Discover Istria

Istria - Life as it should be

Istria is full of enchanting small towns, historic sights, picturesque villages, and trails.
See the breathtaking views, explore our medieval castles and wild nature, or visit our charming nearby towns and national parks.
There are also beautiful bicycle routes, so if you're interested in bicycle rental, we're here to help, too.

Video authors: Istria Tourist Board & Croatian National Tourist Board

Our Recommendations

We're happy to recommend our top picks, all of which are only within an hour's drive from our villa. Just click on a pin and explore our beautiful peninsula.

  • Rovinj

    Rovinj is an enchanting small town, located on the western coast of the Istrian peninsula. Its narrow, cobbled streets filled with numerous restaurants, cafes, art galleries, and a still active fishing port give the town that special welcoming and vibrant feeling.

    The Church of St. Euphemia, dominates the old town. Inside the church, there is a sarcophagus with the Saint's body and relics. The curious ones can have a look through the small window on the sarcophagus.

    In the southern part of the town, dwells the Forest Park Punta Corrente (Golden Cape). It is surrounded by the crystal clear sea on three sides and is teeming with rocky and pebbly beaches.

    The lesser-known fact is that the town used to be an island until the narrow channel between the mainland and the island was filled in 1763.

  • Zip Line Pazin Cave

    Experience an unforgettable adrenaline experience! You can choose between the rope jump and zip line.
  • Castle Morosini Grimani - Svetvinčenat

    Castle Morosini Grimani is a medieval castle. This historic symbol of Svetvinčenat has been frequently visited by many merchants and travelers for centuries. Today it also serves as an escape castle (like escape room, but on steroids ;)).

    Speaking of the medieval era, you can also find the Medieval Theme Park Sanc. Michel in a small village Rapanji.

    Since the castle and theme park are quite small and near each other (3 - 4 km), one afternoon should be enough to visit both of them.
  • Cape Kamenjak - Premantura

    Cape Kamenjak is located at the very peak of the Istrian peninsula. Its wild, intact nature attracts many visitors, however, it is never overcrowded. Lots of bays, beaches, and secluded strands offer a variety of options to choose from.

    What makes Kamenjak a truly unique site, is that if you look really closely and carefully you may find many fossils and even dinosaur footprints which used to roam there about 100 million years ago. There's also a one of a kind Safari bar, which offers an extraordinary ambient and perks :)

    NOTE: If you wish to enter Kamenjak by car, the ticket costs around 10€ per car (including passengers).
  • Pula

    Pula is a very vibrant town with an abundance of festivals and events throughout the summer.

    For sure, the main site to visit is the 1st century Roman Amphitheater, which is still used today for many events. Further on, you can visit The Temple of Augustus, Pula Aquarium, The Golden Gate, and even have a cup of coffee next to (the statue of) James Joyce, who lived there back in 1904.
  • Brijuni National Park

    Brijuni National Park consists of 14 small islands. Whether you're a nature, culture, history, or geology enthusiast, you will surely find lots of attractions and sights to visit.

    Experience Safari Park which is home to exotic and autochthonous animals, take a look at 1.600 years old olive tree which is still used to produce olive oil, visit The Byzantine castrum and St. Mary's basilica, take a walk through the first designed Mediterranean garden, or search for dinosaur footprints.

    There are also lots of trails, such as underwater, educational, bicycle trails and more.

    NOTE: Ticket price and boat transfer timetable vary depending on the season.
  • Dvigrad

    Dvigrad (Due Castelli meaning two towns,) is yet another example and a reminder of the medieval era.

    It used to be inhabited from the prehistoric era until the 18th century due to its convenient location, good water supply, and fertile soil. Although Dvigrad is abandoned now, it still stands proudly in the Limska Draga. The town is enclosed with double walls, and many buildings have been preserved.
  • Lim Fjord

    Although many people call it a fjord (because The Vikings movie was filmed there back in the fifties), the Lim Channel is actually a submerged canyon. It used to be a valley where the Pazinčica River flowed, running to the sea. When the sea penetrated the valley it changed the landscape.

    Since the sea here is very rich in plankton and the salinity is reduced, seafood is abundant and delicious. Treat yourself with local fish and seashells on the spot and don't forget to see the view :)
  • Motovun

    Motovun is a picturesque village in central Istria. The name of the village is of Celtic origin, derived from the word Montona, which means "a town in the hills".

    Legend has it, the mythical Jason and the Argonauts sailed along the Mirna River. However, the archaeological findings confirmed the first inhabitants came here between 3.500 and 2.200 BC. Nowadays, Monovun hosts a popular film festival each summer. You can take a nice walk there and admire the beautiful old town walls and the valley view.
  • Hum

    The self-proclaimed world's smallest town has only 20 inhabitants and basically one street. However, folktales and legends are beguilingly interesting.

    After building Motovun, Buzet, and some other hilltop towns in this part of Istria, ancient giants ran out of huge stones and had only a few small stones left. Hence, they decided to build the smallest town in the world, Hum.

    The town, with its charming church and squares, is entirely surrounded by stone walls. Make sure to walk down the Glagolitic Alley (a road between Roč and Hum) where you can see stone monuments representing the Glagolitic alphabet.
  • Seven Waterfalls

    The trail is suitable for both beginners and experienced hikers. It is 13,5 km long and it takes approximately 5 hours to cross it.

    The Seven Waterfalls Trail is worth visiting throughout the year. Summer is excellent because of the lush vegetation, autumn is great due to the increased amount of rain, making the waterfalls even more impressive. During the winter frozen water droplets make an unusual atmosphere, and spring is always enchanting.

    The highlight of this path is 26.5 m high and 5.6 m wide Vela Peć waterfall.
  • Stjepan Hauser Trail

    If you enjoy walking next to the sea and wild nature, don't miss the Stepan Houser Trail. There are no houses, no traffic, only a rocky trail overlooking the beautiful bay of Raša and the islands of Cres and Lošinj.
  • Glavani Park

    Looking for an adrenaline adventure? Look no further :) and visit Glavani Park and try one or all of their activities including the zipline, human catapult, eleven-meter high swing, and much more.