Many cultures have succeeded one another in Istria and all of them have left much more than just stories of the past. This limited area is home to many small prehistoric cities as well as ancient and medieval walled towns that have occupied almost every hill in the interior of Istria, with their characteristic streets, squares, churches and town centers.
Must-see tours
A must-see Unesco World Heritage Site: the cathedral complex in Poreč is called "Euphrasiana" after Bishop Euphrasius, who completely remodeled it in the mid-6th century, adorning it with spectacular mosaics. Also visit the hilltop town of Labin on the east coast. Stroll through the medieval streets, take a look at the art studios, enjoy the beautiful view from the town of Fortica over Rabac, the island of Cres and the Učka mountain. After the walk, take a tour of the Town Museum with its archaeological and ethnological collection, and its model mine, unique in this part of Europe. Nearby is Dubrova, with an open-air sculpture park, Forma Viva, with more than 80 stone sculptures and the White Road.
Green Istria
In 1991, Croatia finally became independent with our enchanting peninsula at its heart. GreenIstria is the countryside, fields of poppies, vineyards, olive trees, hills dotted with oaks, black pines and hedges of black thorns. There are even truffles! The black truffle on the one hand, and the white truffle on the other, recognized by the "King of truffles", Bruno Clément, who in 2003 praised its quality in comparison with the Alba truffle, which is found in the Italian Piedmont
It is in the forest of Motovun, a small medieval village of 1,000 inhabitants located at 277 meters above sea level, that the largest white truffle in the world has been found: almost 1.5 kilograms!
From September to November the "truffle days" are held. An opportunity, if you like, to experience truffle hunting followed by a tasty lunch. With specially bred and trained truffle dogs, you will travel through the countryside with your guide
After the hunt, you will taste traditional Istrian truffle dishes cooked in a very simple way: a plate of pasta (Istrian "fuži" or gnocchi), which has just been cooked, is served - topped with grated truffles, and that's it!
Also present during these "truffle days" in Buzet and Livade, several outlets of the brand Zigante tartufi that sell truffles and related products such as honey, goat cheese or white truffle oil.
Istria now has two restaurants with a prestigious Michelin star: Monte and Agli Amici, both in Rovinj. In addition, the Bib Gourmand list includes a restaurant in the green part of Istria, Konoba Malo selo, in the village of Buje.
Istria's gold: olive oil, the best in the world
Speaking of olive oil, Istria is not outdone, since 2015 it has won the title of the best extra virgin olive oil producing region in the world.The title was awarded by the Flos Olei, created by the Italian Marco Oreggia, to 66 producers
The Greeks introduced the first vines as early as the sixth century B.C. There are two endemic grape varieties: Teran and Malvasia. The Teran is a red. It naturally has high levels of acidity, which, due to sometimes inappropriate production techniques, used to be too pronounced, thus repelling consumers. Today, this variety of red grape is becoming increasingly popular. A growing number of winemakers are using it to produce delicious wines. Malvoisie is a white grape variety that is produced in three main ranges of wines. The most common is the basic malvoisie, which is of a lower quality and intended for quick consumption. The second type is fresh malvasia, which has the IQ (Istrian Quality) label, produced from quality grapes and with a shelf life of three years. The label itself was introduced by the Istrian Winegrowers Association to protect the quality and authenticity of their wines
The third type of wine is the aged malvasia, which is released on the market at the earliest two years after the harvest. Moreover, malvazija istarska is one of the few wines that can be kept for more than ten years. In Istria, there are large family-owned wineries such as the Kozlovic family, which has been offering wine tasting and tours of the estate in the village of Buje for four generations
Istria on two wheels
If you are a mountain biker, Istria is full of beautiful trails and single tracks that you can find from the medieval village of Groznjan to Motovun. Don't miss a detour to Hum, the smallest village in the world with 17 inhabitants! Road and mountain bikers can follow the old Parenzana railroad line that ran from Porec to Trieste until 1935. The Istrian part of the Parenzana runs through beautiful valleys, green hills, vineyards and olive groves. The tunnels and viaducts are the particularity of this section, masterpieces of the architecture of the time. The town of Buje was the departure point of the Parenzana for trains going to Trieste and Porec. That is why the bicycle paths that have been built are in both directions: one from Buje to the Slovenian border, the other through Grožnjan and Motovun to Vižinada. GPS routes can be downloaded from Istria-bike.com.
