Smart Travel Edit

The Perfect Family Holiday Doesn’t Exist… Or Does It?

Our honest Valamar Istra Camping review after a week in Croatia with three children. Discover the beaches, pools, accommodation, food and whether it’s worth booking for your family holiday.

I’m always a little sceptical when people describe somewhere as “the perfect family holiday.” So when people ask me where our favourite family holiday has been, I tend to avoid making grand claims.

But Valamar Istra Camping in Croatia comes very close.

We arrived in August after a long day of travelling from Birmingham Airport with our three children and all the usual holiday chaos. We booked the Bella Vista Premium Camping Home with a sea view as a mid-range home for our stay. Within half an hour of checking in, I found myself standing on the veranda of our mobile home looking out across the Adriatic Sea.

Picture this: the scent of fresh bread drifted over from the bakery, families cycled along the waterfront, and children were still snorkelling in the sea as the sun began to set. Best of all, my husband poured a cold glass of rosé from the food shop we’d picked up on the way to Valamar.

If you’re searching for a family-friendly resort in Croatia, Valamar Istra Camping near Poreč is well worth considering. We spent 10 days here with our three children and found the perfect balance between luxury camping, beach days, family activities and relaxation. Here’s what we loved, what we’d do differently and whether we’d return.

Valamar Istra Camping at a Glance

Location: Funtana, near Poreč, Croatia

Best for: Families with babies, toddlers, children and teenagers

Accommodation: Mobile homes, glamping accommodation and camping pitches

Nearest airport: Pula Airport

Transfer time: Approximately 45–50 minutes

Beach: Direct access to the Adriatic Sea. Pebble beaches.

Pools: Family pools, splash park and waterslides

Self-catering: Yes

Car recommended: Yes

Cost: For a family of 5 for 10 days in August (not including flights): £3530 (with early bird booking and member rate).

Check in: 4pm

Check out: 10am

Mornings That Felt Like A Holiday

One of my favourite things about Valamar Istra Camping was how slowly we could start each day.

I’m usually the first one awake when we’re away, so most mornings I’d head out for a run along the coastal paths or a quick swim in the sea while everyone else slept.

On the way back, I’d stop at the bakery and pick up fresh bread and pastries.

There’s something incredibly simple yet special about sitting outside your own mobile home with a coffee while the children slowly emerge, still sleepy in their pyjamas.

For us, that’s one of the biggest advantages of luxury camping in Croatia compared with a traditional hotel holiday.

As a family of five, hotel rooms can often feel cramped. We have had a couple of holidays in hotels in the past where, once the children are asleep, you’re either sitting in the dark trying not to wake them or hiding in the bathroom.  

Having our own outdoor space completely changed that.

After bedtime, we’d sit outside with a glass of wine, listen to the sea and plan the next day’s adventures.

Those quiet evenings became some of my favourite moments of the trip.

Beaches, Pools and Snorkelling at Valamar Istra Camping

If your children are anything like mine, holidays often become a negotiation between pool time and beach time.

At Valamar Istra Camping, we had both.

The resort sits on a peninsula, meaning you’re never more than a few minutes from the water. We quickly found our rhythm: mornings by the sea and afternoons split between the pools and water slides. This worked perfectly for our family.

What surprised me most was how much time we spent snorkelling.

The water in this part of Croatia is incredibly clear, and the children became completely fascinated by spotting fish and exploring the rocky coastline. One day we swam as a family to a private island a couple of hundred meters from the shore. Each day, we’d set up a simple base with towels and spend hours swimming, snorkelling and reading.

On our final day, we treated ourselves to one of the cabanas overlooking the sea. This is charged out at an additional cost, but well worth it as a treat!

We packed a picnic, played cards, watched the children paddle in the shallows and did very little else.

It was probably one of the most relaxing afternoons we’ve had as a family.

A quick tip: bring beach shoes. The coastline is mostly rocky and pebbly rather than sandy, which is typical for this part of Croatia.

Activities for Families at Valamar Istra Camping

We’re a very active family, and one of the key reasons we chose Valamar Istra Camping was because we knew it would be so easy to maintain our active lifestyle while away.

Over the course of the holiday we kayaked, paddleboarded, cycled, swam, snorkelled, visited the gym and even tried SUP yoga.

The children loved the water slides, while my husband and I appreciated that there were plenty of opportunities to stay active ourselves.

One of the things I particularly liked was that activities felt optional.

There was no pressure to follow an entertainment schedule or spend the entire day rushing between organised events.

Some days we packed loads in.

Other days we did very little at all.

Both felt equally acceptable.

Why The Children’s Facilities Worked So Well

We don’t normally use kids’ clubs when we’re away.

In fact, we rarely book holidays based on children’s entertainment because we’d rather spend most of our time together.

But the facilities at Valamar Istra Camping genuinely impressed us.

