Camping in Istria by the sea: 7 reasons to choose Mon Perin
Imagine a day that begins with the scent of pine forest and salt in the air and ends with dinner overlooking the sunset above the Adriatic. Somewhere in between, there is time for swimming with dinosaurs, tasting tomatoes picked just an hour earlier and spending an hour in warm seawater while the children are still asleep. All of this awaits at a camping site in Istria, on its western coast, right next to the small medieval town of Bale – Mon Perin.
Mon Perin stretches along 9.5 kilometres of coastline and is divided into two areas, San Polo and Colona, which share a reception, offering guests completely different experiences within the same resort. Bale is just 6 kilometres away, an eight-minute drive, while Rovinj is 18 kilometres away, around 20 minutes by car. Close enough for a day trip, yet far away enough not to ruin your peace and quiet.
It all sounds great on paper, but the best way to experience it is in person. That is why we have picked out seven things guests associate with Mon Perin and the reasons they keep coming back, season after season.
Few camps in Istria can say that their coastline changes with each metre. Take a walk along the Mon Perin beaches and you will move from rocky coves to pebble beaches, from open sunny stretches to sheltered spots in the shade of the pine forest. One part of the coastline is perfect for an early-morning swim, while the sea is still calm and the beach almost empty. Another comes alive in the afternoon, when the sun loses some of its intensity and children start playing in the sand. This diversity means that each guest, whether looking for a quiet cove of their own or a beach close to family-friendly facilities, can find their perfect spot at Mon Perin.
Saltwater Oasis Wellness&Spa is inspired by the nautilus, a marine mollusc whose spiral shape is reflected in the centre's architecture. Inside, you will find heated pools filled with real seawater from the San Polo area, Finnish, Turkish and infrared saunas, a salt room and a relaxation area overlooking the greenery. The centre is exclusively for adults aged 16 and over, making it a place where parents can finally take a break while the children enjoy the animation programme and other activities around the camp. It is open throughout the camp's operating period and is a great reason to visit Mon Perin in spring or autumn as well.
Few camps can say they have ten hectares of their own cultivated land between their two areas. At Fresh Market more than twenty varieties of fruit and vegetables are grown without pesticides, from tomatoes and courgettes to watermelons and melons. Twice a week, every guest staying at Mon Perin can pick up a free bag of freshly harvested vegetables directly at Fresh Market, while the same ingredients also make their way onto plates at the camp's restaurants. Right next to the field, there is a small farm with ten species of domestic animals, from donkeys and sheep to a Vietnamese pot-bellied pig – an experience children will be talking about long after they return home. The free vegetable distribution and full operation of the farm take place from mid-May to mid-September.
Paleo Park may look like a dinosaur-shaped water park at a first glance, but the story behind it is real. In the Colona cove near Bale, dinosaur fossils were discovered beneath the sea in the 1990s, the only find of its kind in the entire Mediterranean. Today, the story comes to life through three pools, a hydromassage pool, a waterslide shaped like a dinosaur footprint and a sandbox where children can dig for replica bones like little palaeontologists. A trail through 550 million years of Earth's history leads to a panoramic view of the entire camp, with the sea stretching out behind it. Paleo Park is open from 22 May to 20 September, every day from 10:00 to 20:00.
Food at Mon Perin is not simply a stop between swimming and bedtime. At Mol Picio restaurant in the Colona area, the cuisine takes its cues from top-class restaurants and serves fresh fish prepared in several ways, along with meat specialities such as Florentine steak. San Polo restaurant is known for the most beautiful sunset view in the entire camp – a place where dinner can easily last longer than you originally planned. Porto Bus is literally just a few steps from the beach, perfect for guests who do not feel like wandering too far from their towels. There are also the Babaloo and Mulini beach bars, the latter with a relaxed boho style that is perfect for a break after swimming. All restaurants and bars share the same idea: ingredients from Fresh Market and Istrian tradition on the plate.
Tennis on a clay court, mini golf, a multifunctional sports court for football, basketball, handball and badminton, outdoor fitness and bike rental are all part of everyday life at the Mon Perin sports centre. Sea lovers can try kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding or a diving course, while the youngest guests have the privilege of enjoying water playgrounds right by the beach. There is also a fenced dog park, a little paradise for your pets. After all, why should you have to choose between relaxing on holiday and taking care of your four-legged friend?
Mon Perin lies away from the busiest tourist centres, yet close enough to everything Istria has to offer. Bale, with its narrow stone-paved streets, is an eight-minute drive away, while Rovinj and its famous old town are around 20 minutes away. At Mon Perin, you get the best of both worlds: a peaceful seaside camp as your base, with Istrian towns close by whenever you feel like a change of scenery.
Whether you are looking for camping in Istria with your own tent or camper van, a mobile home for the family or a luxury glamping villa right by the beach, Mon Perin has accommodation for every holiday style. All you need to do is choose your dates – and leave the rest to the sea, the pine trees and the peace waiting for you here. Explore the available options and book your stay today: accommodation at Mon Perin.
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