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Holidays with children have their own rules: plenty of room to play, not too much driving, a pool close by and a place where parents can actually relax. That is why more and more families choose a campsite for their holiday in Istria. Here is what makes a family holiday at Papafigo easy.

Space and nature instead of crowds

Papafigo is a family-run campsite set in its own olive grove near Vodnjan. Instead of concrete and crowds, children have the shade of olive trees and room to play, and you get the peace and quiet that is hard to find in busier resorts.

Pool and playground in one place

The children’s playground is right next to the pool, so parents can take a break while keeping an eye on the kids. When it gets hot, the pool is just a few steps from your accommodation.

A game room for rainy days and evenings

The campsite also has a game room with three PS5 consoles, comfortable bean bags and a home cinema. It is perfect for a rainy day, an afternoon break from the sun or a movie night with the whole family.

Accommodation that fits families

Mobile homes have two bedrooms and two bathrooms, so getting ready in the morning goes without queues. Glamping tents sleep up to 6 guests and have three bedrooms, and for larger families there is Villa Voliera for 8 guests.

Time for parents too

While the children sleep or play, parents can enjoy the wellness area: a Finnish sauna, a Turkish steam bath and a hot tub overlooking the sea. Dinner at the restaurant with a rooftop terrace and views of the Brijuni Islands is a perfect end to the day.

Everything is close

The campsite is about 1 km from the Vodnjan North exit of the Istrian Y motorway, so arriving is easy even after a long drive. The sea in Fažana is about ten minutes away, and trips to Brijuni, Pula or Kamenjak fit easily into your day. Find more ideas in our guide The most beautiful beaches near Pula and Fažana.

Planning a family holiday in Istria? Check availability and prices on our Booking page.

Choosing accommodation at a campsite for the first time can be confusing: mobile homes, glamping tents, pitches and, at Papafigo, even a villa. Each option offers a different experience, so we put together a short guide to help you choose what suits your group and your style of holiday.

Mobile home: home comforts

The mobile homes at Papafigo measure 34 m² and sleep up to 4+1 guests. They have two bedrooms, two bathrooms and air conditioning, and a private terrace set among the olive trees. They are ideal for families and couples who want the comfort of an apartment while staying close to nature.

Best for: families with children, couples travelling together and anyone who values their own bathroom and air conditioning.

Glamping tent: camping without compromise

Glamping tents are for those who want the feeling of camping without sleeping on the ground. They sleep up to 6 guests and have three bedrooms, a bathroom, a living area and a large covered terrace. Evenings on the terrace in the olive grove are hard to forget.

Best for: larger families, groups of friends and nature lovers looking for something special.

Pitch: freedom for campers

Our pitches measure 120 m², are set in the olive grove and have electricity and water connections. Guests can use the heated sanitary block and the laundry, and pets are welcome on the pitches.

Best for: campers with a caravan, motorhome or tent, and anyone travelling with a dog.

Villa Voliera: for larger groups

If you are travelling with several families or friends, Villa Voliera offers 213 m² for 8 guests: four double rooms with private bathrooms, a large kitchen with a living area and a terrace overlooking the olive groves.

What you get with every stay

Whatever you choose, campsite guests can enjoy the pool, the wellness area with a sauna and a hot tub overlooking the sea, the game room with PS5 consoles and a home cinema, the children’s playground by the pool and the restaurant with a rooftop terrace and views of the Brijuni Islands. The campsite is only about 1 km from the Vodnjan North exit of the Istrian Y motorway, and the sea is about ten minutes’ drive away.

A quick tip

If comfort matters most, choose a mobile home. If you want an experience, a glamping tent. If you are a camper or travelling with a dog, a pitch. And if you are coming with a large group, the villa. Check availability and prices on our Booking page.

Istria is beautiful all year round, but every month offers something different. Here is a short guide.

April and May: spring in bloom

Nature is green, the roads are empty and temperatures are pleasant for cycling and day trips. Spring is wild asparagus season, an Istrian speciality. The sea is still refreshing, but in our wellness area with jacuzzi and sauna every day is perfect.

June: early summer without the crowds

The sea is already warm, the days are at their longest and the beaches are not yet full. Many guests consider it the most beautiful month in Istria.

July and August: peak season

It is hot, the sea is at its warmest and there are events everywhere, from concerts in the Arena to the Pula Film Festival. If you are coming then, book early, as these dates sell out first.

September: the best of both worlds

The sea is still warm, the crowds disappear and prices are lower. September is perfect for couples and anyone looking for peace by the sea.

