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Continental Croatia meets the Adriatic in Istria (Istra to Croats), the heart-shaped, 3600-sq-km peninsula in the country's northwest. The bucolic interior of rolling hills and fertile plains attracts food- and culture-focused visitors to Istria’s hilltop villages, rural hotels and farmhouse restaurants, while the indented coastline is enormously popular with the sun-and-sea set. Though vast hotel complexes line much of the coast and the rocky beaches are not Croatia’s best, facilities are wide-ranging, the sea is clean and secluded spots are still plentiful.

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Mar 6, 2024 • 5 min read

Spend time in Istria and you’re bound to come across vestiges of its Roman past – follow this guide to see the region's most impressive Roman sights.

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Istria and beyond

Picture of the Basilika Crkva Sv. Germana on the Croatian island of Brijuni during daytime in summer

12 Top-Rated Attractions & Places to Visit in Istria

Written by Meagan Drillinger Updated Dec 26, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Jutting out into the Adriatic Sea in the far northwestern corner of Croatia, Istria is a beautiful province that is geographically compact and easy to explore. You can base yourself in one of the three main towns, Rovinj , Pula , or Lovran , and take easy day trips from here to towns and attractions.

The entire county is known for its epic natural beauty, as well as its numerous medieval towns, sparkling blue beaches, and UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Istria also borders Italy and Slovenia, which means that the whole peninsula is a melange of cultures — and even languages. It's not uncommon to hear Italian on the radio, or German in the streets, as the drive from Austria to Istria, is a mere five hours, as well.

For me, the very best part of exploring Istria was getting off the main highway (E751) and driving the local county roads past rolling hills, hilltop towns, and vine-covered stone walls. This is the best way to discover the interesting places to visit and see much more of the countryside in between town hopping.

The towns that most people visit in Istria are Rovinj, Pula, and Lovran, but not to be missed is the coastal town of Porec, along the northwest coast. Narrow, stony streets wind around squares and churches, not to mention the beautiful Basilica of Euprasius, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Istria has quite an ancient history, having been inhabited by both the Illyrians and the Romans. If you visit Pula, you'll discover one of the largest Roman amphitheaters, which actually pre-dates the Colosseum in Rome.

Discovering Istria was a highlight of my month-long visit to Croatia and my road trip from Istria to Dubrovnik . You can find more great places to visit along this picturesque peninsula with my list of the top attractions in Istria.

1. Take a Walking Tour of Medieval Rovinj

2. explore the roman amphitheater in pula, 3. historic porec and the euphrasius basilica, 4. swim and snorkel at rabac's beaches, 5. scale the old town walls of motovun, 6. see the untouched beauty of brijuni national park, 7. spend a day in the resort town of opatija, 8. visit the museums of pazin, 9. explore the old fortified town of lovran, 10. take a stroll along lungomare promenade, 11. see the historic attractions of vrsar, 12. the village of pican's perfect little cathedral, where to stay in istria for sightseeing, map of attractions & things to do in istria.

Perched on a piece of land jutting into the Adriatic that was established by the Romans, Rovinj is a beautiful medieval town and home to several excellent things to do. Don't miss the 18th-century Baroque Cathedral of St. Euphemia (Katedrala Sveta Eufemija) with its huge bell tower, which is at the highest point in town.

On the main square (Trg Marsala Tita), you'll find the old Town Hall , also known as the Communal Palace. It's here you'll also find Balbi's Arch (Arco dei Balbi), which opens to the harbor with its many pleasant restaurants and cafés. The Baroque arch was built in the latter half of the 17th century and is notable for its elaborate decoration, including the carved head of a Turk on the outer wall, while on the inner wall is the carved head of a Venetian. Over the arch is the Balbi family coat of arms and a relief of the Lion of St. Mark, the symbol of Venice .

Balbi's Arch stands at the entrance to the old Venetian quarter. This is a delightful area to explore and features quaint piazzas and steep backstreets boasting a mix of architectural styles that includes Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Neoclassical influences.

Don't forget about the beautiful beaches surrounding Rovinj , either. The area is carved out with Capri-like coves and gentle beaches surrounded by rocky outcrops. The waters around Rovinj are crystal clear.

My favorite beach near Rovinj was Cisterna Beach, located about 6 kilometers outside of town down a bumpy dirt road. The white, pebbly beach stretches around a shallow, turquoise-colored bay. It's a lovely, tranquil spot to take a quiet dip after exploring the town.

Due largely to its university town status, Pula (Pola) is known as a lively community with many great restaurants, hotels, and cultural events. A popular destination for day trippers, the city's main attractions are its Roman ruins , in particular the superb Pula Amphitheater. One of the largest of its kind, the Pula Amphitheater was built by Emperor Vespasian in the first century at around the same time as the Colosseum in Rome , though the Pula Amphitheater is technically older.

Capable of seating more than 20,000 spectators, the amphitheater's arena was used for gladiator fights and later for jousting tournaments. The subject of a great deal of restoration work, the site can still seat 5,000 people and is used in summer as a venue for festivals and performances, while its underground passages house archaeological finds and exhibits on the local olive industry.

Also of interest in Pula is the ancient Roman Forum , a pedestrian-only area that still functions as one of the central gathering places in the city. The best-preserved portion of the forum is the Temple of Romae and Augustus (Augustov Hram) on the north side of the piazza with its many Roman sculptures.

Bring a bathing suit to visit Pula, as well. The beaches around Pula are some of the best in Istria. My favorite was Galebova Stijene, a rocky grotto with unbelievable turquoise-colored water and a cool cave to explore. Note that is not a traditional sandy beach, nor is it a pebbly one. It's one of Croatia's many rock cliff beaches, where you enter the water directly from the cliff face. The rocks are not high, so you can easily slip right into the water without jumping.

Address: Flavijevska ul., 52100, Pula, Croatia

Porec, one of the most popular and well-promoted tourist destinations in Istria, boasts a beautiful seafront with a string of hotels and tourist complexes stretching some six kilometers along Plava Laguna and Zelena Laguna. A popular place for water sports including water skiing, parasailing, sailing, and kayaking, this historic old town grew out of an original Roman layout when the town was known as Colonia Julia Parentium.

A highlight from the town's early years is the beautiful 6th-century Euphrasius Basilica (Eufrazijeva bazilika). This remarkable UNESCO World Heritage Site is well known for its beautiful mosaics on gold backgrounds. Highlights include a fourth-century sarcophagus holding the remains of St. Maurus, and a 13th-century ciborium with marble columns and gold mosaics above the steps leading to the altar.

Be sure to also visit the Porec Museum housed in the Baroque Sincic Palace with its displays on the history of the town and a particular focus on the Roman and early Christian eras. Collections include archeological finds from the third century BC, such as pottery fragments, religious icons and paintings, choir stalls, and furniture displays.

Afterward, stroll around the quaint harbor, where cafés stretch along the promenade, or take a water taxi to the nearby island of St. Nicholas (Sv Nikola), popular for its beaches.

Address: Eufrazijeva ul. 22, 52440, Poreč, Croatia

Those wanting to spend some time at the beach should head to the small town of Rabac. Once a small fishing village on Kvarner Bay, Rabac has in recent years grown into a popular resort town, known for its pebble beaches and clear, blue sea. Girandella Beach is one of the top beaches here, as the clarity of the water beyond it is stunning.

It is a great place to go for a swim or try snorkeling or diving as the fish are plentiful. You can also book boat excursions into the surrounding bay here. While the beach is pebble and there is little shade, you can hire sun loungers and umbrellas in the summer. It can fill up quickly.

In the town itself, you'll find more of a touristy holiday vibe than a historical feel, and there is a long promenade for wandering. An electric train runs along the promenade and connects various resorts and the town center. There are also plenty of cafés, shops, and restaurants in this low-key vacation destination.

Nothing quite prepared me for the first time I feasted my eyes on Motovun. Driving west along D44, Motovun came into view as I drove around a bend in the road, and I had to pull over to fully take in its splendor. It's an impressive sight to witness this centuries-old walled city that rises out of the rolling hills and farmland.

Set high on a hill in the Mirna River Valley, Motovun is a wonderful, scenic, old-walled town that dates back to the 14th century when the Venetians built two sets of thick walls to fortify it. Today, it is known for hosting a popular film festival each summer and for its artistic vibe and fairy-tale good looks.

In the city center, you'll find a mix of Gothic and Romanesque buildings that host artists' studios, boutiques, restaurants, and cafés. Motovun sits at the base of the Motovun Forest, which is home to Istria's famed truffles.

If you're up for a culinary adventure near Motovun, head to the small town of Buje and make a stop at San Servolo Wellness Camping & Resort . This is a gorgeous "glamping" area and spa set amid olive and oak trees, but you don't have to spend the night to enjoy its fabulous restaurants.

We made a stop at San Servolo to sample the freshly wood-fired pizzas — and it was well worth the 25-minute drive from Motovun. Tip: Order the Bufalina, which is topped with lusciously thick buffalo mozzarella, basil, and olive oil.

Brijuni National Park (Nacionalni Park Brijuni) consists of two large and 12 small islands and islets and was used as a summer residence by Marshal Tito, the Yugoslavian President, from 1949 until he died in 1980.

In addition to entertaining heads of state and movie stars here, Tito introduced several oddities to the islands, including African animals such as elephants, zebras, and antelope, along with species of plants not native to Croatia.

Today, the only islands open to the public are the two main islands of Veli Brijun and Mali Brijun , although access is still restricted (the park must be visited as part of a tour unless you're staying at one of the Veli Brijun hotels — even then, visiting some parts requires a guide). The main highlights in Brijuni National Park are the remains of a second-century Byzantine fortress, a Roman villa, the Church of St. Germana, the safari park, and an interesting exhibit on Tito.

Access to the islands is usually from the town of Fazana , where the Brijuni National Park office is located. The park ferry departs from here, too.

Address: Brijuni, 52100 Pula, Croatia

Long one of Croatia's premier resort towns , Opatija is a wonderful vacation destination thanks to the many elegant old hotels that line its pleasant coastline and attract visitors year-round. The climate here is mild, even in winter, as the town is protected by Mount Ucka from the "bura" (or bora) wind, a northerly wind that blows in off the Adriatic.

In addition to providing shelter, Mount Ucka , the highest point along the Istrian Peninsula, also boasts an abundance of beautiful scenery. Thanks to its mild climate, Opatija has numerous al fresco dining opportunities, with most restaurants and hotels offering pleasant terraces and patios, many of them open year-round.

A particular treat is strolling along the Lungomare promenade. It starts here and stretches some 12 kilometers, taking in some of the country's most spectacular coastal scenery along the way.

One of the largest inland towns in Istria, Pazin's main draw is its superb medieval castle (Kaštel) and spectacular setting. Built in the ninth century, the castle is set dramatically high on a cliff top overlooking a gorge, with its entrance over a drawbridge.

The current layout dates to the 14th century when the four wings were joined to form a courtyard. The castle now serves as home to the Ethnographic Museum of Istria (EMI) with its many displays of traditional costumes, textiles, farming implements, fishing equipment, musical instruments, and household items.

Also at the castle is the Civic Museum with its many archaeological finds, as well as collections of bells and weapons. Other interesting attractions in Pazin are the medieval Church of St. Mary and the 15th-century church of St. Francis (Sv Frane).

If you are driving, I recommend parking close to the entrance of the town and then take your time wandering the narrow streets. Pazin's Old Town is magical and the walk to the castle feels like a step back in time.

Address: Trg istarskog razvoda 1, 52000, Pazin, Croatia

Just five kilometers from Opatija , Lovran is one of the most sought-after summer resorts in Croatia. Protected from the cold winds of winter by Mount Ucka and spread out along the oceanfront, Lovran enjoys a mild climate that ensures it is busy year-round. Be sure to explore the old fortified part of the town, where some sections of the original wall remain.

Popular attractions in this historic area include the Romanesque bell tower and the 14th-century, Baroque-style Church of St. George (Sv Juraj) on the main square. Popular annual events held in Lovran include St. George's Day Celebrations in April, the Fishermen's Feasts during the summer months, Marunada in October, and a Yachting Regatta in November.

The Lungomare is a lovely 12-kilometer stretch of promenade, which runs along the Adriatic coast from Volosko to Lovran . Constructed in the late 19th-century when Opatija began to develop as a resort destination, today it is one of the highlights of this area.

The Lungomare is a good place to stroll or find your own piece of oceanfront to soak up the sun as it's possible to set up along the shore at any of the many rocky points jutting out into the sea.

Vrsar (Orsera), a once fortified fishing village with origins dating back to Roman times, contains many old Roman ruins, including the remains of an old villa and the Montaker quarry, still used by sculptors and their students as a source of stone. Remnants of the old Roman fortifications can still also be seen, most notably the sea gate from that period, while highlights from later periods include the 10th-century Romanesque Church of St. Mary (Sv Marija) near the waterfront.

Also of interest is the 12th-century Vergottini Castle, also known as the Bishop's Palace, and the nearby 19th-century Church of St. Martin. You'll also want to see the Dusan Dzamonja Sculpture Park just a little way out of town.

To the south of Vrsar, the Limski Channel is a marine reserve popular for its many limestone caves, one of which was home to the well-known hermit St. Romualdo.

Head up to the top of the hill to explore the medieval streets of the historic town. Personally, I liked exploring the sections of the city that were pedestrian-only. Parking can be tight at the top of the hill, but if you happen to snag a spot you'll be free to head into the gates to the narrow alleys and stone-lined plazas.

Down the hill things become considerably more modern, with a yacht-filled marina and a selection of lively seafood restaurants. Trost is a wonderful option for its waterfront views and is known for grilling its seafood in a gradele, which is one of the more traditional ways to prepare food in this part of the Adriatic.

