Local insights: discover Novigrad

The Croatian coast is full of interesting destinations to explore during your camping vacation. To help you choose the destination that best suits your needs, we are bringing you a series of articles that will introduce you to popular camping destinations in Croatia, with recommendations from the locals.

Our first destination will be Novigrad, a city that is particularly important to us because it is where our story began in 2015 and where we have grown from a small start-up to one of the leading campsite rental companies in Croatia and beyond in the last ten years. In Novigrad you will find three campsites, various culinary options and things to do for all ages. So read on and discover recommendations for Novigrad from our colleagues who live there.

Source: YouTube (Novigrad tourist board)

What to see

Despite its name, which means “new city” in Croatian, Novigrad is not new and has a number of historical sights worth visiting. One of the most recognizable is the 19th century bell tower of the church of St. Pelagius, which you can climb to enjoy a panoramic view of the town and the sea. The history of the town is also evident in the impressive walls that have stood there for centuries.

I would recommend a leisurely walk along the walls, which is a great way to learn about the city’s history. Part of the walls is the beautiful Belvedere Loggia overlooking the sea. If you want to learn more about the history of the Novigrad area, visit the Lapidarium Museum. It has the largest collection of stone monuments, some of which date back to the 1st century.

Marko Bukovac, CTO

If you are traveling with your family, one of our colleagues recommends that you take the children for a walk along the street with colorful umbrellas, or take them to a movie in the newly renovated cinema in the Center for Events and Culture, where open-air cartoon screenings are also organized in the summer. For daytime entertainment, visit one of the city’s children’s parks or the playroom across the Nautica Hotel or the one at the Aminess Maestral Hotel. And for an all-day family outing not far from Novigrad, there is the Istralandia water park with more than 15 slides and several different pools.

In addition to the water park, here are some other places to explore in the Novigrad area. Visit the Al Torcio oil mill where you can see olive groves, watch the olive harvest and taste and buy homemade olive oil. Or take a trip to the mouth of the Mirna River, where you can enjoy nature and watch different species of birds.

Where to eat

Novigrad has several restaurants and taverns where you can taste fresh seafood and other Istrian specialties. Here are some recommendations by our colleagues.

• • Labelle D’or – a breakfast and brunch place with a special recommendation for homemade ice cream and cakes.
  • Damir & Ornella – a restaurant with a Michelin recommendation for 2024, with a menu based on raw fish.
  • Čok – a Michelin recommended tavern serving fresh seafood, with a special recommendation for steamed sea bass.
  • Amfora – a tavern where you can try fresh Adriatic cuttlefish and Istrian pasta with truffles.
  • Fish restaurant BIBA – an option for a quick meal on the go, with a recommendation for its fishburger.
  • Wine bar Rigo – a wine bar where you can spend a cozy evening, with about 30 wines and sparkling wines by the glass.

Where to swim

The beaches in Novigrad generally offer a variety of services and activities. Whether you just want to lounge or you are looking for activities, there is a beach for you. If you are planning a longer vacation, you should visit several beaches and take advantage of everything they offer. To help you narrow down your choices, here are a few recommendations.

• • Maestral Beach – a Blue Flag beach with sun loungers and sports facilities, including tennis and beach volleyball courts.
  • Beach at Aminess Maravea Camping Resort – has a seawater swimming pool and a dog beach.
  • Beach at campsite Aminess Sirena – a Blue Flag beach with sun loungers and a restaurant serving grilled specialties.
  • Karpinjan beach – a great beach for recreational activities. It has a long path for walking, cycling and jogging, and a street workout park
  • Kastanija beach – a great choice for dog owners. Next to it is the Dog Dreams Beach & Bar, designed with dogs in mind.

Where to stay

There are 3 campsites in Novigrad you can choose from. Aminess Maravea Camping Resort has freshwater and saltwater swimming pools for children and adults, and you can take the tourist train from the campsite beach and enjoy a ride along the coast to the center of Novigrad. Campsite Aminess Sirena is just a few minutes walk from the old town and offers spacious pitches, modern mobile homes and activities for all ages. Finally, Campsite Kastanija, which offers apartments as well as mobile homes, is a great choice for those looking for more comfort.