Bela Krajina is at its most beautiful where it meets the Kolpa River. Most campsites sit right on the riverbank, among birch trees, vineyards and quiet villages. Camping here is a world away from the coast: fewer people, warm river water, a canoe instead of a sun lounger, and a glass of local Bela Krajina wine under the stars in the evening. In this guide we have gathered the campsites that welcome motorhomes and campervans, from the largest one in Podzemelj to smaller family-run estates near Metlika and on the lower Kolpa. We have also added what you need to know before heading to Bela Krajina in a campervan, plus a few suggestions for campsites by other Slovenian rivers and lakes.
To the Kolpa River in your own campervan
Explore Bela Krajina and the campsites along the Kolpa in a rental campervan from Ljubljana.
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Key takeaways
- Almost all campsites in Bela Krajina lie on the Kolpa River, so swimming and canoe or SUP trips are part of every stay.
- The best-equipped options for a motorhome are Camping Bela Krajina in Podzemelj, Posestvo Lovšin in Križevska vas and BIG BERRY Kolpa Resort in Primostek, all three near Metlika.
- The camping season on the Kolpa is short: the largest campsite is usually open from the second half of April to early October, so book summer dates early.
- Many glamping sites and cabins along the Kolpa are not set up for motorhomes, so check that a provider really has pitches before you set off.
- On the motorways from Ljubljana you need an e-vignette, which applies to vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes, including compact campervans.
Table of contents
Why visit Bela Krajina by campervan
Bela Krajina is made for slow travel. Distances are short and roads are quiet, so you can drive across the whole region in a day and still be back in time for an afternoon swim. With a motorhome or campervan you are not tied to apartment check-in times: coffee by the river in the morning, a drive to the next campsite before lunch, a canoe in the afternoon.
The Kolpa is one of Slovenia’s warmest rivers, and in summer it attracts families who are not keen on the seaside or who are simply looking for peace and quiet. Because the river also forms the border with Croatia, on many stretches the opposite bank is already another country, which gives the campsites a special, slightly remote atmosphere.
Another advantage is what the surroundings have to offer. Between Metlika, Črnomelj and Vinica you will find wine cellars, tourist farms, cycling routes and circular hiking trails, all easy to reach by campervan. If you like to combine nature and good food, you will quickly find your rhythm in Bela Krajina.
Overview of campsites in Bela Krajina
The region’s official tourism portal lists no fewer than fourteen providers
among the campsites and glamping sites of Bela Krajina: Camping Bela Krajina, Kamp Krasinec ob Kolpi, Kamp Kolpa, Kamp Katra, Kamp Jankovič, Big Berry, Glamping Kolpa Resort, Eko vasica Rinčica, Posestvo Lovšin, Turizem Malerič Glamping, Turizem Benetič, Glamping »Na vrtu K25«, Domačija Kuzma and KolpaFun. Not all of them, however, are suitable for a motorhome. The table below helps you tell classic campsites apart from glamping sites.
| Campsite |
Location |
For motorhomes |
Highlights |
| Camping Bela Krajina (Podzemelj) |
on the Kolpa, near Gradac |
yes, pitches for motorhomes and caravans |
widest choice of activities, adventure park, mobile homes and Celtic huts |
| Posestvo Lovšin |
Križevska vas near Metlika |
yes, just over 30 pitches |
right on the Kolpa, climbing wall, glamping tents |
| BIG BERRY Kolpa Resort |
Primostek near Metlika |
yes, pitches of 80–100 m² |
mobile homes, two sanitary blocks |
| Kamp Krasinec ob Kolpi |
on the Kolpa |
check with the campsite |
small riverside campsite |
| Kamp Katra, Kamp Jankovič, Kamp Kolpa |
on the lower Kolpa |
check with the campsite |
small campsites in a quiet setting |
| Eko vasica Rinčica |
Poljanska Valley on the Kolpa |
glamping |
guided canoe trips and rafting |
Where the table says “check with the campsite”, the provider does not give details about motorhome pitches on its website. Smaller campsites like these are often a pleasant surprise, but call ahead and ask about electric hook-ups and space for your vehicle.
Camping Bela Krajina in Podzemelj
The campsite in Podzemelj, which locals simply call Kamp Podzemelj, is the best-known campsite in Bela Krajina. It stretches along the Kolpa a few kilometres from Metlika and is the first choice for many people looking for a campsite on the river.
According to
Metlika Tourist Information Centre on the Podzemelj campsite, it offers pitches for caravans and motorhomes, mobile homes and Celtic huts, a restaurant, an adventure park, sports grounds and rental of kayaks, boats, rafts, canoes and SUP boards. That means you do not need to bring anything for an active holiday except your swimsuit.
On the
official Camping Bela Krajina website, the campsite lists its 2026 season as running from the second half of April to early October. This pattern repeats year after year, but always check the exact dates for the coming season on the campsite’s website. Besides swimming and water sports, the campsite highlights cycling and hiking in the surrounding area.
