Hotels in Umag

Umag Hotels

This Roman holiday destination has lost none of its appeal over the last 2,000 years, and its pretty beaches, top class sporting arenas, and storied ruins keep visitors flocking back year after year. As Croatia’s ‘Gateway to Europe', you’ll be staying in an ideal location for exploring countries like Italy, Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina - but with the soft sand, soothing ocean and warm climate of the Istrian Coast at your fingertips, why would you want to be anywhere else but Umag?

Things to see

The terracotta rooftops of Umag’s Old Town shine brightly in the sun, and beautifully contrast against the rich blues hues of its rippling ocean. Get pleasantly lost in the winding streets - dotted with colourful Venetian buildings and rusty, retired anchors - before finding your bearings by looking for the pencil-like tower of Church of St Roche. Head inside, and crane your neck upwards to see the vast oil painting that spreads across its roof. The Savudrija Lighthouse is a symbol of Mediterranean romance, having been built by Count Metternich as the ultimate display of devotion to a local woman, who he fell head over heels for. The romantic lighthouse is also the Adriatic coast’s oldest - having been built in 1818 - and it can be seen rocketing into the sky above the marina’s bobbing boats for miles around. The Roman aristocracy loved Umag, and the weather-battered, sea-licked Roman ruins of the Castle of Sipar, date right back to the 5th century. Time your visit carefully, though, or you’ll miss out - the walkway out to the crumbling remains magically disappears below the rising tide’s swell each evening.

Hotels in Umag

Feel a refreshing burst of cool water on your face, as you dive into the depths of your hotel’s swimming pool. If you deserve a treat, try one of the area’s quirky boutique hotels, which are kitted out with gigantic four-poster beds, letting you wake to the sound of the waves, and views of the undulating ocean beyond your balcony each morning. The smells of cooking bacon, and flavours of dried sausage, will welcome you as you head downstairs for a breakfast buffet - and you’ll be bounding with energy, after piling your plate high. Free WiFi will keep you connected, whether you choose to stay in a cavernous apartment, or a cute coastal condo.

Where to stay

Umag is a picturesque place to stay, and if you’re here in July, you can get your sunhat on at the Stella Maris ATP Stadium, where you’ll be on the edge of your seat as the world’s top tennis stars slug it out on the clay. Ooh and aah with the crowd, as swishing rackets fire the ball back and forth, before the champion of the Croatian Open is crowned. If you’d rather swing your own beach bat on the soft sand of a secluded beach, then one of the hotels at Katoro will be ideal. Head into town in the evening to eat pasta - liberally scattered with nutty Istrian truffles - followed by cheesecake topped with sharp berries scavenged from the Forest of Motovun.

How to get to Umag

Umag is located about 40 kilometres from Trieste International Airport in Italy and 64 kilometres from Pula Airport. Both airports are served by low-cost European airlines, as well as domestic flights from within Croatia. If you’re flying into Italy, take a bus that skirts around the top of the Adriatic, from Venice, in just 3 hours. The closest railway links are found at Pazin and Buzet, and each station is about 50 kilometres away from Umag.