The birthplace of European naturist tourism β Istria's crystal Adriatic, fragrant pine forests and some of the world's finest naturist resorts, all on one extraordinary peninsula.
Croatia Β· Naturist directory
Croatia has a stronger claim than any other country to the title of naturism's spiritual home in Europe. The first official naturist beach on the continent opened here in 1907, on the island of Rab β and the tradition has deepened ever since. Today the Istrian peninsula is home to some of the largest, most well-equipped and most celebrated naturist resorts on earth.
All five resorts listed here are on the Istrian coast, within reach of Rovinj, PoreΔ and Pula β medieval towns of extraordinary beauty that make Croatia's naturist holiday an experience of culture and history as much as sun and sea. The Adriatic here is famously clear, the pine forests fragrant and the welcome genuine.
Did you know?
Croatia β where European naturism began
Valalta is Croatia's most celebrated naturist resort and regularly ranks among the best in Europe. Set at the entrance to the beautiful Lim Fjord, just four kilometres from the romantic medieval town of Rovinj, it stretches along four kilometres of coastline β a mix of rocky, pebble and sandy beach β through an olive-tree-shaded landscape of extraordinary natural beauty.
The scale of the facilities is unlike almost any other naturist resort in the world. Valalta has its own marina with 150 berths, its own working brewery producing excellent house-made beers, a full wellness and vitality centre, heated freshwater pools, a seawater pool, sauna, steam bath, pharmacy, hairdresser, outpatient clinic, supermarket, post office, ATM, multiple restaurants including a pizzeria, car wash and EV charging points. Accommodation spans spacious pitches, bungalows, modern apartments and premium mobile homes, many with air conditioning, equipped kitchen and private terrace. Evening entertainment including live music and dancing is regular throughout the season. A bus runs to Rovinj for those wanting to explore the town. Solo travellers should note that advance booking confirmation is required.
Koversada claims a distinction that no other naturist campsite in Europe can match: it was established in 1961, making it the longest continuously operating naturist campsite on the continent. Named after the small island to which it is connected, it spreads across 120 hectares of Istrian coastline near the charming town of Vrsar, at the entrance to the beautiful Lim Bay.
Today the resort is managed by Maistra and comprises two distinct areas: Koversada Uncovered, the naturist campsite with pitches and mobile homes, and Koversada Covered, a more recently renovated textile-friendly section. The naturist area has a variety of rocky beaches, hidden coves and stone slabs descending to the sea, as well as pine forest shade and a yoga and meditation oasis. Restaurants serving Istrian specialities, a fish restaurant, a burger bar and several bars are spread across the complex. Sports facilities include beach volleyball, basketball, kayaks, paddleboards and bike hire. The resort holds a Blue Flag for water quality and Vrsar itself β a picturesque hilltop village β is just minutes away on foot.
Solaris occupies the Lanterna peninsula near PoreΔ, one of the most beautifully positioned naturist resorts on the Istrian coast. Surrounded by Holm oak forest that provides natural shade and a constant sea breeze, the resort looks out over a 2,500-metre Blue Flag certified beach and across the water to the islands of the Adriatic β one of the most scenic naturist settings in Croatia.
The atmosphere at Solaris is quieter and more nature-focused than the larger resorts further south, making it a favourite among those who want high quality in a setting that still feels connected to the landscape rather than a resort complex. Accommodation includes well-appointed rooms and apartments with excellent views, and the catering team is well regarded for the quality of its food. Activities include watersports, a wellness centre, sports courts and a solid programme of evening events. Managed by Valamar, the service quality and maintenance standards are consistently high.
Ulika is a modern, well-regarded naturist campsite eight kilometres north of PoreΔ, shaded throughout by a mature canopy of holly oak trees that keeps the temperature comfortable even in the height of summer. The pitches range from 80 to 160 square metres β generously sized by any standard β and are positioned along a coastline of pebble and stone beaches with crystal clear Adriatic water.
The resort is particularly popular with families. Ulika has a dedicated area for guests travelling with pets, a children's activity programme including workshops, a lively dance terrace for evenings, restaurants, bars, a supermarket and a full range of water sports including windsurfing and pools. Mini golf rounds out the activities list. The overall character is friendly, active and reliably well-maintained β the kind of resort that earns loyal repeat visitors year after year.
Arena Grand KaΕΎela is the southernmost of the five resorts and occupies a different character from the others β a vast, modernised family camping resort of 110 hectares on Medulin Bay, just two kilometres from the village of Medulin and ten kilometres south of the historic Roman city of Pula. KaΕΎela was originally conceived as a naturist resort in 1968 and retains a dedicated naturist beach area β the only naturist facility in the Medulin area β though the broader resort now serves both naturist and clothed guests.
Following a major renovation of almost 28 million euros, the resort is among the most modern in Croatia. The naturist beach is 1.5 kilometres long with its own restaurant, snack bars, sports facilities, sanitary blocks and electric connections. The wider resort has five restaurants, a sports bar, cafΓ©, 25 mini swimming pools including a new 600mΒ² pool complex with a sea view terrace, two full-size pools, water slide, open-air cinema, mini disco, live entertainment, a supermarket and extensive sports facilities. Premium mobile homes and camping villas offer large private gardens. Views across Medulin Bay to the islands and Cape Kamenjak are spectacular.
Our love for naturism doesn't stop at South Africa's borders. If you know of a destination we should add to this directory, we would love to hear from you.