Things to do in Istria

Best time to visit Istria

• a note or something on   ✦ an occasion worth the trip

• May and June

  ideal cycling weather, uncrowded, sea swimmable from late May

• July and August

  hot, peak prices, old town busy; book ahead

• September and October

  harvest season, truffles from October, warm sea early on

• November to April

  quiet, many restaurants close; interior still good for food trips

What's on

• Vinistra May

  the Istrian wine fair in Poreč, Malvazija and Teran tastings

• Giostra September

  Poreč's historical festival with costumes and tournaments

Best things to do in Istria

• Euphrasian Basilica

  $

  UNESCO-listed 6th-century basilica with gold Byzantine mosaics.

• Decumanus Street

  Free

  The Roman main street lined with Venetian Gothic palaces.

• Marafor Square

  Free

  The old Roman forum with two temple remains at the peninsula tip.

• Pentagonal Tower

  $

  15th-century tower with the best harbour-view terrace.

• Church of Our Lady of the Angels

  Free

  Quiet Franciscan church with a baroque interior.

• Baredine Cave

  $

  Show cave with an underground lake and olm salamanders.

• Aquacolors Poreč

  $$

  Water park with slides and wave pool; go on a weekday.

• Zelena Laguna

  $

  Pebble beaches and pine shade south of town.

Best restaurants in Istria

• Konoba Aba

  $$

  Beloved old-town konoba; order the truffle risotto Aba.

• Konoba Nino

  $$

  Huge mixed seafood platters cooked to order.

• Konoba Daniela

  $$

  Destination restaurant inland for truffle tagliatelle.

• Restaurant Divino

  $$$

  Waterfront fine dining, the special-occasion pick.

• Ancora

  $$

  Italian-leaning with Croatian seafood near the sea.

• Tradizione

  $$

  Traditional seafood recipes with vegan options.

• Ćakula Konoba

  $$

  Central seafood and Mediterranean, reliable.

• Ciao-Ciao

  $$

  Popular Italian and seafood; order the truffle steak.

Outdoor things to do in Istria

• Grožnjan

  Free

  Hilltop town of artists with galleries and summer music.

• Motovun

  Free

  Walled hilltop town above the Mirna valley, famous for truffles.

• Rovinj

  Free

  Istria's prettiest coastal town, 40 minutes south.

• Parenzana Trail

  $

  Converted railway line for cycling through viaducts and vineyards.

• Lim Bay

  $

  Fjord-like bay with boat trips and oyster farm tastings.

Best hotels in Istria

• Valamar Riviera Hotel & Residence

  $$$$

  Flagship waterfront hotel with spa and fine dining.

• Valamar Diamant Hotel

  $$$

  Large hotel with pools above the Brulo beach.

• Hotel Parentino

  $$$

  Plava Laguna hotel with pools and sports.

Is Istria expensive? What a day costs

A day of food, drink, sights and getting around, before the room

What to book ahead

• Aquacolors Poreč: a few days ahead
• Konoba Aba: a few days ahead
• Konoba Nino: a few days ahead
• Konoba Daniela: a few days ahead
• Restaurant Divino: a few days ahead
• Ancora: a few days ahead
• Ciao-Ciao: a few days ahead
• Peterokutna Kula: a few days ahead

• Konoba Aba, Divino, Ciao-Ciao: days ahead in August
• Baredine Cave: arrive before 11am to beat school groups
• hill-town restaurants need weekend reservations in truffle season

Is Istria safe?

• pickpockets in the August old-town crowds
• sea urchins on rocky beaches: wear water shoes
• pebble coves are slippery entering the water
• emergency number: 112

Istria travel tips: tourist traps to skip

• harbour 'truffle' dishes use flavouring, not truffle
• old-town restaurants with picture menus and touts: walk one street back
• the Poreč-Rovinj boat is scenic but slow

Getting around Istria: public transport and more

• old town is pedestrian; resorts connect by promenade and tourist train
• rent a bike for the Parenzana and the coast; e-bikes flatten hills
• buses to Rovinj and hill towns are infrequent; a car opens the interior
• use the lots outside the old town in August

Who Istria suits

More in Croatia

Every Croatia guide