continues through Ljubljana, at the Razcep-Kozarje motorway junction towards Zagreb and at the Novo Mesto exit continue on the A1 towards Split until you reach your dream holiday destination of Dalmatia!

The most beautiful destinations in Dalmatia

Campers appreciate the Dalmatia region above all for its scenic diversity. Numerous places worth seeing provide variety when camping in Dalmatia and ensure that you won't get bored. Here are a few tips.

Makarska

The picturesque holiday resort of Makarska, with its beautiful bays and beaches, is clearly one of the most popular destinations in the Dalmatia region. Visitors can look forward to some of the most beautiful beaches in Croatia on the Makarska Riviera.

Fine pebble beaches and crystal-clear water ensure that swimming is an unforgettable experience. The mostly gently sloping beaches are ideal for families with children. A varied water sports programme rounds off the offer. In the evening, the tavernas on the promenade invite you to linger.

Dubrovnik

The pearl of the Adriatic will delight you with its romantic old town, which is surrounded by a mighty city wall. The magnificent town centre enchants culture vultures with its baroque and medieval buildings and grandiose palaces that transport you to a bygone era.

The imposing churches and monasteries in and around Dubrovnik as well as the Lovrijenac fortress, which was built on a rock almost 40 metres high, are also popular excursion destinations worth seeing. Take a relaxing stroll along the city's promenade, swim in the sun on the beach or go on a sightseeing tour: there's never a dull moment in Dubrovnik.

These 5 sights are not to be missed in Dalmatia

• Plitvice Lakes National Park: An absolute must - the national park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and offers dreamlike landscapes as far as the eye can see.
• Krka National Park: Slightly smaller than the Plitvice Lakes, but at least as beautiful. The highlight is the 7 impressive waterfalls.
• Vidova Gora Mountain: The 778 metre high mountain offers excellent conditions for cycling, mountain biking and trekking fans.
• Island of Brac: The island off the coast of Split is best known for the beautiful Zlatni Rat beach, which juts out into the sea like a tongue.
• Split: The imposing harbour city is an architectural masterpiece and resembles a huge open-air museum.

2 insider tips for clever campers

• Elaphites: This small group of islands off Dubrovnik rises out of the water like little green hills and is also known as "the front gardens of Dubrovnik".
• Pebble beach Nugal: This somewhat more remote dream beach is located around 2 kilometres south of Makarska. You can only reach it on foot or by boat.

Activities and excursions

When camping in Dalmatia, you can look forward to a wide range of sports and leisure activities. The activities range from leisurely cycling and hiking tours to all kinds of water sports and interesting excursions to the sights of Dalmatia. Here are a few tips to make sure you don't get bored on your camping holiday.

Cycling and hiking

Dalmatia is a great place to discover on your own - the best way to do this is on the numerous cycling and hiking trails in the region. Many of the cycle routes lead through the national and nature parks in the surrounding area, which are characterised by rich nature. Sports enthusiasts will also find marvellous routes on the offshore islands of Dalmatia, some of which even offer breathtaking views of the sea.

Culture in Split

The vibrant metropolis of Split stretches along the coast of Dalmatia and is one of the most important cities in the region. It is particularly famous for the impressive Diocletian's Palace complex, which is located in the centre of Split and, like the entire city centre, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The palace was built in the 4th century and today comprises more than 200 buildings. Visitors will find numerous shops, picturesque houses, cafés and bars in the inner courtyards.

Gastronomic highlights for camping gourmets

Even if you prefer to cater for yourself from your own camping kitchen, you should still indulge in the local cuisine. Wafer-thin cured ham, delicious sheep's cheese, freshly baked white bread - the Dalmatia region is known for its culinary delights and flavoursome delicacies. Gourmets can also enjoy top-quality wines and savour Mediterranean cuisine.

Both in the small taverns by the sea and in the first-class restaurants, you can savour international and classic Dalmatian cuisine. The menu mainly features specialities made from freshly caught fish and seafood in a wide variety of variations.

Dalmatian specialities are prepared in a variety of ways. Whether it's juicy steaks traditionally grilled over an open charcoal fire, black squid risotto, homemade tagliatelle, tenderly cooked lamb or boiled scampi with garlic: in Dalmatia there is guaranteed to be something for every taste!

Best travel time and weather for a camping holiday in Dalmatia

The weather in Dalmatia is characterised by a Mediterranean climate. This means that summers are hot and dry and winters are mild. Croatia is therefore a suitable destination for campers all year round. The best time to go swimming is in the summer months of July and August.

Average summer temperatures range between 25 and 30 degrees Celsius and are ideal for a beach holiday in a caravan or motorhome. In August, temperatures exceed 30 degrees Celsius almost every day. This is very hot, but also means pleasant bathing temperatures - nothing beats a dip in the cool water on a hot summer's day.

Active holidaymakers and culture enthusiasts prefer spring and autumn so that they can take advantage of the extensive range of sports and leisure activities on offer in milder temperatures. Depending on the time of year, winds also prevail: The Bora, a dry and cold downslope wind, is typical in winter, while the Scirocco, a hot desert wind, is typical at other times of the year.