The quaint village of Pican, known as Petena during Roman times, lies about 12 kilometers southeast of Pazin and has been of religious importance since the fifth century with a long history as a bishop's see. Today, the village boasts a variety of well-preserved medieval buildings, including the lovely town gates dating from the 14th and 15th centuries.

Also of interest is St. Nicephorus Cathedral . Originally built in the 14th century and completely rebuilt in the early 1700s, it's a fine example of a Greek Orthodox cathedral and well worth visiting. Highlights include the main altar with a superb painting by Valentin Metzinger entitled Annunciation .

Also of interest is the Romanesque church of St. Michael (Sv Mihovil) with its splendid 15th-century frescoes.

Istria is geographically small, so getting around the region is quite easy. Base yourself in one of the main towns and from here, you can reach all the top things to do around the province on day trips. However, it's best to rent a car, as public transport is not great. We like these properties in Rovinj, Pula, and Lovran :

Luxury Hotels:

The Hotel Monte Mulini serves up five-star luxury in Rovinj . It offers rooms and suites with beautiful bay views, stylish decor, and deep soaking tubs. The grounds host a gorgeous waterfront pool and an excellent restaurant.
Another excellent luxury pick is the slightly less posh, four-star Hotel Adriatic , also in Rovinj. This boutique property has a fantastic location, city views, contemporary decor, and dramatic artwork.
Also, check out the Hotel Lone in Rovinj. It offers more affordable luxury, fabulous interior design, and a good location.

Mid-Range & Budget Hotels :

In Pula try the good-value Park Plaza Arena Pula . It features a private beach, sunny terrace, outdoor pool, and Roman spa.
Another top mid-range choice in Pula is Oasi - Boutique Hotel & Restaurant . It has a range of rooms, including apartments to accommodate families, and the on-site restaurant is quite good.
If you're looking for a budget sleep, try the Hotel Park Lovran . The Lovran Hotel comes with sea views, friendly staff, a swimming pool, and a sauna.

3 Days in Istria Itinerary: Where to Go, Helpful Tips & Photos

Julie Last updated: January 1, 2024 Croatia , Slovenia 4 Comments

The Istrian Peninsula is a wedge-shaped peninsula located in northwest Croatia. It may look small on a map, but there is a lot to see and do here. Visit charming seaside towns, go cliff jumping at Cape Kamenjak, explore the hill towns, visit Roman ruins, dine on fresh seafood, and soak up the sun at the beach.

We spent 3 days in Istria at the very end of July. Learn how we planned our time, what worked well, what we would do differently on a return trip to the Istrian Peninsula, and get a sample Istria itinerary for 3 to 5 days.

Table of Contents

Our Istria Itinerary

Day 1: arrive in porec.

We arrived in Porec in the late afternoon. Earlier in the day we visited Plitvice Lakes National Park and then drove to the Istrian Peninsula. This drive takes about 3 hours.

For four nights we stayed at the Aparthotel Adeo. This small resort is located just outside of Porec. We picked this hotel for its convenient location near E751, the main highway that runs north-south along the Istrian Peninsula. Plus, it had a pool, which was the perfect place to end the day, especially when traveling with kids.

Day 2: Pula and Cape Kamenjak

We spent the morning in Pula , ate lunch in town, and then spent the afternoon in Cape Kamenjak.

Pula Arena | 3 Days in Istria Itinerary

Cliff jumping at Cape Kamenjak | 3 Days in Istria Itinerary

Pula is the largest city on the Istrian Peninsula. It has quite the impressive collection of Roman ruins scattered through the compact old town, including an ancient Roman arena.

Cape Kamenjak is an outdoor paradise, with beaches, water sports, cliff jumping, and the Safari Bar, a very unique beach bar.

LEARN MORE: How to Spend One Day in Pula and Cape Kamenjak

Day 3: Piran and Koper

Piran and Koper are two coastal towns located on part of the Istrian Peninsula called Slovenian Istria.

Piran is well-known for its colorful main square, Venetian-style bell tower, beaches, and medieval walls. Koper is smaller, with boutique shops and historical sites.

Piran | 3 Days in Istria Itinerary

Overlooking Piran from the bell tower

To get here from Croatia, you will pass a border checkpoint to enter Slovenia. Lines can be long at the border, at least they were during our visit in the summertime. Mornings and late afternoons tend to be the worst. To avoid sitting in a long line, we got an early start, leaving our hotel near Porec by 8 am.

LEARN MORE: One Day in Piran and Koper: How to Plan Your Day Trip

Day 4: Rovinj

Ahhh… Rovinj. This is the town that stole my heart. With twisting cobblestoned lanes, colorful buildings, a photogenic harbor, and Venetian architecture, Rovinj feels more Italian the Croatian. Dine at some of the best restaurants in Istria, watch the sunset from one of several unique bars, go the beach, and wander aimlessly through the old town.

Rovinj | 3 Days in Istria Itinerary

This is the place where I wished we had more time. We spent one day here, which is certainly enough to see the highlights. In hindsight, I would pick Rovinj over our hotel near Porec for our home base.

Day 5: Drive to Slovenia

Bright and early, we checked out of our hotel and drove north to Slovenia, another gorgeous spot in Europe that amazed us.

What We Learned: Tips for Your Istria Itinerary

Croatia is hot in the summer.

Yes, I know that Croatia gets hot in the summer. But temperatures consistently over 35°C (95°F)…that, I was not expecting.

We visited the Istria at the end of July. Midday temperatures hit 35°C (95°F) with a heat index up over 38°C (100°F). If you are not accustomed to these temperatures, it can feel miserable walking through the towns in this heat.

More Time is Better

Essentially, we spent 3 full days on the Istrian Peninsula. We thought that we would be able to visit more than we did with those three days. However, the soaring midday temperatures sapped our energy so by mid-afternoon, we were ready for some chill time by the pool at our hotel.

One more day would have been perfect for us. This would have given us the time to visit Motovun and one or two other small towns.

When planning your Istria itinerary, I recommend spending at least 4 days and 4 nights in Istria, to give yourself enough time to visit highlights. If you want a more leisurely experience, 5 to 7 days would be perfect.

Stay in Rovinj

If we could do it over again, we would stay in Rovinj.

We picked our hotel, the Aparthotel Adeo , located just outside of Porec, for three reasons. Since it was not located in a town like Rovinj or Porec, we did not have issues parking our rental car. If you stay in the old town of Rovinj, you will have to park your car in a lot outside of town and then walk into town to get to your hotel. We planned to take a road trip every day and we did not want this hassle. Aparthotel Adeo had its own parking lot so parking our car was not an issue.

We wanted a hotel centrally located on the Istrian Peninsula. This cut down on driving times to get to Pula and to get to Piran and Koper.

We wanted a pool and a hotel with a resort-like feel for Tyler and Kara. Typically, we avoid resorts, but Aparthotel Adeo is smaller and quieter than the mega-resorts that dot the coastline here, which was perfect for us.

Rovinj is located near the center of the Istrian Peninsula. If you stay in the old town, you will have parking issues, but the main parking lots in Rovinj are not that far from the old town. And to watch the sunset from town every night and to walk the city streets once all of the day trippers leave would be wonderful.

Best Things to Do in Istria

If you only have time for one place, visit Rovinj.

Pula is worth it to visit the Pula Arena. Adding on the day trip to Cape Kamenjak makes it a busy day but it was a nice mix of city sights and beach time for us.

Cape Kamenjak | 3 Days in Istria Itinerary

If you want a taste of Slovenia, don’t miss Piran , but Koper is skippable.

Motovun is an iconic hill town that is worth a quick visit. I read that you can get a very nice view of Motovun from Groznjan. Zavrsje is a nearby hill town that is nearly deserted and fun to explore.

Porec is very small with some decent restaurants and the Euphrasius Basilica, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Just outside of Porec are two spots to visit with kids: the Aquacolors Water Park and Adventure Park Sky Fox. There is also a underground cave called Jama – Grotta Baredine.

And there are even more small towns to visit. Bale and Hum make the list. Novigrad, located on the coast, doesn’t have a list of sites to see but there are some great restaurants to try (Café and Wine Bar Vitriol and Vecchio Mulino made our list).

Our Recommended Istria Itinerary

These days are listed in order of must-see to nice-but-not-necessary.

Day 1: Rovinj
Day 4: Motovun, Groznjan, and Zavrsje
Day 5: Beach time or more time in Rovinj and dinner in Porec or Novigrad

Overlooking Rovinj | 3 Days in Istria Itinerary

How to Get to the Istrian Peninsula

By Car. The Istrian Peninsula makes a great road trip destination. Combine a visit here with a trip to Slovenia or as part of an epic road trip through Croatia.

By Plane. You can fly into or out of the Pula Airport. If you are starting your trip on the Istrian Peninsula, fly into the Pula Airport, pick up your rental car, and drive to your hotel.

By Ferry. There are a number of ferries that connect Venice to the Istrian Peninsula. Click here to learn more.

If you are traveling to or from the Dalmatian Coast of Croatia, you can take a ferry from Pula to Zadar. Learn more here.

Pula | 3 Days in Istria Itinerary

Getting Around the Istrian Peninsula

The best way to get around the Istrian Peninsula is by car. You can get around by public transportation, but it can be very frustrating.

In many of the towns, such as Rovinj, Porec, and Pula, you cannot park in the old town. You will need to park in a parking lot and walk into town. In our experience, these main lots would fill up by 10 am, so it helps to get into town early.

To give you an idea of how much time you will spend in your car, here are the driving distances and times from Rovinj:

Pula: 42 km, 45 minutes
Porec: 36 km, 45 minutes
Motovun: 47 km, 55 minutes
Piran: 80 km, 1 hour 15 minutes (plus a border crossing)

If you are renting a car in Europe for the first time, don’t miss our article 10 Things to Know When Renting a Car in Europe

Best things to do in Rovinj Istria itinerary

More Roman ruins in Pula | 3 Days in Istria Itinerary

When to Go to the Istrian Peninsula

The Istrian Peninsula can be visited year-round. The most popular time to visit is during the summer months from June through September. Expect larger crowds and make your hotel reservations and dinner reservations in advance.

May is a nice month to visit. Expect warm temperatures and lower crowds than during the summer months, making this a great time for this Istria itinerary.

Some restaurants and hotels will be closed during the low season (November to April).

I cannot speak from personal experience for Istria, but we did visit Croatia (Dubrovnik, Split and Brac) in April and it was wonderful!! The towns were just waking up after the winter season, crowds were very low, and temperatures averaged about 18 – 24°C (65 – 75°F) during the day. It was a bit too chilly to go to the beach, but to visit Dubrovnik crowd-free was amazing.

Where to Stay

If we did it again, we would stay in Rovinj. Take a look at our article on Rovinj to get hotel recommendations.

If you like the idea of staying outside of one of the coastal towns, there are a bunch of mega-resorts located near Porec. Aparthotel Adeo (where we stayed) is a much smaller resort. It was good but it was not great. The rooms were shabby compared to the photos online. Plus, the hotel is noisy and if you are a light sleeper this could be an issue for you. However, the breakfast was great and Tyler and Kara loved hanging out in the pool at the end of the day.

There are a lot of hotel options in Pula, but with it being located on the southern tip of the peninsula, you will end up spending a lot of time in your car to day trip to the other towns.

Where to Go Next

Need ideas for what to add on to your Istria itinerary?

Continue the road trip through Croatia. Visit Plitvice Lakes and then drive down the Dalmatian Coast, visiting Zadar, Split , Dubrovnik , Korcula, and one or two islands.

Drive north into Slovenia. With five or six days here you can visit Ljubljana, Lake Bled, Lake Bohinj, and Triglav National Park.

Take the ferry or drive to Venice. Spend your remaining time in Italy.

Are you planning a trip to Croatia? If you have any questions about this Istria itinerary or if you want to share your experience, comment below.

More Information about Croatia

DUBROVNIK: For a list of the top experiences in Dubrovnik, read our article Best Things to Do in Dubrovnik. We also have a guide on Where to Eat in Dubrovnik and an article about how to walk the Dubrovnik Walls.

PLITVICE LAKES: Plitvice Lakes is a beautiful place to visit in Croatia. Learn how to plan your visit in our Guide to Plitvice Lakes.

PLACES TO VISIT NEAR CROATIA: If you plan to explore beyond the borders of Croatia, Mostar in Bosnia & Herzegovina is a beautiful, fairytale town to add to your itinerary. Spend 2 days in Montenegro, visit the coastal town of Piran in Slovenia, or learn about the best places to visit in Slovenia, which sits to the northwest of Croatia.

EUROPE TRAVEL INSPIRATION: Get more travel ideas in our article 10 Days in Europe itinerary, which has 10 itineraries for your next trip to Europe. If you have less time, we also have an article that lists 25 different ways to spend one week in Europe.

Planning a trip to Croatia? Read all of our articles in our Croatia Travel Guide.

Note: This post contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we get paid a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Here is one Istrianka(women from Istria) . If you are coming here on vacation with your family I recommend my website http://www.junior-travel.com where I rent baby equipment ,from strollers, carseats, baby carriers to beach stuff like cool boxes, towels and toys… I wish pleasant stay to all of our guests and lord of unforgettable memories !!

I really enjoyed your article. Rosita and I are going to spend 4 days in a small town just outside of Rovinj this fall and this is great information for us. I will let you know how our trip goes.

I look forward to your trip report. 🙂 Cheers, Julie

Try also the inlands of Istria ( Slovenia and Croatia).Most people go to the sea, but on the peninsula is much more to see. More authentic, no mass tourism………the unspoiled, quiet and worthwhile peninsula Istria, like Tuscany.

Things To Do In Istria, Croatia: Best Attractions, Activities and Day Trips

Wonder what to do in Istria on your next visit? Here is a list of the 45 best things to do in Istria!

Istria Riviera, a heart-shaped peninsula located in the northern Adriatic, is the most visited region in Croatia . The Istrian peninsula is very popular among foodies, cyclists, history aficionados, and just anybody looking for a relaxing beach time.

