Where we stayed on our 3 week campervan road trip to Croatia 🚐

Every campsite, aire and stopover from our 2,886 mile adventure

One of the questions we get asked most after our European trips is:

“Where did you actually stay each night?”

So I thought I’d put together a simple breakdown of every campsite, aire and stopover we used on our 3 week campervan adventure to Croatia.

We travelled with a mix of campsites, aires and free overnight stops, using Park4Night and booking campsites as we went.

We love the freedom of travelling this way, it means we can change plans, chase better weather and stay longer somewhere we fall in love with.

Here are all of our overnight stops…

Night 1 - Luxembourg

Capellen Sporting Facility Car Park

💰 Cost: FREE

After a very early ferry crossing from Dunkirk and a full day of travelling through Belgium, we were ready for somewhere simple and peaceful to spend our first night. This little stopover in Capellen was such a great find.

It was a sporting facility car park on the outskirts of the village, and the best part?

It was completely free!

There was a brilliant children’s playground directly opposite, which was perfect after a long day sitting in the van, and it felt like a safe and quiet place to settle down for the evening.

For a first night stopover, we honestly couldn’t have asked for more.

📍 Find on Park4Night: Capellen sporting facility car park (Message us on Instagram @toffee_the_vw for the exact location as links don’t work here)

Would we stay again? Absolutely. A great free stopover when passing through Luxembourg.

Night 2 - Germany

Aire near Stuttgart

💰 Cost: €9

After exploring the beautiful city of Heidelberg, we had originally planned to stay there overnight. However, with thunderstorms heading our way, we decided to keep moving and avoid the worst of the weather.

We found this aire just past Stuttgart for only €9.

It was nothing fancy, but it was exactly what we needed, somewhere safe to stop, rest and continue our journey the next day.

Sometimes when travelling by campervan, these simple stops are all you need.

Would we stay again? Yes, if we were passing through and needed a convenient overnight stop.

Night 3 - Austria

Camping Nord-Sam, Salzburg

💰 Cost: €64

After a few nights of stopovers, we were ready for a proper campsite.

We found Camping Nord-Sam in Salzburg and booked last minute, mainly because we were desperate for somewhere with a pool.

The campsite itself was lovely, with decent sized pitches (although some were much bigger than others). Because we booked so close to arrival, we did end up with one of the smaller pitches, and with the constant rain it was very muddy.

The pool area looked great, although typical us… we arrived during a huge spell of rain!

Of course, that didn’t stop the children.

Because apparently skin is waterproof, so swimming in the rain was still a great idea! 😂

They didn’t last too long, but they loved having the pool to themselves.

Having electric was a huge bonus too, it meant we could charge cameras, phones and all our travel gadgets before continuing our journey.

The perfect reset stop.

Would we stay again? Yes. Great location for exploring Salzburg and a good family campsite.

Night 4 - Austria

Winkl – Hallstatt Lake View Aire

💰 Cost: €30

Rather than trying to park directly in Hallstatt (which is expensive and very busy), we decided to stay slightly outside the village. And we are so glad we did.

This was technically just a car park style aire, but the location was great.

We had views across the lake towards Hallstatt itself, and seeing the village lit up in the evening was absolutely magical.

There was direct lake access, toilets available and it was the perfect base for cycling, walking or catching the bus into Hallstatt.

We arrived in the evening and decided to make the most of our time, catching the bus into the village for a little explore.

The bus was around €16 for the four of us for a very short journey, so slightly expensive for the distance, but it meant we got to experience Hallstatt at night.

And wow…

It was beautiful.

Would we stay again? 100%

Night 5 - Austria

Krumpendorf am Wörthersee Lakeside Aire

💰 Cost: €15

Another hidden gem, his lakeside stopover was such a surprise.

We arrived late in the evening and were greeted with a beautiful lakeside setting, children’s play area, walking routes, outdoor gym and little seating areas overlooking the water.

There was even a small harbour and, if you stay here, you get a free coffee or glass of bubbly from the café opposite.

A pretty good bonus!

The children immediately started planning which boat they wanted to hire the next morning…

Which led to one of the funniest moments of the trip.

A giant pink flamingo boat seemed like the obvious choice.

Until the weather changed dramatically in the middle of the lake!

But more on that later…

Would we stay again? Definitely. A beautiful family friendly stop.

Night 6 - Slovenia

Kamp Triglav, Soča Valley

💰 Cost: €61

Arriving into Slovenia was a real “wow” moment!

The Soča Valley is absolutely stunning, with turquoise rivers, mountains and scenery that looks like it belongs in a postcard.

We found Kamp Triglav online and managed to get a pitch.

The campsite is set in a beautiful location, and one of the best tips we can give is:

Head towards the back field if you can.

You’ll be closer to the river, and there is a little gap in the fence that gives you direct access.

We took our breakfast bowls down there the next morning and sat beside the river.

Honestly, it doesn’t get much better.

Would we stay again? Absolutely. One of our favourite campsites of the trip.

