Region in Croatia
Istria
- Best time to go
- May, June, Sept, Oct
- Part of
- Croatia
Istria is Croatia's largest peninsula, at the top of the Adriatic next to Slovenia and Italy.
Its coast has Venetian-era harbour towns like Rovinj and Poreč and Pula's Roman amphitheatre, while the green interior is full of hilltop villages, vineyards and olive groves. Many places have Italian as well as Croatian names, and the food is famous across Croatia: truffles, olive oil, Malvazija and Teran wine.
Things to do
Don't miss in Istria
- See the Arena in Pula, one of the best-preserved Roman amphitheatres in the world, which still hosts concerts and a film festival in summer.
- Wander Rovinj's old town and climb to the Church of St Euphemia for the view over the harbour.
- Visit the Euphrasian Basilica in Poreč, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with 6th-century gold mosaics.
- Drive the hill towns: Motovun above the Mirna valley, artists' Grožnjan, and tiny Hum, which calls itself the smallest town in the world.
- Go truffle hunting with a local guide and dog around Motovun and Buzet; autumn is white truffle season.
- Take the boat from Fažana to Brijuni National Park, Tito's former summer islands.
- Swim from the wild coves of Cape Kamenjak near Premantura, at the southern tip of the peninsula.
Getting there
How to get to Istria
Pula Airport (PUY) is at the southern tip of the peninsula, and Rijeka Airport on Krk, Trieste in Italy and Ljubljana in Slovenia are all within a couple of hours' drive. The Istrian Y motorway links Pula, Rovinj, Poreč and Umag, and runs through the Učka tunnel to Rijeka; from Zagreb it takes about three hours. Buses connect the coastal towns, but you will want a car for the hill towns inland.