7 Things You Should Know Before Visiting Istria

Istria is the largest Croatian peninsula. It's in the northern part of the Adriatic Sea. This picturesque region perfectly blends rustic charm, beautiful medieval towns, lovely beaches, unspoiled nature, and tasty traditional cuisine.

In this blog, we’ll talk about why it’s becoming more popular, what to do and see in Istria, tell you all about its top restaurants and beaches, and share our best local tips and tricks for luxury villa holidays in Istria.

Let’s start!

1. Why Is Istria Popular

Medulin aerial view

What is Istria known for?

It has a breathtaking coastline with numerous beaches, a crystal clear sea, and a great number of islands, including theNational Park Brijuni archipelago.

When talking about Istria, we must also mention its countryside with fortified hilltop towns, olive groves, and vineyards. Hikers and cyclists will find many striking trails.

It’s also rich in culture and history. Istria has some of the most popular monumental sights in the world, such as the Pula Arena.

Finally, we can’t talk about Istria without talking about itsgastronomy, especially truffles.

Needless to say, we’ll dive deeper into each of these topics further in this blog, and you’ll see why we often call it “Croatian Tuscany”.

2. What to Do and See in Istria

There are plenty of places to visit in Istria. We encourage you to visit both the coast and the inland parts of Istria.

Attractions in Istria

First, we’ll talk about the top sights and cities in Istria.

Rovinj at sunset

Pula often takes the first place on everyone’s bucket list for Istria. It’s the largest coastal town on the peninsula, and its main landmark is a Roman Arena. This amphitheater is more than 2,000 years old and it used to host gladiator fights. Pula has many other sights like the Temple of Augustus, the Arch of the Sergii, and many relics from the Ostrogoths, Venetians, and WWII.

The next must-visit coastal town isRovinj with its Cathedral of St. Euphemia, main square with theold Town Hall, andBaroque Balbi's Arch,an entrance to the old Venetian quarter.

We also recommend stopping in Porec and visiting the famous6th-century Euphrasius Basilica, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Brijuni National Park

If you’re interested in island hopping and exploring wild nature, theBrijuni Archipelagois perfect. This national park consists of 14 islands, rich in flora and fauna. There’s even a safari park with zebras and elephants, and an archeological diving site.

However, you should also go inland and visit thehistoric hilltop town of Motovun, in the heart of Istria. You’ll enjoy panoramic views of the Istrian rolling hills with vineyards. Other hilltop towns to visit are Hum and Groznjan.

Beaches in Istria

You can’t visit Istria in summer without seeing at least one of its beautiful beaches.

Hawaii Beach near Pula in Istria, Photo credit.https://commons.wikimedia.org/

Beaches in Istria are mostly pebbly, but there are a few sandy beaches, too. The Istrian coast is great for off-beach snorkeling, especially aroundCape Kamenjak near Pula.Its 30-km long coastline features numerous small bays and hidden beaches.

Some of the top beaches in Istria are:

• Hawaiian Cove Beachin Pula.A mix of pebble and rocky areas, with high waves and Hawaiian vibes, offers water jumps, beach bars, restaurants, and beautiful views of Verudela Peninsula.

• Visit at least one of the manyRovinj beaches.We recommend pebblyMulini Beach, which is near the town center and has great views.Lone Bay isa secluded rocky beach hidden by the forest.

• Golden Cape (Zlatni Rt) beach near Rovinj.It has pebble, rocky, and sandy areas, facilities like beach bars and restaurants, and offers water sports, hiking, and, of course, sunbathing.

• Istria has severalsandy beaches.Bijeca Beach in Medulinis surrounded by trees which provide shade in hot summer days, and it’s popular among families with small children. Also,Debeljak and Porticare two sandy bays at Kamenjak Cape, and they’re popular among families, divers, and surfers.

Nature in Istria

The Istrian peninsula is full of hidden destinations and untouched nature. It has one National Park, theBrijuni Islands, and one Nature Park, theUcka Mountain.

We already talked about Brijuni and its safari park, which is perfect for day trips.

If you like hiking, we recommend climbing to the top of Ucka and enjoying one ofEurope’s most beautiful panoramic views. There’s also a canyon called Vela Draga. Another good hiking spot is Cicarija. Together, Ucka and Cicarija form a unique mountain range.

Istria also has a rich underground world. Our top recommendation is Cave Baredine, a protected geomorphologic natural monument, among many others.