Night 7 - Slovenia

Lake Bled Aire

💰 Cost: €40

The location of this aire was brilliant.

It was only a short walk or cycle into Lake Bled, which made exploring so easy.

The downside - It was quite expensive for what it was at €40 for an aire.

However, it was secure, barriered, allowed tables and chairs outside and the location made it worthwhile.

Being able to cycle straight into Lake Bled in the evening was definitely a highlight.

Would we stay again? Yes, mainly because of the location.

Night 8 - Slovenia

Postojna Caves Aire

💰 Cost: €25

A really handy overnight stop if you’re visiting Postojna Caves.

The aire is located right by the caves and the surrounding area, meaning you can easily explore without needing to move the van. Its barriered too!

There’s also an adventure centre nearby, which was great for the children.

The only downside is that it is quite tight for larger vans, but for us it worked perfectly.

Would we stay again? Probably, especially if visiting the caves.

Night 9 & 10 - Croatia

Lanterna Premium Camping Resort, Tar (near Poreč)

💰 Cost: €284

We had finally made it…

Croatia!

After days of driving through some incredible scenery, we were ready to slow down for a couple of nights and enjoy a proper campsite.

And wow… what a campsite this was.

Lanterna Premium Camping Resort is honestly on another level.

It is the biggest campsite we have ever stayed at, and at first, we weren’t quite sure what to expect. Sometimes huge campsites can feel a little overwhelming, but this one was so well thought out that it never felt like too much.

There was absolutely everything you could possibly need:

🏊 Swimming pools💦 Water park included with your stay🌊 Beach access🌅 Beautiful sunset spots🎠 Play areas🎭 Evening entertainment🍕 Restaurants🥖 Fresh bread stations dotted around the campsite

The campsite is spread out over a huge area, with lots of different little coves and places to explore.

The children loved having so much freedom, and after all the driving days, it was exactly what we needed.

We spent our days swimming, exploring the coastline, relaxing by the sea and making the most of everything the campsite had to offer.

One of our favourite things about Croatian campsites was the little fresh bread huts. There is something very special about waking up, walking for fresh bread and enjoying breakfast outside your van.

Holiday perfection!

Would we stay again? Absolutely. A fantastic campsite for families, especially if you’re looking for pools, activities and beach access.

Night 11 & 12 - Croatia

Maistra Amarin Campsite, Rovinj

💰 Cost: €213

This campsite was one of the highlights of our entire trip.

From the moment we arrived, it felt less like a campsite and more like arriving at a hotel.

We were greeted with flavoured water on arrival, everything was beautifully clean, and the whole site had such a relaxed luxury feel.

The campsite was also undergoing a huge transformation when we visited, and although some of the new areas weren’t quite finished yet, we could see how incredible it was going to be.

The new splash areas, pools and relaxation spaces were already looking amazing.

The location was fantastic too.

Set right by the marina, with beautiful views across the water, it was the perfect place to slow down. The infinity pool overlooking the sea was definitely a favourite.

We spent our days swimming, relaxing, enjoying the sunshine and exploring the campsite.

The onsite pizzeria was also a winner, the pizzas were absolutely delicious!

But the highlight of this stop wasn’t actually at the campsite…

It was something we booked for one evening.

Sunset Dolphin Speedboat Trip 🐬!! An absolute must if you are staying here!

Would we stay again? Without a doubt. One of our favourite campsites of the whole adventure.

Night 13 - Italy

Venice Camper Stop / Aire near Venice

💰 Cost: €18

Leaving Croatia was hard, but we couldn’t travel through Italy without stopping at one of the most famous cities in the world…

Venice.

We found a brilliant overnight stop just before the bridge into Venice itself, making it the perfect base for exploring.

The best part...A bus into Venice was only around €2.50 each way.

So much easier than trying to take the campervan anywhere near the city.

And Venice… Wow.

There really is nowhere else quite like it.

We wandered through tiny streets, crossed endless bridges, watched glass blowing demonstrations, found a magic show happening in a shop window and, of course, ate pizza...again!!

The children loved the excitement of walking somewhere with no cars, just boats, bridges and winding streets.

It felt like stepping into another world.

We stayed until late evening, caught the bus back and climbed straight into bed after a very full day.

Would we stay again? Yes. The location was perfect for visiting Venice.

Night 14 - Italy

Rio Gere Ski Lift Car Park, Dolomites

💰 Cost: FREE

This was one of those stopovers where you arrive and immediately think:

“Wow… we are actually sleeping here tonight?!”

After visiting Venice, we headed towards one of the places we had been most excited about…

The Dolomites.

We honestly didn’t know where to start. The area is huge and there are so many incredible places to visit.

Eventually, we found Rio Gere Ski Lift Car Park on Park4Night.

And what a find.

A completely free overnight stop, surrounded by mountains.

There were no facilities, but there was a restaurant nearby, a little stream and the most incredible views.

We parked up wherever we wanted across the different levels of the car park and spent the evening just taking in the scenery.

