Where is istria in croatia

The town center hides some wonderful and pretty attractions, some of which date back to Roman times. Most of them are located in lovely historical squares. In addition, the resort is a true paradise for beach-seekers. Not far from the old town the fantastic beaches in Porec are ideal for a vacation by the sea!

Tip : Also the perfect offer of accommodations and campsites with cool mobile homes ultimately make Porec one of the top destinations in Istria. Definitely one of the most famous attractions and actually a must-see in Istria is the port town Rovinj. This fascinating coastal town truly amazes visitors as one of the most beautiful old towns in Croatia.

Really impressive are especially the colorful town houses, which are lined up close to each other from the sea up to the top of the town. Small, winding alleys lead through the center up to the city hill, the highest point of Rovinj, where the church of St.

Euphemia is located. The views up there are amazing! Not only Rovinj is worth seeing, amazing are also the picturesque beaches in Rovinj , which are all located not far from the historic old town. One more reason why a visit to this port city is more than worthwhile! Tip : The grandiose 5-star Hotel Monte Mulini is the perfect accommodation for a very special stay in Rovinj!

In addition, this hotel is located on a beautiful beach and the old town is also within walking distance! A visit to Kamenjak Nature Park is definitely one of the best things to do in Istria. It is a stunning nature reserve on the outskirts of the resort of Premantura. The impressive 30 kilometers of rugged coastline, where you can find the probably most spectacular cliffs in the entire region of Istria, are just spectacular. In addition, countless hiking trails and bicycle routes lead through the park, along a fantastic landscape.

On the way, you can explore a small dinosaur nature trail and take a break in a really cool safari bar with an adventure playground. Beautiful are also the many small hidden bays and beaches , which are among the most beautiful of Istria.

If you come in winter, with a little luck you can even watch grey seals and dolphins! In summer, on the other hand, the Kamenjak Nature Park is a popular place to go for a swim and relax afterwards. Tip : Very recommended is the lovely Aparthotel Punta Blu in the popular resort of Premantura, which has a pool and beautiful rooms.

Probably one of the most beautiful attractions in Istria is Motovun , a lovely town located in the green hinterland. Surrounded by picturesque countryside with vineyards and the green fields of the Mirna valley, Motovun impresses above all with its pretty old town. It is perched on a steep meter-high hill and offers a magnificent view over the hilly landscape of Istria. Among the main attractions are not only the historic town walls and charming medieval alleys, but also the many excellent restaurants and traditional konobas.

Tip : The region around Motovun is famous for the abundance of truffles , so you can find them on every menu and in numerous delicatessen stores. The coastal town of Umag is one of the most popular places for a vacation in Istria! Even the world-famous magazine National Geographic has already chosen it as one of the 10 best summer destinations in the world.

Impressive is the extremely charming old town and the beautiful coastal landscape that surrounds the resort. In addition, there are really amazing beaches in Umag where you can relax and unwind.

Also the hinterland with its vineyards and mountain villages is extremely worth seeing and offers countless destinations for day trips. Here you can enjoy a great location directly by the sea, delicious breakfast and beautiful rooms. The old town can also be easily reached on foot or by bike. A place that should not be missed on any trip to Istria is the small town of Hum in the hinterland. Only about 30 inhabitants still live in this medieval village, which basically consists of only 2 cross streets, a few residential houses, a church, a town wall, a konoba and a cemetery.

Strolling through the historic stone alleys, you will feel like you travelled back in time and discover a lot worth seeing, despite its tiny size. Tip : The delicatessen stores, where you can taste regional products, are also really inviting. You should definitely try the Biska, the famous mistletoe schnapps from Hum. The town of Vrsar is a small pearl on the west coast of Istria. The most important attraction is the charming medieval old town , which delights with its location on a hill and its quiet flair.

The old stone houses are lined up closely together and, with the church of St. Martin at the top, create a unique backdrop. Istria has laid out its wonders in the garden of the Mediterranean, at the foot of the Alps. But there is also another Istria, a hidden Istria, whose treasures are also worth exploring - the inland heart of Istria, green Istria, a land between dreams and reality, a land of beauty and peace of history and clean, unspoiled nature.

Its towns and its people will bid you welcome and let you share in their spirit and the times long gone. Welcome to the land of history, beauty and vitality! Life along the coasts of Istria has always been closely linked to the sea. Seafarers found shelter in the coves' embrace, fishermen respected such mysterious wide open spaces throughout their entire life, travellers discovered new loves in its harbours. And they will all agree on one thing - the beauty of the Istrian landscape has enchanted many a traveller convincing him to stay and have a new start… Sail with us along Istria's azure coast, set out with the rays of sunlight from the east slowly towards the west, plunging into picturesque Mediterranean motifs - coves and beaches, small boats floating peacefully, awaiting in the beauty of solitude.

