The back story
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The back story
Istria & Kvarner: the back story
Roman stone, Venetian towers and truffle woods: the past that shapes a trip to Istria.
Area guide · Croatia
Istria & Kvarner: Our Favourites
Rovinj and Poreč, Roman Pula and the hill towns of inland Istria, with Kvarner Bay to the east. For Zagreb itself, see our Zagreb guide.
Show 12 places on a map
What to see and do
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3 photos10 km by the sea
Lungomare, Opatija
A 10 km seafront path past Art Nouveau villas, from Volosko through Opatija to Lovran.
Obalno šetalište Franje Josipa I, OpatijaExplore View on map
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3 photosRoman arena
Pula Arena
Pula’s first-century amphitheatre, its outer walls still standing almost whole.
Flavijevska ulica bb, 52100 PulaExplore View on map
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3 photosHarbour peninsula
Rovinj old town
Colourful houses climb a peninsula to St Euphemia’s church, its tower modelled on Venice.
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3 photosByzantine mosaics
Euphrasian Basilica
A UNESCO-listed basilica in Poreč, lit by sixth-century Byzantine mosaics in gold.
Ulica Eufrazijeva 22Explore View on map
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3 photosWalled hilltop town
Motovun
A medieval walled town high above the Mirna valley, its vineyards and truffle woods.
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3 photosArtists’ hill town
Grožnjan
A tiny hilltop town of galleries and studios, alive with student concerts in summer.
Nature, lakes and beaches
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Video 3 photosIsland national park
Brijuni National Park
Green islands off Pula with Roman remains, gardens and a safari park, reached from Fažana.
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3 photosWild southern cape
Cape Kamenjak
Istria’s protected southern tip, all cliffs, coves and clear water for a quiet swim.
Eat and drink
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4 photosCreative tasting menus
Monte
Creative tasting menus of Istrian produce, just beneath St Euphemia’s church in Rovinj.
Montalbano 75Explore View on map
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Video 3 photosTruffle table
Restaurant Zigante
A Livade restaurant devoted to Istrian truffles, in the valley below Motovun.
Livade 7, 52427 LivadeExplore View on map
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Video 5 photosVineyard estate
Meneghetti Wine Hotel & Winery
A working wine estate near Bale, with a hotel and restaurant among vines and olives.
Where to stay
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Video 3 photosFacing the old town
Grand Park Hotel Rovinj
A luxury hotel looking across the harbour to old Rovinj, with two MICHELIN-starred restaurants.
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Video 5 photosSeaside by the forest
Hotel Monte Mulini
A luxury seafront hotel beside the Golden Cape forest park, a short walk from old Rovinj.
Antonio Smareglia 3, 52210 RovinjExplore View on map
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2 photosWine-country boutique
San Rocco
A family-run boutique hotel and restaurant in Brtonigla, in north-west Istria’s wine country.
Where to go next
Questions and answers
When is the truffle season?
Come in autumn for the white truffle season, basing yourself in Rovinj and driving inland to Motovun and Livade.
Share your Istria & Kvarner tips
Been there? Share your experience and tips with other visitors.
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