Istria Things to Do

  Mosaics above church roofline
by BruceDunning
 
  • Mosaics above church roofline
      Mosaics above church roofline
    by BruceDunning
  • Grisa is a street inthe middle
      Grisa is a street inthe middle
    by BruceDunning
  • Euphrasian Basilica (Porec, Croatia)
      Euphrasian Basilica (Porec, Croatia)
    by Redang
  • Roman Temple (Porec, Croatia)
      Roman Temple (Porec, Croatia)
    by Redang
  •   Things to Do
    by croisbeauty
 

Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

Motovun / Montona

by diocletianvs

Motovun is probably the most scenic of all Istrian hill-towns. Its spiraling urban structure winds up the hill pass the cemetery, through two town gates and ends on the main square that is dominated by the Renaissance St. Stephen Church. The gates display the stone reliefs of Venetian lions, and from this point there is a great view of the surrounding landscape of the Mirna valley. On surrounding terraces some of the best Istrian wines - Teran and Malvazija - are grown, and the nearby Motovun forest hides some of the best truffles in the region. During the summer Motovun is home to Motovun Film Festival - unlike the "official" Pula Film Festival that takes place approximately in the same time, Motovun is more "off-event", featuring mainly European art movies. The Festival generates a huge pilgrimage of film lovers who camp under the stars in the surrounding areas and enjoy the unofficial...

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Groznjan / Grisignana

by diocletianvs

Groznjan is one of the best examples of deserted Istrian towns - after the WWII many Italian families fled to Italy, not feeling safe enough in Istria that now became part of Yugoslavia. Nearby Motovun and Oprtalj had a similar destiny. From 1970s onwards there were attempts to bring life back to these deserted towns. While the artists' colony was formed in Motovun that became the center of painting a similar musical colony was formed in Groznjan. Abandoned houses were given to artists as their studios and life was back here, at least during the summer months. In Groznjan the main summer event is Groznjan Musical Summer when various concerts are held in town. A musical summer school also takes place here, run by Jeunesses Musicales Croatie. If there is no concert taking place, Groznjan can be very quiet and you can wander for hours among the small galleries and enjoy the views of the...

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Pazin / Pisino

by diocletianvs

At the first look Pazin may seem somewhat bland and uninspiring. Its main attraction is the impressive castle built on top of the gorge of Pazincica river that is connected to a mysterious underground lakes, caves and waterways. The scene had supposedly inspired Dante to write a description of the gateway to Hell. Jules Verne also found an inspiration here for some of his works. Pazin is located at the geometrical centre of Istrian peninsula and also serves as an administrative centre of the Istrian County. It is also the biggest bus hub on the peninsula, so if you are using a bus transport to get around you will most likely end here. Pazinski puran (Pazin Turkey) is a well established brand in Croatia and if you happen to be here (and like poultry) then why not treat yourself with some of the local turkey dishes? (Hmmm, turkey farms that surround the town can be somewhat smelly but...

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Pula / Pola

by diocletianvs

Pula is the biggest town in Istria and its cultural centre. The impressive Arena (amphitheatre) from the 1st century BC is one of the remainders of its Roman past. Today the Arena is the venue of many summer concerts and the main screen for the well known Pula Film Festival. A 17-th century fortress overlooks much of the Pula centre, and its ramparts are the best place to walk if you want to enjoy some of the best views. During the Austro-Hungarian rule Pula was one of main naval bases of the Empire. James Joyce spent some time here teaching naval officers English. Apparently he was so bored in Pula that he spent most of his free time writing "Portrait of an Artist as a Young Man". Today Pula is a mix of old and new, definitely not a postcard-pretty tourist place like the rest of the West Coast towns, and it not unusual to spot the cranes of the Uljanik shipyards above its rooftops and...

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Rovinj / Rovigno

by diocletianvs

Rovinj is definitely one of the most picturesque places on Croatian Adriatic. It is situated on a small peninsula (that was once an island), and overlooked by an impressive church and campanile of St. Euphemia. Its historic centre is full of colorful Venetian-influenced houses and narrow streets, and its busy port is filled with fishing and tourist boats. Rovinj has a large artistic community, and for one day in August its main street Grisia becomes the largest gallery in Istria. Between the two events the town's Adris Gallery - situated on the grounds of the former tobacco factory - organizes some of the best exhibitions of Croatian modern artists. (If you can't visit then at least take a look at their well designed TV commercials). Big tourist resorts are located at a slight distance from Rovinj's historic centre, which is great since it leaves the centre untouched and if you choose...

