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With its rocky, indented shore and more than a thousand islands, Istria boasts one of the most beautiful stretches of Adriatic sea.
Read our top 10 recommendations for when you visit Istria, with so much to choose from its easy to miss some of the best bits, read on to ensure you don't miss out! Keeping this in mind, choosing only 10 top things to do and see in Istria was not an easy task however we have narrowed down our favourites!
Top 10 Things To Do in Istria
1: Explore the beaches
“If you enjoy swimming, sun-bathing and just chilling by the sea, Istria has it all.”read more »
2: Eat local
“Food is local, it is fresh, it changes with the seasons.”read more »
3: Enjoy history
“Enjoy many historical sites in Istria: from Basilica in Poreč to Amphitheater in Pula.”read more »
4: Explore the countryside
“Istria’s rolling hills, medieval hilltop towns, vineyards and olive groves, will make you dream.”read more »
5: Visit a winery
“Istrian Malvasia is an excellent wine produced in many family-owned wineries in Istria.”read more »
6. Cycling in Istria
“Cycle through the vineyards, olive groves and by the sea.”read more »
7: Go truffle hunting
“Istria truffles are a culinary winner that is hard to resist.”read more »
8: Hike Ucka mountain
“You’ll be awarded with nice views over the Istria, the sea, and islands.”read more »
9: Visit Brijuni Islands
“Discover priceless natural richness guarded by the National Park Brijuni.”read more »
10: Visit Glavani park
“A place for the whole family: adrenaline filled activities, kiddie games and farm animals park.”read more »
Top 10 Things To Do in Pula and Medulin
1: Visit the amphitheater
“The Arena is the only remaining Roman amphitheatre to have four side towers and with all three Roman architectural orders entirely preserved.”read more »
2: Explore Brioni
“The only National park in Istria known for its beautiful 14 islands!”read more »
3: Explore the town’s defense grid
“Fortified for protection from assaults by sea, for over one hundred years Pula was defended by 46 forts.”read more »
4: Wind sports & Cliff Jumping
“If you’re interested in more adventurous activities like windsurfing, kite surfing and cliff jumping, one of the best places to head it’s to the southern coast of Premantura town.”read more »
5: Shopping: flea-markets, shopping centers
“The markets are one of the best places to get souvenir gifts like wines, jewelry, handbags and that kind of thing.”read more »
6. Visit sandy beach in Medulin
“The most famous beach in Medulin is Bijeca, which spreads more than 1 km along the coast. “read more »
7: Concerts in Arena in Pula
“During the entire months of July and August the amphitheatre holds a series of concerts, both classical and pop, that attracts the best national and international artists.”read more »
8: Visit Forum in Pula
“The main square of classical and medieval Pula is situated at the foot of the central hill, in the western part of the city close to the sea.”read more »
9: Visit Porer Lighthouse
“Porer lighthouse was built in 1833 on the islet of the same name, southwest of Istria’s southernmost cape.”read more »
10: Make a toast to James Joyce
“The Statue to James Joyce, Irish writer have spend five months in town of Pula, teaching English language Austrian officers.”read more »
Top 10 Things To Do in Rovinj
1: Explore the old town
“The romantic old town in Rovinj itself has two must-sees: the Saint Euphemia Cathedral with the magnificent views and a lively food market near the harbour.”read more »
2: Visit St. Andrew’s Island
“Red Island is made up of two little islands, St. Andrew and Maskin, which are connected through an embankment.”read more »
3: Hit the beach
“The coast of Rovinj is well known for its indentedness and variety and it is characterized through stones and rocks.”read more »
4: Go bird watching
“Birdwatching in a special ornithological sanctuary Palud is an all year round activity.”read more »
5: Eat local
“In Rovinj sample some of the seafood offered in the local restaurants.”read more »
6. Visit Batana Museum
“This is a modern museum which today represents the identity of Rovinj to everyone!”read more »
7: Cycling
“Cycling Rovinj and Lim Bay: explore Rovinj surroundings in Istria and Rovinj archipelago by bike.”read more »
8: Take an evening cruise on a traditional boat
“We reccomend an evening boat ride on the batana followed by a tasty fish dinner”read more »
9: Visit ruins
“Hill-fort settlement Monkodonja is situated about 5 km south-east of Rovinj.”read more »
10: Visit St. Catherine’s Island
“Rovinj’s archipelago is one of the lushest and the most beautiful ones in the north Adriatic Sea.”read more »
Top 10 Things To Do in Poreč and Vrsar
1: Visit Euphrasius Basilica
“The complex of the Euphrasian Basilica represents a significant global monument acknowledged by UNESCO.”read more »
2: Go inside the Baredine Cave
