Istria

Explore Istria

Istria

Istria INFO

Istria is the largest peninsula in Croatia, and life along its coast has always been connected to the sea. Explore the whole peninsula of Istria and get to know new places, historical towns and charming little islands. In the distance and up a hill the town of Labin is located. It is a small town that has been enclosed in walls for centuries. Rabac is located at the foot of Labin, along one of the most beautiful beaches in Istria. Point Kamenjak is located at the southernmost part of Istria and a beautiful, historic town of Pula is to the West of it, one of the biggest towns in Istria, as well. This town is adorned with an antique arena, 6th in length in the world. A magnificent harmony of flora and fauna stretches along the South-western coast– the islands of Brijuni, the beauty of which will leave you breathless. Rovinj is known as the most photogenic little town of the Mediterranean. Its narrow medieval alleys and the warm Mediterranean atmosphere make this little town so charming.

Sights:

• Porec is a town of culture, tourism, sports and entertainment. It transformed from a small seaside town into an attractive tourist destination. Its attractive position is what offers you a visit to other tourist destinations. Explore its natural beauties such as the Baredine burrow, the Mark’s burrow and Pincin’s burrow. This town offers its visitors a variety of options when it comes to sports such as tennis, beach volleyball, soccer, horse-riding, biking, hiking and other sports which will enrich everyone’s vacation.

• Rovinj is situated on the Western coast of Istria; it is a town of romance and art. It is known for a long time as a town with mild climate, a long tradition and a Mediterranean atmosphere. Its surroundings offer countless possibilities for recreation and an active vacation. The old part of the town is located on an elevated part of the peninsula, surrounded by Venetian houses and paved alleys.

• Pula is a town of rich history and cultural monuments. It was built at the end of a beautiful bay and seven hills. Well-indented coast, crystal-clear sea and beautiful beaches are one of many reasons why tourists always come back to this historic town.

• Umag is both a town and a port in Istria, with the reputation of the Istrian sports centre because it has been the host of the ATP tournament for years now. In the past it was the summer residence of the Romans, which is evident in many Venetian houses in the old part of the town. Umag is a favorite holiday destination with remarkable outing possibilities.

Culture

Porec

• Northern tower – is located on the north-eastern side of the town core, next to the Peskera bay. It was built in the 15th century with a partially preserved rim.
• Pentagon tower- located at the entrance to the old town core at the beginning of today’s Decuman Street, the central street of the town.
• Eufrasian basilica- the most valuable cultural monument of Porec, built on the foundations of an earlier bazilika during the 6th century. The inside of the Basilica is open for public every day and you can climb on the bell-tower during your visit, as well. It was included into the UNESCO’s World heritage list.
• Medieval city walls- were built sometime between the 12th and the 16th century. It was used as protection from enemies up until the 18th century.

Rovinj

• St. Eufemija church- the church of the patron of the town. It is the most impressive town building that dominates over the entire town core. It was built at the beginning of the 18th century. The bell-tower of the church, 60m high, is adorned with a copper statue of the saint which revolves around its own axle when strong wind blows.
• Town walls and doors – over the course of centuries they have been upgraded with town towers dating from the 7th century. In the past, Rovinj has had seven town doors. Today it has only three – St. Benedikt, Portica and Vrata sv.Križa.
• Holy union baptistery - a romantic church which is the oldest building in the town (built in 13th century)
• Castle on the island of St. Andrew – in the past it was a convent and today a castle in the role of a hotel. It was built in the 6th century by the Benedictines, expanded in the 15th century by the monks of St. Francis and redecorated at the end of the 19th century.

Pula

• Amphitheater – a building with which every tour of the town begins and ends. This is the most significant and best-known monument in Pula. The building of the amphitheater began in the 1st century and it was the scene of gladiator battles. In the Middle Ages it was where knight tournaments and fairs took place. Today, summer culture manifestations take place there.
• Augustus temple – it was built 27 years before our era by the foreign family Sergijevac. It leaned against town walls and doors named Porta Aurea. The town walls, as well as the doors, were ruined during the 19th century.
• Forum – the central square of the ancient and medieval Pula. It was built in the 1st century before Christ. In order to build it, sea shore had to be created. In the western part of the square there is one central and two back temples consecrated to Jupiter, Junona and Minerva.
• The door of Hercules – it is between two round medieval towers. They were modestly built with a barely recognizable head and bludgeon of Hercules on top.

