Istria Croatia
3
Day Itinerary •
Croatia
Three days in Istria reveal Croatia's most Italian peninsula, where Roman amphitheatres stand beside Venetian harbours, hilltop medieval towns overlook truffle forests and the extraordinary Adriatic laps at limestone shores. Rovinj is the most beautiful town on the Istrian coast, its extraordinary colourful old town rising above the harbour on a former island, while Pula's remarkable Roman amphitheatre is among the finest in the world. This route covers the essential Istria. Rovinj's extraordinary old town and the St Euphemia belltower panorama, the remarkable Pula Arena and the Roman temples of Pula, and the extraordinary hilltop town of Motovun in the truffle country of the Istrian interior with its remarkable medieval walls and the fine local cuisine of white truffles, Malvazija wine and Istrian prosciutto.
Best Time To Visit
May to Jun and Sep to Oct. Jul to Aug hot and very busy.
Getting There
Fly to Pula Airport (PUY) from many European cities. Or drive from Trieste.
Getting Around
Car essential for the interior. Rovinj and Pula walkable in the old towns.
Budget Per Day
Approx EUR 100 to EUR 220 per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, mostly walking and driving
DAY 1
ROVINJ OLD TOWN
MORNING
ROVINJ OLD TOWN AND THE HARBOUR
Rovinj is the most extraordinary town on the Istrian coast, its remarkable former island of terracotta-roofed baroque buildings rising above the harbour on a narrow peninsula, the extraordinary colourful facades reflected in the turquoise Adriatic and the fine fishing boats bobbing below giving the finest small-town harbour scene in Croatia. The remarkable labyrinth of cobbled lanes, the extraordinary arched gateways and the fine Venetian Gothic windows give the finest medieval streetscape on the coast. Free to explore. Travel: 15 min walk
MIDDAY
ST EUPHEMIA CHURCH AND THE BELLTOWER
The Church of St Euphemia on the summit of Rovinj's old town is the most extraordinary Baroque church in Istria, its remarkable 60-metre campanile modelled on the Venice campanile giving the finest panorama over the Rovinj archipelago, the old town roofscape and the Adriatic beyond. The remarkable copper statue of St Euphemia rotating on the belltower in the wind and the extraordinary sarcophagus of the saint below are outstanding. Tower entry approx EUR 3. Travel: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
GOLDEN CAPE FOREST PARK AND COASTAL WALK
Zlatni Rt, the Golden Cape forest park south of Rovinj, is the most extraordinary coastal park in Istria, its remarkable pine and cypress forest planted by the Habsburg Archduke Johann in the 19th century and the extraordinary rocky coves with crystal-clear Adriatic water giving the finest coastal walk accessible from Rovinj. The remarkable sunset from the cape's western tip with Rovinj's skyline behind is outstanding. Entirely free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The island of St Catherine opposite Rovinj harbour is the most extraordinary short boat trip in Istria, a remarkable 5-minute water taxi ride to the extraordinary pine-forested island with the finest view of Rovinj's old town from the water. Water taxi approx EUR 3. The finest hidden viewpoint of Rovinj.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Rovinj old town Outstanding Istrian breakfast. Local prosciutto, cheese and coffee. | Lunch: Konoba in Rovinj Outstanding fresh Adriatic seafood. Local sea bass, scampi and Malvazija. | Dinner: Monte Restaurant, Rovinj Outstanding Rovinj fine dining. Local truffles, seafood and Istrian wine.
