Valamar to open €200m resort in Croatia in 2026

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Croatian hospitality company Valamar is developing a €200m (£172.5m) resort in Poreč, Istria, due to open in spring 2026.

The Pical Resort, Valamar Collection, will be the company’s largest investment to date and include 514 rooms, suites and a private villa. Facilities will be spread across three accommodation concepts, including Valamar’s premium V Level brand with exclusive areas and services.

Set within Parenzana beachfront park, near Poreč’s UNESCO-listed old town, the resort has been designed to reflect the heritage of the Parenzana trail, a former railway line linking Croatia, Slovenia and Italy. Food and drink venues will highlight regional wines and specialities from the three countries, while guests will be able to explore sections of the 123 km trail by bike or on foot.

A dedicated restaurant for suite guests will serve Istrian dishes alongside a premium wine and olive oil selection.

The resort will also host Croatia’s first spa run by international wellness brand ESPA. Spanning 1,300 square metres, the spa will include six saunas, two steam baths, relaxation zones, private suites, an Alchemy Bar for custom treatments, and tailored programmes for sleep, detox and recovery.

Adriana barlafa kruhonja, wellbeing, health and spa director at Pical Resort, said: “With ESPA at Pical, we are setting a new standard for wellness travel on the Adriatic. This partnership blends world-class expertise with local authenticity, delivering personalised spa journeys rooted in the spirit of Istria.”