in Istria, Croatia
Valamar Tamaris Resort
Updated 1 July 2026
- Baby
- Toddler
- Kid
- Teen
Tamaris sits on the Lanterna peninsula, a green headland of pines and pebble coves between Porec and Novigrad. It is quieter than the Porec resorts and organised around a big Maro Play zone of more than 1,900 square metres, an activity pool with water guns and a slide, and a teen gaming room that buys parents an hour. The catch is isolation: there is no town within walking distance, so without a car you will eat every meal on site. Families who book a villa with a kitchen and hire a car tend to get the best of it.
Our verdict
The best mid-range compromise in Istria if you want space and quiet without paying island prices. Book a villa, hire a car, and use Porec and Novigrad for evenings out.
The rooms
A hotel, family suites and a set of villas on the same beachfront estate, so you can trade service for space. The villas have separate bedrooms and a kitchen, the hotel family suites take four to five, and both sit within a few minutes of the pools.
At a glance
- Play zone
- Maro Play, 1,900 sq m outdoors
- Stay type
- Hotel, family suites or villas
- Setting
- Pine peninsula, quiet
- Car
- Recommended, no town nearby
How the KidProof Score works
Every hotel is rated on eight things families actually care about, then weighted by how much each one drives your choice. Room setup counts the most. The little touches break the ties.
Sleeps how many? Connecting rooms, family suites, a real extra bed?
Clean travel cot, high chair, bottle warmer, changing table, kit to borrow.
Shallow pool or paddling area, playground, kids club (free or paid).
Quick breakfast, kids menus, allergy options, snacks on hand.
Secured windows, protected corners, watched pool, well kept grounds.
Laundry, in-room fridge, stroller access, parking, reliable Wi-Fi.
Close to family attractions, easy transport, park tickets or access.
Welcome gift for the child, staff who talk to kids, themed rooms.
Why families love it
- Maro Play outdoor zone of more than 1,900 square metres
- Activity pool with water features, water guns and a slide
- Villas with separate bedrooms and a kitchen
- Teen gaming room with consoles and a big screen
- Sandy and pebble beach sections with loungers included
🗓️A day here with kids
- 8:30
Breakfast
Go before nine, the queue builds fast in August.
- 10:00
Maro Play zone
Free, outdoors and shaded in parts, no need to book.
- 13:00
Beach and loungers
Loungers are included, water shoes are not optional.
- 18:00
Drive to Novigrad
Fifteen minutes, and a much better dinner than the buffet.
Family things to do nearby
Activity pool
Water guns, tipping features and a slide, shallow enough for confident five year olds.
Peninsula bike loop
Flat gravel tracks through the pines with sea views and no traffic.
Novigrad evening
Fifteen minutes by car to a walled fishing town with a proper waterfront and cheaper dinners.
Is it right for your kids?
Baby
0 to 1 yr
Cots, quiet pine shade and villa kitchens make this workable, and the Family Lounge takes under-threes with a parent.
Toddler
1 to 3 yrs
The activity pool and the outdoor play zone are the right scale, and the resort is flat.
Kid
4 to 11 yrs
Maro club, bikes and the play zone fill the days easily for six to twelve.
Teen
12 yrs and up
The gaming room and watersports help, but they will be bored without trips into Porec or Novigrad.
Plan your stay
Check prices & bookWe compare Booking, Expedia, Hotels.com and more so you book at the best price. Prices update in real time.
Live prices & availability
Stays near Valamar Tamaris Resort, Lanterna 6, 52465 Tar, Croatia
We compare Booking, Expedia, Hotels.com and more so you book at the best price. Prices update in real time.
Parents also ask
Do we need a car?
Realistically yes. There is no town within walking distance, and a car turns a slightly isolated resort into a good base for the whole west coast.
Hotel or villa?
Villa if you are four or more and want separate bedrooms and a kitchen. Hotel family suite if you would rather have half board and daily housekeeping.
How far is Porec old town?
About twenty minutes by car, or a longer trip by seasonal boat. Novigrad is closer at fifteen minutes and usually easier to park in.
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