Things To Do In Istria, Croatia: Best Attractions, Activities and Day Trips, Illustration

In summer, tourists visit Istria in search of beach fun, water sports, and other fun-under-the-sun activities. But, as you will discover here, Istria has much more to offer than pure beach fun.

Table of Contents

Best things to do in Istria

Istria offers a plethora of activities, ranging from cycling and winery tours to zip-lining, water activities, and day tours. With so much to choose from, there’s an abundance of options to keep you entertained in Istria.

Visit a winery

A garden table with white wine and a plate of prosciutto

A visit to any (or many) family-owned wineries is one of the best things to do in Istria. Our favorite wineries in Istria include Damjanic , Kozlovic , Trapan , and Kabola Winery .

We also put together a list of Istrian winemakers and wrote a post on top wineries to visit in Istria if you are interested in further reading.

To avoid drinking and driving (never drink and drive!), you can book THIS WINE TOUR with a guide and a driver. Also, this way, you’ll be able to visit many wineries in one day.

From flat and easy coastal trails to the hilly hinterland, cycling in Istria is perfect for beginner and experienced cyclists alike.

This is the reason why both recreational and professional cyclists love Istria! And not to mention new cycling enthusiasts: 60+ on electric bikes.

For the ultimate cycling experience in Istria, take on the Parenzana trail !

Detailed Istria cycling info can be found on the Istria Bike Website . You can also check Fiore Tours agency for Istria and Croatia’s self-guided multi-day cycling tours.

Parenzana Old Railway Bike Tour
Bike Experience through Cape Kamenjak

Explore beaches

A beach in Zelena Laguna Campsite, Porec

Don’t forget that the sun and the sea are still the main reasons to visit Istria. Get your swimming suit, snorkeling gear, and dive right into the deep blue Adriatic Sea.

From the beautiful pebbly beaches of Rabac and amazing underwater caves along the coast of Pula to the fancy beaches of Rovinj Lone Bay and the shaded rocky beaches of Porec, Istria offers ample opportunity for swimming, snorkeling, and cliff diving.

Fried baby calamari, restaurant Sole in Umag

Local, fresh, seasonal, what else to ask from a perfect food?! Istria is a foodie’s dream destination.

Truffles, pork tenderloin, bean soup for the fall and winter, asparagus, wild mushrooms, crab meat, cheese curd, scrambled eggs for the spring, fresh vegetables, anchovies, sardines, and other fish for the summer.

Here are the best restaurants in Istria!

Flavors of Istria
Rovinj Walking Food Tour
Pula Walking Food Tour
Porec Walking Food Tour
Novigrad Walking Food Tour
Umag Walking Food Tour

Taste one of the world’s best extra virgin olive oils

Yep, that’s right! Chiavalon extra virgin olive oil is a world champ in the olive oil arena. World’s Best Olive Oil Association named Chiavalon one of the TOP 25 olive oil producers in the World, and recently, the Italian Organization Premio il Magnifico awarded their olive oils with 3 stars (think Michelin 3 stars but in the world of olive oil) and placed them among the TOP 12 producers in Europe.

Visit Chiavalon Estate in Vodnjan, and book yourself an olive oil tasting!

Enjoy history

History aficionados will enjoy discovering the Istrian past through many historical sites, monuments, remains, and documents. Many of them are very well preserved to this day.

The two most popular historic sites in Istria are the Episcopal Complex of the Euphrasian Basilica in Poreč from the 6th century, a Unesco world heritage site (more info on Things to do in Porec ), and Pula’s Amphitheater dating back to the 1st century AD, the sixth-largest Colosseum in the world.

Venetian architecture, medieval hilltop towns, churches, and towers are testimony of the region’s rich history.

Visit Rovinj

Rovinj is the nicest town and a must-see place in Istria! Explore its winding cobblestone streets, visit charming art galleries, climb the bell tower for awesome views, have a real Italian gelato, taste fisherman’s pie at Maestral, and have a glass of wine in the Mediterraneo Bar.

Dolphin Watching Sunset Speedboat Trip with Drinks
A boat trip from Porec to Rovinj with a lunch
Private tour of Rovinj by electric bicycle

Explore Istrian countryside

Istrian countryside, with its rolling hills, medieval hilltop towns, vineyards, and olive groves, will make your dream. Take a day out to explore the towns of Motovun, a village of music and art Groznjan, a mystical and abandoned Zavrsje, or lovely Oprtalj. Visit the sleepy watermill in Kotli and Hum, the smallest town in the world.

Plan lunch at Stari Podrum, Morgan, or Tavern Toncic in Zrenj . Do wine tasting at Kozlovic, Cuj, or Kabola.

Full day tour of Istria with truffle tasting
Istria Highlights Tour from Pula
Half day trip to Grožnjan and Oprtalj with local delicacies tasting
Guided Tour of Inner Istria with Food Tasting

Visit Brijuni Islands national park

An archipelago consisting of 14 small islands, the Brijuni Islands are one of Croatia’s eight national parks .

A visit to Brijuni Islands includes a boat transfer from and to Fazana, a tourist train ride around the island of Veli Brijun, a visit to the remains of the ancient Roman villa dating back to the I century B.C, the archaeological museum, and the Church of St. Germain.

The ticket costs 190 Kn (March, April, May, October), 230 Kn from June through September, and 160 Kn in January, February, November, and December.

Hike Ucka Mountain

Visit Ucka, the highest Istrian mountain separating the peninsula from the rest of Croatia. It is a protected area and a nature park.

Choose one of the marked hiking trails and get up to the Vojak, the highest peak (1396 m). You’ll enjoy nice views over Istria, the sea, and the islands.

Go truffle hunting

Did you know that the largest white truffle in the world was found in Istrian forests? It even made a Guinness World Record .

Don’t miss out the truffle hunting in Istria when holidaying here!

The Istriana Travel can organize a truffle hunting tour, or you can contact truffle hunters/producers Prodan Truffles and Karlic Truffles directly.

Visit Glavani park

Glavani Park is a place to see if you are looking for adrenaline-pumping activities! It is a high ropes adventure park with 2 m, 6 m, 10 m high rope courses, 11 m high giant swing, and Europe’s first suspension bridge across the valley.

Book in advance and save!

Spend a day in Istralandia or Aquacolors water parks

What better way to spend a hot summer day than splashing around in the water park?

We even have two water parks in Istria, Istralandia near Novigrad , and Aquacolors in Porec.

From a 27 m high free-fall slide to family rafting and gentle rides through the lazy river, Istrian water parks offer fun for the whole family!

Paragliding, Tandem flying, and Hang gliding

You’ll find eight take-off and landing sites for hang gliders and ten sites for paragliding. They are all located in the area of Buzet, at the Cicarija and Ucka Mountains. All flights are coordinated with local clubs.

Paragliding club Tići organizes tandem flights. The club currently has twenty paragliding pilots. More info you can find on their Facebook page .

Hang gliding is organized by the flying club Homo Volans, based in Opatija.

Paragliding Istra is another club with a flight training facility in Motovun. They also offer tandem flights. The prices start at 700 Kn for a 15-20 min flight.

Panoramic flights over the Istrian peninsula

Get yourself on one of those scenic flights and enjoy the panorama of the Istrian peninsula. The prices start at 150 Kn (20 €) per person for a 10-minute flight. It’s seriously not that expensive. You need more courage than money for this activity.

More info and contacts are here!

Water activities

Would you like to kayak to hidden sea caves , get on a night glow SUP tour , push your limits with a guided coasteering adventure in Pula or try your hand at wakeboarding and waterskiing?

All these water activities and more you’ll find in Istria!

Jet-ski, boat rental, pedal boat, banana boat ride, diving, SUP, kayaking, and parasailing are the most popular water activities found in every coastal town and every resort in Istria.

Windsurfing equipment can be rented at ProSurf in Porec , Windsurstation in Premantura (Rt Kamenjak), Windsurfing Center in the camping Arena Stupice , and Windsurfing in Fažana .

Rock climbing

In Istria, nine rock climbing sites on 20-30 m high short rocks have more than 270 equipped ascents.

These sites are Zlatni Rt Forest in Rovinj, Lim Bay, Dvigrad, Vitnjan near Pula, Rabac, Istarske Toplice, Raspadalica above Buzet, Vranjska Draga near the Ucka tunnel, and Pazin.

Istria has many underground caves, abysses, and pits. Some are open to leisurely visitors, while others are aimed at experienced explorers with professional equipment.

Popular caves in Istria are Baredine Cave near Poreč, Pazinska Jama near Pazin, Romualdova Spilja in Lim Bay, Feštinsko kraljevstvo near Žminj, a 361 m deep Rašpor pit on the Ćićarija Mountain, a 1036 m long Piskovica Cave in central Istria, and Mramornica cave near Novigrad.

Things To Do In Istria, Illustration for Pinterest

Visit Dinosaur Park in Funtana

Dinosaur Park in Funtana is a perfect place to visit with small children. Set in an ancient quarry surrounded by thick woods, the park has over 1.5 km of paths, life-size electric dinosaurs, amusement rides for small children, and a small farm where kids can ride ponies. The park also has regular shows throughout the day.

Zip line Pazinska jama

Looking for a real heart-pounding adventure? Go ziplining in Pazin! Feel like a bird while you are soaring through the treetops at speeds up to 50 km/h.

The views are spectacular, particularly from the last and longest line, as you see the wonderful Pazin Castle in front and the Pazin Canyon below.

The site is open from May to October, from 10 am to 7 pm (the rest of the year by appointment only).

Contacts | e-mail: [email protected] | t: +385 91 543 7718 | Facebook

Rope jumping free fall

Another activity for adventurous kinds, rope jumping free fall is organized by the same guys who run Pazin Zip Line. And the site is at the same spot. As you jump into the abyss from the small bridge, you swing within a 25 m radius. Definitely not for the faint-hearted folks!

It’s open on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 12 pm to 6 pm. The price is 150 Kn (approx. 20 €) per person.

Contacts | Most Vrsic, Pazin | t: +385 91 1683 126 | e-mail: [email protected]

A day trip to Ljubljana

Ljubljana is only 170 km from Istria. And Ljubljana is really beautiful, and if you have a day to spare, it makes a great day trip from Istria.

Ljubljana is a real little gem. A small, walkable (and cyclable) city with only 600.000 inhabitants, downtown Ljubljana, is set along the river, and it boasts great bars, restaurants, shops, and lovely architecture.

You can easily reach Ljubljana on your own by car (if you don’t have a car, rent one here ). Once you pass the border, you should be in Ljubljana in no time. To avoid lines at the main border crossing (Kastel), head for a small border crossing near Buzet.

A visit to Postojna Cave

Just 120 km from Istria, you can visit the largest cave in this part of the world – Postojna Cave. It boasts in total 24 km of underground passages, halls, and galleries, although only 5 km are open to the public to explore.

There is an underground train that takes visitors for a 3.5 km ride. The rest is explored on foot.

You can visit Postojna cave on your own. However, it might just be more convenient to book yourself on a group tour to Postojna Cave out of Porec, Rovinj, or Pula.

Visit Lake Bled

Lake Bled is another natural marvel of Slovenia that offers a plethora of things to do. It’s located in the Julian Alps, 475 m above sea level, and surrounded by lovely forests.

Two main attractions are Bled Castle , atop a high cliff, and a small island in the middle of the lake with the Church of Assumption Mary . Vintgar Gorge , just five km from the lake, is another popular site worth visiting.

The lake is 220 km away from Istria. You can visit it on your own for a day, but it would perhaps be better if you either plan an overnight in Bled or take a group tour.

Discover Venice

When you are already in Istria, don’t miss a chance to visit Venice easily. Only 250 km away, it takes less than three hours to visit Venice. Or even better, visit Venice for a day by boat. There are two companies serving this route: Kompas’ Prince of Venice and Venezialines.

A day trip to Venice from Rovinj by boat
Visit Venice from Porec by boat
A visit to Venice by boat from Pula

Explore the Cape Kamenjak Park

Explore Cape Kamenjak, a beautiful natural site and the southernmost point of Istria.

This protected area is a great place for swimming, hiking, cycling, kayaking, surfing, cliff jumping, or just chilling by the sea. The visit is free for pedestrians and cyclists, while the car fee amounts to 80 Kn per day.

Don’t miss chilling out after the swim in the Safari Bar! Surrounded by tall reeds and hidden under a canopy of branches, Safari Bar in Cape Kamenjak Park is the coolest bar in Istria.

A Half–Day Cycling Tour of Cape Kamenjak With Wine Tasting
Explore Caves By Kayak
Pula Boat Trip To Cape Kamenjak With Snorkeling

Visit Aura Distillery

How about tasting local brandies while on holiday in Istria? Visit Aura Distillery or one of their four shops in Istria. Aura makes great liquors from Istrian mistletoe, honey, or wine liquors to less common choices like almonds and olive oil, rosehip, or sage brandy.

They also produce jams and other delicacies like chocolates and wild apple vinegar.

Contacts | a: II. Istarske brigade 2/1, Buzet | t: +385 52 694 250 | e: [email protected] | Website

Take a boat tour

Boat tours in Istria are very popular. The most popular boat tours include a sunset cruise, a dolphin-watching tour, and a Lim Fjord tour with lunch.

All those tours are available from various boat companies in Rovinj, Poreč, or Pula.

Other less common boat tours include tuna-fishing and recreational tours abroad, smaller motor yachts (check Tuna Tail Fishing website ), adrenaline-filled tours abroad, very fast speed boats (check Porec charter website ), submarine tours, glass boat tours, and sailing tours (check Spark sailing out of Rovinj).

