Best beach campsites for camping Croatia

Independent travellers have made camping Croatia popular. So there's a new generation of small, family owned sites springing up on the Adriatic coast. Services like WIFI are widely available. A mix of location and atmosphere define the best sites. And campgrounds on South Dalmatian Islands are now the top choices.

Take a look at our nine favourite beach camping Croatia spots, from north to south. Remember all sites are on hard, stony ground, so watch your tent pegs. The information in this article is taken from Rough Guides Snapshot Croatia: Split and the south Dalmatian coast.

1. Camping Monika: beach camping Croatia at its prettiest

Avoid staying in overcrowded Dubrovnik in summer. Choose beachfront camping instead. Molinat is 35km south of the city on a small, shallow bay. Surrounded by greenery, the village faces east and has several campsites.

• Camping Monika sits on a shingle-edged inlet south of Molunat main beach.
• Olive trees shelter 30 pitches.
• On-site restaurant serves seafood and local wines.

2. Camp Grebišće, Jelsa: camping on Hvar's peaceful north coast

Grebišće Beach is on Hvar Island's north coast. It's four kilometres from Jelsa village, and has shallow waters and a sandy seabed. Camping Grebišće sits just above the beach.

• Free WIFI.
• Pitches available in the shade of olive trees.
• On-site restaurant.
• Campsite café serves snacks and drinks.
• Beach bar at the east end of Grebišće Beach.

3. Camp Lupis, Lovište: discover the less travelled side of Pelješac

Lovište is on the less travelled end of the Pelješac Peninsula. A small fishing village, it has clear seas, shingle shores and a few local taverns. Camp Lupis is right beside the beach.

• Family run.
• Terraced site shaded with Tamarisk.
• Right beside the beach.
• Walking distance to the village.

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4. Kamp Lili, Jagodna: blissful beach camping in Hvar

Travelling to Hvar's south coast is an adventure. Take care on the winding road through Pitve. And beware of the single-lane tunnel. Your reward is blissful peace. No clubs or cocktail bars on this stretch of coast. Local beaches range from shingle coves to rocky outcrops. And the landscape mixes sloping vineyards with cliffs.

• Family run Kamp Lili sits on Jagodna Bay.
• Pine tree-shaded pitches.
• No campervans or caravans.
• Overlooks two shingle beaches.

5. Camping Mala Milna: tucked between two Hvar beaches

Milna sits east of Hvar Town. It's just a small group of houses below the main Hvar–Stari Grad road. But the main beach here is broad, pebbly and sheltered. And smaller, quieter Mala Milna beach is only a short walk west.

• Camping Mala Milna sits between both beaches.
• Pine-shaded, sea-facing campsite.
• Small tent pitches right beside the shore.

6. Adriatik Kamp, Primošten: camping Croatia for active travellers

Adriatik Kamp is just outside the town of Primošten, Not the most intimate camping Croatia experience. But it's one of the Dalmatian mainland’s most pleasant campsites.

• Midway between Šibenik and Split.
• On its own, beach-fringed peninsula.
• Terraced, shaded site with 350 pitches.
• Beach volleyball, tennis courts, pedalos, diving school.
• On-site restaurant and bar.

7. Camping Jasenovo, Žaborić-Jasenovo: one of the best small campsites in Croatia

Camping Jasenovo is one Croatia's finest small sites. You'll find it in Žaborić, 15km southeast of Šibenik.

• Gently sloping, pine shaded site.
• Close to small, pebble beach - great for sunsets.
• Prettily landscaped with only 50 pitches.
• On-site beachside café-bar serves goo ice cream.

8. Antony Boy Camping, Viganj: capital of windsurfing beach camps

The windsurfing village of Viganj is camping Croatia at its best. A string of sites line Ponta Beach here. And you don't have to be a surfer to get the vibe.

• Antony Boy Camping is a medium size campsite.
• On-site windsurfing school.
• Kids' playpark, bicycle rental.
• Close to cult Beach Bar K2.

9. Camping Medveja, Medveja: a great camping Croatia pick for families

Medveja is 10km south of Opatija. It's known as home to one of northern Croatia's best family beaches.

Camping Medveja is right behind the beach. Spacious site in sheltered location. Close to popular Učka mountain hiking trail.