Town in Istria
Motovun
- Best time to go
- May, Sept, Oct, Nov
- Part of
- Istria
Motovun is a walled medieval town on a hilltop above the Mirna valley in central Istria.
From its ramparts you look down on vineyards and the Motovun forest, one of the best places in Croatia for truffles. It is small and quiet outside the day-visitor hours, and makes a lovely base for exploring Istria's other hill towns.
Things to do
Don't miss in Motovun
- Walk the full circuit of the town walls for views over the Mirna valley and the forest below.
- Visit the Church of St Stephen and its separate bell tower on the main square at the top of the town.
- Go truffle hunting with a local guide and dog in the Motovun forest, then eat what you find.
- Order fuži or pasta with shaved truffles in one of the konobas in and around town.
- Cycle a stretch of the Parenzana trail, which winds around the foot of the hill on the old railway line.
- Taste Teran and Malvazija at wineries on the slopes around Motovun.
- Visit Livade, at the foot of the hill, during its autumn truffle season events.
Where to stay
Pick your neighbourhood
Inside the walls
couples who want sunsets and quiet evenings once the day visitors have gone; expect steep lanes and a walk up from the car
Below the old town
easier parking and access in the houses and guesthouses on the lower slopes
Mirna valley farm stays
families and food lovers who want an agritourism stay with home cooking, close to the truffle forests
Tours and getting around
Day trips from Motovun
Motovun is the centre of Istria's truffle tours, which usually combine a hunt in the forest with a tasting. Nearby day trips include the hill towns of Grožnjan, Oprtalj and Hum, the town of Buzet, and the castle and gorge at Pazin. The coast at Poreč and Rovinj is under an hour away.
You will need a car here: buses are few and the best of central Istria is spread across small villages. E-bikes are a good way to ride the Parenzana and the quiet valley roads without struggling up the hills. The town itself is tiny and best seen on foot.
Getting there
How to get to Motovun
Motovun is in central Istria, about an hour's drive from Pula Airport (PUY) and about 40 minutes from Poreč or Rovinj. From Zagreb it takes about three hours via the Učka tunnel and the Istrian Y motorway. Bus connections are few, so a car is by far the easiest way to get here. Cars must stay below the walls: park in the car parks on the hill and walk the last steep stretch up to the gate.