Croatia is often planned as a Dalmatia trip, with Split, Dubrovnik and the islands. But the Istrian peninsula in the north deserves its own look. It is compact, a short drive from Italy and Slovenia, and the main sights sit within an hour or two of Pula, which makes it an easy first motorhome trip in Europe.

We are researchers on this one: our own campervan experience is in Finland and the Nordics, so the facts below come from the CampervanPlanet Pula page and country price data, updated on 3 November 2026, and from stable local knowledge about the region. If you are new to motorhomes, begin with our campervan rental guide.

Summer 2027 is still months away, but this is exactly when to start comparing, because the most popular vans get booked well before spring.

Why start from Pula

Pula Airport is one of six Croatian airports where you can collect a motorhome through CampervanPlanet, alongside Dubrovnik, Split, Zagreb, Zadar and Rijeka. Pula has the advantage of being a small, easy airport, with a straightforward road network and the whole Istrian peninsula on its doorstep.

The town itself is worth a day. The Roman arena is one of the best-preserved in the world and hosts concerts in summer. From there, the coast to the south, the hills to the north and the Italian-style towns of the west coast are all within easy reach. If you want a bigger Croatia trip, you can add the Kvarner coast or go further south with our Split motorhome rental guide.

The best time to rent in Istria

The page has a clear seasonal breakdown for Pula, and it matches what you would expect from the northern Adriatic:

• June to August: peak season, 24–30°C, with long daylight of 14 to 15 hours. The sea breeze keeps it comfortable, though afternoon thunderstorms happen. The peak price on the page is about €317 a day.
• May and September: shoulder season and best value, 16–25°C, with a typical price of about €237 a day. September is when the truffle season begins and the Brijuni Islands are quieter.
• April and October: 11–20°C, with wild asparagus foraging in April and white truffle season peaking around Motovun in October. The Roman ruins are almost empty.
• November to March: mild but damp, 1–11°C, and many campsites close for the winter.

Our choice would be late May or September. The weather is warm enough to swim, the roads are calm and the daily rate is roughly €80 lower than in high summer.

What it costs: the live numbers

The Pula page shows about €317 a day at the summer peak and about €237 a day in May, September and the shoulder months. The broader CampervanPlanet price index, updated on 3 November 2026, puts Croatia from €157 a day, which is the highest “from” price among the countries it tracks, so the quoted ranges are a better guide than the headline figure.

For a one-week trip, that is the difference between roughly €2,200 in peak summer and €1,650 in the shoulder season, before extras. Add campsite fees, fuel, tolls and ferries, and the real budget moves up. Our Croatia campervan rental guide has a longer cost breakdown.

Prices change with every search, so use these figures as a guide and check the live numbers on the CampervanPlanet Pula page for your dates.

A week in Istria: a simple route

Istria is small, so you can do a lot without long driving days. Here is the loop we would plan:

• Pula and Cape Kamenjak. Start with the arena and the old town, then spend a morning on the beaches at Kamenjak. They are lovely but busy in high summer.
• Rovinj. A walkable old town on a peninsula, with a church tower that dominates the view. Park outside and walk in, because a motorhome does not fit in the centre.
• Poreč and the west coast. Easy driving, lots of campsites and a UNESCO-listed basilica.
• Motovun and the interior. Hilltop villages, truffle restaurants and vineyards. This is the best part of the trip in autumn.
• Brijuni Islands. A short boat trip from Fažana, and the page notes they stay uncrowded in September.

The whole loop is only a few hundred kilometres, so you can spend most of your time in each place rather than on the road.

Adding Plitvice and the rest of Croatia

If you have ten days or more, Plitvice Lakes National Park is the obvious extension. It lies inland, roughly three to four hours by road from Pula, and the boardwalks around the lakes and waterfalls are the main attraction. Book your entry ticket in advance for summer, and arrive early.

Croatia’s motorways have tolls, and the coast road is slower and scenic. A motorhome counts as a larger vehicle at the toll booths, so expect a higher class fee. Check the current tariff before you go, and carry some cash and a card.

Campsites, wild camping and practical rules

Free camping is not allowed in Croatia, and fines can be heavy. Use official campsites, which are plentiful in Istria and range from simple family sites to large resorts. In July and August, book the coast ones ahead, especially if you want a pitch near the sea.

Plan your driving carefully. Narrow village streets, steep hills and low branches are common, and many old towns restrict access for large vehicles. Check the height and length of your motorhome before you set off, and ask the rental company about size limits on ferries if you plan to visit islands.

If you are travelling in summer, also plan for heat. Choose a van with a proper fridge and a good ventilation system, and think about shade at the campsite.

How to book and save €20

Enter your dates on the Pula page, choose the number of berths and compare what is included. Look at mileage limits, cross-border travel conditions if you plan to visit Slovenia or Italy, and the insurance excess. At checkout, use our code HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY20 to take €20 off. If you book through our links we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you, and bookings made within 30 days of the click are credited.

You can also compare other Croatian pick-ups on the Croatia main page, which is useful if you prefer to start in Zagreb, Zadar or Split.