Umag is the kind of stylish and picturesque and perfectly lovely seaside resort that one might imagine when dreaming of going on a vacation in Croatia. Located along the coastline of Istria, it is the westernmost town in Croatia and is in a part of the country that is especially lush and green and home to some incredibly fertile vineyards. Featuring areas of forestry, stunningly crystal-clear and bluer than blue waters, pretty beaches, an Old Town with picturesque cobbled streets and ancient origins, some amazing tourist attractions and annual events, and much more besides, it is a place that has all that you could ask for in order to enjoy a pefectly relaxing getaway in Istria. Get browsing our range of charming villas in Umag and then come and start exploring it all for yourself!
While there are plenty of great things to see and do all throughout the area, if you have found your vacation rental in Umag, then these ten picks of attractions and events are some that you should make sure not miss out on during your time in this beautiful seaside gem in Croatia...
1. The Croatia Open in Umag
Tennis-lovers who are on holiday in Umag over the summer should definitely make a point to head to the seashell-shaped ITC Stella Maris tennis complex where there is a thrilling men’s ATP Tennis Tournament held each year, the Croatia Open. Usually taking place over the course of a week and involving singles and doubles matches (as well as a whole host of other satellite events such as concerts and parties), the 2023 edition will be held between the 21st and the 30th of July.
2. The Sea Star Festival
If music is more your thing and you are on vacation in Umag during May, meanwhile, then the Sea Star Festival could be a good fit for you! Hosted annually since 2017, the 2023 festival is scheduled to take place on the 19th and 20th of May this year. All sorts of genres are covered in the line-up each year with rock, pop, electronic, techno, house, hip-hop, metal, and punk acts having all performed at the festival across multiple stages. Some of the notable names that have played the Sea Star Festival include The Prodigy, Fatboy Slim, Paul Kalkbrenner, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Hurts, Robin Schulz, Paul Van Dyk, Sven Väth, Wu-Tang Clan, and more. This year, The Prodigy and Spanish DJ and producer Indira Paganotto have so far been announced as part of the line-up.
3. The Old Town
Compact and pretty, the charming Old Town of Umag is well worth wandering during a getaway in Umag. Once on an island, it is now a peninsula and is home to winding little streets made for exploring and photographing and pleasant piazze with little restaurants and coffee shops with outdoor seating areas where you can watch the world go by. You will also discover the remains of old town walls dating back to the 10th century, Venetian villas, gorgeous churches like the 18th century Church of St Mary with its ceiling fresco by Giuseppe Bernardino Bison, the Umag Town Museum that houses archaeological and historical artefacts and is inside a striking former fortress (called the Bishop’s Tower), and the modern art gallery that is the Marin Gallery. Plus, there are a range of little shops and boutiques, including some where you can still buy the traditional earrings of the area that are still handmade (but usually in silver today, rather than their original bronze).
4. The Trails.
Some 600 trails for walking, hiking, and cycling can be found in the area in and around Umag, making this destination absolutely ideal for those who want to get out and explore stunning natural surroundings. With a host of different options for all levels and tastes, there is a wide variety of types of landscapes to explore from coastal routes, to paths through medieval towns, to forest trails, to roads passing vineyards. So, if you are looking to add some adventure to your relaxing getaway in Croatia, then a vacation rental in Umag is just the thing!
5. The Beaches.
There is also a 40km stretch of coastline in and around the town that makes a holiday in Umag even more appealing to travellers, especially as it boasts beaches with the most pristine waters that you have ever laid eyes on. The main town beach is just 1.5km from the centre and is a charming sandy beach with excellent amenities, plenty of nearby restaurants to choose from, and various companies offering different sporting experiences and rentals. Osmica Beach, meanwhile, boasts a gorgeous seawater swimming pool outdoors that overlooks the coastline. There are many other beaches in the area to choose from, however, with lots of family-friendly options that are shallow for long stretches and have easy access so you’ll never be short on options.
6. The Diving.
In addition to the experience of the impossibly lovely beaches of Umag above water, these clear waters and picture-perfect strands make for perfect conditions for snorkelling and scuba-diving. Luckily, several different diving companies operate in the area and some event offer magical night-diving experiences. So, if you’ve always wanted to learn then find a villa in Umag and come dive in this incredible place.
7. The Boat Trips.
Adding more to this, if you want to appreciate this magical coastline and stay dry at the same time or just explore the area in a relaxed manner then you could also enjoy one of boat trip experiences also offered by multiple companies based out of Umag. You could even go on one of the glass-bottom boats and really take it all in!
8. The Food.
Boasting the freshest seafood dishes in the array of excellent restaurants in the marina, tavernas serving up hearty Istrian pasta dishes, pizzerias offering incredible pies, and beach bars where you can snack while enjoying some cocktails or beers, those who like to eat well will find that a getaway in Umag means being well catered to.
9. The Wineries.
The name Umag is likely a derivation of "humus" meaning "fertile," and "magum," meaning "cultivated field," and, as we have mentioned, there are certainly plenty of fertile wineries in this part of the world. In fact, Umag is located in the heart of Istrian wine country and Istrian wine is considered some of the best in the world. If you love wine and want to spend days exploring pretty wineries, learning more about it, and sampling and tasting some excellent examples, then a vacation rental in Umag and some days visiting the array of nearby wineries is just the thing.
10. The Night Life.
Party animals will also have a great time on holiday in Umag, between the music festivals and the wide selection of different bars and clubs dotted along the Old Town and the marina. So, if you want to keep the party going after getting back from a day of wine-tasting, you’ll have plenty of options.
With so much to see and do and such truly impeccable beauty to behold, those who have been thinking of a vacation in Croatia should definitely start browsing our holiday rentals in Umag and planning a trip to this magical stretch of the coast of Istria today!