Istria is the largest peninsula in the Adriatic. The peninsula is located between the Gulf of Trieste and the Gulf of Kvarner and is the most northern holiday region in Croatia. It is one of the most popular holiday areas in Croatia. This is very understandable, as Istria has more than 1,000 km of coast, fantastic beaches and is surrounded by the crystal-clear Adriatic. For 400 years, Istria was under the rule of Venice. However, in 1815, the peninsula became part of the Austrian monarchy, but in 1975, Istria finally became part of Croatia. Climatically, the peninsula has a good location, and it is the optimal holiday destination for everyone, regardless of the type of holiday you want.

The landscape in Istria

Because of the geographical location of Istria, the area is now the largest nerve centre for the part of Central Europe on this side of the Alps. The landscape is characterised by fantastic beaches, small green bays, and rocky coasts with great little lagoons. On small country roads around the region, you will experience small booths with people selling vegetables, homemade cheese, freshly-pressed olive oil and home-distilled rakija (local brandy). The landscape is decorated with wonderful pine forests and amazing vineyards and small mountain villages. If you decide to explore the countryside, you will find the most beautiful unspoilt bathing coves, where you can enjoy the silence and the view away from the towns. 

Large cities in Istria: Rovinj, Porec and Pula

Istria has several interesting medieval towns.
Rovinj is idyllic and one of Istria’s most romantic towns. A picturesque town, which is also known as ”the Montmartre of Istria”, as the town is characterised by having been the rendezvous of Croatian artists. The town is located on a small island that was not connected to the mainland until the 1700s.

The architecture is the typical Mediterranean style, with narrow windy roads, plenty of activity, shops, booths, cafés and restaurants. The town has plenty of culture and sights. There are old churches, historic monuments, a harbour with well-preserved fishing traditions, olive groves and vineyards.

Porec was once a small, peaceful fishing village, now it is one of the most popular and visited towns in Istria. The main attractions are the old part of town, the beautiful Venetian houses and the Euphrasius basilica from the 500s. It is one of the most beautiful towns of Istria, with narrow cobbled streets, cosy restaurants, plenty of shops and small cafés. Porec can offer everything from sunbathing and relaxation to cultural excursions. For instance, you can enjoy the sight of buildings and churches that are several hundred years old or watch the sun set in the horizon behind the Adriatic.

Pula is the largest town in Istria and is located on the southern tip of the peninsula. It is a modern university town with a hectic business life and shopping, but also has many historic monuments. The most well-known is the impressive, almost 2000 years old Roman amphitheatre, which is the venue of many cultural events during the summer. Not far from there, you can experience the Caroline fountain, which has been preserved since 1832. The town has been surrounded by walls, parts of which still exist.

Tourist attractions

There is a number of attractions in Istria. Excursions to some of the larger towns of the peninsula will provide you with everything from nature parks to museums, art exhibitions and shopping trips.

Experience the Saint Euphrasius basilica in Porec from the 500s, which is decorated with mosaics and inscriptions in the walls.

If you are interested in the long history of the island, you should not miss the Augustus temple in Pula, which is from the 1st century. North of Pula is the small and wonderful national park ”Brijuni islands”, which consists of 2 large and 12 small islands, covering an area of 7 km².

Apart from the numerous cultural and historic excursions that are possible in Istria, you can also experience the many cosy markets of the region. The most popular market is in Zminj every Wednesday.

Sports activities

Istria can offer a wide selection of physical challenges, which means that you have the possibility of combining a lovely bathing holiday with physical activities. You can cycle, climb, dive and even try some of the more extreme sports here.

Gastronomic characteristics

The cuisine of Istria is influenced by the inland as well as the traditions of the coastal region. Fish and shellfish are common foods in Istria and are often cooked on a barbecue. The region is famous for its air-dried ham, ”Pršut”, which is often served as a starter, with cheese and olives.
Local wines are served in decanters with the food. The traditions of wine production are long and offer a wide selection of red as well as white wines.

The climate

The climate is similar to that of other Mediterranean countries, with warm, dry summers and mild winters. The summer days usually have 10 hours of sunshine and the bathing water at that time of year is around 23-24 °C. In Istria, you can experience three different types of winds. ”Bura”, the northern wind, which clears the air and brings nice weather, ”Jugo”, the southern wind, which brings rain, and ”Maestral”, offshore wind, which is nice and cool during hot summer days. Precipitation is rare during the summer. And you can experience the autumn, where there are temperatures between 14 °C and 20 °C in October.