October and November: olive harvest and truffles

The olive harvest begins and central Istria celebrates the white truffle season. Ideal for food-lovers’ trips.

Our tip

For the best balance of weather, sea and price, come in June or September. And if you are planning a summer holiday, take advantage of Early Booking 2027 with up to 30% off for bookings made by 31 March 2027 and book your stay.

Istria is one of the most highly regarded olive-growing regions in the world, and Vodnjan is its heart. Olive groves also surround our resort: olive trees grow right next to the accommodation units, and we make our own oil from them.

Harvest: October and November

The harvest begins when the olives start turning from green to purple. An early harvest yields less oil, but with a fuller flavour and richer in polyphenols. Olives are picked by hand or with rakes onto nets spread beneath the trees.

Pressing: the faster, the better

The best oils are made when the olives are cold-pressed within a few hours of harvesting. This way the oil keeps its freshness, aroma and nutrients.

Istrian varieties

Alongside well-known Italian varieties, Istria has its own native ones: Istarska bjelica, Buža and Rosinjola. Each has its own character, from mild to distinctly peppery.

How to recognise good oil

A quality extra virgin oil smells of freshly cut grass, artichoke or green apple. Bitterness on the tongue and a peppery sting in the throat are not flaws but a sign of polyphenols, healthy antioxidants.

How to store it

• in a dark, cool place, away from the stove
• in a dark bottle or tin, tightly closed
• ideally used within a year

Experience the olive groves first-hand

If you are in Istria in autumn, visit one of the oil mills in and around Vodnjan. At Papafigo, even in summer you will sleep among centuries-old olive trees and enjoy their shade. Book your stay with Early Booking 2027 – up to 30% off.

One of the biggest advantages of staying at Papafigo is that the sea is only about ten minutes away, and within half an hour you can choose from dozens of different beaches. Here are our favourites.

Fažana: ideal for families

Fažana is the closest sea to Papafigo. The town beaches and the beach by the pine forest have a gentle entry into the water, shade and cafés nearby, making them great for families with children. In the evening, stroll along the waterfront and enjoy sardines in one of the fishermen’s taverns.

Barbariga: peace and rocky coves

Barbariga belongs to Vodnjan and is known for its quiet rocky and pebble coves, clear water and views of the open sea. It is perfect when you want to avoid the crowds.

Pula: Verudela, Stoja and Lungomare

In Pula, choose between the well-equipped beaches of Verudela, the rocks by the pine forest at Stoja and the long Lungomare coastal promenade with access to the sea and sunset bars.

Medulin: sand

Sandy beaches are rare in Istria, but Medulin has them. Shallow water and sand are ideal for the little ones.

Cape Kamenjak: wild coves

For adventurers there is no better choice. Kamenjak is a protected landscape with dozens of coves, rocks for jumping into the sea and nature without concrete. Bring water and come early.

Beach tips for Istria

• Most beaches are rocky or pebbly, so bring water shoes.
• In July and August, arrive before 10 am to find shade.
• In May, June and September the sea is warm and the beaches are empty.

After a day at the sea, come back to the peace of the olive groves, the pool or our wellness area. Book your stay with Early Booking 2027 – up to 30% off.

Vodnjan is the perfect base for exploring southern Istria. From Papafigo resort, Pula is about 15 minutes by car, the sea and Fažana are even closer, and Rovinj and Cape Kamenjak are only around half an hour away. Here are ten things worth experiencing during your stay.

1. Pula Arena

This 1st-century Roman amphitheatre is one of the best preserved in the world and the symbol of Pula. In summer it hosts concerts and the Pula Film Festival, and it is especially beautiful when lit up at night. While in Pula, stroll to the Temple of Augustus, the Arch of the Sergii and the town market.

2. Brijuni National Park

The Brijuni islands are just a few minutes by boat from Fažana. Expect a safari park, Roman ruins, ancient trees and easy paths for cycling and walking. The departure harbour in Fažana is only about ten minutes’ drive from Papafigo, making this an ideal half-day trip.

3. Fažana and its fishing tradition

The small fishing town of Fažana is known for its seafront promenade, colourful houses and restaurants serving fresh fish, especially sardines. It is perfect for an evening walk and an ice cream at sunset.

4. Vodnjan old town and St Blaise’s Church

Our town of Vodnjan is full of narrow stone streets and squares. St Blaise’s Church has the tallest bell tower in Istria and houses famous mummified relics of saints. Climb the bell tower for a view stretching all the way to Brijuni.