Boat Trip From Poreč to Rovinj with Lunch
Boat Cruise from Porec with Barbecue Lunch

Go-kart and other high-octane activities

If you like cars and other high-octane actions, you’ll find a couple of interesting sites in Istria. Halfway between Porec and the village of Tar, you’ll find Motodrom Porec. This is the longest and the best kart track in the entire Istria. At the same site, you will also find cross-karts, baby karts for kids, and quads.

Park Santarija is a motocross park located just outside Pazin, in central Istria. For more information, check their website .

Moto Club from Zminj organizes Enduro adventures in Istria. You can find more information on their website .

Taste Istrian craft beer

Are you a craft beer aficionado? No worries, Istria has you covered!

San Servolo Brewery is the largest and best-known of all local breweries. You can visit their property located near Buje, in northwestern Istria. You’ll find there a brewery and San Servolo Resort, where you can stay overnight, have a craft beer bath (I know, seriously?!), and have a beer-tasting and hearty lunch at their beer and steakhouse.

Bura Brew is located in Porec. You can find their beers in many bars and delicates shops all over Istria, but you can also taste and buy their beer directly from the brewery. More info here.

Kampanjola is the latest addition to an already exciting Croatian craft beer scene. This is the first Istrian eco-craft beer. Check their Facebook page for more info.

If you happen to be in Istria in the first week of September, don’t miss visiting Medulin Craft Beer Festival .

Mummies of Vodnjan

Vodnjan, a small town not far from Pula, is home to one of the world’s largest and unique collections of 370 Christian relics belonging to 250 saints. The relics include a piece of Virgine Mary’s veil, a thorn from Jesus’ crown, and the bones of many apostles.

Besides these relics, in the church of St. Blaise, you can see the preserved bodies of three saints: St. Leo Bembo, St. Ivan Olini, and St. Nikoloza Bursa. Although these bodies are not embalmed, they are well-preserved, including interior organs, veins, and soft tissue. This makes them very unique.

Contacts | St. Blaise Church (Crkva sv. Blaža) | t+385 52 511420, m: +385 98 198 3231 | e: [email protected] | Website

Working hours | June-Sept., Mon-Sat: 9.30 am-1 pm, 2.30 pm-6.30 pm; Sun: 12 pm-6.30 pm | Oct.-Feb.: on request | March-May, Mon-Sat 9.30 am-5 pm; Sun: 12 pm-5 pm

Admission | Museum: 7 € | Holy bodies: 7 € | Church: 2 € | Combo (museum, holy bodies, and church): 10 €

Cook like a local

Traditional Istrian cuisine changes as you move from the coast to the countryside. But few dishes remain the same: manestra (a bean soup typical for Istria), fuzi and pljukanci (different types of Istrian homemade pasta), njoki (potato dumplings, identical to Italian gnocchi). Add to that an abundance of seafood, black and white truffles, wild asparagus, and various homemade cold cuts, and you have a winning formula for yummy dishes.

A couple of companies offer cooking classes where you learn to prepare some of the typical Istrian dishes. Most often, you’ll learn to make at least one type of homemade pasta. We recommend Eat Istria cooking classes. You can find more information about Eat Istria cooking classes here.

Visit Susak

Have a taste of Croatian islands on a day trip from Istria to Susak, a small car-free island with sandy beaches, lovely nature, and tranquility.

In July and August, a catamaran boat operates between Pula and the island of Susak 5 times a week. It leaves Pula at 7 am and arrives in Susak at 8.40 am. On a return trip, the boat leaves Susak at 6.40 pm and arrives at Pula at 8.30 pm.

This schedule gives you plenty of time to explore the small island of Susak.

The same catamaran continues down to Zadar and makes stops on the Mali Losinj, Ilovik, and Silba islands. You can also plan a visit to those islands too!

More info on the Krilo Website .

A day trip to Cres

The largest of all Croatian islands, Cres is easily reachable from Istria. You can do it on your own by taking a car ferry from Brestova across to Porozina.

Another, more relaxing way to visit Cres is by tourist boat from Rabac. This way, you get to see the most famed beach on the island (and one of the best Croatian beaches ) – Beach Sv. Ivan. below the village of Lubenice.

Experience glamping

Over 1.200.000 guests stay in campsites in Istria every year. But if you are not ready to rough it in Istrian campsites, consider glamping.

From the beachside cabins, and luxurious safari tents to family-friendly 3-bedroom mobile homes and luxury camping villas with private pools, glamping in Istria is something completely different.

Check the Amber Sea Luxury Village , Superior Mobile Homes in the camping Veštar, Premium Village in the camping Lanterna , Deluxe Mobile Homes in the camping Valkanela, and One 99 Glamping in Pula.

Rent a villa

Vacation in style with a villa rental in Istria! Villas are a very popular accommodation option in Istria. The majority of them are located in a beautiful Istrian countryside, surrounded by lush gardens, and featuring a private swimming pool.

And they don’t necessarily need to be expensive. If you are two families or a group of friends, you can share the cost and end up paying less than an apartment rental.

Explore Istrian Waterfalls

I bet you haven’t heard about Istrian Waterfalls! We’ve lived here for a long time before we found out about them. I think many people in Istria still don’t know about these waterfalls.

Gologoricki Dol is a small waterfall not far from Cerovlje. The largest and best-known waterfall in Istria, Sopot Waterfall, is simply beautiful, although access to it via a tiny and slippery downhill passage is rather scary. Check photos and reviews here.

Zarecki Krov is a favorite summer swimming spot for the people of Pazin. The waterfall is big, and it comes down to the lake from a large rock that looks like a roof. A great place to visit if you are in Istria. Check photos and reviews here.

Kotli is a small abandoned village not far from Hum. The Mirna River flows through the village, forming in its cauldron-shaped basin. These forms can get full of water depending on the total level of the water. Steep drops in water flow in some places create smaller and bigger waterfalls. Watch the video from Kotli here.

Sv. Foska Church

If you like sacral buildings and other monuments, or if you like to wander around long narrow, winding, and dreamy roads, consider visiting Sv. Foska Church.

The entire place is magical, and locals believe it is a part of the big energy field coming from the Brijuni islands through the sea, all the way to the church. People come here to meditate, ask for help, and just absorb this energy.

Istria is a popular diving destination full of exciting shipwrecks. The most popular diving site is the shipwreck Baron Gautsch near Rovinj. This Austrian passenger ship sank 9 nautical miles from Rovinj in 1914.

The wreck is today overgrown by algae and sponges. It lies at 28 m to 40 m depth on a sandy and stone sea bed.

Other diving sites in Istria include the caves and reefs of Banjol Island near Rovinj, the walls, and reefs of Sv. Marina, a wreck of cargo steamship Hans Schmidt, a minesweeper Coriolanus wreck, and many more.

Check more info here , here , and here .

Visit small islands

Although the Istrian coast doesn’t abound in islands like Dalmatia, there are still many small uninhabited islands around. This is particularly apparent around Vrsar, Rovinj, and Rt Kamenjak.

The regular Maistra line can easily visit Red Island (St. Andrew Island). The boat runs from 5.30 am to 1 am on every full hour (from the Red Island), or every hour on the half-hour from Rovinj to St. Andrew Island. The return ticket coast 40 Kn per adult.

Dvi Sestrice and Figarola are small islands off the coast of Rovinj. Many locals and boaties from nearby campsites come here for a swim.

Levan is an interesting island off the coast of Medulin. It’s a popular day trip because of the sandy beach. There is also a bar-cum-restaurant on the island.

Fratarski Island (Veruda) is located south of Pula and it is the favorite summer spot for people from Pula and beyond. Locals not only spend a day here, but instead, they spend the entire summer. There is a basic campsite on the island where many locals pitch their tents permanently for the summer.

Ceja is another island off the coast of Kamenjak. There is a beach bar, a small pier, and a beach. It’s a simple, chill-out place to spend a day.

Latus Dairy Farm

A small family-run farm located in the small village of Orbanici, near Zminj, in central-east Istria, Latus Dairy Farm produces cow cheeses (young, aged, and curd), as well as fresh milk and yogurt. Latus also offers onsite tastings in their stylish milk & cheese bar. The bar is open from June to mid-September, on Wednesdays & Fridays from 10 am to 4 pm.

Contacts | a: Gornji Orbanići 12/D, Žminj | t:+385 52 823 765 | e: [email protected]

Dekleva Lavender Farm

Visit a family-run lavender farm located halfway between Porec and Visnjan for lovely walks amidst lavender, rosemary, olives, figs, and grapes. Enjoy amazing fragrances, take a moment, and relax in nature, under the trees in a swing or hammock. A visit to the farm is free. But if you like what you see, you can buy some natural products made onsite by lovely owners. This is where they make money.

Contacts | a: Deklevi 1, Visnjan | t: +385 98 932 1745

Aquarium in Pula

Pula’s aquarium is the biggest aquarium in Istria and in my opinion the only one here worth a visit. It’s located on the Verudela peninsula, south of the center, and close to all the big hotels. Located in an old military fortress from the time of Austria-Hungarian monarchy, the building itself is worth a visit. Pula Aquarium features more than 250 species of fish, reptiles, and semiaquatic animals. The aquarium also features a sea turtle rescue center. You can read more here.

Sculpture Park Vrsar

If you like a pleasant and relaxing walk in a park with a bit of culture, then a visit to the Sculpture Park in Vrsar can make your day. Visiting the park is free, and there is easy parking next to it. Sculptures exhibited in the park belong to Dusan Džamonja, a famed Croatian artist whose work was featured in the Tate Gallery in London and MoMA in New York, as well as in other museums of Modern Art, like those of Paris, Antwerpen, and Sao Paolo.

Where: Valkanela 5, Vrsar

Working hours | Nov.-Feb., 9 am-5 pm; Mar.-May, Sept.-Oct., 9 am-7 pm; June-Aug., 9 am-8 pm

Free admission

Discover frescoes

Many visitors to Istria quickly learn that Porec is known as the town of mosaics. This is due to mosaics found in Euphrasian Basilica, UNESCO World Heritage Site. However, only a few visitors leave Istria knowing that the county is also rich in frescoes. These frescoes can be found on the walls of many churches, particularly those in inland Istria.

Some frescoes date back as far as the 8th century. However, the majority of Istrian frescoes were painted in the period from the 11th to 16th centuries.

The most popular frescoes are to be found in the Church of St. Martin and the Church of St. Mary in Beram near Pazin, and in the Church of St. Roc in Roc, in northeast Istria.

45 thoughts on “Things To Do In Istria, Croatia: Best Attractions, Activities and Day Trips”

I love Istria! Every year we go on vacation to Istria, and this year we decide to rent a villa with pool for whole family and it was perfect!

Thanks for your suggestion, Atesa! We’ll look into it.

You’ve done a good job selecting :) Istria is indeed ful of lovely things to do, but you somehow managed to find the jewels… Only thing I wanted to correct you about – on the mention of all prices in the text you have put the price without commenting on it (is it high or low or ok) – as a journalist does. Only in the end, mentioning Dinopark, you wrote that it’s a bit high… It’s just a notice, you might correct it or not, it’s your blog :) Greetings from Croatia!

Hi Stephanie, the place is called Galebove Stijene, not far from camping Stoja. Hope this helps. Have fun!

Your website is fantastic – very informative. I am finding it very helpful!

I just have one question. I keep seeing these pictures of individuals kayaking through what they are titling as ‘the blue caves of pula/istria’. I can find no mention of them on your website ? Do you have any idea where they are?

hi frank where do you suggest we stay as a base to visit all these places in the istria region?

What a detailed list! Istria is in my travel plans for a few months already and your list will be enough to make my trip interesting. Thanks, Frank!

Brilliant information, thanks! We go to Croatia for the first time next week. Staying in Pula. Hoping to visit lots of places and go across to Venice as well.

Looking forward to it even more now we have found your blog..

Thanks for reading. Let us know if you decide to visit Istria. We’ll be happy to help you plan your visit.

What a place to escape! To be honest, have not thought of Istria to travel before. Thanks for changing my mind.

Lots of awesome activities, and Istria seems really beautiful! I would especially love to try the truffle hunting, which sounds really fun. The wine+cycling experience we did in Mendoza, and it was really cool! Thanks for this great post!

I am really starting to feel in itch to visit Croatia. Beautiful photos, and so many activities to do!

I have been to Motovun and Groznjan it is beautiful there. It is also possible to do truffle hunting in the forest of Motovun, with a guide :)

Great article

Obozavam Rovinj i Porec! :)

http://vesinstyle.wordpress.com/

Thanks for stopping by!

Nice experience. thanks for posting nice views……..

Thanks for stopping by. Glad you’ve liked Istria.

We went to Istria last summer and absolutely loved it! Great post and an amazing blog, guys! Thanks for connecting with us on Twitter! Keep up the great work and travel safe!

Thanks for stopping by, Tonia! Truffles are delicious. The good thing here is that you can afford to order them in the restaurant. The bad thing is that you need to know where they serve genuine Istrian truffles, otherwise you might end up eating tasteless and cheap imported truffles.

I have personally never tasted real truffles. I grew up thinking truffles were a chocolate dessert! I found it fascinating to discover what they really were! I hope to try them someday. Most dishes here that contain the best truffles are quite pricey however. The photos of your country look quite tempting to visit I must say. The colors and scenery really take you in.

Thanks for stopping by, Vicky. Glad you like it and that you started thinking of Croatia as a new place to consider visiting.

I’m so glad I found your blog! What beautiful pictures and a new place to think about going!

L, Vicky http://www.themummychronicles.com #CommentLove #SITSBlogging

Nex year, Mrs Chasing the Donkey!

Man, I am still gutted we missed out on the truffle hunting while we were there. We got the truffles… but no hunting.

Truffle hunters use dogs here. I think on these tours, they do hide a truffle in advance, so you are sure to find it on your truffle hunting tour. However, you get the experience of walking the woods, dogs sniffing around, and finally digging the truffle. Wineries are plentiful and great to visit.

