Luxury vacation in Umag Croatia
Most people know Istria for its beautiful sea, natural beaches, gourmet food and top-quality wine, but they’re less familiar with the best locations. Your first association with this region is probably Pula or Rovinj, but there are some gems in the far north really worth visiting. One of these is Umag Croatia, a charming coastal town that has everything you might need.
Only a short drive from Italy and Slovenia stands the town of Umag with rich history and charming old town core. Even though it’s been here since Ancient times, most of its popularity is due to what the city has to offer today. Whether it’s the fact that it’s the hometown of the Croatian representative at the 2024 Eurovision, the tennis matches at the most famous tennis competition in the Balkans or the growing popularity of the Seastar Music Festival, anyone can find a good reason to visit Umag.
Where to stay in Umag?
When planning a vacation in Umag Istria Croatia, there’s a wide offer of accommodations to choose from, especially since Umag area covers many smaller settlements. From rustical villas in the country, over luxurious hotels in Umag Croatia like Plava Laguna, to multiple camping parks – you’re bound to find something perfect. The most popular camping park Umag Croatia is in the tourist resort Stella Maris right next to the sea. Here you can find apartments, villas, as well as camping spots with all amenities. In general, Istria is a famous camping destination with many great camps in magical locations like:
- Camping Stella Maris,
- Camping Park Umag,
- Camping Kanegra,
- Camping Savudrija.
Numerous activities and amenities make these camps ideal for family trips as well as romantic getaways. Every Istrian camping spot is bound to have a pine forest for resting in the shade, as well as a great beach.
What to do in Umag?
Enjoy wine-tasting in local wineries
After you’ve chosen the best accommodation, it’s time to book a wine-tasting tour in some of the local wineries. Istria is a region known for its wine, olive oil and good food which all go hand in hand. Rather than buying your wine from a store, take a trip to one of these wineries such as Kabola near Buje. It’s a short drive from Umag, and you’ll fall in love with this experience. Kabola is a century-old winery with the tradition of both oil and winemaking, so gather a group of four or more people and explore the taste of Istria from the top of this magical hill.
Get your blood rushing with tennis matches
Even though Umag Istria Croatia is a great destination any time of the year, it’s best to visit it in July because that’s when the Plava Laguna Croatia Open Umag takes place. ATP Umag is the most famous tennis competition in Croatia, and people from many other countries visit it too. Some come for the matches, others for the vibe. Speaking from my own experience, the ATP Umag can be a great experience even if you’re not following tennis much – there’s good food and wine, mingling with people and great music at the end of every night. You can even watch some of the matches for free, and then head for a swim. All in all, Umag Croatia tennis is a must for everyone visiting this region in July.
Swim and snorkel in the sea
The Umag area covers a lot of smaller settlements which are home to beautiful rocky beaches. There are some beaches in the city such as Laguna and Osmica which are great if you want a quick swim or enjoy some volleyball, but to find true paradise, you’ll have to head out of town. Luckily, this means only a short drive.
The first beach I’d recommend, and my personal favourite in the Umag area is the one underneath the Savudrija Lighthouse. This charming lighthouse stands over the rocky beach and creates a true romantic atmosphere. Even though there’s a camp nearby, this beach isn’t crowded because it covers a few bays, so you’ll always find a spot. Make sure to take your snorkelling equipment and discover the fascinating sea life. Snorkelling in front of the Savudrija lighthouse is definitely a memorable experience.
If you’re looking for a whole-day beach stay, head to Kanegra, only a short drive from Umag. Here you’ll find multiple large pebbled beaches, numerous smaller rocky beaches and a large nude beach with a greatly equipped camping park. In Kanegra, you can find a café, restaurant and a store so you can come completely unprepared. It’s the most peaceful in the morning on the smaller rocky beaches.
Where to taste the true Istria?
After you’re done exploring the scenery, it’s time to pick a lunch spot. There are endless great taverns or “konobas” in Istria, so you’ll have to pick only a few, but you can rest assured that you’ll get homemade local food with fresh ingredients wherever you stop. I’d like to suggest Konoba Nono which is just outside Umag – it’s a go-to for any occasion, whether you’re celebrating something or just want a good meal made with local produce. Even children enjoy this restaurant because of the petting zoo.
If you’re looking for a sophisticated experience, head to the Restaurant Badi in Lovrečica (this is also a great swimming spot). It’s thought to be one of the 100 best restaurants in Croatia and mostly focuses on seafood. Here you can also discover some of the best local wines and explore the food-wine combination which is the reason people love Istria so much.
How to get to Umag?
A lot of people arrive in Umag every year both for Croatia Open Umag and the Seastar festival. A lot of tourists come from Italy and Slovenia because it’s only a short drive, but there are visitors from all over Croatia and Europe too. You can get to Umag by car or by bus from any direction, and the two main larger cities to which it’s connected are Pula and Rijeka.
If you’re looking for more flexibility, choose a private taxi from Pula which will take your vacation on a whole other level. If you’re coming from continental Croatia, you’ll have to pass by Rijeka – ease your travels with a private driver from Rijeka.
Come for the festivals, stay for the beauty
No matter where you’re coming from, Umag will leave you with great memories and a love for the Istrian region. It’s the ideal destination for family vacations as well as romantic getaways and luxury vacations in old Roman villas. Make sure to rent a car or a scooter so you can get the most from this Croatian region – there’s nothing quite like driving next to olive orchards in the sunset on your way to an amazing Istrian dinner.
