The Best Places to Visit in Istria, Croatia

Looking for somewhere picturesque but not too crowded to add to your growing list of dream destinations? Check out the Istria region in Croatia! You will be surrounded by fresh seafood, local wines and olive oils, and an abundance of truffles.  Did you know that both white and black truffles can be found within the soils of Istria? 

The region of Istria in Croatia makes up the majority of the Istrian peninsula and should absolutely be on your list when visiting Croatia.  Keep reading for the best places to visit in Istria! 

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission on affiliate purchases at no additional cost to you. Remember, I would never recommend a product or service that I haven’t used and love myself. 

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Rovinj

When looking for the best places to visit in Istria, no trip is complete without a stop in Rovinj.  If you have the time in your itinerary, definitely stay at least a night!  Rovinj is simply magical.  It is situated along the western coast of the Istrian peninsula.  Rovinj would make a great base if you are interested in exploring all that the Istria region has to offer.  You could easily spend two nights here, with one full day exploring Rovinj and the other exploring nearby towns, vineyards and the Lim Bay.

Things to Do:

• Wander the cobblestone streets of old town weaving in and out of all of the stores.  Don’t forget to peak down some of the alleyways that lead to the sea! Most make incredible photo backdrops and you can usually find little spots to sit by the water.

• Visit St. Euphemia Church that is situated in the heart of the old town.  You’ll likely notice the bell tower of the church as you approach the city. You can walk through the interior of the church as well as explore the grounds surrounding the church.  You can also go up the bell tower!

• Swim at any of the local beaches. If you are looking to stay close to the old town, there are many spots where you can jump right off of the coast into the sea.  If you’d rather grab cocktails by the water, check out Bar Mediterraneo, where you can enjoy a drink and a swim in the ocean! 

• Participate in a wine tasting or explore any of the nearby vineyards! You will learn about the unique flavor profiles of Croatian wine, ideal food pairings and be able to use the knowledge throughout the rest of your trip.

• Explore the open air Green Market that is frequented by locals and tourists alike.  The market is packed with fresh produce, seafood, and other local goods!

• Explore the area surrounding the Lim Bay, sometimes referred to as the Lim Fjord. Situated a short 20 minute car ride away,  Lim Bay is known for breeding delicious shellfish like oysters and mussels. There are many scenic viewpoints, restaurants and public beaches around the channel.

Where to Eat & Drink:

• Splurge on the tasting menu at Michelin star restaurant, Monte.  Monte offers a choice of three different tasting menus that are packed with Mediterranean flavors.  The wine pairing is also worth exploring if you enjoy learning about different types of wine and why they are better suited for different foods.  Monte is definitely worth a visit for anyone looking to really explore the food scene in Rovinj.

• Looking for somewhere relaxed but equally delicious? Check out Restoran Giannino whose menu is dictated by the fresh catch provided by the local fisherman.  You can enjoy a delicious meal here complete with dessert and a bottle of Croatian white wine for an affordable price! 

• Revera Tapas Bar is a great spot to visit for a drink as you watch the sunset.  It’s situated out the outskirts of the old town, overlooking the water.

• Don’t forget to enjoy a gelato at any of the stands or kiosks! 

• If you aren’t looking closely, you may miss Bar Mediterraneo.  Situated down a side alley along the cliffs overlooking the water, stop here to enjoy drinks in the sunshine while watching the boats pass.  Don’t forget to pack or wear a bathing suit as you can swim right from the bar if you’d like!

Where to Stay:

Looking to splurge on a boutique hotel for your time in Rovinj? Check out the incredible Sparito Santo who serves a delicious breakfast every morning.

If you aren’t looking for a boutique hotel splurge, check out Frank About Croatia’s round up of places to stay in Rovinj!

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Motovun

A short hour ride from Rovinj, Motovun sits high atop a hill in the Croatian countryside.  Famous for its incredible views and delicious truffles, this medieval town should not be missed!  Definitely wear your walking shoes as Motovun means “a town in the hills” and you will do a good amount (read a lot) of uphill walking to reach the top of the town. The views are worth every step though!    

