Istria Croatia
5
Day Itinerary •
Croatia
Five days in Istria give you the full extraordinary sweep of Croatia's most Italian peninsula, from the magnificent Rovinj harbour town and the Roman amphitheatre of Pula to the extraordinary Byzantine mosaics of Porec's Euphrasian Basilica, the remarkable truffle hilltop town of Motovun and the extraordinary Brijuni National Park islands once the summer residence of Marshal Tito. This route covers the complete Istrian experience. Rovinj's extraordinary old town and the golden cape sunset, the remarkable Pula Arena and Cape Kamenjak, the extraordinary UNESCO Euphrasian Basilica in Porec, the remarkable Motovun truffle country and the hill towns of the interior, and the extraordinary Brijuni island national park with its remarkable Roman ruins and safari wildlife.
Best Time To Visit
May to Jun and Sep to Oct. Quieter and perfect temperature.
Getting There
Fly to Pula Airport (PUY) from many European cities.
Getting Around
Car essential for interior and Brijuni ferry. Old towns walkable.
Budget Per Day
Approx EUR 100 to EUR 230 per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, walking and driving
DAY 1
ROVINJ
MORNING
ROVINJ OLD TOWN AND HARBOUR WALK
Rovinj's extraordinary old town rising on its former island peninsula above the turquoise Adriatic gives the finest harbour scene in Croatia. The remarkable labyrinth of steep cobbled lanes, the extraordinary colourful Venetian baroque facades in terracotta, yellow and ochre, and the fine fish market and the harbour promenade give the most atmospheric small-town morning on the Adriatic coast. The remarkable view from the harbour looking back to the St Euphemia campanile is outstanding. Free. Travel: 15 min walk
MIDDAY
ST EUPHEMIA AND THE BELLTOWER PANORAMA
St Euphemia's 60-metre Baroque campanile gives the most extraordinary panorama in Rovinj, the remarkable view over the old town roofscape, the Rovinj archipelago of 14 islands and the brilliant turquoise Adriatic beyond giving the finest single viewpoint on the western Istrian coast. The remarkable 6th-century sarcophagus of St Euphemia and the extraordinary interior give the finest church experience in Istria. Tower entry approx EUR 3. Travel: 30 min walk
AFTERNOON
ZLATNI RT GOLDEN CAPE AND SUNSET
Zlatni Rt forest park south of Rovinj is the most extraordinary coastal park in Istria, the remarkable 19th-century planted pines and cypresses and the extraordinary rocky coves with crystal-clear water giving the finest afternoon walk and swimming in the region. The remarkable sunset from the cape's western promontory with Rovinj's old town and campanile silhouetted against the sky gives the finest evening in Istria. Park free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The island of St Catherine opposite Rovinj harbour gives the most extraordinary view of Rovinj's old town from the water, the remarkable 5-minute water taxi ride giving a completely different perspective on the peninsula. Water taxi approx EUR 3 each way. The finest hidden viewpoint of Rovinj's extraordinary skyline.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Rovinj old town Outstanding Istrian breakfast. Local prosciutto, olive oil and strong coffee. | Lunch: Konoba Kantinon, Rovinj Outstanding Rovinj seafood. Local scampi, sea bass and Malvazija. | Dinner: Monte Restaurant, Rovinj Outstanding Rovinj fine dining. Local truffles, seafood and Istrian produce.