That’s my favorite activity too. Thanks for stopping by, Sharon!

Thanks, Michele! If you decide to visit, let us know. We’ll be happy to show you around.

Rovinj is really beautiful. Thanks for stopping by.

Lol, Ashley! Thanks for the comment.

Hi Samantha, we can say the same for Costa Rica. Plus, you always talk so nice about Ticos, their sense of community, that we are almost making the move :-)

Oh truffle hunting sounds quite fun, do you get dogs or pigs like they do in some places to hunt them? But I guess, like Sharon, I’ll go for the wineries for sure! Ha ha!

Oh wow that place looks amazing!! I especially like number 1 – wineries :)

Looks amazing can’t wait to experience for myself

Wow! Lovely, just lovely! I would love to visit Rovinj!! It looks absolutely stunning!! And Glavani Park sounds like an adventure!

I love all these ideas. I could definitely do them all. You’ve got to stop with the food photos though-you’re killing me!

Guys everytime I visit your blog it makes me want to go to Croatia more and more. This definitely looks like a place I’d fall in love with. History, culture, architecture, and water! Beautiful pics

Thanks Syd! Truffle hunting is definitely fun. And the lunch afterwards it’s even better :)

I would love to do all of these. Especially the truffle hunting. I’ve always wanted to do that. You take lovely photos–especially of streets and alleyways. Gorgeous.

Hi Anna, thanks! If you actually decide to come, do let us know. We’ll love to show you around.

Hi Greg, thanks for your comment. We even had a group called Wine & Bike. We would visit cellars on our bicycles, but would scheduled a van to come and pick us up later on :-). Still haven’t manage to do that trip both ways on my bicycle.

Oh wow – this is just beautiful – need to find a diary gap to visit here!! Stunning pictures, always sells a place to me!

Looks like a wonderful place to spend a week or 2. I particularly like the idea of combining the wine tour with cycling or maybe the ropes…that could be fun(ny). The beach sounds inviting and the local food wonderful. Makes me want to visit.

Thanks for your comment, Isabel. Then, it is time for some ropes :-)

The perfect list! Done them all except for #11.

2 Other destinations
3 Understand
5.2 By plane
5.3 By train
5.4 By boat
6.1 Itineraries
8.1 Typical Istrian foods
8.2 Typical products from Istria
10 Stay safe

Istria ( Croatian : Istra ) is the north-westernmost region of Croatia . In a triangular shape, it is bordered in the north by Slovenia , east by the Kvarner region of Croatia and on the south and west by the Adriatic Sea.

Cities [ edit ]

45.333333 13.833333 2 Motovun — the most touristy of all Istrian hilltop towns, and is sometimes called the king of the hilltop villages
45.227222 13.595833 4 Poreč — an ancient Roman town that now is very popular with tourists
44.866667 13.85 5 Pula — home to the 6th largest surviving Roman amphitheatre — and 44.966667 13.85 6 Vodnjan
45.083333 13.633333 7 Rovinj — a popular tourist resort and an active fishing port that has a large Italian population
45.433333 13.516667 8 Umag — a picturesque small Mediterranean town - harbour, the Croatian gateway to Europe

Other destinations [ edit ]

4.914963 13.754112 2 Brijuni — two islands are accessible to the public and are part of a national park
44.768056 13.9225 3 Cape Kamenjak
44.82 13.94 6 Medulin — famous for its camping sites and coastline.
45.15 13.6 8 Vrsar — a popular summer destination with large campsites, private accommodation units and a modern marina

Understand [ edit ]

This region has been part of many empires — the Venetian Empire, Byzantine, Roman, and Austro-Hungarian — and of the Yugoslavian (Communist) republic. The cultural legacy of Istria is thus very rich and diverse.

After defeating the Illyrian Histri tribe, the Romans settled in the peninsula and left a large heritage, turning Pula into an important administrative centre and building villas, amphitheatres and temples. After the fall of the Roman Empire , the inner land remained a feudal territory occupied by Slavs, Frankish, Byzantines and finally Austrian Habsburgs, while the coast fell under control of the Republic of Venice in the 13th century. Intermittent combats were held between both powers until the fall of Venice in 1797. Since then, the Croatian population of Istria struggled for autonomy and were severely repressed both by Austrians and Fascist Italy (after World War I), eventually ending with a revenge from Yugoslav partisans after the World War II, forcing most autochthonous ethnic Italians to leave. Among the most notable Italian refugees in this era were the Andretti family, who eventually settled in the Lehigh Valley of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. Mario Andretti, one of the family's two children, grew up to become one of the most successful drivers in motorsports history, winning numerous races in several North American and international series, as well as one Formula One driver's championship and four season championships in IndyCar. A small ethnic Italian community still lives in the coastal towns. Relatively spared from the Yugoslav Wars, Istria is now a prosperous region. Later years have seen a growing regional sentiment and a reconciliation with its previously conflicted Italian identity.

The peninsula offers stark contrasts: the interior is very unspoiled and mountainous with ancient walled cities atop hills with surrounding fertile fields, whilst the coast has numerous beaches – do not expect any sand in them, though – and stunning scenery of rocky walls plummeting into the sea. The Istrian coast is among the most developed tourist destinations in Croatia. Hordes of Italian, German and French tourists enjoy package tourism during the crowded high season.

Although Pula is the main town, according to population and culture, relatively rural Pazin is the administrative centre of the peninsula.

Talk [ edit ]

Croatian is the official and most common language, but in these formerly Venetian lands Italian is nearly universally understood. There is still an Italian ethnic community in many coastal towns. German is also very widely spoken. Most restaurants in the main town also have an English speaker or two on staff. Some market sellers will address you in all four ("Izvolite, Prego, Bitte, How can I help you?").

Get in [ edit ]

Pula is the main transportation hub for Istria so most people will arrive there if they are not driving. Some boat lines arrive to Poreč , too.

By bus [ edit ]

Buses run from Trieste in Italy , Zagreb and other major cities to Pazin in the centre of Istria, and most to Pula in the South.

By plane [ edit ]

Ryanair provides a connection London (Stansted) to Pula three days a week, and Dublin Pula also. Scandjet connects Pula to Oslo , Copenhagen and Stockholm once a week (on Saturdays) during the summer. Eurowings also serves Pula.

By train [ edit ]

Trains run daily between Ljubljana in Slovenia and Pula , and from Rijeka to Ljubljana. Due to a historical accident, the two train lines do not meet up despite some works having been commenced on a rail tunnel to link the two short distances.

By boat [ edit ]

Venezia Lines is a high-speed ferry operator that operates in the North Adriatic. It links the North Adriatic's coasts of Italy and Croatia. Venezia Lines uses 2 vessels, San Frangisk and her sister vessel San Pawl, each with a capacity of 310 passengers, They are deployed on routes between Venice, Italy and the Croatian ports of Mali Losinj, Porec, Pula, Rabac and Rovinj.

See [ edit ]

Roman structures in Pula , including the Arena and Forum.
The old Venetian town of Rovinj .
St Euphrasius Basilica in Poreč .
The many beaches along the coast.
Brijuni (Brioni) Islands - private playground of Tito including an international zoo, dinosaur footprints and Roman and Byzantine ruins.
Hill-top villages of Groznjan and Motovun , populated by artist communities.
Magnificent frescoes of Our Lady of the Rocks chapel in Beram .

Itineraries [ edit ]

Istria is a fine region to practise hiking and biking, as much in the mountainous inland as in the coast.

The southern end of Istria is a great place for biking. Ask for a bike map in Pula Tourist Office, showing well-marked routes around the coast and in the Cape Kamenjak .

With diversity at the heart of Istria, you’ll delight in new culinary experiences and reconnect with traditional flavours.

Do [ edit ]

Visit Lovran, Istria, near Opatija, for the Days of Cherries Festival in June
Join the Truffle Days festival in the Motovun / Buzet area in late September
Attend a music or folklore performance in the unique atmosphere of the Pula Arena
Visit Groznjan and its jazz Festival
Visit the waterparks - Istralandia or Aquacolours.

Eat [ edit ]

Istrian gastronomy is known by its huge diversity. Pasta, gnocchi, risotto and polenta, as well as its high-quality vegetables (which can be found, at a cheap price, in any of the numerous open-air markets present in almost every Istrian town), accompany main dishes, as an Italian heritage. Especially, Istrian peppers have international recognition.

At the coast, fresh fish and seafood are a tradition. Scampi is the favourite, together with squid and sole. In the inland, air-cured ham (Prsut) and sausages are the highlights.

But the gastronomic pearl is no doubt the truffles . After the beginning of the season, in late September, truffles can be found accompanying any dish and sauce. Especially recommended is pasta with truffles. Also, olive oil with truffles is a typical product of the region.

Typical Istrian foods [ edit ]

Simple but tasty minestra (minestrone), made from seasonal vegetables, is still prepared nowadays. A characteristically Istrian minestrone is made from “bobici” (corn), fennel, barley, etc. All of these dishes are spiced with pesto. It is the ingredients, and not just the flour, that makes Istrian dishes so thick.
Home-made pastas such as noodles, lasagne, macaroni, blek or posutice , and the very Istrian fusi , are used in soups and side dishes. Fusi are offered as a starter or side dish and are prepared in various ways with sauces. Polenta and gnocchi have been prepared in Istrian homes for ages, but these dishes have their origins elsewhere.
Due to the plentiful sunlight and the vicinity of the sea, vegetables , which are widely grown in Istria, have a very special taste and naturally, interesting local names. Various vegetables, from verzot (Brussels sprouts) to cikorija (radicchio), koromač-finoči (fennel root), cuketi (zucchini), mangold, melancani (eggplant), peas, and “kapus” (cabbage), are used to prepare side dishes, with the obligatory olive oil and plenty of garlic.
Meat dishes (fish, mutton, poultry, beef) are well known for their method of preparation, gvacat (squazzetto) is a meat dish with sauce containing native Istrian spices. Many dishes are prepared in a “padela” (a frying pan with a handle) or under a črepnja (cover for cooking over embers). These dishes are more commonly found in the vicinity of Koper than in the town itself, but with a little effort you will be able to find excellent fish soup, marinade, or similar dishes even within the town itself. Despite some attempts to preserve and revive authentic Istrian cuisine, there is a tendency in Koper towards more modern culinary ideas, which offer the most varied dishes, from fish, meat, pasta, and pizzas – something for every pocket.
Olive oil , which has been used in Istrian cuisine since the old days, has the most suitable ratio between saturated and unsaturated fat. It has a high percentage of oleic acid and a suitable quantity of essential fatty acids. In the fruits of the area, there are also sugars, cellulose, and minerals such as calcium, potassium, iron, and copper, which have a beneficial effect on the veins, heart, and digestion.

Bon appétit!

Typical products from Istria [ edit ]

Fig loaf : This wonderful treat is made from ground dried figs, mixed with fig or grape juice, shaped into a loaf and lightly rolled in flour. Cut into slices, this is a delicious, healthy and natural snack without added sugar and preservatives.
Istrian jota : This version of the traditional dish jota, made from sauerkraut and beans, differs from its Karst counterpart in that it does not contain any potatoes. It is served with white or yellow polenta, as a main course and in many other ways.
Fritaja : This egg dish is a typical characteristic of Istrian cuisine. Fritaja species are very different. Selection and preparation depends on the imagination, taste, and from what we have in the refrigerator. You can prepare fritaja with ham, bacon, asparagus, eggplant, mushrooms, truffles, baby onions or other vegetables, or cheese.
Piran salt : Piran salt, this precious product of the Sečovelje Salina Nature Park, is the result of restless finds, warm sun, and the hardworking salt-pan workers. It is made manually, according to traditional methods dating back more than 700 years. In the past also Koper had soltfealds.
Khaki : The homeland of khaki - golden apples is the East Asia. In Europe and the USA are khakis produced from the second half of the 19th century. In Europe it was brought about in 1870, produced mainly by the Mediterranean countries. The Slovenian Istria and Primorje started growing khaki a little later, during the first decades of the last century. Most of the khaki's is produced in the valley Strunjan. In Strunjan so each year in the first week of November have Khaki Day, where visitors can taste various kinds of khakis, khaki spirit, khaki jam, various khaki desserts (pies, krostate, cakes, tarts) and so on.
The olive trees : These ancient trees, which originate in the Mediterranean, can reach a respectable age. Olives were picked from wild olive trees in prehistoric times. Later they were ennobled and the ancient Greeks allegedly knew around fifteen species of olive trees. The oil produced was used for many purposes: food, lighting, worshipping the gods and as one of the more important trade goods. The Babylonian code from 2500 BC includes regulations regarding the olive oil trade. The Phoenicians and the Greeks even had special ships for transporting amphorae containing olive oil. Due to its increasing importance, the Romans planted olive trees all across their empire, wherever it was able to grow. Olive trees have been growing in Istria since the Roman times and even the most respected classes of Roman society had olives on their menus – including the imperial kitchen of Emperor Augustus. Slovenian Istria is one of the northernmost regions where olive trees grow successfully. Olive oils from this region are undoubtedly one of the best and they are known as oils with exceptional aromatic and medicinal properties, mostly due to the special Mediterranean climate where they grow.
Asparagus : Wild asparagus or šparoga , is a characteristic Mediterranean plant. It grows at the edge of the forests of Slovenian Istria and it grows up to one meter high. It is born each year in the spring months from half of March to half of May. An old Istrian proverb says: "April spareser, Maio sareser" (April of asparagus, May of cherries).
Lavender : The lavender is one of the plants that you immediately associate with the Mediterranean. However, it can also be found in an ornamental garden. It is recognized by its dark blue or violet flowers and a typical fragrance. It has a relaxing and beneficial action on the body. It is used as a healing plant, because lavender flowers are full of active substances. The lavender is used to treat migraine, dizziness and flatulence. In addition, lavender is also used for decoration in bouquets of dried flowers and potpuri. Because of their fragrance, dried flowers are put in wardrobes to drive away moths.