The children’s areas were thoughtful rather than overwhelming, with interactive games, creative spaces, a LEGO room and areas for older children to hang out.

The real highlight was the afternoon open sessions in the kids club.

The children could join activities, meet other children and enjoy an ice cream while we enjoyed a little breathing space nearby in the adult-only chill-out zone.

As a parent of a child with a nut allergy, I was also incredibly grateful for how seriously the staff took dietary requirements.

The team were brilliant throughout our stay and made what can sometimes be a stressful experience feel completely straightforward.

By the end of the week, the children were proudly carrying home goody bags and already asking when we could come back.

Exploring Poreč and Rovinj from Valamar Istra Camping

As much as we loved the resort itself, some of our favourite memories happened away from it.

Poreč is only around 12 minutes from Valamar Istra Camping and quickly became part of our evening routine.

After dinner we’d wander through the cobbled streets, stop for ice cream and watch the boats in the harbour.

The children loved having the freedom to explore, while we loved being able to soak up a little Croatian culture without committing to a full sightseeing day in the heat.

One evening we stumbled across Lapidarium, a hidden cocktail bar with live music. The children danced with the waiters while we sat back with cold drinks, wondering how we’d got so lucky. Make sure you carry cash around with you, as we found a few little bars and ice cream places only accepted cash.

We also visited Rovinj during our stay, and if you’re visiting Istria with children I’d absolutely recommend making the trip.

The colourful old town, harbour views and relaxed atmosphere make it one of the most beautiful places to visit in Croatia.

Food Without The Fuss

We chose to self-cater for most of our stay.

For us, holiday food is often less about fancy restaurants and more about easy family meals eaten outdoors.

Most evenings we fired up the barbecue, cooked local fish and enjoyed dinner on the terrace while the children played nearby.

That said, there are several excellent restaurants within Valamar Istra Camping if you’d rather not cook.

We particularly enjoyed Grano Duro, where the children disappeared to the play area after dinner while we lingered over a drink.

We all know how luxurious an uninterrupted conversation can feel when you’re travelling with young children!

Would I Recommend Valamar Istra Camping?

Absolutely.

Set on Croatia’s stunning Istrian coastline near Poreč, this isn’t the sort of campsite many of us grew up with. So, if you grew up with Eurocamp, and want something a little bit extra, then this really is the place for you. Think stylish mobile homes, crystal-clear sea views, brilliant pools, fantastic restaurants and enough activities to keep children entertained from breakfast until bedtime.

What made it special wasn’t just the pools, restaurants or beautiful Adriatic coastline.

It was how easy it felt to relax.

Easy for the children to make their own adventures.

Easy to spend genuine quality time together.

Which is why, when people ask me for family holiday recommendations, Valamar Istra Camping is still one of the first places I mention.

But here are a few things to bear in mind…..

• The site is based around a circular one-way system that cars can drive around at any time, so be careful with little ones when making your way around.
• I think it is great value for money, but not a cheap holiday. Homes are priced from around £3,500 to £9,500 if you want a private pool. These prices are based on 10 days in peak season for a mobile home that sleeps 6. If you are not on a tight budget and want to upgrade from your typical ‘European camping holiday’, it is definitely worth it.
• You will want to hire a car for when you arrive from the airport, and also for shopping and trips out while you are staying here.
• If you’re expecting a sandy beach, you’ll be disappointed.
• The site is big. On day one, I felt like I needed Google Maps to find our accommodation.
• The site supermarket is convenient but expensive.
• If your children are water-slide obsessed, you may find yourself spending more time by the pool than you’d planned.

What I’d Recommend Before You Go

• Request accommodation near the beach or pool if location matters to you.
• Bring beach shoes for exploring the coastline.
• Hire bikes for at least one day.
• Visit both Poreč and Rovinj during your stay.
• Book restaurants in advance during peak season.
• Do a larger supermarket shop off-site when you arrive.
• Consider hiring a car if you plan to explore Istria.

Frequently Asked Questions About Valamar Istra Camping

Is Valamar Istra Camping good for toddlers?

Yes. The splash areas, safe swimming spots, playgrounds and family-friendly facilities make it particularly good for younger children.

Does Valamar Istra Camping have a sandy beach?

No. The beaches are mainly rocky and pebbly, which is common along the Croatian coastline. Beach shoes are highly recommended.

How far is Valamar Istra Camping from Poreč?

Poreč is approximately a 12-minute drive from the resort.

Do you need a car at Valamar Istra Camping?

Not necessarily, but I would recommend one if you want to explore nearby towns, stock up at larger supermarkets or visit places like Rovinj.

Is Valamar Istra Camping worth the money?

For our family, absolutely. While it isn’t the cheapest family holiday in Croatia, the accommodation, facilities, location and overall experience made it feel like excellent value.