DAY 2
PULA ARENA
MORNING
PULA ARENA AND THE ROMAN CITY
The Pula Arena is one of the finest Roman amphitheatres in the world, the extraordinary 1st-century AD elliptical structure with all four outer walls intact and the remarkable capacity for 20,000 spectators giving the finest single Roman monument in the Adriatic. The fine underground passages and the extraordinary olive oil exhibition inside are outstanding. The remarkable Temple of Augustus on the Forum, one of the finest preserved Roman temples anywhere, and the Triumphal Arch of Sergius give the finest Roman urban walk in Croatia. Arena approx EUR 13. Travel: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
PULA OLD TOWN AND KASTEL FORTRESS
Pula's extraordinary old town contains the finest concentration of Roman monuments in Croatia beyond Split, the remarkable Twin Gates, the fine Hercules Gate, the extraordinary Cathedral and the remarkable small Archaeological Museum giving the finest Roman heritage walk on the Istrian coast. The Kastel fortress on the hill above the Forum gives the finest panorama over the city and the harbour. Travel: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
CAPE KAMENJAK WILD COAST
Cape Kamenjak at the southern tip of Istria is the most extraordinary wild coastal nature reserve in the region, the remarkable 30km of unspoilt limestone coves, cliffs and clear water giving the finest wild swimming coast in Istria. The remarkable fossil imprints in the limestone slabs, the extraordinary safe harbour of the Safari Bar rock bar and the fine lavender fields in season are outstanding. Park entry approx EUR 5.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Arena sub, the underground passages of Pula Arena, contain the most extraordinary hidden exhibition in Istria showing the Roman olive oil and wine production that made Istria rich in antiquity. Included in arena entry. The finest hidden experience inside Pula's famous amphitheatre.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Pula Coffee in the shadow of the remarkable Roman Arena. | Lunch: Farabuto, Pula Outstanding Pula restaurant. Local seafood pasta and Istrian wine. | Dinner: Valsabbion, Pula Outstanding Pula fine dining. Local seafood and truffle tasting menu.
DAY 3
POREC BASILICA
MORNING
POREC EUPHRASIAN BASILICA UNESCO
The Euphrasian Basilica in Porec is the most extraordinary early Christian monument in Croatia and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, its remarkable 6th-century Byzantine mosaics in the apse among the finest preserved in the world outside Ravenna. The extraordinary gold ground mosaics showing the Virgin with Child flanked by Bishop Euphrasius and the remarkable atrium and baptistery complex give the finest single monument in Istria. Entry free. Travel: 20 min walk
MIDDAY
POREC OLD TOWN AND THE DECUMANUS
Porec's extraordinary old town on its peninsula preserves the remarkable Roman street grid almost entirely intact, the fine Decumanus as the main Roman road and the extraordinary collection of Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque buildings along it giving the finest layered heritage streetscape on the western Istrian coast. The remarkable Romanesque House and the fine lapidary museum in the basilica give the finest archaeological context. Travel: 45 min drive
AFTERNOON
NOVIGRAD AND THE NORTHERN ISTRIAN COAST
Novigrad north of Porec is the most extraordinary small coastal town on the northern Istrian coast, its remarkable fortified medieval centre on a small peninsula, the fine Venetian loggia, the extraordinary Church of St Pelagius and the remarkable local restaurant scene for which the town is renowned among Croatian food lovers give the finest low-key coastal afternoon in Istria.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Roman mosaic floor beneath Porec's main square is the most extraordinary hidden archaeological feature in the city, visible through glass panels in the pavement showing extraordinary ancient floor mosaics from a Roman domus. Entirely free to see. The finest hidden Roman discovery in Porec.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Porec Coffee before the Euphrasian Basilica visit. | Lunch: Sv. Nikola, Porec Outstanding Porec restaurant. Local fish from the Adriatic. | Dinner: Damir i Ornela, Novigrad Outstanding Novigrad fish restaurant. Renowned as one of Croatia's finest.
DAY 4
MOTOVUN
MORNING
MOTOVUN MEDIEVAL TOWN AND RAMPART WALK
Motovun is the most extraordinary hilltop town in Istria, its remarkable medieval walls and towers crowning an isolated 270-metre hill above the extraordinary Mirna River valley and the truffle oak forests beyond giving the finest hilltop viewpoint in inland Croatia. The remarkable Romanesque-Gothic campanile of St Stephen, the extraordinary loggia and the fine rampart walk giving a complete 360-degree panorama over Istria are outstanding. Walls entry approx EUR 3. Travel: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
TRUFFLE HUNTING WITH THE KARLI n FAMILY
The Karli n Tartufi family farm near Motovun offers the most extraordinary truffle hunting experience in Croatia, the remarkable truffle dog demonstration and guided search through the extraordinary Mirna Valley oak forests and the fine tasting of white and black truffle products giving the finest single food experience in Istria. The remarkable truffle pasta, oil and honey tasting is outstanding. Tour approx EUR 40. Travel: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
GROZNJAN AND THE HILL TOWN TRAIL
Groznjan is the most extraordinary artists village in Istria, the remarkable medieval hilltop town that became a colony of artists and musicians in the 1960s and the fine collection of galleries, ceramic studios and the famous Jeunesses Musicales summer music school give the finest arts village afternoon in Croatia. The extraordinary views over the Mirna Valley and the fine konobas in the village are outstanding.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
Roc village near Buzet in the Istrian interior is the most extraordinary undiscovered medieval hill town in Istria, a remarkable tiny walled village with the finest collection of Glagolitic inscriptions in Croatia and almost no tourists. Entirely free. The finest hidden hill town in the Istrian interior.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Motovun Outstanding views with morning coffee over the Istrian interior. | Lunch: Konoba Mondo, Motovun Outstanding truffle pasta and local Teran wine in Motovun. | Dinner: Restaurant in Rovinj Outstanding farewell Istrian coastal dinner. Local seafood and Malvazija.
