Umag

Umag is a coastal town located in Istria, Croatia. The town is renowned for hosting the annual Umag Open Tennis Tournament. It is the westernmost city of Croatia and includes the westernmost point of the country, Basanija. It is located just a stone's throw away from the Slovenian border. There are over 13,000 inhabitants in Umag, who mainly practice agriculture and wine growing. Since the Istria soil is very fertile, the town is famous for its wines.

The town's history is also equally fascinating as its wine collection. In 1269, the Commune of Umag had sworn loyalty to the Venetians, and from then on till 1797, Venice appointed the governors of Umag from its nobility. However, with the fall of the Venetian Republic, Umag came under French rule until 1815, when it was taken over by Austria until 1918. It was in 1997 that Umag was awarded the status of a town.

Umag is famous for its beautiful beaches. Some of the most famous beaches in Umag are:

• Aurora Beach
• Laguna Stella Maris Beach
• Katoro Beach
• Kanegra Beach

The Katoro Beach is located within a tourist resort that includes numerous hotels. It is just two kilometers from Umag, and the beach is divided into rocky, pebbly, and concrete parts. There are many activities to indulge in on the beach, including tennis and volleyball courts, sports facilities, changing rooms, showers, and various bars and restaurants.

The Laguna Stella Maris Beach and Kanegra beach are some of the famous pebbly beaches of Umag. While the Laguna Stella Maris Beach is located three kilometers from Umag, the Kanegra Beach is located seven kilometers from the town, near Savudrija.

Umag is also famous for its many campsites. Camping is a popular activity in Umag, and the many camping parks are surrounded by lush green vegetation. There is also an eco-park that has autochthonous plant species. These campsites offer various entertainment programs for both adults and children, including outdoor pools with a pirate ship, playgrounds, and even a dancing terrace. There are arrangements to play beach volleyball, football, go jogging, bocce, or cycling.

Umag is famous for its well-preserved medieval architecture, the remnants of which can be seen on the city walls, its beautiful Venetian villas, and the picturesque streets. The Old Town is located on a peninsula, which was earlier an island. One of the oldest and best-preserved buildings in Umag is the West Tower that houses the City Museum. The center of the old town also has a square where the Church of the Assumption of Mary is located.

While in Umag, you should also take a trip to Savudrija, where you can visit the oldest lighthouse in Croatia, built in 1818.

With the rapid growth in Umag tourism in recent years, many luxurious hotels have sprung up in Umag. Some of the well-known hotels here include Hotel Sol Umag, Hotel Melia Coral, Kempinski Hotel Adriatic, and many other small, family-friendly hotels. One of the unique offerings of Umag is the bike hotel Sol Garden. This bike hotel is perfect if you are on a cycling holiday. A cycling expert at the hotel will advise you on the best cycling routes and trails to take in and around Umag.