We mentioned the beaches ofKamenjak Cape, but it’s also popular for dinosaur trails, and a bike track where you can enjoy an easy ride with stunning views of the Medulin islands.

All sea lovers must take a boat tour inLim Channel, a fjord-like waterway near Rovinj in western Istria.

Sports in Istria

Istria offers a wide variety of sports activities for all ages.

Cyclers have many routes to explore, especially in the countryside and along theParenzana Cycling Path. There are also many hiking and walking trails. One of the most popular is“The Trail of 7 Waterfalls” in the Istria hinterland, and there are a few aroundCape Kamenjak.

ATP Umag

Whoever loves tennis will be pleased to know that Istria hosts theCroatia Open Umag, one of the oldest and most famous Croatian ATP tournaments.The tennis centerin Umag organizes an academy with summer camps, tournaments, individual lessons, and more.

The Istrian coast has many popular diving and snorkeling spots. We mentioned Cape Kamenjak and Brijuni, and others are around Pula, Rovinj, and Porec.

Sailing and windsurfing are popular in Istria, especially in May or September when the weather conditions are the best.

If you want to stay active on your vacation, the possibilities in Istria are truly endless.

3. What to Eat in Istria

We always recommend that our guests try out local food and drinks while traveling. It’s the best way to meet the culture and traditions of your destination.

The best Istrian cold appetizer islocal prosciutto paired with sheep's, goat’s, or cow’s cheese. A typical hot appetizer ishandmade Istrian paste fuzi or pljukanci with truffles or seafood.

Truffles are very popular in Istria, and Buzet Town is especially famous for them. After hunting them, locals find ways to incorporate them into any meal. You can even try truffle-infused oils and cheeses.

Istrian main courses usually consist of meat or fish.

Istrian chicken “zgvancet”is a popular stew often paired with homemade fuzi pasta or gnocchi. Another must-try meat delicacy is salami, carpaccio, or steak fromBoskarin, traditional Istrian cattle.

On the other hand, if you prefer seafood, we recommend tryinggrilled sardine fish, “on gradele”, seasoned with olive oil, garlic, parsley, and lemon. We promise it’ll be delightful.

Pasta with truffles in Motovun

If you’d like to learn more about Istrian cuisine, we recommend reading our blog Istrian culinary experience in Spring. A little spoiler: spring in Istria is all about asparagus!

Needless to say, Istria’s vineyards produce top-quality wine.Malvazijais a crisp white wine that pairs best with seafood, whileTeranis a robust red wine that gets along well with red meat.

Restaurants in Istria

Here are some of our guests' favorite places to eat:

• Restaurant Monte, Rovinj: a one-star Michelin Restaurant.

• Zigante Gourmet Restaurant, Livade Village: the best truffle meals in the world.

• Damir & Ornella, Novigrad: an Istrian Sushi experience.

• Restaurant Viking, Lim Bay: for fresh oysters and seafood.

• Batelina, Banjole: family-run traditional fisherman's tavern.

• San Rocco Restaurant, Brtonigla Village: modern cuisine in the countryside.

Of course, Istria has many more restaurants and taverns that serve exceptional food, from simple, traditional meals to fancy, fine-dining plates.

4. What is Best Time to Visit Istria

Our guests often wonder when the best time to visit Croatia is. Our answer is always: it depends!

Rabac town in Istria

Is it important to you thatbars and restaurants are always open, days are hot and long? If the answer is yes and you don’t really mind the big crowds, then you should visit Istria in July and August, the high season.

However, we know many people just want to relax, enjoy a peaceful holiday away from the crowds, but still want to enjoysunny days, swim and try water sports, and experience the summer. In that case, we recommend that you visit Istria in June or September.

April, May, and October are also very good choices for holidays in Istria. Enjoy the warm weather, quiet streets, and relax in the countryside. The temperature isn’t ideal for swimming, but there are many people who go to the beach. What’s more, many of our villas in Istria have indoor and heated pools, which are a great alternative to the cold sea.

You should definitely read our blog When Is the Best Season to Visit Croatia as it will give you more in-depth information on this topic.

5. Where is Istria and How to Get There

The Istrian peninsula is located in the northwestern part of Croatia, on the Adriatic. It borders on Italy and Slovenia, and you can see their influence in the culture and architecture.

We love Istria for its diverse landscape, from beautiful coastline with numerous islands, to mountains, vineyards, and olive groves.