Relaxation and swimming
Blue Istria and its 430 kilometers of coastline will not leave you indifferent either! Campers and motorhomes can take advantage of the many campsites and seaside facilities on the southern tip of the peninsula
In Premantura, don't miss a break at the Safari Bar which offers refreshments and meals in the shade. There are also small pebble beaches, some cliffs and translucent water. Heading northwest, less than 30 minutes away, don't miss a visit to the most preserved amphitheater in the world, with its three levels of arches, located in the center of the city and a few hundred meters from the sea: the one in Pula. Nowadays, it still welcomes crowds for cultural events, such as plays and concerts, but also for the Pula Film Festival. Going further north, don't miss the town of Rovinj, the little "Croatian Venice" surrounded by the sea. Lose yourself in the small colorful streets at sunset or let yourself be surprised by the dolphin watching: a 2-hour experience to live with your family at sunrise from Rovinj
Finally, for boaters, with this indented coastline and its many ports, sailing is a real pleasure. You can easily rent a boat with or without a skipper in Pula and enjoy the archipelago of the Brijuni Islands, classified as a "national park" since 1983. It is a group of 14 islands located northwest of Pula. This archipelago has two large islands, the largest is called Veliki Brijun (5.6 km²) and thirteen other smaller islands spread over an area of 36 km². The island of Veli Brijun is the only open island. The architectural heritage of the island is very interesting: remains of a temple of Venus, a Byzantine fortress and the ruins of a Roman villa in the bay of Veriga. After the Second World War, Marshal Tito advocated the protection of the forests and the preservation of this exceptional environment.
FUTURE INFO
When to visit?
Istria has a warm and temperate climate. The average temperature is 26°C in July and August. This is the ideal temperature for the beach and swimming in the sea.
From April to October, you will have pleasant weather with mild temperatures
From September to November for the colors of autumn inland.
November, December, January and February can be colder and rainier
The best season for sailing is late spring and early fall, when temperatures are more moderate, the sea is calm and the winds are more suitable.
Duration
A long weekend getaway is possible when direct flights operate from Pula airport. However, in order to enjoy the richness of the peninsula, the number of places to see and the possible activities, a full week is not too much.
Budget
Count about 35 € for an excursion from Pula to the Brijuni islands. Count from 50 to 70 € for a night in a double room in a local's house. Count on 20 to 30 € for a night in a tent in a campsite.
Public
Boaters who will appreciate the indented coastline and the small quiet harbors as well as the numerous boat rental offers in Pula.
Cyclists and gourmets who prefer to avoid the hot months. Families on spring or autumn vacations.
The advantages
Aland of flavor and tradition
A region on a human scale.
Numerous small creeks with crystal clear water and 430 kilometers of coastline.
The minuses
Queues at the border are possible at the end of July and in the first half of August.
The currency, the Kuna, is still current even if some places accept the Euro.
There areonly a few sandy beaches, pebbled coves predominate.
Getting there
By plane, to Pula airport from Paris or via Zagreb
By ferry from Venice or Zatar, reserved for passengers (no car deck on board).
By car via Italy if you are from the south of France. From the east of France via Austria and Slovenia, attention vignette required to cross these two countries
Useful
The Brijuni Islands - More information on the site
Outdoor activities - More information on the site
For truffles - More information at Prodan Tartufi, Pietro and Pietro, Karlić Tartufi or Zigante Tartufi
Boat rental - More information on the site
Sleep
Try the agritourism experience in a medieval village or on the island of Brijuni at the Istra Hotel. 20 small and family hotels, 5 hotel chains, vacation villages and camping Plava Laguna, Valamar Riviera, Maistra, Arena HG, Aminess, vacation homes...