Who it suits: families with children who want plenty going on in one place, and couples who like to combine a quiet morning by the river with an active afternoon.
Tip: in July and August the pitches right by the water are the most sought after. If you travel in June or September, the choice of pitches is wider and the water is still pleasant for swimming.
Camping near Metlika: Lovšin and BIG BERRY
If you are looking for a campsite near Metlika, there are two well-equipped options that complement each other nicely. Both are close to town, so the shops, wine taverns and cultural sights are never far away.
Posestvo Lovšin in Križevska vas
Posestvo Lovšin is a family story by the river. According to
Metlika Tourist Information Centre on Posestvo Lovšin, you can pitch a tent, park a motorhome or caravan here, and you can also stay in a renovated barn or in one of two glamping tents. The estate lies directly on the Kolpa and offers swimming, bikes, a climbing wall and rental of canoes, kayaks and SUP boards.
The
Posestvo Lovšin 2026 price list mentions just over 30 serviced pitches for tents, caravans and motorhomes. Glamping stays include the use of canoes or SUP boards. For current pitch prices, always check the price list for the current year, as they change from season to season.
Who it suits: those who like a smaller campsite with a personal touch and direct access to the water.
BIG BERRY Kolpa Resort in Primostek
BIG BERRY is a more modern, resort-style campsite. The portal
Avtokampi.si on BIG BERRY Kolpa Resort lists standard pitches of 80–100 m² for tents, caravans and motorhomes, two sanitary blocks with a dishwashing area and laundry, and mobile homes. The nearest shop in Metlika is about 3 kilometres away.
Pitches of this size are very comfortable for a campervan: there is enough room for the vehicle, a table and chairs, and the bikes alongside. The laundry comes in handy if you stay longer in Bela Krajina or include it in a longer trip around Slovenia.
Who it suits: couples and families who value a well-kept setting and more privacy on their pitch.
Campsites on the lower Kolpa and glamping
Further south, towards Vinica, Adlešiči and the Poljanska Valley, the Kolpa winds through increasingly remote countryside. Here you will find smaller campsites such as Kamp Krasinec ob Kolpi, Kamp Katra, Kamp Jankovič and Kamp Kolpa, as well as tourist homesteads such as Domačija Kuzma and Turizem Benetič. All of them are listed on
Bela Krajina’s official tourism portal.
These campsites are smaller and simpler, but they have their own charm: fewer crowds, more silence and often hosts who are happy to tell you where the best swimming spot is. Visit them by campervan after checking a few things in advance, as access roads are sometimes narrower and electric hook-ups limited.
There is also a growing number of glamping sites along the Kolpa.
Eko vasica Rinčica in the Poljanska Valley offers accommodation in nature as well as canoe trips and rafting led by licensed guides. You can book a guided trip like this even if you are staying elsewhere, and it is an excellent choice for your first time on the river. On the upper Kolpa there is also
Resort Village Majer, which offers suites and holiday homes in addition to apartments.
As the portal
Avtokampi.si on camping in Dolenjska and Bela Krajina sums up, campsites on the Kolpa offer tents, glamping and mobile homes, and motorhomes are welcome too. The rule for motorhome travellers is simple: if a provider only talks about tents and cabins, call and ask whether they also accept vehicles.
Bela Krajina by campervan: what you need to know
The drive from Ljubljana to Bela Krajina is pleasant and easy. Still, there are a few rules worth keeping in mind before you leave.
- E-vignette. According to the I feel Slovenia portal on driving in Slovenia, vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes need an e-vignette for motorways and expressways. Compact campervans fall into this group.
- Driving licence. The driver must hold the appropriate category. For a campervan up to 3.5 tonnes, a category B licence is enough.
- Passenger safety. All passengers must sit in seats and wear seat belts while driving. A bed or bench in the living area is not a seat while the vehicle is moving. If you are travelling with children, read our guide on child seats in a campervan.
- Where to stay overnight. With a campervan you can stay overnight at campsites and designated motorhome service areas. We explain in detail where you may and may not park in our article on the camping rules in Slovenia, and you will find useful search tools in our overview of motorhome service areas in Slovenia.
- Electricity and water. At smaller campsites on the Kolpa, hook-up points are sometimes further from the pitch. Always keep a cable and adapter in the vehicle; there is more on this in our guide to campervan hook-ups at campsites.
- Bikes. Bela Krajina is a cycling paradise with quiet roads between vineyards. If you want to take bikes along, check the rules for bikes and bike racks on a campervan.
Campervan
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Suggested route: three days on the Kolpa
If you are visiting Bela Krajina for the first time, three days is just right to get to know the river, the towns and the food without rushing.
