Croatia's Secret: Why You Shouldn't Miss Istria

Sep 11

2 min read

When planning a trip to Croatia, the itinerary usually follows a fairly predictable path (with or without Slovenia): Plitvice Lakes National Park, and from there down along the Dalmatian Coast to Split, Zadar, and Dubrovnik. Because of the tendency to skip the northwestern corner, most travelers completely miss the Istrian Peninsula - a region that feels like a wonderful blend of Croatia and Tuscany. If you are looking for an itinerary that will surprise you at every turn, this is the detour you must make. Recommended Sites to Visit in Istria Include:

Spectacular Coastal Spots: Pula (featuring one of the best-preserved Roman amphitheatres in the world), Rovinj (a Venetian-style fishing port with narrow, picturesque stone alleys), Poreč (famous for its Basilica with magnificent gold mosaics, a UNESCO World Heritage site).

Hilltop & Inland Surprises: Motovun (a fortified medieval hilltop town and the truffle capital of Istria), Grožnjan (a tiny, fortified stone village that was almost completely abandoned in the 1960s until artists moved in, today, it functions as a living gallery), Pazin (home to a medieval castle built right on the edge of a massive abyss, with the option to ride a zipline directly over the canyon).

Since Istria sits right on the border with Italy, you can easily cross over for a day trip to Trieste, which offers a fascinating combination of grand Austro-Hungarian architecture and classic Italian espresso culture, right on the waterfront.

How to Plan Your Stay: Because the Istrian Peninsula is remarkably compact, there is no need to switch hotels to see all of it. You can stay in a single base and effortlessly set out on day trips - choose Rovinj or Pula as your base point. No matter which you pick, you won't be more than a short, scenic drive from the next medieval castle or coastal view.