Be sure to also visit the Porec Museum housed in the Baroque Sincic Palace with its displays on the history of the town and a particular focus on the Roman and early Christian eras.

Collections include archeological finds from the third century BC, such as pottery fragments, religious icons and paintings, choir stalls, and furniture displays. Nicholas Sv Nikola , popular for its beaches. Just five kilometers from Opatija , Lovran is one of the most sought after summer resorts in Croatia.

Protected from the cold winds of winter by Mount Ucka and spread out along the oceanfront, Lovran enjoys a mild climate that ensures it is busy year-round. Be sure to explore the old fortified part of the town, where some sections of the original wall remain. Popular attractions in this historic area include the Romanesque bell tower and the 14th-century, Baroque-style Church of St.

George Sv Juraj on the main square. Popular annual events held in Lovran include St. The Lungomare is a lovely kilometer stretch of promenade, which runs all the way along the Adriatic coast from Volosko to Lovran. Constructed in the late 19th-century when Opatija began to develop as a resort destination, today it is one of the highlights of this area. The Lungomare is a good place to stroll or find your own piece of oceanfront to soak up the sun as it's possible to set up along the shore at any of the many rocky points jutting out into the sea.

Vrsar Orsera , a once fortified fishing village with origins dating back to Roman times, contains many old Roman ruins, including the remains of an old villa and the Montaker quarry, still used by sculptors and their students as a source of stone. Remnants of the old Roman fortifications can still also be seen, most notably the sea gate from that period, while highlights from later periods include the 10th-century Romanesque Church of St.

Mary Sv Marija near the waterfront. Also of interest is the 12th-century Vergottini Castle, the nearby 19th-century Church of St. Martin, and the Dusan Dzamonja Sculpture Park just a little way out of town.

To the south of Vrsar, the Limski Channel is a marine reserve popular for its many limestone caves, one of which was home to the well-known hermit St. The quaint village of Pican, known as Petena during Roman times, lies about 12 kilometers southeast of Pazin and has been of religious importance since the fifth century with a long history as a bishop's see.

Today, the village boasts a variety of well-preserved medieval buildings, including the lovely town gates dating from the 14th and 15th centuries. Also of interest is St. Nicephorus Cathedral , originally built in the 14th century and completely rebuilt in the early s. Highlights include the main altar with a superb painting by Valentin Metzinger entitled Annunciation. Also of interest is the Romanesque church of St.

Michael Sv Mihovil with its splendid 15th-century frescoes. Istria is geographically small, so getting around the region is quite easy. Base yourself in one of the main towns and from here, you can reach all the top things to do around the province on day trips — it is best to rent a car, however, as public transport is not great.

We like these properties in Rovinj, Pula, and Lovran :. Croatia's Dalmatian Coast: The coastline to the south of Istria is known as the Dalmatian Coast, and it is home to some of Croatia's top attractions.

Zadar anchors the northern Dalmatian Coast, which stretches all the way south to Dubrovnik, and is well worth visiting. Also on the Dalmatian Coast, Dubrovnik is perhaps Croatia's most stunningly preserved medieval town and a highlight of any visit.

Croatia Travel Guide. Written by Bryan Dearsley and Carri Wilbanks We may earn a commission from affiliate links Jutting out into the Adriatic Sea in the far northwestern corner of Croatia, Istria is a beautiful province that is geographically compact and easy to explore — you can base yourself in one of the three main towns, Rovinj , Pula , or Lovran , and take day trips from here. See also: Where to Stay in Istria Note: Some businesses may be temporarily closed due to recent global health and safety issues.

Medieval Rovinj Medieval Rovinj On a piece of land jutting into the Adriatic that was established by the Romans, Rovinj is a beautiful medieval town and home to a number of excellent things to do. Rabac The resort town of Rabac For some time at the beach, head to the small town of Rabac, which was once a small fishing village on Kvarner Bay but in recent years has grown into a popular resort town, known for its pebble beaches and clear, blue sea.

Motovun The hilltop village of Motovun Set high on a hill in the Mirna River Valley, Motovun is a wonderful scenic old walled town that dates back to the 14th century when the Venetians built two sets of thick walls to fortify it. Pula Pula Amphitheater Due largely to its university town status, Pula Pola is known as a lively community with many great restaurants, hotels, and cultural events.

Brijuni National Park Brijuni National Park Brijuni National Park consists of two large and 12 small islands and islets and was used as a summer residence by Marshal Tito, the Yugoslavian President, from until his death in Opatija Opatija's beautiful coastline Long one of Croatia's premier resort towns, Opatija is a wonderful vacation destination thanks to the many elegant old hotels that line its pleasant coastline and attract visitors year-round.

Pazin Pazin's medieval castle One of the largest inland towns in Istria, Pazin's main draw is its superb medieval castle and spectacular setting.