DAY 2
PULA AMPHITHEATRE
MORNING
PULA ARENA AND THE ROMAN FORUM
The Pula Arena is the most extraordinary Roman amphitheatre in Croatia and among the finest in the world, the remarkable 1st-century AD elliptical structure seating 20,000 spectators and the extraordinary preservation of all four outer walls giving the finest single Roman monument in the Adriatic. The remarkable Pula Roman Forum with the extraordinary Temple of Augustus from 2 BC, one of the finest preserved Roman temples in the world, and the fine Triumphal Arch of Sergius are outstanding. Arena entry approx EUR 13. Travel: 20 min walk
MIDDAY
PULA OLD TOWN AND THE TWIN GATES
Pula's extraordinary old town gives the finest concentration of Roman monuments in any Croatian city, the remarkable Twin Gates, the fine Hercules Gate with its extraordinary carved head, the remarkable Cathedral of the Assumption built into a Roman temple and the extraordinary mosaic floors visible through floor panels in the historic buildings giving the finest Roman urban archaeological experience on the Adriatic. Most monuments free to view externally. Travel: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
CAPE KAMENJAK NATURE PARK
Cape Kamenjak at the southern tip of the Istrian peninsula is the most extraordinary wild coastal nature park in Istria, its remarkable 30km of unspoilt coastline with extraordinary crystal-clear coves, dramatic limestone cliffs and the fine Safari Bar rock bar giving the finest wild swimming coast in the region. The remarkable wild flowers, the extraordinary sea turtle habitat and the fine fossils in the limestone are outstanding. Park entry approx EUR 5.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The underground tunnels beneath Pula Arena are the most extraordinary hidden feature of the amphitheatre, the remarkable network of passages used to house animals and gladiators before combat now displaying an extraordinary exhibition of olive oil and wine production in Roman Istria. Included in the arena entry. The finest hidden experience in Pula.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Pula Coffee in the shadow of the Roman Arena. | Lunch: Kantina, Pula Outstanding Pula restaurant. Local grilled fish and Istrian wine. | Dinner: Valsabbion, Pula Outstanding Pula fine dining restaurant. Local seafood and Istrian produce.
DAY 3
MOTOVUN AND TRUFFLES
MORNING
MOTOVUN MEDIEVAL HILLTOP TOWN
Motovun is the most extraordinary hilltop town in Istria, its remarkable medieval walls encircling the summit of an isolated hill above the extraordinary Mirna River valley and the surrounding truffle oak forests giving the finest single viewpoint in the Istrian interior. The remarkable Romanesque-Gothic campanile, the extraordinary loggia and the fine rampart walk giving a 360-degree panorama over the oak forests and vineyards are outstanding. Town walls walk approx EUR 3. Travel: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
TRUFFLE HUNTING AND TASTING IN THE MIRNA VALLEY
The Mirna River valley around Motovun is the most extraordinary truffle habitat in Croatia, its remarkable oak forests producing both the prized white truffle from October to January and the black truffle year-round giving the finest truffle country accessible from the coast. The remarkable Karli n Tartufi family truffle farm near Motovun offers extraordinary truffle hunting experiences with trained dogs and fine tastings of truffle products. Tour approx EUR 40. Travel: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
GROZNJAN AND THE HILL TOWNS
Groznjan is the most extraordinary artists village in Istria, the remarkable medieval hilltop town repopulated by artists and musicians in the 1960s after near-abandonment giving the finest collection of galleries and studios in the Istrian interior. The extraordinary Jazz Festival in summer and the remarkable views over the Mirna Valley and the distant Adriatic from the town walls give the finest hilltop village afternoon in Istria.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Lipizzaner stud farm at Lipica just across the Slovenian border is the most extraordinary equestrian hidden gem near Istria, the remarkable birthplace of the Lipizzaner breed and the extraordinary classical riding school accessible on a day trip. Entry approx EUR 15. 45 minutes from Rovinj.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Motovun Coffee with extraordinary views over the Istrian interior. | Lunch: Konoba Mondo, Motovun Outstanding Motovun restaurant. Local truffle pasta and Teran wine. | Dinner: Restaurant in Rovinj or Pula Outstanding farewell Istrian dinner. Local truffles and Malvazija.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Rovinj, Night 1 Hotel Lone or Vila Valdibora. Old town area. Approx EUR 100 to EUR 280. Pula, Night 2 Hotel Scaletta or Amfiteatar Hotel. City centre. Approx EUR 80 to EUR 200.
Top Tips
1. Rovinj's old town is pedestrianised. Park outside the walls and walk in through the main gate.
2. The Pula Arena hosts summer concerts and events. Check the programme before your visit.
3. White truffles are in season October to January. Black truffles are available year-round in Motovun.
4. Malvazija is Istria's signature white wine. Try it at any konoba in the region for the finest local pairing.
5. Rovinj at sunset from the harbour is the finest evening view in Istria. Arrive an hour before to find a spot.
6. The Brijuni National Park ferry departs from Fazana, 8km from Pula. Book ahead in summer.
Total Budget
Approx EUR 100 to EUR 220 per person per day