5. Cape Kamenjak

The southernmost tip of Istria is a protected landscape of wild coves, crystal-clear water and cliffs to jump from. Bring water and food, buy a car ticket and spend the day discovering hidden beaches.

6. Rovinj

One of the most beautiful towns on the Adriatic is about half an hour’s drive away. Wander the stone alleys up to St Euphemia’s Church, enjoy the view of the islets and stay for sunset by the sea.

7. Bale, a medieval hilltop town

Bale is a quiet medieval town on a hill, only about fifteen minutes from Vodnjan. It is ideal for a relaxed walk, a coffee on the square and dinner in a traditional Istrian tavern.

8. Istrian olive oil

Vodnjan is one of the centres of Istrian olive growing, and Istrian oils regularly win international awards. Visit local oil mills and taste different varieties. At Papafigo we produce our own oil from olives grown on the campsite.

9. Kažuni and cycling routes

The countryside around Vodnjan is dotted with kažuni, traditional stone huts built without mortar, along with olive groves and vineyards. Quiet country roads and gravel tracks are perfect for cycling or walking, especially in spring and autumn.

10. Relax at the resort

Sometimes the best trip is not going anywhere. After a day of sightseeing, come back to the pool among the olive trees or our wellness area with jacuzzi and sauna overlooking the countryside.

Where to stay?

Papafigo Glamping & Camping Resort lies among peaceful olive groves near Vodnjan and offers luxury glamping tents, mobile homes, Villa Voliera and camping pitches. Take advantage of Early Booking 2027 with up to 30% off for bookings made by 31 March 2027 and book your stay.

Have you ever dreamed of a vacation where you can hear the crickets and rustling leaves from your bed, but still enjoy a private hot tub, a plush king-size bed, and a glass of chilled Malvazija? Welcome to the world of luxury glamping at Papafigo Resort, where uncompromised nature meets five-star comfort.

Glamping (glamorous camping) has completely redefined the modern vacation. It is no longer about pitching tents in the rain or sacrificing comfort; it’s about a premium experience designed for those who want to disconnect from daily stress without giving up any luxury.

Uncompromised Nature: Luxury Glamping in Istria

Nestled in a peaceful Istrian olive grove, our glamping tents offer maximum comfort and privacy. Inside each tent, you will find spacious, incredibly cozy beds with premium linens, a fully equipped modern kitchen perfect for brewing your morning coffee, and a private, elegant bathroom.

The highlight of every tent is undoubtedly the spacious private terrace. Surrounded by centuries-old olive trees, this is the perfect spot to enjoy your morning coffee to the sound of birds chirping, or to spend warm Istrian evenings under a starlit sky with a glass of top-quality local wine.

Wellness and Gastronomy at Your Fingertips

What sets Papafigo Resort apart from ordinary campsites is the rich array of amenities available right on-site. After a day spent exploring Istria, you can unwind in our wellness zone. Imagine relaxing in a Finnish sauna or soaking in a jacuzzi with a breathtaking view of the olive groves and the Adriatic Sea in the distance.

For food lovers, our restaurant offers authentic Istrian delicacies prepared with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Pair your dishes with our award-winning Papafigo olive oil, and you will understand why Istrian gastronomy is celebrated worldwide.

The Perfect Base for Exploring Istria

Although our resort offers everything you need for a perfect vacation, its location makes it an ideal starting point for discovering the charms of the Istrian peninsula. The historic towns of Rovinj and Pula, the Brijuni National Park, and hidden medieval hilltop villages are just a short drive away. Whether you seek adventure, culture, or simply beach relaxation, everything is within arm’s reach.

Book Your Piece of Paradise

Summer is just around the corner, and our glamping tents are filling up fast. If you are ready for a vacation that combines the freedom of nature with the comfort of a luxury hotel, Papafigo Resort is waiting for you.

Check our availability and book your luxury escape to Istria today!

Located in the picturesque region of Istria in Croatia, Papafigo Camping offers a peaceful retreat for travelers looking for a unique combination of nature and luxury. Whether you want to relax in a comfortable mobile home, a luxurious villa or a glamorous glamping tent, Papafigo has it all. Here you can enjoy the peace of the olive groves and the Adriatic Sea, complete with top facilities and services. Continue reading and discover what Papafigo Resort has to offer.

If you are looking for an ideal place for camping or staying in mobile homes, Istria is the right choice. This beautiful peninsula in the northern part of the Adriatic offers a wealth of natural beauty, cultural attractions and unforgettable experiences