“Meet the mystical world of nature which has been developing for thousand of years, far away from the light of the day and the human eye.”read more »
3: Visit FKK beach Koversada
“The most famous naturist centre on the Adriatic and one of the oldest in Europe.”read more »
4: Visit Porec Aquarium
“The Aquarium has 24 aquariums with flora and fauna from the Adriatic coast.”read more »
5: Enjoy the sounds of jazz
“Performed by top musicians from all over the world in an inspirational environment of Lapidarij in Porec.”read more »
6. Fly over Porec in panoramic aircraft
“Experience unforgettable views of Istrian west coast from air.”read more »
7: Take a boat ride to the island of Sv. Nikola
“Enjoy swimming and sunbathing on attractive beaches surrounded by the scents of Mediterranean vegetation.”read more »
8: Visit Dino Park in Funtana
“Dinopark Funtana is the first entertainement and theme park in Croatia where life-size dinosaurs are the main attraction.”read more »
9: Ride a bike or take a walk through Porec
“Discover many sights, hidden corners and lively sceneries of Porec.”read more »
10: Come to “Street & art festival”
“Numerous artists, inspired by this lovely town, will display their works and imagination.”read more »
Top 10 Things To Do in Novigrad and Umag
1: Visit Maritime Museum Gallerion
“Maritime Museum houses a permanent exhibition “Our Austro-Hungarian Navy”.”read more »
2: Play tennis
“Out of Umag’s 64 tennis courts, the central Stella Maris ATP Stadium with 3500 seats is one of the best known sports facility in Croatia.”read more »
3: Swim
“Swim in Mareda beach and find your perfect spot away from the crowd.”read more »
4: Enjoy sunsets
“Head for the town’s seaside promenade and enjoy the sunset.”read more »
5: Eat local
“Novigrad is popular among foodies for its excellent choice of seafood restaurants.”read more »
6. Explore Novigrad old town
“Discover the Novigrad sightseeing in the preserved medieval old town.”read more »
7: Cycling
“Popular cycling trail takes you from Novigrad by the sea to the village Dajla.”read more »
8: Visit Lapidarium Museum
“Novigrad Lapidarium Museum houses the collection of early medieval monuments, architectural sculpture and church furnishings.”read more »
9: Take a boat trip
“The most popular excursion in Novigrad is a panoramic boat trip from Umag to Rovinj and along the Limski channel.”read more »
10: Visit Savudrija Lighthouse
“Savudrija is the oldest lighthouse on the Adriatic and the most northern Croatian lighthouse.”read more »
Top 10 Things To Do in Rabac and Labin
1: Diving in Rabac
“Diving tourism is very well developed in Rabac and its surroundings and it is no wonder considering the crystal clear waters and great diving conditions.”read more »
2: Visit Girandella beach
“A beautiful pebbly beach with some rocky and paved parts is located beneath the Girandella tourist village.”read more »
3: Olive Oil Tasting
“Belic olive oil is one of the best in Croatia and his tasting room is in Rabac.”read more »
4: Visit Battiala Lazzarini Palace
“Baroque palace of Battiala-Lazzarini family today is a town museum.”read more »
5: Eat local
“The daily open market is a must for buying local produce and fresh fish.”read more »
6. Walking and hiking in Rabac
“In the area of Labin and Rabac there is a hiking trail Labin – Rabac – Prklog and hiking trail of St. Flor – The legend of the gold.”read more »
7: Visit Labin Town loggia
“Town loggia was a center of life in the past where news and court verdicts were read out.”read more »
8: Two Wheel Treks in Labin
“Two Wheel Treks offers unforgetable Mediterranean Cruise and Cycle tours.”read more »
9: Take a boat trip to Cres
“Boat Excursion along Rabac riviera will make you discover many cliffs, coves and little beaches.”read more »
10: Come to Rabac Summer Festival
“The party goes on 24h on Girandella Beach with international DJs playing house music.”read more »
Top 10 Things To Do in Central Istria
1: Try the Istrian white and black truffle
“The biggest truffle in the world was found in Istria and has been recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records.”read more »
2: Experience Jazz Festival in Groznjan
“There are surely no better nights than those hot summer nights when Grožnjan and its surrounding area are bathed in the most beautiful sound of jazz.”read more »
3: Experience Motovun Film Festival
“Motovun Film Festival is entirely dedicated to films made in small cinematographies and independent productions.”read more »
4: Explore nature park Ucka
“To experience one of the most stunning panoramas in this part of Europe, climb the highest peak of Učka.”read more »
5: Go to Pazin and visit the castle
“The Castle of Pazin is the biggest and the best-preserved medieval fortress in Istria.”read more »
6. Visit The Smallest Town in the World
“Hum’s narrow street, beautiful architecture, you will be surprised by the beauty in such a small place.”read more »