Things to Do:

• Park at the base of the town and take your time exploring the shops and viewpoints as you make your way to the top of the town.

Insider Tip: Don’t feel like you have to park at the first parking lot that you see. If you continue on the main road up toward the town, there is a a paid parking lot that gets you as close as you can get to where they start restricting cars.

• Walk the ancient city walls surrounding the top of the town for unparalleled views.

• Try truffle potato chips! Don’t forget to stock up on multiple bags for your drive and to have for the rest of your road trip. Definitely try the Zigante Tartufi brand. They have the perfect amount of truffle infusion without being too overpowering.

• Partake in a truffle hunting trip! There are multiple opportunities to go out into the Motovun forest with a guide and truffle hunting dogs to search for the delicious mushrooms.

• Visit the church of St.Stephen to take in the beautiful architecture and history.

Where to Eat & Drink:

• Looking to try a truffle infused dish? Look no further than Konoba Mondo, known for their incredible use of truffles throughout their dishes. Enjoy a delicious meal here complete with mozzarella salad and tomato soup, truffle pasta and truffle ravioli, and a .5L bottle of their house white wine!

• Pod Voltum is a very popular restaurant serving traditional Croatian and Istrian specialties including pasta and many truffle infused dishes.

• Don’t forget to try fritule from one of the stands near the parking lot! Fritule is a fried pastry dough ball that is incredible. You can even choose a sauce to drizzle over your fritule. Try the raspberry, you won’t regret it!

Where to Stay:

There are a few options to stay in directly Motovun but it is also an easy hour drive from Rovinj and a hour drive from Pula if you are already using either of those places as your base in Istria!

If you are looking to stay in Motovun, consider the boutique Hotel Kastel, which sits at the top of the hill in the center of town and features a delicious restaurant.

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Bale (Valle)

Bale is about halfway between Rovinj and Pula and is known for its Italian influences.  The town is surrounded by vineyards and olive groves and is only a short 10 minute drive from the coast. Since you don’t need a ton of time to explore all of the old town, Bale makes a great a town to visit on a road trip or on a day trip from one of the nearby towns like Pula or Rovinj.

If you are following our two week Croatia itinerary, consider adding a stop in Bale on your way from Rovinj to Krk!

Things to Do:

• Explore the cobblestone streets and wander in and out of the shops. If you are looking carefully, you may even stumble upon the book shelf pictured below that was built right into the wall of one of the alleys.

• Visit the Soardo-Bembo Castle in the center of the town. Built in the 16th century, the castle can’t be missed!

• The beach is a quick ride from the old town! With many hidden coves and beaches, you can definitely find somewhere to relax by the sea.

• There are multiple churches to visit in Bale so make sure to check them out as you explore the town.

Where to Eat & Drink:

• Looking to enjoy something to eat in Bale? Check out the outdoor seating at Kamene Price. Kamene Price is within the old town and serves traditional Mediterranean food.

• Searching for something more upscale? Enjoy the ambiance, service and Mediterranean favorites at La Grisa.

Where to Stay:

Bale makes a great stop on a road trip or day trip from a neighboring city but if you are looking to escape from the hustle and bustle and stay somewhere quaint and charming, consider the Hotel La Grisa or the nearby Meneghetti Wine Hotel.

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Getting Around Istria

Istria’s only major airport is in Pula but you can easily incorporate exploring the best places to visit in Istria into other Croatia itineraries!

Traveling the area via car will allow you to easily explore all of the best places to visit in Istria. If you don’t have a car, additional ways to get around Istria include bicycle or bus.

Other popular places to visit in Istria include Pula known for its beaches and Roman ruins, Brijuni National Park, and Hum, the worlds smallest town.

Looking for more of the best places to visit in Istria? Check out this post on the Must-Visit Fairytale Towns in Istria written by Olivia of Inspired by Croatia!