Drink [ edit ]

Istria is a land of vineyards. Wines are sweet and fruity, with a wide variety of grapes present, such as white malvasia, red teran and muscat. The most famous vineyard area is Kalavojna, on the eastern coast.

Regional liquor grappa is widely produced in here, with several varieties available.

Stay safe [ edit ]

Go next [ edit ].

The hilly Cres island in the Gulf of Kvarner can be reached by car ferry from Brestova.

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Slovenian Istria

Tradition and modernity, visit the land nestled between the adriatic sea and the karst edge..

This is the gateway to the Mediterranean for most of Europe!

The landscape will charm you; the climate will pamper you in all seasons, and the locals will enthral you with their hospitality, experiences, and stories. The traditional Istrian country lifestyle is intertwined with the influence of the Venetian culture, the picturesque Istrian villages near fascinating cities, olive groves, vineyards, salt pans and the abundantly warm sea. It feels great to be here 365 days a year!

Istria Itinerary – Most Beautiful Places to Visit on Croatia’s Istrian Peninsula

A village on a hill surrounded by vineyards

Top Places to Visit in Istria - Itinerary and Travel Guide to Discover the Charms of the Istrian Peninsula

Are you ready to fall in love with the Istrian Peninsula, Croatia? Our Istria itinerary highlights the most charming places to visit in Istria, from medieval towns and breath-taking scenery to ancient ruins and the beautiful coast of the Adriatic Sea. If you are wondering what to see and which places to visit on the Istrian Peninsula, continue reading and start planning your ultimate Istrian Peninsula road trip.

The heart-shaped Istrian peninsula is one of the most charming places in Croatia, and the fact it has successfully stayed under the radar of mass tourism for such a long time is an added bonus. However, things are changing quickly and in recent years, more and more tourists have been visiting Istria, Croatia. So our advice is to start planning your Istria itinerary ASAP if you want a chance to explore the highlights of the Istrian peninsula before it loses its charm.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means we earn a small commission if you purchase from them (no extra costs to you!). For details check our disclaimer .

Where is the istrian peninsula located.

The Istrian peninsula is the largest peninsula in Croatia. It is located in the westernmost part of Croatia at the head of the Adriatic between the Gulf of Trieste and Kvarner Bay. The peninsula is shared by Croatia, Italy and Slovenia, though the most substantial part belongs to Croatia. When talking about the Istrian peninsula we can talk about blue Istria (along the coast) and green Istria (inland).

Green and Blue Istria Highlights

So why should you visit the Istrian peninsula when there are so many other charming places all over Croatia? The answer is simple enough; the Istrian peninsula is different from any other county in Croatia. We fell in love with the beautiful scenery, stunning medieval towns and fishing villages, food scene and the unique atmosphere. When talking about Istria, imagine there are actually two different parts you can explore. Along the coast, you’ll find blue Istria with its charming coastal towns and marinas, colorful Venetian houses, seafood restaurants, stunning beaches and luxurious hotels. The inner areas of the Istrian peninsula are referred to as Green Istria. When traveling around these parts of the peninsula, you’ll see vineyards and olive groves, photogenic medieval towns perched on cliffs, agricultural landscape and a general rustic and homey vibe which means less posh accommodation choices.

There are a couple of cities in Istria and a few small towns, but you’ll mostly find villages in Istria, the majority of which are located in Green Istria. According to the Croatian census, there are over 500 villages in Istria. An average Istrian village has a community of about 100 people. Some might have over 300 inhabitants, but there are also villages which are populated by only a dozen of people and some are completely deserted. So what are some the highlights of the Istrian peninsula in our opinion?

Some of the most stunning towns in Croatia are located on the Istrian peninsula: Rovinj , Poreč and Motovun, to name a few.
Breathtaking scenery of rolling hills, olive groves, vineyards and the hues of blue, green and turquoise of the Adriatic Sea.
A foodie scene with an emphasis on truffles, wine, olive oil and seafood.
Old traditional charm combined with a unique mixture of Italian-Croatian atmosphere.
Beautiful rocky and pebble beaches where you can enjoy the Adriatic Sea without the crowds
A unique focus on hiking and cycling trails so you can plan an active vacation combined with wine tasting.

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Top Places to Visit on the Istrian Peninsula for Your Istria Itinerary

Days 1-3 Blue Istria Road Trip

Day 1 – rovinj - the most charming town on the istrian peninsula.

Rovinj is our favorite town in Istria. Once you visit it, you’ll understand why we recommend staying here for your first few nights. From the moment we started exploring Rovinj’s old town, we couldn’t have enough of the colorful houses and Mediterranean atmosphere. Rovinj’s old town used to be an island so while you are strolling through the narrow cobbled streets, try and find these bottom porches that will reward you with beautiful views of the Adriatic Sea. There are hidden gems behind every corner, cool cafes, unique boutiques, colorful houses with photogenic laundry lines and many more such treasures are waiting to be found.

Things to See in Rovinj

Getting lost in Rovinj’s old town (if you want to learn more about the history of Rovinj, check out this walking guided tour .
Visiting St. Euphemia Church and its Bell Tower
Looking for Balbi’s Arch and Rovinj Town Clock
Wandering around Rovinj Harbor
Looking for the famous Rovinj viewpoints
Watching the sunset from one of the sea-front coffee shops and bars
Exploring Rovinj Archipelago

Where to Stay in Rovinj

We stayed at Residence Rovinj , a cute hotel with its own parking lot that was within walking distance to the old town. If you have a car, make sure your hotel has a parking lot. We loved the intimate and friendly atmosphere, the large rooms and good breakfast. It’s a good choice for mid-range accommodation.

If you’d like to stay at the heart of the old town, Hotel Adriatic is an excellent choice. This luxurious boutique hotel provides beautiful views and is situated at the heart of Rovinj’s old town. You’ll also find one of the best restaurants in town inside the hotel.

For a more budget-friendly choice, try the cozy but stylish The Melegran that also has a very central location and excellent reviews.

For all hotels and apartments in Rovinj, check prices here

Check out our Rovinj Guide for more attractions, helpful tips and places to stay in Rovinj

Day 2 – Pula and Cape Kamenjak

Pula – best place to see ancient roman ruins in istria.

On day 2 of your itinerary, it’s time to discover the southern part of the Istrian peninsula. Within a relatively short car ride from Rovinj, you’ll find Pula, the largest city on the Istrian peninsula where you’ll also find an international airport. Pula has some of the best ancient Roman ruins in the area and some charming alleys of its own.

What to See in Pula

Visit Pula Arena – one of the most well-preserved Roman amphitheaters in the world
Check out the Roman Forum
Walk under the Arch of Sergii
Enjoy the View from Fort Kaštel
Stop by the House of Istrian Olive Oil
Take a paddle-board tour or go kayaking and snorkeling around the sea caves along Pula coast with any of these recommended tours .

Where to Stay in Pula

Cape kamenjak – for rugged beaches and seascapes photography, things to do on cape kamenjak.

The Kamenjak Peninsula or Peninsula of Premantura is located at the southernmost point of Istria. It’s a protected reserve with a beautiful rugged coastline, stunning beaches and coves, and hiking and cycling trails . Other than gorgeous beaches, the Premantura Peninsula is home to more than 500 plant species, including 20 orchid species. It is located only a short drive away from Pula. You can also go cliff jumping or kayaking in the area.

Day 3 – A Road Trip along the Coast of the Istrian Peninsula to Lim Fjord, Poreč and Novigrad

The third day on your itinerary is dedicated to a road trip along the northern part of the Adriatic coast along the Istrian peninsula. This area of Istria is dotted with beautiful fishing towns, stunning beaches and some breathtaking views, such as the stunning Lim Bay.

Lim Fjord – Best Place to Visit in Istria for Fresh Oysters and Stunning Views

Things to do in lim fjord.

Take a boat ride to explore the bay
Eat fresh oysters and mussels
Rest at the tiny beach
Admire the views and beautiful scenery

Poreč – Beautiful Historic Center and the Euphrasian Basilica

If for some reason, you’d rather stay at a different town than Rovinj, Poreč is probably one of the best places to stay along the coast of the Istrian Peninsula. It offers just the right mixture of historical monuments, charming cobbled streets, lovely beaches and foodie and night scenes.

Things to See and Do in Poreč

Visit the Euphrasian Basilica – A UNESCO World Heritage Site
Wander around the Historic Center of Poreč
Walk along the two main streets, Decumanus and Cardo Maximus
Stop by the main square – Marafor
Check out the Round Tower where you’ll find Torre Rotonda Caffé Bar
Visit Poreč Heritage Museum

Where to Stay in Poreč

If you’re looking for a central location, Valamar Riviera Hotel & Residence is a great choice. With its modern design, rich breakfast and private beach on the nearby Sveti Nikola island (free shuttle boat), it offers some great deals on rooms throughout the year. You can check other accommodation choices here .

A girl drawing on a staircase with flowers around her

Novigrad – For a Mixture of Excellent Food, Beaches and History

Novigrad is located just north of Poreč, and it has been gaining a name for itself as a foodie town. Other than excellent restaurants, you’ll find here lovely beaches and a charming historic center.

Things to See and Do in Novigrad

Visit the charming old town
Look for the local churches and bell towers
Visit the Maritime Museum
Explore the beaches and visit the water sports center
Visit some of the best restaurants on the Istrian peninsula

Where to Stay in Novigrad

Check out the smart Boutique Hotel Rivalmare which is beautifully designed and is situated just near the old town and the beach. You can check other options for hotels and apartments in Novigrad here .

For detailed guides for some of the top places to visit in Istria, check out our Rovinj Day Trips Guide

Days 4-6 Green Istria Road Trip

After spending a couple of nights in Rovinj, it was time for us to start our journey to discover the charms of the inner parts of the Istrian peninsula. We spent the next couple of nights in Oprtalj, a small town with breathtaking views that is located very close to Motovun.

Day 4-5 - Oprtalj, Motovun, Grožnjan and Buje

Oprtalj – for stunning views and medieval charm.

Oprtalj (or Portole in Italian) is one of the most picturesque towns in Green Istria. To be honest, there is not too much to do in this tiny town, but we chose it as our place of accommodation thanks to its stunning views of the Mirna Valley and proximity to Motovun. We didn’t know what to expect, but strolling along the tiny old town of Opetalj, we felt we’d discovered a hidden gem. It’s a place where time stood still. Photogenic crumbling walls decorating narrow cobbled alleys that lead to ancient houses and beautiful archways, an old bell tower, and the occasional flowers and green vines dotting this historic town.

Things to See in Oprtalj

Admire the unbelievable view from Venetian Loggia
Check out the old main gates of the old town
Wander along the cobbled alleys of the old town
Have a snack or a glass of wine with the most amazing view

Where to Stay in Oprtalj

We stayed at the charming B&B Palazzo Angelica (for adults only). We didn’t stay at the main house, but we had a lovely apartment inside the old town. The only downfall was we had to carry our suitcases on the uneven cobbled alley (uphill) and then climb a few flights of stairs. However, the friendly staff will gladly help you. We loved our stay here but be warned, Oprtalj is very low key and you only have two restaurants to choose from. If you are looking for a bit of a more lively atmosphere, Motovun or Grožnjan are going to suit you more.

Yellow colored wall, cobbled street and green glass bottles

Motovun – One of the Most Famous Towns on the Istrian Peninsula

You can’t visit green Istria without stopping at Motovun. Motovun is perched on a 270-meter hill and surrounded by vineyards and olive groves. The sight of Motovun and the surrounding area in the early hours of the morning covered gently in a veil of fog, is magical. If you stay in the area (and you should), try and catch a glimpse of it with your camera. Nevertheless, if you can’t bother to catch the sunrise or you choose to visit Motovun on a day trip from the coast, don’t worry, it’s stunning every hour of the day.

Things to See in Motovun

Take a picture from the road of the landscape with the beautiful Motovun perched on the hill
Wander around Motovun’s cobbled alleys
See the historical monuments of the ancient city of Kastelijer with its defensive walls, fortifications and gates
Admire the mixture of Gothic, Romanesque and Renaissance architecture
Visit the Parish Church of St. Stephen with its bell tower
Buy some local souvenirs
Admire the view with a glass of wine

Where to Stay in Motovun

If you want to stay in a hotel at the heart of Motovun, check out Hotel Kastel (will be reopened in March/April 2020). Other than that there are several apartments and B&B you can check here . If it’s luxury you are looking for, then Wine & Heritage hotel ROXANICH is a boutique hotel located very close to Motovun which also has its own gourmet restaurant and a wellness center.

Grožnjan – Village of Artists

Grožnjan is located very close to Motovun and Oprtalj. It is another beautiful Istrian village which is known as the village of artists. One of the highlights of strolling around this charming village was to see all of these unique and beautiful medieval houses adorned by artistic displays.

What to See in Grožnjan

Stroll around the picturesque streets
Look for unique souvenirs
Visit the Fonticus Gallery
Look for the Church of St Vitus, Modest, & Crescentiu
Have the best cappuccino with a platter of cheese accompanied by a stunning view

Where to Stay in Grožnjan

In Grožnjan you’ll find only small apartments. You can check the prices here .

Buje - History, Views and Local Delecacies

We only had one day to explore the central and northern part of the Istrian Peninsula, which means we didn’t get to see everything we wanted (and we stopped for some wine tasting as well). Buje was on our list for several reasons and we were sorry we’d missed it. Initially, we thought about spending a couple of nights here but decided to spend our nights in green Istria at Oprtalj. Buje has plenty to offer so if you do have the time, try and include it in your Istria itinerary.