Excursions

While you are staying in one of the towns in Istria, fulfill your vacation, visit the surroundings and enjoy the natural beauties of this peninsula. Be sure to visit the Brijuni national park, located along the south-western coast of Istria. It is a magnificent harmony of fauna and flora. The usual, shorter tour of the Brijuni is by means of a tourist train; through a safari-park, near the byzantine castrum, roman residential villa in the Verige bay, as well as many other sights and beauties. If you are a tradition enthusiast visit small authentic villages and village estates within Istria. Visit Italy and Venice, the most romantic town in the world. The most spectacular cave in Europe, Postojna, is located in Slovenia.

Sports

Istria offers numerous possibilities for recreation and an active vacation. Sports lovers can enjoy hunting and fishing in Umag (excursion fishing boats), diving and diving clubs in Novigrad, Porec, Pula, ROvinj.., equine tourism and tennis in Umag, golfing at Brijuni, biking through nearby hills, hiking on the Buje-Brest stretch, go-cart in neighboring towns near Pula, Porec and Rovinj, as well as the panoramic flights in Umag.

Gastronomy

Over the course of centuries, the population of Istria has been exposed to military occupations and submissions. Under these circumstances, the people satisfied their gourmet needs, as well as the existential ones, by using their imagination to make delicious meals out of poor ingredients. Istria is proud of countless gastronomic specialties created this way. If you are a gastronomy enthusiast, be sure to taste truffles (bulbs hidden underground, without a plant above ground ; only trained dogs can find it; considered by many as the peak of gastronomy), dried figs and homemade fig marmalade, goat milk, olive oil, Istrian prosciutto, sheep cheese, octopus salads, seafood risotto, seashell and fish specialty.

Nightlife

During summer festivities and manifestations are organized throughout Istria for the younger and older population. In Porec you can enjoy the music of world known DJs and domestic popular performers at the Byblos club. Club and lounge bar Saint& Sinner is ideal for relaxing in a pleasant atmosphere with party-colored cocktails and popular music. In Rovinj there is the “Monvi” entertainment center with a number of different clubs and coffee bars which offer different types of music, for everybody’s taste. Visit the salsa festival and fish festivities in Rovinj, as well. Numerous concerts and manifestations take place in the unique ambient of the arena in Pula. Uljanik club is the oldest urban club in this area, located in the very center.

For those who would like to spend their evening with homemade food and wine, Istria offers a wide range of restaurants.

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Apartments and holiday homes with pool

361 Apartments and holiday homes with pool

Beachfront accommodation

22 Beachfront accommodation

Stone houses

16 Stone houses

Rural accommodation

13 Rural accommodation

Remote cottages

6 Remote cottages

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Highlights & Things to do

Baptistery of the Holy Trinity

Keep exploring Istria Region:

Beaches

Things to do

Food & Wine

Destinations nearby

Banjole

Kaldanija

Brijuni

Fazana

Medulin

Motovun

Novigrad

Porec

Pula

Rovinj

Umag

Valbandon

Liznjan

Premantura

Pazin

Muntic

Peroj

Vodnjan

Zminj

Barban

Rakalj

Vrsar

Bale

Brtonigla (Novigrad)

Cervar - Porat (Porec)

Divsici (Marcana)

Funtana (Porec)

Gologoricki Dol (Cerovlje)

Grzina

Hrboki (Barban)

Krnica (Pula)

Labin

Nova Vas (Porec)

Petrovija (Umag)

Sveti Martin

Sajini (Barban)

Stinjan (Pula)

Tar (Porec)

Visnjan (Porec)

Vrecari (Nedescina)

Rakovci

Rabac

Bratulici (Marcana)

Ripenda (Rabac)

Svetvincenat

Buje

Vlakovo (Labin)

Kastelir

Istria recommended accommodation

* prices for June 2025 based on the maximum capacity for a minimum stay of 7 days

Apartment Auretta From 267 €

Novigrad,
Persons: 4-6
Guests rating: 5.0

Apartments Stanislava From 128 €

Fazana,
Persons: 4-5
Guests rating: 4.4

Villa Histra From 360 €

Šumber, Sveta Nedelja,
Persons: 2-7
Guests rating: 5.0
Most recent reservation 7 days ago

Apartment Josip From 125 €

Plomin,
Persons: 4-6
Guests rating: 4.6
Most recent reservation 11 days ago

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