If you look at Croatia on a map, one detail immediately catches your attention – the country is shaped like a flying dragon. And Istria, the peninsula in the northwest of the country, strongly resembles the shape of a heart. The comparison could hardly be more vivid. Anyone who gets to know Istria better will fall in love forever. Istria is one of the most beautiful, well-known and versatile regions of Croatia.
Here you can expect breathtaking natural beauty, picturesque coastal towns, fairytale villages perched on small hills, the crystal clear sea of the Adriatic and a unique cuisine variety – all in one place. Add to this a heritage rich in tradition and a history that dates back to Roman times.
Stunning coastline
Poreč
Istria’s 537 km coastline is deeply indented and along its western strip lie numerous towns with centuries-old traditions, each more beautiful than the next. Discover the history of Roman times in Poreč and visit the Euphrasius Basilica, built in the 6th century and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Walking through the cobblestone streets, you feel like you have been taken back to times long gone. But besides culture, Poreč has much more to offer. Enjoy your early morning coffee in one of the many cafés with a direct view of the sea, relax on the beach and leave the worries of everyday life behind, or do something nice for your body and explore the beach promenade by bike. In Poreč you will find something for everyone.
After a busy day with plenty of vitamin D, the best place to relax is in your very own private villa with pool. In the immediate vicinity of Poreč you will find Villa Prudensia, the ideal choice if you like luxury and elegant interiors. In addition, there is a heated outdoor pool and a whirlpool. For an even bigger selection of options explore the rest of our rich offer in Poreč. So nothing stands in the way of pure relaxation.
Villa Prudensia *****, Kaštelir, Istria
Rovinj
A little further south lies Rovinj, a town you have surely seen on a photo or postcard somewhere before. That is what it is widely known for – its picture-perfect beauty. From a distance, the colourful houses of the old town seem to be immersed in the Mediterranean, giving the town an irresistible appeal. Stroll through the endless alleys of the old town and discover why Rovinj has always cherished the tradition of a fisherman’s town.
The numerous islands and islets that surround the town will virtually amaze you. In fact, it was an island itself and was only connected to the mainland in the 18th century. After so much beauty and relaxation, there is only one thing to do: relax even more. Not far from Rovinj is Villa Noble, ideal for long summer evenings with the whole family, surrounded by lush greenery.
Picturesque inner countryside
At first glance, when you think of Istria, you only think of summer, the sea and the beach. But of course that is not the whole story – quite the opposite. The inland of Istria especially is often referred to as a little Tuscany. Numerous small villages on green hills, endless vineyards and olive groves and of course the unbroken tradition.
Visit Motovun, a picturesque little town that is situated at a relatively high altitude of 227 m above sea level by Istrian standards. But that is the very thing that makes this place so unique. From the town wall you will enjoy an unforgettable view of the green valleys and the seemingly endless vineyards.
Motovun
Love truffles? Then this is the very place for you. The forests around Motovun are ideal for an exhilarating truffle hunt – among other things, the largest truffle in the world to date was found not too far from here. It weighed a staggering 1.31 kg and is officially listed in the Guinness Book of World Records.
The Villa Pietro is situated right in the city centre, so you’ll always be in the centre of the action. If you need to relax after a busy day of sightseeing, the villa has everything you need – plenty of nature, an outdoor pool with a sundeck, and an outdoor fireplace so you can enjoy a cosy and relaxing evening with the whole family.
Grožnjan
Since you are already in the area, don’t miss the opportunity to visit Grožnjan. This hilltop town is a true haven for artists and those who love a romantic summer holiday. Enter the town’s gateway and immerse yourself in a magical and mysterious world, shaped by times gone by. In addition to countless events such as the “Jazz is Back” festival, you can enjoy breathtaking views, nice little cafés and restaurants, as well as exhibitions by artists from all over the world.
To preserve the Istrian ambience, it’s best to choose a villa to match. In Villa Casa Nonna Lucia you will feel like a local thanks to the traditional yet luxurious furnishings.
A unique gastronomy
Apart from the many natural sites along the coast and the picturesque interior landscape, Istria is known primarily for its culinary delights. Along with the previously mentioned truffles, be sure to try fish specialities or delicious dishes with asparagus or mussels, as well as prosciutto and local cheeses. Immerse yourself in the world of Istrian taverns, where a great deal of emphasis is placed on local and indigenous ingredients.
Of course, a good meal should be accompanied by a good glass of wine. Finding one in Istria, however, will hardly be difficult. As a wine region rich in tradition, Istria offers a wide range of world-famous wine varieties that are also internationally acclaimed. Particularly noteworthy are the Malvazija and Merlot varieties.
Olive oil
Istria has also been declared the best olive oil region in the world by the world-renowned olive oil guide Flos Olei 7 times in a row. If you have the opportunity to taste some of the blends represented here, it will immediately become clear to you why this is the case. Due to its unique geographic location with a lot of sun and the fact that there are as many as 4 different types of soil, Istria has ideal conditions for producing first-class olive oil. Out of the 500 best olive oil producers in the world, 71 come from Istria. Be sure to try it!
Pasta with truffles
An active holiday for everybody
After so many delicacies waiting for you wherever you go, a little exercise can’t do any harm. Thankfully, there are more than enough options in Istria, so everyone can find something suitable for them. Take advantage of the breathtaking natural landscape and explore the region by bike. With the first rays of sunshine, you will immediately notice that you are not alone with this thought. Numerous cyclists love Istria and come here time and time again, not only because of the many cycle paths and small towns that are simply best explored on 2 wheels.
Water- and national parks
If you like adrenaline, there is a wide range to choose from. Try one of the many water sports such as parasailing or jet skiing, or visit one of the as many as 2 available water parks in Istria – Istralandia and Aquacolors – with the whole family. Thanks to the many diving centres, you can also explore the underwater world and discover the hidden treasures of the Adriatic.
The ideal combination of nature and sport is offered by the Brijuni National Park, a group of islands off the coast of Istria, which consists of 14 individual islands and, in addition to incredibly diverse flora and fauna, also offers an animal park and a golf course. For a holiday filled with activities check out our offer of activity villas in Croatia.
Everything you need for a holiday you will remember forever
Choosing the ideal holiday destination is not easy. For something you look forward to all year, you don’t want to make any wrong decisions that you might regret later. This is exactly why so many travellers choose Istria over and over again – you can hardly go wrong here.
Thanks to the ideal combination of sun and beach, natural beauty, the crystal clear Adriatic Sea, the numerous small inland towns with an incredibly diverse tradition, the distinctive gastronomy and the offer for a tailor-made active holiday, Istria is the ideal choice for a holiday that you will remember for a long time and tell everyone about. With our help, you are certain to find the perfect accommodation in Istria.
Nothing stands in the way of your dream holiday! We wish you a pleasant journey!
