Difference between camping and glamping

Generally, when we speak about camping in Croatia, the generic sense of the word 'camping' can mean an overnight stay in one of the following:

• a basic tent, either your own or a rental, erected on a rented pitch within a campsite
• a more luxurious tent with far more amenities available, as in glamping
• in a camper van, caravan, RV etc. - a rented one or one you own
• in a mobile home, more akin to staying in a fully furnished holiday home

As far as the rest of this article is concerned, when we refer to camping, we'll be talking about renting a pitch on which you would build your own tent. As opposed to glamping, which is similar in many ways, but far more luxurious!   Read on …

So, what exactly is camping?

The word 'camping' comes from the Latin word 'campus', meaning a 'flat place where anything can move'. There are many different types of camping including recreational and back-country camping, otherwise known as camping in the wild or just wild camping.

Recreational camping is the most common type of camping and usually involves staying in a designated area within a campsite and with amenities supplied by the campsite.  Recreational camping used to be largely confined to simple pitches with electricity and water hook-ups. Nowadays recreational camping offers options such as specific pitches within a campsite sometimes in excess of 100 square meters in size complete with electricity, water, sewerage and internet connections - not to mention ultra-modern sanitary facilities and shower blocks!

Wild camping is a type of camping that involves 'roughing' it in a more remote area without any infrastructure to provide amenities. This is more strenuous than recreational camping and you will be using more of your physical abilities, together with access to far fewer, if any, conveniences.  Wild camping in Croatia is not permitted outside designed camping areas.

As a holiday experience, camping is a great way to enjoy the sights and sounds of nature, with or without your family.  It can be a low-cost, low-tech way to experience the great outdoors, and in Croatia it's supported by campsites that provide a whole host of extra  facilities- from restaurants and grocery shops, to family fun park beaches, swimming pools and even aquaparks.

What is glamping?

Glamping, short for glamorous camping, is a much more luxurious version of camping commonly understood to be in a tent that you rent from the campsite and located on a prime pitch within the campsite. It's all about luxury, comfort, and access to amenities that you might otherwise find in a 4 or 5-star hotel, but in a more rustic, outdoor environment. Other incarnations of glamping include mobile homes and even tree houses, but for the purposes of this article when we refer to glamping we'll be talking about super luxurious tents.

Glamping is perfect for anybody who enjoys staying in hotels but would rather have a more authentic outdoors experience. Unlike hotels, glamping tents have been designed to look more like actual homes and come with all the amenities that most people have at home. They look beautiful, they’re usually very comfortable, and they offer a more authentic experience than staying in a hotel. As in hotels, glamping tents can come with a combination of the following:

Some of the benefits of camping

Experience Croatian nature at its best

One of the best things about camping is the experience you’ll get from being out in nature. Whether it’s the sounds of birds in the distance or the feeling of air on your skin as you lay in your hammock, you’ll appreciate the outdoors even more while camping than you would while staying at home.

Learn some new skills and try out new activities

Learning new skills while camping can be a great way to expand your knowledge and enjoy a new hobby. Whether it’s cooking a delicious meal for your family or building a shelter for yourself, you’ll be using your new skills more than you would at home. Alternatively, try some new activities like hiking for instance. If you don’t like hiking, try fishing. If you don’t like fishing try archery.  Give it a try, and experience something new. 

Make new friends

Camping can be a great way to meet new people. Whether it’s a different family who you stay with or some of your fellow campers, you’ll likely have the opportunity to make some new friends while camping. 

Relax in natural surroundings

When you're camping, you can relax and forget about your daily life and you'll get the opportunity to learn from nature. Birds will teach you about their habitat, and animals will teach you about their lifestyle. 

Prepare for a better sleep

Explore new areas

Experiencing new areas and seeing new things while camping can be a lot of fun. The best part about camping is that you don’t have to go too far to see some pretty amazing things. You can see mountains, lakes, rivers, and more while camping - most of them well within reach of your campsite. Choose a campsite that lets you camp directly by the sea and has moorings available for your boat - ideal for exploring the numerous hidden coves and beaches that dot the Croatia coastlines, or even for the odd  dolphin spotting.

And some of the benefits of glamping

Glamping offers many of the same benefits as camping, with added comfort and convenience.  

Luxurious Bedrooms

Your glamping tent will come with all the amenities you need, including a bed and a TV. If you have an electric hookup, you can also use your bedside lamp and phone charger. While you can’t exactly order room service, it’s likely you'll have your own fridge for when you need a thirst quenching cold drink (or beer).

Modern Conveniences

Glamping tents are usually equipped with electricity, a septic system, and propane tanks to heat water. You can also use a microwave, coffee maker, and even a refrigerator for food and drinks.

Like a hotel, but you can spend more time outside

With all the modern amenities and privacy, glamping tents offer a cleaner and quieter environment than camping with a group of friends. You can spend more time outdoors and explore the area where you’re camping, if there’s anything nearby.  Arguably, the best experience is to be had by lazing away on your own spacious terrace which many glamping tents provide. 

So, is camping or glamping right for you?

In terms of pure camping versus glamping, they are two relatively different experiences, but they both involve spending holiday time surrounded by nature, but with different levels of comfort and amenities. 

If you are looking for a more adventurous experience with fewer conveniences, then a pure camping trip is probably what you're looking for. However, if you're planning a romantic getaway or leisurely trip with some luxury thrown in, albeit in nature, then you may prefer glamping over camping. 

Camping is a wonderful experience for anyone, but glamping is for those who don't mind the luxury of indoor accommodation and are willing to pay for the experience. Whichever type of camping experience you choose, make sure you're comfortable and prepared to face nature's wild side.

Explore our camps and discover the perfect accommodation for your next stay

Have you decided which is best for you? If its recreational camping on a normal pitch , then check out our pitch hire at Camp Bijar, Camp Baldarin, Camp Cikat and Camp Slatina. If its glamping for you then have a look at our luxurious tents available at Camp Baldarin and Camp Cikat.