Day 1: Ljubljana – Metlika. Pick up the vehicle in the morning, then drive through Dolenjska and over the Gorjanci hills into Bela Krajina. In the afternoon, settle in at a campsite near Metlika, for example on the riverside estate, and enjoy your first swim in the Kolpa. In the evening, take a stroll through Metlika’s old town and try a glass of Metliška črnina, the local red wine.
Day 2: a day on the water. In the morning, take a canoe or SUP down a calmer stretch of the Kolpa. Most riverside campsites rent equipment right at reception. In the afternoon, go cycling among the vineyards or relax in the shade by the water. If you have children, a day at the campsite with the adventure park in Podzemelj is an excellent choice.
Day 3: the lower Kolpa and the way back. Drive south towards Črnomelj and Vinica and explore the more remote part of the river. Stop for lunch at a tourist farm along the way, then head back towards Ljubljana in the afternoon.
If you have more time, Bela Krajina combines easily with the Krka Valley in Dolenjska, or you can continue towards the Kočevje region and the Kolpa in Kostel.
Other river and lake campsites in Slovenia
If the Kolpa has won you over, Slovenia has plenty more riverside campsites. On the Soča there are campsites in Trenta, Bovec and Kobarid, on the Krka in Dolenjska, and on the Savinja in the Upper Savinja Valley, which is also the gateway to the Logar Valley. We describe how to get there by vehicle in our guide
Logar Valley by campervan. For the Soča Valley and mountain campsites, read our selection of
campsites in the Julian Alps.
There are fewer lakeside campsites in Slovenia, and in summer they are much busier than those on the Kolpa. The best known are Bled and Bohinj: you will find an overview of the options in our articles
campsites at Lake Bled and
Bohinj by campervan. For a complete overview by type of holiday, from family to active breaks, see our guide to
campsites in Slovenia. And if the Karst landscape tempts you, here is our selection of
campsites in the Karst region.
Our view: why we recommend the Kolpa to every guest
In our family business we talk to guests every day about where to go. Most first think of Bled, Bohinj and the Soča, and they are right, because these places are wonderful. But when they ask us for a quieter corner of Slovenia, with a good climate, warm water and no crowds, we almost always point them towards Bela Krajina.
The Kolpa is ideal for a compact campervan. The roads are quiet, the campsites small and friendly, and the pitches big enough that you can set up in a few minutes and already be sitting by the river. We advise our guests not to rush: two nights at one campsite and one at another is the right balance to get to know both the upper and lower Kolpa.
One more thing we think matters: Bela Krajina is worth visiting outside the peak of summer too. In June and September the landscape is green, the vineyards are in full growth or just before the harvest, and the campsites are quiet. That is when you can pick your own pitch by the water.
Tell us how many days you have and who you are travelling with, and we will gladly put together a route around Slovenia that links Bela Krajina with Dolenjska, the Alps or even neighbouring Croatia.
— Rok
To the Kolpa in our campervan
If you do not have your own vehicle yet, we will be happy to see you off from Ljubljana on your trip to Bela Krajina. Our fleet includes two modern, compact models that are made for small riverside campsites.
- Mercedes V Marco Polo: daily rental from €125 per night, weekly rental from €110 per night.
- Ford Nugget Plus: daily rental from €125 per night, weekly rental from €110 per night.
- Final cleaning: €80 per rental.
The vehicles come with a kitchen, beds for several people and camping equipment, and depending on the model, a fixed toilet. Basic insurance and 24/7 assistance are included, along with our tips for the road. Check available dates in our
booking form.
Frequently asked questions
Which campsite in Bela Krajina is best for a motorhome?
The best-equipped campsites for a motorhome are Camping Bela Krajina in Podzemelj, Posestvo Lovšin in Križevska vas and BIG BERRY Kolpa Resort in Primostek. Podzemelj offers the most activities, Lovšin a homelier riverside atmosphere, and BIG BERRY spacious pitches. The choice depends on whether you are looking for activity or peace.
When are the campsites on the Kolpa open?
Most campsites on the Kolpa operate seasonally. The largest campsite in Podzemelj is usually open from the second half of April to early October. Always check the exact dates for the current year on each campsite’s website.
Can I stay overnight in a campervan by the Kolpa, outside a campsite?
In Slovenia, you can stay overnight in a campervan at campsites and designated motorhome service areas. Wild camping by the river is restricted, so choose one of the campsites or a designated service area. We explain the rules in detail in our guide to camping in Slovenia.
Where can I rent a canoe or SUP on the Kolpa?
Rentals are available at most larger campsites, including Podzemelj and Posestvo Lovšin. For a guided trip or rafting with licensed guides, contact the providers in the Poljanska Valley. Glamping stays at Posestvo Lovšin already include the use of canoes or SUP boards.
How many days do I need for Bela Krajina by campervan?
For a first visit we recommend three days: one for Metlika and the surrounding area, one on the water and one for the lower Kolpa. If you want to combine the trip with Dolenjska or the Kočevje region, allow a week. With a weekly rental, our price per night is also lower.
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