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Inland Istria

by diocletianvs

Rovinj and Porec may be very picturesque and Pula may be industrial, urban and cosmopolitan but the real treasure of Istria lies inland, away from the tourist resorts and summer crowds. Inland Istria offers a varied landscape of hills and valleys, vineyards and orchards. There is a whole series of medieval towns that are situated on top of the hills - always dominating the surrounding landscape and taking advantage of the secure settlement on top of the hill. They are never too far one from the other, always at a visual distance (so messages of the oncoming conquerors could be sent from one campanile to the other, from one hill to the other). All hill towns have the same elements of narrow streets, square and church at the center of the settlement and a town loggia where important decisions used to be made. Exploring the inland area will most likely require a car, but you will be treated...

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Limski Kanal

by smirnofforiginal

The Lim Valley, also known as Limska draga or dolina, is 35km along the river Pazincica, which turns into the estuary - the Limski Kanal (also called Limski Fjord or just Lim Fjord) which cuts the west coast of Istria in two. It is a 10km (6 mile) fiord between limestone cliffs and wooded slopes. Whilst it is called a fjord, technically it is not because it was not carved by a glacier. The Lim bay is a geographic feature found near Rovinj, south of Porec. Boat trips along the kanal are readily available from Rovinj

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Villages & Towns

by smirnofforiginal

There are big towns in Istria, mainly Pula, Rovinj & Porec. Pula most notably for it's Roman amphitheatre, Rovinj which is the Venice of Croatia & Pula which houses the most amazing and UNESCO World Heritage mosaics in Basilica of Euphrasius.But, as well as the big towns there are some much smaller (and some tiny) villages which are real gems not to be missed - Beram with it's "Dance of the Dead" fresco being my personal favourite.It is not so easy to travel internally around Istria without your own set of wheels but it is very worth it (if only to get away from the tourists who all tend to hang out in the larger towns).

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Day trip to Slovenia

by smirnofforiginal

Because they are so close it is quite possible to do day trips from Istria into Slovenia. The roads on the Istrian side are the most painful because they go ALL around the houses.However, Slovenia is a very beautiful country and if you have the means to and the time, a day trip into it should not be passed up.Ljubljana (Slovenia's capital) is small, clean, safe and beautiful. A day here is certainly enjoyable and calm.It is also possible to do a day trip to Lipica to see the famous white horses. Istrian school children all make this day trip at some point. It's a lovely place to visit but I would recommend it in conjunction with another stop/sight, due to the lengthy drive.

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Daytrips to Slovenian caves

by smirnofforiginal

There are two amazig caves in Slovenia : Postojonska Jama & Skocjanske Jame. Both are spectacular. Postojonska are more easily available to get to without your own transport and are firmly on the tourists map. Skocjanske have UNESCO World Heritgae status and it is not hard to see why - they are absolutely astonishing and if you only go to one Skocjanske Jama would be the one I would recommend.

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Fun things to do in Istria

Top 3 Hotels in Istria

Hotel Histria  Pula

 4 Reviews and 103 Opinions  57-71 euros per person in a double room, half board -most expensive in Pula -very big (if you like... 

 Hotels in Pula

Hotel Istra  Rovinj

 1 Review and 203 Opinions  This excellent hotel is situated on a separate island - Red Island or St. Andrew Island.... The... 

 Hotels in Rovinj

Hotel Mediteran  Porec

 1 Review and 122 Opinions  This is their CENTRAL BOOKING telephone number: PLAVA LAGUNA hr 52440 TEL. 410 101 All these hotels... 

 Hotels in Porec

212 Hotels in Istria
 
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Reviews and photos of Istria attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Istria sightseeing.

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Things to Do: Cities in Istria
  1. Pula Things to Do
  2. Rovinj Things to Do
  3. Porec Things to Do
  4. Opatija Things to Do
  5. Rabac Things to Do
  6. Brijuni National Park Things to Do
  7. Vrsar Things to Do
  8. Umag Things to Do
  9. Motovun Things to Do
  10. Pazin Things to Do
  11. Groznjan Things to Do
  12. Livade Things to Do
  13. Hum Things to Do
  14. Flengi Things to Do
  15. Beram Things to Do
  16. Sveti Lovrec Pazenaticki Things to Do
  17. Vodnjan Things to Do
  18. Labin Things to Do
  19. Buje Things to Do
  20. Bale Things to Do
  21. Sveti Petar u Sumi Things to Do
  22. Marija na Krasu Things to Do
  23. Stancija Valkanela Things to Do
  24. Svetvincenat Things to Do
  25. Buzet Things to Do
  26. Zminj Things to Do
  27. Vizinada Things to Do
  28. Savudrija Things to Do
  29. Paz Things to Do
  30. Kanfanar Things to Do

More Cities in Istria

 

Questions and Answers

bushman73 profile photo

Q:  Hi,i plan to visit venice in September 2012 from my base in porec and would like to know what is the best way to get there,by... 

leics profile photo

A: I have not made this journey but as there is a direct ferry from Porec to Venice it would seem sensible to take that. I am sure coach or train would take much longer than... 

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