What to See in Buje

Visit St. Servulus church and its bell tower for some magnificent view of the area
See the Tower of St Martin which was part of the Venetian walls that surrounded Buje
See the collections at the Ethnographic museum, which showcases local handicrafts and highlights the culture of the area
Roam the alleys of the historic center and look for local delicacies
If you’re looking for an extraordinary experience, visit the beer spa at San Servolo Resort & Beer Spa

Where to Stay in Buje

We were planning on staying at San Servolo Resort & Beer Spa , which has beautiful views, modern and funky design and a beer spa. Check the prices for other accommodation choices in Buje here

Day 6 – Duga Uvula, Rabac and Labin

Duga uvula or rabac – for beaches and seascape photography.

There are plenty of beaches all around Istria and even from the center of Istria it should take no more than 45 minutes to get to one of the beaches. We wanted to have a relaxed day and mainly do some photography, and we’ve heard Duga Uvula is a beautiful place. Duga Uvula is a beautiful cove with stunning crystal-clear water and a friendly vibe. When you follow the path, there are many options to take one of the stairs that lead straight to the sea. The beach is not very kid-friendly, at least the parts we visited. There was a very simple bar with some drinks and snacks ( Punta Beach Bar ) where we visited. For us, it was the perfect spot because we were looking for a private location.

However, if you are looking for a lively atmosphere and more options in terms of attractions and restaurants, check out the small resort town of Rabac. It is much more touristy and suited for families, there are more restaurants and a few beaches to choose from. There is also a lovely promenade. Note that it is a trendy place to visit in the summer so it can get crowded.

Labin – History, Views and Art

We’ve heard about Labin only on our last day in Istria and so it was too late to visit it. Since it is located very close to Duga Uvula and Rabac, you should stop there if you have a chance. Labin is another medieval hilltop town which used to be the largest mining center in Croatia. Nowadays, you can find here a few galleries, charming alleys, historical sites and gorgeous views of the Adriatic Sea.

What to See in Labin

See the Little Theatre or Il Teatrino at Labin old town
Check out Porta Sanfior, the old town gate
Visit the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary’s Birth
Admire some of the Baroque palaces and buildings such as the Battiala-Lazzarini Palace
Stop by the art galleries or Labin’s city museum
Admire the view from Fortica Viewpoint

Where to Stay in Labin and Rabac

You’ll find many resorts and apartments around Rabac for different budgets. Check their prices here . In Labin, you’ll find only two hotels. Hotel Peteani offers stylish rooms, great breakfast and free bikes and has great prices for solo travelers. The second hotel, La Loggia Diffused Hotel , is another great choices for visitors who are looking for modern and stylish design and a budget friendly price tag. For more accommodation choices in Labin, check your options here .

Plan the Perfect Itinerary for your Istrian Peninsula Road Trip

Our best advice is to do your research on the various attractions of the Istrian peninsula, and then calculate how many days you would need (or have) to explore the peninsula, choose two or three places of accommodation in Blue and Green Istria, and you’re good to go.

Where to Stay on the Istrian Peninsula

We only had four nights in Istria, and it wasn’t enough to see everything we wanted to see. Therefore, in our opinion, you should plan your Istria itinerary to include at least 4-5 nights. Our preferred town on the Western Coast is Rovinj (we’ve discussed accommodation options under our Rovinj section). In the center of the Istrian peninsula, we chose to stay at Oprtalj, but Motovun might be better if you are looking for a livelier atmosphere. Finally, if you are a beach person, we suggest staying another night along the coast, which means another day in Rovinj or somewhere near Labin.

Our Ultimate Itinerary to Explore the Best Places to Visit on the Istrian Peninsula

So if you’ve followed our Istria road trip, you might have noticed that we’ve recommended some places we haven’t visited ourselves due to a lack of time or knowledge. So the following itinerary is the one we would have followed if we’d had enough time.

Day 1: Arriving in Rovinj and exploring the old town and nearby parks Day 2: A day trip to Pula and Cape Kamenjak Day 3: A day trip to Lim Fjord, Poreč and Novigrad Day 4: Oprtalj, Motovun and Grožnjan Day 5: Buje and experiencing wine tasting, olive oil tasting or truffle hunting Day 6: Labin and Rabac or Duga Uvula

Things to See on the Istrian Peninsula If You Have More Time

Visit some of the local Istrian towns we’ve missed such as Buzet, Bale, Hum or Pazin.
Follow the wine roads of Red Istria and Grey Istria (these names are based on the color of the soil)
Follow the olive oil trails of the Istrian Peninsula
Go truffle hunting around Mirna Valley. To learn more about such foodie experiences in Istria, check out our Istria Gourmet Foodie Guide
Explore the islands along the West coast (Rovinj Archipelago, Vrsar Archipelago or Sv. Nikola island)
Visit the famous Birjuni Islands National park
Go on a cycling tour or hike along the old Parenzana railway. The old Parenzana train connected the ports of Poreč and Trieste with villages and towns of the Istrian peninsula. It operated between 1902 and 1935. Nowadays, after a restoration process, there are cycling tours and hiking tours along the old route. Other than that, there are many more cycling routes all over the Istrian Peninsula.
Go on a day trip to Piran on the Slovenian part of the Istrian Peninsula. Another picturesque town with beautiful architecture and historic sites.

How to Get to the Istrian Peninsula, Croatia

By Plane – There is one international airport in Istria, Pula Airport . It’s a small airport, but during the season, there are flights from several European destinations such as London, Berlin, Amsterdam and other locations. Thanks to the increasing popularity of Istria, more and more flights are added every month. Otherwise, you can fly to one of the nearby international airports in Croatia, such as Rijeka or Zagreb, Trieste in Italy or Ljubljana in Slovenia and drive/arrange for transportation from there.

By Bus – There are buses from many cities in Croatia and nearby European destinations to the main towns along the coast of Istria such as Pula and Rovinj. You can catch a bus from Trieste, Ljubljana, Munich, Sarajevo, Zurich and many more cities. Check some of the options here .

By Boat – During the season, you can reach Rovinj by ferry. There are four companies operating ferries to and from Rovinj . In the high season, there are 1-5 journeys per day, but in the low season, there are no ferries at all. There is also a ferry from Zadar to Pula .

By Car – If you are planning on exploring the Istrian Peninsula, we suggest renting a car. You can either rent a car after landing in Pula Airport or from Zagreb or the Dalmatian Coast.

Getting Around the Istrian Peninsula

Your best choice is to rent a car. If you only plan to visit the towns along the western coast of the Istria Peninsula, you will find some public transportation from the main towns (Pula, Rovinj or Poreč), but if you want to explore Green Istria, it might be hard if not almost impossible by public transit. You can check some of the bus routes in Istria here .

If you don’t want to rent a car, you can hire a private driver or a taxi to show you some of the highlights of the Istrian Peninsula. Another more budget-friendly way is to go on an organized tour to see the best places to visit in Istria.

Distances between Our Recommended Places to Visit on the Istrian Peninsula

To give you a clue regarding your day trips, we wrote down for you the distances between our recommended destinations along the coast and inside the Istrian peninsula.

From Rovinj: To Pula: 40 km. (about 45 minutes) To Cape Kamenjak: 55 km. (about 55 minutes) To Lim Bay: 16 km (about 20 minutes) To Poreč: 40 km. (about 45 minutes) To Novigrad: 55 km. (about 55 minutes) To Motovun: 50 km. (about 55 minutes)

From Motovun: To Oprtalj: 11 km. (about 20 minutes, it’s not a mistake, the road is very curvy) To Grožnjan: 18 km. (about 23 minutes) To Buje: 22 km. (about 25 minutes) To Labin/Rabac/ Duga Uvula: 50-70 km. (about 70 minutes)

When to Visit the Istrian Peninsula, Croatia

You can visit the Istrian Peninsula all year long. Nevertheless, the best time of the year is usually June – September. In July and August, the temperatures can reach 30°C, and there are more tourists in the area, but it’s not too bad compared to other regions of Croatia and it’s the best time to enjoy the beaches. April and May are also great if you don’t mind the cooler temperatures (just be aware that some of the restaurants and smaller hotels might be closed, especially during April). Fall is the best time to visit Istria if you want to watch the harvest of olives and grapes and go truffle hunting. Have a look at the average temperature and rainfall in Istria by month .

Final Tips to Help you Plan the perfect Istria Road Trip Itinerary

Try to arrive early to the main tourist attractions since you can’t get into the old city with your car, and you’ll have to find a parking lot (some of which can get crowded later in the day).
Don’t forget to ask for a GPS in your car or use a GPS app on your phone. We recommend downloading an Istria Map from Google Maps before your trip since at some places, you will have a bad signal. At least you’ll have a map of the area on your mobile.
You can use the Croatian Automobile Club’s app, Hak Traffic , to check for any traffic, closed roads, etc.
The roads in Istria are pretty narrow, can be curvy, and some of them are basically dirt roads. Therefore, check the ETA on your app and consider your gasoline consumption. Many times we arrived at our destination later than anticipated.
Relax and enjoy your time – part of the reason we didn’t get to check off all the attractions on our bucket list was simply since we wanted to enjoy the moment. So instead of rushing from place to place, choose the top sites you’d like to visit in advance and leave room for improvisation.

Where to Go Next

We continued our Istrian road trip and followed the scenic road to Plitvice Lakes till we arrived to Zagreb , our final destination on our Croatian road trip. If you started your journey in Istria, we also recommend continuing your road trip to the Dalmatian Coast.

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16 thoughts on “Istria Itinerary – Most Beautiful Places to Visit on Croatia’s Istrian Peninsula”

I’d not heard of the Istrian peninsula prior to reading your post, it sounds absolutely dreamy 🙂

Istria is a dreamy place! unbelievable views, great food and the people are so welcoming!

This sounds like an absolutely dream trip! I love how charming Rovinj is, the perfect place to explore. I’m now going to have to add this to my list of places I want to visit this year – thanks for sharing 🙂

Thanks Gemma! you’d love Istria! As you said Rovinj is absolutely stunning and the whole area is a true hidden gem!

Perfect timing, I am currently planning a trip there and just mapping out my itinerary and definitely some of these places are on my list. I have pinned for my future reference. Wonderful post!

Thanks so much! So glad we could have helped. You’ll love the Istrian peninsula and make sure to eat some truffles and drink some wine for us too 😉

We LOVED Istria and hope to go back. We only had three days so a longer trip sounds so lovely. Saving this for future reference. Love you itinerary and suggestions.

We know what you mean Laureen, we had 4 nights and it wasn’t enough to see everything. The best would be to stay for a week and then you could really slow down and enjoy the scenery.

Ahhh Istria is on my bucket list! Hoping to visit this year and I’ll definitely be referencing this post!

Hope you make it to the Istrian peninsula in 2020, you’d love it!

Wow I didn’t even know Istria existed but you make me want to visit this place so badly now!

Yes, we’ve only heard about and we were looking for hidden gems in Croatia and the Istrian peninsula tick all the boxes! It’s truly a magical place!

What a lovely post! We will make it to Croatia someday, and this post will be an excellent guide for us. Thank you for all the useful information.

Thanks so much, Susan. Croatia is wonderful, we’re sure you’d love it!

I’m so happy I found your website! This is exactly what I need for my upcoming trip!

Great! We really try to provide a lot of helpful information mixed with some inspiration, of course 🙂 have fun in Istria!

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The Most Incredible 7-Day Istria Itinerary

This Istria Itinerary highlights the best things to do and see in Istria, Croatia in just 7 days!

Located in the northwest corner of Croatia, the Istrian Peninsula is a fairytale-like region with a strong Italian heritage. Its rustic interior of emerald green hills and medieval hilltop villages attract visitors seeking gastronomic delicacies, while its rugged coastline and pristine beaches are popular with sea and sun lovers.

The Istrian Peninsula takes on a heart-shape and can be divided into two regions: Blue Istria and Green Istria.

Blue Istria is home to darling fishing villages perched along the glittering Adriatic Sea, each of them bursting with their own unique Italian flavor.

The peninsula’s bucolic interior is where you’ll find Green Istria , an area that bears a striking resemblance to Tuscany. Green Istria is abundant in vineyards, olive groves, truffle-filled forests, and picturesque hilltop towns.

This 7-day Istria itinerary will cover the best of both regions!

Rolling green hills and vineyards in Istria Croatia

Table of Contents 👇

Getting to Istria

If you are traveling to Croatia and Istria is your only destination, the best choice for getting to Istria will be to fly into the Pula Airport . This airport is located in close proximity to the city of Pula, the starting point of this 7-Day Istria Itinerary. The airport is well-connected to other countries in Europe and serves a number of well-known airlines including EasyJet, Ryanair, SAS, Lufthansa, Eurowings, British Airways, Swiss, Norwegian, and more.

The next best way to reach Istria from other parts of Croatia is by bus. Bus transportation in Croatia is far superior to the train, and also more reliable. There are plenty of connections to Istria from other major Croatian cities including Zagreb, Rijeka, and Split. You can find the up-to-date timetables on the Zagreb Bus Terminal website or Flixbus .

A view of the picturesque town of Rovinj in Istria Croatia

Traveling Around Istria

Once you finally arrive to Istria, the absolute best way to explore the peninsula is by hiring a rental car.

It is possible to see Istria by solely relying on buses and public transportation, however, renting a car gives you much more flexibility. After all, road trips are all about having the freedom to stop and explore anything and everything that looks interesting along the way!

Be sure to check out this list of must-have road trip accessories to make sure you have all that you need before embarking on your epic journey.

Days 1-2: Pula

On your first day of this 7-Day Istria Itinerary, take your time to explore the ancient Roman city of Pula.

An absolute must-see site is the famous Pula Arena. This Roman amphitheater was constructed in 27 BC and is one of the best-preserved amphitheaters outside of Italy. It is also the only one in the world to have 4 entirely preserved side towers.

