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Sep 28, 2023 · Sep 28, 2023. Written By Go Ask A Local. Welcome to Istria, a hidden-away region in northwestern Croatia that presents a delightful combination of rustic charm, picturesque medieval towns, gorgeous beaches and nature, and delicious local cuisine. Istria boasts a lovely coastline with pretty beaches and a crystal clear sea, backed by a bucolic ...
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- When to Visit Istria
- How to Get There
- Why Visit Istria?
Like a lot of destinations in Europe, the best time to visit is just outside of the peak summer months. Aim to visit Istria in June or September – where the average temperature is between 24° and 26°, the evenings are balmy, and the tourists are back at home (or at least, a lotof them are). But if you don’t mind the tourists, you enjoy lying by the...
In summer, British Airways, easyJet and Ryanair (plus a handful of other airlines) run regular flights between the UK and Pula Airport. If you haven’t arranged car hire from Pula, you can catch a taxi or bus to the main coastal resorts. Trieste and Venice are also relatively close, and make good alternative airports out of season, with buses connec...
History
Istria’s history is complex and bloody. History buffs will appreciate the Roman legacy, particularly visible in Pula, one of the best towns in Istria for sightseeing. The city’s impressively preserved 1st-Century amphitheatre, The Arena, is a must-see. The main square and the port also feature Roman temples and glorious arches. Many of the region’s smaller towns house splendid churches; Poreč’s 6th-Century basilica is our favourite, showcasing Byzantine architecture and a mosaic-covered apse.
Food and wine
Inland, Istria is Croatia’s pantry, and visitors are spoilt for choice when it comes to authentic Istrian food, with forests hiding highly sought-after white truffles, olive groves carpeting its slopes and rural farms producing superb cured meats. Undulating hills, a moderate and balmy climate have also helped the region scoop plenty of international wine awards in recent years. Our Istrian wineries and food guidereveal some of the best vineyards Istria has to offer, as well as alternative sp...
Festivals
Locals love a festival, celebrating everything from food and wine to art, film and dance. And as summer descends on Istria, so do the world’s best DJs. Pula’s 19th-Century defence fortress, Fort Punta Christo, is the top venue for big gigs and music events, but it’s local food festivals which dominate Istria’s calendar – honouring everything from wild asparagus and olive oil to chestnuts and those famous Istrian truffles.
- Završje. Završje lies in northwestern Istria, not too far from Motovun. Also perched scenically atop a hill, this is a real architectural gem. Built with wood and stone, Završje is one of the most off-the-beaten-path places in Istria.
- Oprtalj. In the same area as Završje, also near Motovun, Oprtalj is another of the Istrian hilltop towns worth visiting. This small town also features fortified town walls, a bell tower, and winding alleyways.
- Vodnjan. Located about 10 kilometers north of Pula, Vodnjan is another often-overlooked town in Istria that is well worth visiting. It’s a typical Istrian town packed with olive groves.
- Livade. We used Livade as our base for exploring a section of Istria on more than one occasion. We did so for several reasons: For its proximity to Motovun and the surrounding villages we planned to explore in Istria.
- Novigrad. Eat local food and enjoy the history. Novigrad is a cute little town in the north and one of the highlights of Istria. To me, Novigrad stood out a little posh compared to other Istrian towns.
- Go above the clouds in Motovun. Explore the countryside and join the Film Festival. Motovun is located on top of a steep hill and a staircase of 1052 steps.
- Groznjan – the village of artists. Grožnjan-Grisignana is a former 14th century Venetian fortress turned into a little Medieval town with cobble-stone streets and small alleys.
- Visit the world’s smallest town: Hum. Ah, Hum. Hum is listed in Guinness Book of Records as the world’s smallest town. It only has two streets and some 20 inhabitants, but there’s still a church and city walls, a quaint shop and a lovely konoba that serves homemade dishes.
Jun 3, 2019 · The Top 7 Best Towns In Istria, Croatia. 1. Rovinj. Whilst the rest of the world is visiting Dubrovnic further south in Croatia, those in the know stick with the less touristy medieval fortress, Rovinj. A little like Venice over the Adriatic Sea, Rovinj began as an island, but in time the channel was filled joining it to the mainland.
Mar 7, 2024 · 26. See One Of The Largest Truffles In The World. Zigante Truffles. When you are in Istria, you have to view what was, for a long time, the largest truffle in the world. Obviously, the truffle has been eaten, but Mr. Zigante, who found the truffle, had a cast made of it and is now on display at his restaurant.
