Camp Selce

Selce is a small seaside town on the Crikvenica Riviera, a stretch of the Kvarner coast of the northern Adriatic in Croatia between Rijeka and Senj, and Camp Selce is one of the places where visitors can pitch a tent or park a caravan close to the sea. The campsite is on Jesenova street, and, like most campsites in the area, it draws families, groups of friends and older travellers who prefer an outdoor holiday to a hotel. The town itself is calm and informal, with a long beach promenade, a small harbour and a mix of modern guesthouses and older stone houses.

The coast here faces west across the water to the island of Krk, whose bare hills rise on the horizon, and the Velebit range closes the view to the south. The sea is clean and generally calm, with a pebble shore, and the water shelves gently in many places, which makes it good for children. A promenade, known as the Lungomare, runs along the shore from Selce toward Crikvenica, a few kilometres to the north-west, and is a pleasant place for a walk, a jog or a bike ride in the early morning or evening. Beaches such as Plaža Poli Mora are within reach on foot.

Water sports are part of life in Selce. Swimming and snorkelling are the basic pleasures, and the town offers rentals for kayaks, paddleboards and pedal boats in season. The Mihurić Diving Center, based in town, organises dives and courses for those who want to explore the underwater world of the Kvarner, with its rocky ledges and fish. Selce Harbor is the centre of the local boating scene, and fishermen still land their catch there. Some visitors take boat trips along the coast or to nearby islands. The Little Church in Selce is a small historic building worth a short visit, and the town has remnants of old olive presses, reflecting the days when olive growing was part of local life.

A campsite is a base rather than a destination in itself, and facilities, prices and opening dates vary, so it is best to contact the campsite directly before travelling and to book in July and August, when pitches fill up. Cooking, washing and shade arrangements differ between sites, and it is worth asking what is provided.

From Selce, many places are easy to reach by car or bus. Crikvenica, Novi Vinodolski, Rijeka and the island of Krk are all close, and Plitvice Lakes National Park can be visited on a long day trip, a Croatian classic. Camping in Selce suits families, young travellers and anyone who enjoys a simple holiday near the water.