Other historic sites worth checking out are the Temple of Augustus and the Arch of the Sergii. Located near the Temple of Augustus is Art Cafe Cvajner, a unique cafe bar right on Pula’s main square. This cafe provides a lovely view of the temple, perfect for sipping on a cup of coffee while watching the world go by.

Roman Amphitheater in Pula, Croatia | 7 Day Istria Itinerary

On day two of your 7-Day Istria Itinerary, you can choose from two equally fun activities: spending the day at the beach or taking a day trip to Brijuni National Park.

Option 1: Beach Day

If you choose to spend the day at the beach, you’ll want to head to the local market in the morning and stock up on fresh fruit. After doing so, make your way south to the tiny peninsula of Cape Kamenjak.

Only a twenty-minute drive away from Pula lies Cape Kamenjak Nature Park, a little slice of paradise made up of over 30 kilometers of coastline.

This stunning area is surrounded by crystal clear waters, lined with spectacular beaches, and dotted with hidden coves – it was even named one of Croatia’s 10 best beaches by Lonely Planet! This is the place where you will be spending the entire afternoon. Choose from sunbathing, cliff jumping, or simply relaxing at the super chill Safari Bar .

View of islands and the blue Adriatic Sea near Pula, Croatia

Option 2: Day Trip to Brijuni National Park

The second option is to take a day trip to the nearby Brijuni National Park that can be easily reached via a short boat ride from the village of Fažana.

This beautiful string of Adriatic islands feature untouched nature, rich history, and ancient ruins. The Brijuni Islands were the official residence of former Yugoslavian president, Josip Broz Tito, for three decades.

Thanks to him, the islands are home to a lovely safari park that houses a variety of indigenous, Asian, African, and South American animals that run freely on Veliki Brijun island. At this park, visitors can also observe dinosaur footprints and a 1,600-year-old olive tree that is still used for olive production today.

In addition to enjoying exotic animals and untouched natural beauty, Veliki Brijun and Mali Brijun islands serve as holiday resorts where visitors can go swimming, diving, and sunbathe on the island shores.

On the morning of day three in Istria, you’ll make the scenic drive from Pula to the town of Labin.

Resting on a hilltop above the former fishing village of Rabac, Labin is a beautiful hidden gem teeming with pastel houses and Italian-style piazzas. It’s hard to believe that this captivating labyrinth of cobblestone streets was once the hub of Istria’s coal-mining industry.

Mining was pursued with such intensity that the town itself began to collapse forty years ago! Since then, Labin has been completely repaired and is now a fascinating destination for exploring Venetian palaces and a mix of Baroque, Gothic, and Renaissance architecture.

Visitors can even get a taste of Labin’s past at the Town Museum that contains a replica of a former working coal mine.

After wandering around the twisting alleyways of Labin, your Istria itinerary will now take you 5 kilometers south to the small coastal town of Rabac.

Situated on a beautiful cove in Kvarner Bay, Rabac features brilliant pebbled beaches set against a gorgeous mountainous backdrop. This up-and-coming resort town boasts four stunning blue flag beaches: Girandella, Maslinica, Lanterna, and St. Andrea, a local favorite.

In addition to soaking up the Istrian sunshine, visitors can enjoy hiking the Sentona Trail that connects Rabac to Labin. The trail is 5 kilometers long and is relatively easy, leading you through a pine-filled forest, over bridges and past rushing waterfalls.

View of the beach and the small coastal town of Rabac Croatia

Day 4: Motovun, Grožnjan, and Buje

On day four of your Istria itinerary, you’ll be taking a mini road trip through Green Istria to visit the medieval hilltop towns of Motovun, Grožnjan, and Buje.

Your first stop of the day is Motovun, a dreamy hilltop village that is often hailed as the most charming town in the region.

Fortified in the 14th century by the Venetians, the Motovun’s medieval walls encompass a pathway that allows you to stroll along the perimeter of the town. From the walkway, you can spot rolling vineyards and the Mirna River, as well as the dense forests that produce Istria’s award-winning truffles.

For those wishing to sample the region’s gourmet gem, head to Konoba Mondo. According to the New York Times, “It is what eating in the Old World should feel like.” Even the great Anthony Bourdain once paid a visit to this Istrian treasure to taste the black diamond of Istria for himself!

The ambiance at Konoba Mondo is spectacular. Imagine sitting on a shaded terrace on a warm summer day with a glass of the most delectable wine in hand while the heavenly scent of truffles fills the air.

A fun activity to consider adding to your itinerary when in Motovun is truffle hunting. The region’s black truffle is hunted all year round, while the famous white truffle is hunted from mid-September to the end of January.

A gorgeous landscape view of the hilltop town of Motovun in Istria, Croatia

Your next stop after Motovun is the sweet town of Grožnjan, or as the Italians like to call it Grisignana .

Don’t let its size fool you – this tiny hilltop colony is quite the showstopper. Grožnjan is a haven for artists from all over the region. In the 1950s, many artists were attracted to Grožnjan’s medieval appeal and began opening up ateliers in the town’s abandoned buildings.

From that point on, Grožnjan became known as the town of artists .

This is a great place to find local pieces of art and handicrafts that make perfect gifts or souvenirs.

A beautiful stone building on a cobblestone street in the hilltop village of Groznjan in Istria Croatia

Buje is the final town you’ll visit on day four of your Istria itinerary. Perched on a 222-meter-high cliff, this medieval town offers panoramic views of Istria’s sunkissed hills and vineyards.

One of the best ways to explore this area by simply driving along the roads that surround the town. Buje is famous for being home to the longest wine road in all of Istria, boasting no less than 25 wineries. Be sure to make a stop at one, or a few, to sample the region’s renowned wine varieties including Terrano, Malvazija, and Muškat (Moscato).

End the day by making the 15-minute drive to the coastal town of Umag, where you’ll be spending the evening.

Start your day with a morning coffee and take some time to wander around the laid-back town of Umag. Extremely popular with German tourists, this quaint town may seem small, but it is very well worth exploring.

Some notable sites to see are the ancient town walls featuring a draw bridge that dates back to the 10th century and the 16th-century church of St. Roche famous for its oil-painted ceiling. Also worth checking out are the Town Museum and numerous galleries featuring local pottery and paintings.

A sunny view of Porec, Croatia | 7 Day Istria Itinerary

Poreč is your second stop on day 5 of your Istria Itinerary.

This seaside town stretches across 37 kilometers of coastline and is incredibly rich in history. The town’s most iconic landmark, whose tower can be spotted from nearly every corner of the city, is the 6th-century Euphrasian Basilica (a UNESCO World Heritage Site).

The ancient complex of the basilica is well-worth exploring for a glimpse of its famous gem-studded Byzantine mosaics and stunning views of Poreč from the top of the tower.

After immersing yourself in the town’s history, spend the rest of the afternoon walking along the gorgeous riviera and swimming in the crystal waters of Brulo Beach.

End the day by making the 40-minute drive to Rovinj, were you’ll spend the night.

Day 6-7: Rovinj

Pastel-colored houses packed together on the edge of Rovinj's peninsula in Croatia

Your final stop on this 7-Day Istria Itinerary is perhaps the most enchanting town in all of Croatia: Rovinj.

This delightful former fishing village can be best described as love at first sight .

Rovinj is romantic, historic, and not to mention, incredibly photogenic. The town is small enough to be seen in a single day, yet its tangle of cobblestone streets and narrow alleyways have a way of engulfing visitors for days on end with their irresistable charm.

Spend your first day in Rovinj strolling around the Old Town with no agenda. Let your feet lead the way as you discover hidden piazzas, hidden ateliers, and captivating seaside cafes.

Be sure to stop at Mediterraneo Bar, a unique venue perched on the cliffside of the town, for an afternoon coffee or cocktail.

Other notable sites worth seeing in Rovinj include:

The Church of St. Euphemia featuring the tallest bell tower in all of Istria at 61 meters high.
Balbi’s Arch, the former entrance to the town containing the Lion of St. Mark, a symbol of the Venetian Empire that once ruled the town.
Grisia Street, a street made of cascading steps that are lined with local boutiques and ateliers. This street becomes pretty busy in August during the annual open-air art exhibition.

Girl sitting at a table on a small seaside terrace surrounded by flowers and dresses fluttering in the wind in Rovinj, Croatia.

When in Rovinj, you’ll want to take an evening to visit the nearby town of Bale.

Just a 20-minute drive south of Rovinj lies the sweet town of Bale (or Valle, in Italian).

This historic village is located at 140m above sea level on a hill surrounded by vineyards and olive groves. The narrow and cobblestoned streets of the town wind around a 15th-century castle, once owned by the Bembo Family.

Peer around nearly any picturesque corner in this town, and you’ll find ateliers selling beautifully handcrafted wares. You will also stumble upon a shop or two offering locally made olive oil, and you might even score a tasting!

In addition to olive oil, the region of Istria also produces some of the best wine in Croatia! No trip to the Istrian peninsula is complete without sampling the local wine. There are two wineries near Bale that are worth checking out: San Tomasso Winery and Meneghetti Winery .

For more inspiration on what to do in Rovinj, check out these 20 Awesome Things to Do in Rovinj, Croatia .

A beautiful sunset over Rovinj, a charming town in Istria, Croatia

7-Day Istria Itinerary Summary

Hopefully this Istria Itinerary inspired you to explore this beautiful corner of Croatia! Having been there many times, I think it is definitely deserving of a spot on any Croatia trip.

Have you been to Istria before? Are you planning an Istria itinerary? Let me know in the comments!

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Tourists destroy 'beautiful' rock formation at national park as people look on in horror

Footage captured at lake mead, nevada has gone viral and now federal authorities are seeking the public's help.

Poppy Bilderbeck

Footage has emerged online of two tourists accused of 'destroying' a rock formation at a National Park site.

The incident took place on Saturday (13 April) in Lake Mead National Recreation Area in southeastern Nevada and northwestern Arizona and footage of the two men allegedly involved has been widespread on social media in a bid to identify the 'vandalism suspects'.

The National Park Service has asked for help identifying these two men (Facebook/ Lake Mead National Recreation Area - National Park Service)

A still image taken from the footage was shared to Facebook by the Lake Mead National Recreation Area - National Park Service (NPS) on 13 April.

The post reads: "US park rangers at Lake Mead National Recreation Area are seeking information from the public to identify two vandalism suspects seen here.

"In a now viral video said to be recorded on the evening of Sunday, April 7, 2024, two adult males are seen toppling natural rock formations at the Redstone Dunes Trail.

"Information from visitors is often very helpful to investigators. If you were on the Redstone Dunes Trail on the evening of Sunday, April 7, 2024, or if you have information that could help identify the suspects, please submit a tip. "

You don't have to tell us who you are, but please tell us what you know: CALL the NPS-wide Tip Line 888-653-0009. ONLINE go.nps.gov/SubmitATip . EMAIL [email protected] . EMERGENCY dial 9-1-1." Catch the clip here:

The full footage was shared by Instagram account Tourons of Yellowstone which stated: "Two idiots destroying what nature created over thousands of years in front of screaming girl."

The post notes 'not everyone feels comfortable confronting someone' praising those behind the camera for doing their 'best' in the situation by whipping out their cameras and sending it to authorities.

The tourists knocked two rocks down from the formation (Facebook/ Lake Mead National Recreation Area - National Park Service)

Upon seeing the video, Public Information Officer Lake Mead National Recreation Area John Haynes questioned: "Why would you even do something like this, like why on Earth would you do this?"

He explained the incident 'feels like a personal attack in a way', with the 'beautiful' rock formation and site 'one of [his] favorite places in the park'.

"And they’re up there just destroying it. I don’t understand that," he continues. "[...] It pretty appalling, it is kind of disgusting."

According to Haynes, if identified and convicted, the two tourists could face 'from six months in jail and a $5,000 fine all the way up to a felony offense'.

UNILAD has contacted National Park Service for further comment.

Topics: Instagram , Social Media , US News , Viral , Environment , Nature , Facebook

Poppy Bilderbeck is a Senior Journalist at LADbible Group. She graduated from The University of Manchester in 2021 with a First in English Literature and Drama, where alongside her studies she was Editor-in-Chief of The Tab Manchester. Poppy is most comfortable when chatting about all things mental health, is proving a drama degree is far from useless by watching and reviewing as many TV shows and films as possible and is such a crisp fanatic the office has been forced to release them in batches.

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Tourists destroy 'beautiful' rock formation at national park as people
Footage has emerged online of two tourists accused of 'destroying' a rock formation at a National Park site. The incident took place on Saturday (13 April) in Lake Mead National Recreation Area in southeastern Nevada and northwestern Arizona and footage of the two men allegedly involved has been widespread on social media in a bid to identify the 'vandalism suspects'.

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Things To Do In Istria, Croatia: Best Attractions, Activities and Day Trips

Best things to do in Istria

Visit a winery

Explore beaches

Taste one of the world’s best extra virgin olive oils

Enjoy history

Visit Rovinj

Explore Istrian countryside

Visit Brijuni Islands national park

Hike Ucka Mountain

Go truffle hunting

Visit Glavani park

Spend a day in Istralandia or Aquacolors water parks

Paragliding, Tandem flying, and Hang gliding

Panoramic flights over the Istrian peninsula

Water activities

Rock climbing

Visit Dinosaur Park in Funtana

Zip line Pazinska jama

Rope jumping free fall

A day trip to Ljubljana

A visit to Postojna Cave

Visit Lake Bled

Discover Venice

Explore the Cape Kamenjak Park

Visit Aura Distillery

Take a boat tour

Go-kart and other high-octane activities

Taste Istrian craft beer

Mummies of Vodnjan

Cook like a local

Visit Susak

A day trip to Cres

Experience glamping

Rent a villa

Explore Istrian Waterfalls

Sv. Foska Church

Visit small islands

Latus Dairy Farm

Dekleva Lavender Farm

Aquarium in Pula

Sculpture Park Vrsar

Discover frescoes

Further reading

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