It was one of those nights where you step outside the van, look around and remember exactly why you bought a campervan.

Would we stay again? 100% One of the most memorable nights of the trip.

Night 15- Italy

Lago di Braies Area

💰 Cost: €30

Lago di Braies was another bucket list location.

We timed our arrival carefully because the road access has restrictions and charges during busy hours.

By arriving later in the afternoon, we avoided the toll and managed to park closer to the lake.

The car parks do vary in price depending on how close you want to be, but staying nearby meant we could experience something most visitors miss…

Sunrise.

And wow.

Would we stay again? Absolutely!!

Night 16 - Italy

Pizzeria Ristorante Laterne, Saring

💰 Cost: Meal purchase

After a busy day exploring, we needed somewhere to stop for the night.

Park4Night came to the rescue again!

We found Pizzeria Ristorante Laterne, which allows campervans to stay overnight in their apple tree garden if you eat at the restaurant.

Honestly, this was such a lovely experience.

A delicious meal, a peaceful overnight stop and the bonus of being able to wake up surrounded by countryside.

The nearby Rabla ski lift also gives access to mountain adventures if you want to explore further.

Would we stay again? Yes. A friendly family restaurant.

Night 17- Switzerland

Family Farm Stay

💰 Cost: €30

We couldn’t pass through Switzerland without stopping.

We absolutely love this country, and although it wasn’t originally on our route, we couldn’t resist adding it in.

We found this amazing little farm stay through Park4Night.

The owners were so welcoming and there was space for around 3-4 campervans on their land. Feel free to contact me on Instagram if you would like the exact stay, I can't add a link to a home stay.

The children were allowed to play in the garden with their children, and the highlight...

They even got to help milk the cows!

A completely unexpected experience that we will remember forever.

This is exactly why we love campervan travel.

You never know what experiences are waiting around the corner.

Would we stay again? 100% So family friendly!

Night 18 - Germany

Wild- und Freizeitpark Car Park, Germany

💰 Cost: €10

After our lovely farm stay in Switzerland, we continued our journey north, but not before squeezing in a few more countries along the way.

One of the things we love about travelling this part of Europe is just how easy it is to cross borders.

No big queues.

No stopping.

Sometimes you don’t even realise you’ve entered another country!

After visiting three countries in one day, we crossed back into Germany and found another fantastic Park4Night stop.

This time… A wildlife park car park.

And what made this stop even more special?

You could see the animals from the car park itself!

We parked up near the deer as the sun started to set, and it was honestly beautiful.

There were only a couple of other vans there, despite there being space for many more. It felt peaceful, safe and completely different to anywhere we had stayed before. The children loved spotting the animals before bed.

Would we stay again? Absolutely. A brilliant stopover and one the children will remember.

Night 19 & 20 - Germany

International Camping Schwarzwald

💰 Cost: €40

After lots of moving around, we decided we fancied another campsite stay.

Somewhere we could properly relax, have facilities nearby and slow down for a couple of nights.

We found International Camping Schwarzwald, and it was exactly what we needed.

This campsite had so much to offer:

🏊 Swimming pool nearby⛳ Mini golf🍽️ Restaurant🏋️ Huge fitness suite🌳 Beautiful surroundings🛝 Play areas

The fitness suite was probably one of the most impressive we’ve ever seen at a campsite -huge, modern and even mood lit!

The children were also very excited about the pool and mini golf.

Would we stay again? Absolutely.

Night 21 - Belgium

Port Eric Tabarly, Menen

💰 Cost: €15

The final stretch of our adventure had arrived.

It’s always a strange feeling when you start heading back towards home.

Part of you is ready for your own bed, your own routine and normality…

But another part of you wants the adventure to keep going forever.

We slowly made our way north, stopping by a lake in Luxembourg for lunch before continuing through Belgium.

Our final overnight stop was at Port Eric Tabarly, Menen, right on the Belgium/France border.

This was definitely an interesting stop!

Not the prettiest or most scenic of the trip, but it was practical, convenient and worked perfectly for our final night before catching the ferry home.

Sometimes the final night of a road trip isn’t about finding the most beautiful view, it’s about being in the right place for the ferry the next morning.

Would we stay again? Probably not, we didn't feel the most safe here.

And just like that…

22 days had passed.

10 countries.

2,886 miles.

Countless memories.

We boarded the ferry back from Dunkirk tired, happy and already talking about where we would go next.

This trip gave us everything we love about campervan travel:

✨ Unexpected stopovers✨ Beautiful scenery✨ Family adventures✨ Campsites with memories attached✨ New countries✨ Changing plans✨ Finding hidden gems

Was it a lot of driving? Yes.

Would everyone enjoy travelling this way? Probably not.

But for us... it was perfect.

We loved waking up somewhere new, opening the van door to a different view every few days, and showing the children just how much there is to explore beyond home.

Croatia was incredible, but the journey there and back was just as special!

If you would like any more information or to see our latest adventures, join us over on Instagram at @toffee_the_vw

Until next time...