Top 10 Things To Do in Istria

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!

1: Explore the beaches

“If you enjoy swimming, sun-bathing and just chilling by the sea, Istria has it all.”

2: Eat local

“Food is local, it is fresh, it changes with the seasons.”

3: Enjoy history

“Enjoy many historical sites in Istria: from Basilica in Poreč to Amphitheater in Pula.”

4: Explore the countryside

“Istria’s rolling hills, medieval hilltop towns, vineyards and olive groves, will make you dream.”

5: Visit a winery

“Istrian Malvasia is an excellent wine produced in many family-owned wineries in Istria.”

6. Cycling in Istria

“Cycle through the vineyards, olive groves and by the sea.”

7: Go truffle hunting

“Istria truffles are a culinary winner that is hard to resist.”

8: Hike Ucka mountain

“You’ll be awarded with nice views over the Istria, the sea, and islands.”

9: Visit Brijuni Islands

“Discover priceless natural richness guarded by the National Park Brijuni.”

10: Visit Glavani park

“A place for the whole family: adrenaline filled activities, kiddie games and farm animals park.”

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.”

2: Explore Brioni

“The only National park in Istria known for its beautiful 14 islands!”

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.”

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.”

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.”

6. Visit sandy beach in Medulin

“The most famous beach in Medulin is Bijeca, which spreads more than 1 km along the coast. “

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.”

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.”

9: Visit Porer Lighthouse

“Porer lighthouse was built in 1833 on the islet of the same name, southwest of Istria’s southernmost cape.”

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.”

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.”

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.”

3: Hit the beach

“The coast of Rovinj is well known for its indentedness and variety and it is characterized through stones and rocks.”

4: Go bird watching

“Birdwatching in a special ornithological sanctuary Palud is an all year round activity.”

5: Eat local

“In Rovinj sample some of the seafood offered in the local restaurants.”

6. Visit Batana Museum

“This is a modern museum which today represents the identity of Rovinj to everyone!”

7: Cycling

“Cycling Rovinj and Lim Bay: explore Rovinj surroundings in Istria and Rovinj archipelago by bike.”

8: Take an evening cruise on a traditional boat

“We reccomend an evening boat ride on the batana followed by a tasty fish dinner”

9: Visit ruins

“Hill-fort settlement Monkodonja is situated about 5 km south-east of Rovinj.”

10: Visit St. Catherine’s Island

“Rovinj’s archipelago is one of the lushest and the most beautiful ones in the north Adriatic Sea.”

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.”

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.”

3: Visit FKK beach Koversada

“The most famous naturist centre on the Adriatic and one of the oldest in Europe.”

4: Visit Porec Aquarium

“The Aquarium has 24 aquariums with flora and fauna from the Adriatic coast.”

5: Enjoy the sounds of jazz

“Performed by top musicians from all over the world in an inspirational environment of Lapidarij in Porec.”

6. Fly over Porec in panoramic aircraft

“Experience unforgettable views of Istrian west coast from air.”

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.”

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.”

9: Ride a bike or take a walk through Porec

“Discover many sights, hidden corners and lively sceneries of Porec.”

10: Come to “Street & art festival”

“Numerous artists, inspired by this lovely town, will display their works and imagination.”

Top 10 Things To Do in Novigrad and Umag

1: Visit Maritime Museum Gallerion

“Maritime Museum houses a permanent exhibition “Our Austro-Hungarian Navy”.”

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.”

3: Swim

“Swim in Mareda beach and find your perfect spot away from the crowd.”

4: Enjoy sunsets

“Head for the town’s seaside promenade and enjoy the sunset.”

5: Eat local

“Novigrad is popular among foodies for its excellent choice of seafood restaurants.”

6. Explore Novigrad old town

“Discover the Novigrad sightseeing in the preserved medieval old town.”

7: Cycling

“Popular cycling trail takes you from Novigrad by the sea to the village Dajla.”

8: Visit Lapidarium Museum

“Novigrad Lapidarium Museum houses the collection of early medieval monuments, architectural sculpture and church furnishings.”

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.”

10: Visit Savudrija Lighthouse

“Savudrija is the oldest lighthouse on the Adriatic and the most northern Croatian lighthouse.”

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.”

2: Visit Girandella beach

“A beautiful pebbly beach with some rocky and paved parts is located beneath the Girandella tourist village.”

3: Olive Oil Tasting

“Belic olive oil is one of the best in Croatia and his tasting room is in Rabac.”

4: Visit Battiala Lazzarini Palace

“Baroque palace of Battiala-Lazzarini family today is a town museum.”

5: Eat local

“The daily open market is a must for buying local produce and fresh fish.”

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.”

7: Visit Labin Town loggia

“Town loggia was a center of life in the past where news and court verdicts were read out.”

8: Two Wheel Treks in Labin

“Two Wheel Treks offers unforgetable Mediterranean Cruise and Cycle tours.”

9: Take a boat trip to Cres

“Boat Excursion along Rabac riviera will make you discover many cliffs, coves and little beaches.”

10: Come to Rabac Summer Festival

“The party goes on 24h on Girandella Beach with international DJs playing house music.”

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.”

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.”

3: Experience Motovun Film Festival

“Motovun Film Festival is entirely dedicated to films made in small cinematographies and independent productions.”

4: Explore nature park Ucka

“To experience one of the most stunning panoramas in this part of Europe, climb the highest peak of Učka.”

5: Go to Pazin and visit the castle

“The Castle of Pazin is the biggest and the best-preserved medieval fortress in Istria.”

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.”

7: Visit Motovun

“Motovun is probably the most scenic of all Istrian hill-towns.”

8: Beram, a hidden marvel

“The strongest impression leaves the fresco called „Dance of the Dead“.”

9: Taste in Flengi

“There is nothing to visit in Flengi but plenty to taste.”

10: Visit Bale

“A narrow street surrounds the castle, lined by olds stone houses.”