Istria has oneinternational airport in Pula, only 15 minutes from the Pula city center. It has direct seasonal flights to most major cities in Europe.

Also,Istria has a modern network of state roads, motorways, and two highways, A8 and A9, often called “Istrian Y”. After landing in Pula, it takes up to an hour to reach any other place on the peninsula.

This is also great if you’re traveling with a car. Since Istria borders Italy and Slovenia, it’s very well connected with the rest of Europe. For example, you’ll need less than 7 hours to travel from Munich, Germany, to Pula, Istria.

If you’re already in Croatia and traveling to Istria,it should take you about 3 hours from Zagreb, 4 and a half hours from Split, and 7 hours from Dubrovnik. The infrastructure is modern, and you have many highway rest areas where you can buy coffee and snacks, use toilets, fill up your gas tank, or simply stretch your legs.

Our guests also often want to know if they need a car for holidays in Istria. A car will definitely make it easier to get to nearby towns and other parts of Istria, but it’s not necessary. If you want to rent, reach out to our VIP Concierge team.We can also arrange transfers from the airport to your villa and any other place you want to visit.

6. Where to stay in Istria

We know most people wonder what the most beautiful place or part of Istria is, so that they could plan their holidays accordingly. In fact, there are too many stunning places to visit, at least for a day trip.

If you want to know what the best area to vacation in Istria is, here are a few suggestions.

Rovinj

Aerial view of Rovinj

Rovinj is one of the most romantic small towns in Croatia, perfect for luxurious and private relaxation. We recommend this charming place for romantic getaways and family reunions.

Luxury Villa Maia near Rovinj

One of the best villas to stay in Rovinj is Luxury Villa Maia, with a pool for 7 guests. It has a stunning courtyard with olive trees and a warm, modern, and spacious interior, perfect for family holidays.

Pula

Pula Arena and Old Town

Pula is best known for its historic buildings, especially the famous Pula Arena, one of the best-preserved Roman amphitheaters in the world. It’s popular for holidays with friends, family retreats with pets, or as a wedding destination.

Villa Stone & Sage near Pula

There are many modern villas for beach holidays in the Pula area. We recommend our new Villa Stone and Sage with a pool and a picturesque garden, ideal for relaxation. Its interior is just as pretty, with natural tones, lovely artistic details, and 4 comfortable bedrooms that sleep up to 8 guests.

Porec

Aerial view of Porec

Porec is renowned for its beautiful beaches, rich history of over two millennia, and many cultural attractions. This peaceful town with breathtaking scenery has plenty of accommodation options, from designer villas for large families or friend groups to traditional Istrian holiday homes with private pools, and pet-friendly manors.

Luxury Villa Arabesca near Porec

One of our best Porec villas is the new and modern Luxury Villa Arabesca with a pool for 10 guests. It has many luxe amenities and a very modern and vivid interior, with many emerald green touches. There’s a playroom with billiards, darts, and table football, a cinema room with a U-shaped large sofa, and a VR Chair with PlayStation 5.

Umag

Umag town at sunset

Umag, best known for tennis and nice beaches, is a good option for all, whether you’re going on a family vacation, a romantic trip, team building, or visiting Istria with your friend group. If you’re spending a few nights there, we suggest booking a luxury villa with a pool.

Villa Green Hacienda near Umag

One of the best Umag villas in our portfolio is Villa Green Hacienda, a pet-friendly 5-star villa with a heated pool for 8 people. It’s perfect for relaxation as it offers two saunas, an indoor jacuzzi, a gym, a home cinema, and a large garden that includes an outdoor dining area with a grill.

Motovun

Hilltop town Motovun

However, Istria isn’t only good for coastal holidays. Its countryside is stunning and peaceful, especially hilltop towns like Motovun. This lovely town will charm you with its medieval architecture, panoramic views of vineyards, and truffle dishes. If you visit from late August to early September, you can even attend the Motovun Film Festival.

Luxury Villa Sylva near Motovun

In this area, we have Luxury Villa Sylva with a pool and modern amenities for 6 guests. It’s in a quiet and remote area, surrounded by beautiful green trees, and has a big lawn with a children’s playground.

7. Is Istria Worth Visiting

Are you still wondering if a trip to Istria, Croatia, is worth it? Our answer is short and simple – yes!

Istrian is one of the best vacation destinations in Croatia, and we’d happily recommend it to anyone.