DAY 5
BRIJUNI ISLANDS
MORNING
BRIJUNI NATIONAL PARK FERRY
Brijuni National Park off the tip of Istria is the most extraordinary island national park in Croatia, the remarkable 14 islands that were Marshal Tito's summer residence from 1949 to 1980 giving the finest combination of Roman ruins, Mediterranean nature and 20th-century political history in the Adriatic. The extraordinary Roman villa's remarkable floor mosaics dating from the 1st century BC and the fine Byzantine castellum ruins on the main island are outstanding. Travel: 1.5 hour boat tour
MIDDAY
BRIJUNI SAFARI PARK AND ROMAN VILLA
The extraordinary safari park on Veli Brijun containing the remarkable African animals gifted to Tito by visiting heads of state, including the extraordinary Indian elephant Sony, and the fine Roman villa with its remarkable floor mosaics give the most extraordinary afternoon on any Croatian island. The remarkable Tito on Brijuni exhibition showing his extraordinary diplomatic life and the fine natural history museum are outstanding. National park tour approx EUR 50. Travel: 30 min ferry back
AFTERNOON
FAZANA VILLAGE AND FAREWELL ISTRIA
Fazana on the Istrian coast opposite Brijuni is the most extraordinary small fishing village near Pula, its remarkable working fishing harbour, the fine waterfront cafes and the extraordinary view over to the Brijuni islands giving the finest relaxed afternoon on the coast. The remarkable Church of St Cosmos and Damian and the fine local fish restaurants make Fazana an excellent farewell to Istria.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Roman fish ponds on Brijuni's eastern coast are the most extraordinary hidden Roman feature on the islands, remarkable 2,000-year-old aquaculture tanks carved into the limestone shoreline still visible below the waterline. Included in the national park tour. The finest undiscovered Roman feature in Brijuni.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast before Brijuni ferry Early departure from Fazana. | Lunch: Brijuni island cafe or packed lunch Outstanding island lunch with Adriatic views. | Dinner: Restaurant in Fazana Outstanding fresh Istrian fish. Local sea bass and scampi from the harbour boats.
Where To Stay
Rovinj, Nights 1 to 2 Hotel Lone or Vila Valdibora. Old town area. Approx EUR 100 to EUR 280. Pula or Porec, Nights 3 to 4 Hotel Scaletta or Hotel Porec. Central. Approx EUR 70 to EUR 180. Rovinj or Pula, Night 5 Return base for Brijuni ferry from Fazana. Approx EUR 80 to EUR 200.
Top Tips
1. Book Brijuni National Park tours in advance at np-brijuni.hr. The ferry fills quickly in summer.
2. The Euphrasian Basilica in Porec is entirely free and one of the finest Byzantine monuments in Europe.
3. White truffles are in season October to January. The Motovun area produces Croatia's finest white truffles.
4. Rovinj at sunset from the harbour or from St Catherine Island is the finest evening view in Istria.
5. Malvazija Istriana is Istria's great white wine. Teran is the local red. Both are excellent value.
6. Cape Kamenjak near Pula requires a car. The Safari Bar on the rocks is the finest place for a swim stop.
Total Budget
Approx EUR 100 to EUR 230 per person per day