Things to do in Fažana – the fishing village on the west coast of Istria

Writer: Helena Bergström

VUpdated: August 2026 | What is there to see and do in Fažana, Croatia? The small coastal town on the west coast of Istria offers colorful stone houses, narrow alleys, a charming harbor and great swimming opportunities on the Adriatic Sea. Here you can eat fish and seafood at a Croatian konoba, walk along the coast or take the boat out to Brijuni National Park. We fell in love with Fažana's relaxed atmosphere and think that the old fishing village is well worth a stop on a trip through Istria.

Fažana in Croatia

Fažana is located on the west coast of Istria, about eight kilometers northwest of Pula. The town has a long history, with roots in antiquity, and later developed into a community characterized by fishing and agriculture. Today, Fažana is a popular holiday resort, but still retains much of the feel of a small Istrian coastal town.

In the older part of Fažana you will find narrow alleys and stone houses, while restaurants, cafes and small boats line the area around the harbor. Just off the coast lies the Brijuni archipelago, which is one of Croatia's national parks and one of the area's top excursion destinations.

1. Stroll through old Fažana

Fažana is a small town that is perfect for exploring on foot. In the older part, narrow alleys wind between old stone houses and colorful facades, and here and there small squares with cafes and restaurants open up. One of the buildings to look out for is the parish church of Saints Cosmas and Damian, which is located near the water and is a well-known landmark in Fažana.

It may not be the big sights that are the highlight here, but rather the whole thing – the small alleys, the houses, the laundry hanging between the facades and the feel of an old Istrian coastal town.

2. Stroll along the harbor and promenade

The harbor is a natural centerpiece of Fažana, where fishing boats and excursion boats are moored side by side. Along the water, there are restaurants and cafes where you can sit and watch the boating life or watch the sun set over the Adriatic Sea.

From the centre, walking and cycling paths continue along the coast. Southwards you can follow the sea past beaches and green areas towards Valbandon, and that is also the direction of the large BiVillage campsite. For us who stayed there, the promenade was a pleasant way to get into Fažana.

3. Eat seafood at a konoba

Fažana has a long tradition as a fishing community, so seafood is an obvious choice when dining here. On the menus you can find everything from grilled fish and squid to mussels and lobsters, often served simply with potatoes, chard or grilled vegetables.

When we visited Fažana we ate at Konoba Feral, a cozy traditional-style tavern. If we hadn't been tipped off about this restaurant, we probably wouldn't have found it, as it's a bit hidden behind the main tourist streets. But it's well worth the extra effort to visit here!

We had a delicious fish plate with good grilled fish, squid, crayfish, mussels and two different types of potatoes (one mixed with chard). For dessert there was a super good little semifreddo. The environment is relaxed and the guests feel like a mix of tourists and locals.

4. Take a trip to Brijuni National Park

One of the main reasons to visit Fažana is its location just outside the Brijuni National Park. The archipelago consists of a number of islands and islets, and the largest island, Veliki Brijun, can be visited on organized excursions from Fažana's port.

Brijuni offers an exciting mix of nature and history. Here you can find archaeological remains from the Roman era and later historical environments. The islands are also strongly associated with the former president of Yugoslavia, Josip Broz Tito, who had his summer residence here and received many international leaders and celebrities.

The trip to Brijuni can easily be one of the highlights of a visit to Fažana, and it is wise to set aside a large part of the day for the national park.

5. Sunbathe and swim in Fažana

Fažana is also a holiday resort with plenty of opportunities for sunbathing and swimming. Along the coast there are several beaches and bathing areas, usually with pebbles, rocks or landscaped areas rather than sand.

The beaches continue both north and south of the city center, so it's easy to combine a few hours on the beach with a walk into Fažana for lunch or dinner. The water along the Istrian coast is often clear, which also makes the area nice for snorkeling.

6. Cycle or walk along the coast

If you want to see a little more of the surroundings, cycling or walking is a great way to discover the coastline around Fažana. Walking and cycling paths run along the sea, past beaches, campsites and small bathing coves, and the terrain is considerably gentler than in many more hilly parts of Istria.

This means that you can easily combine the city itself with swimming and small excursions along the coast, without having to take the car every time.

7. Discover Fažana's Roman heritage

Fažana's history dates back to Roman times, when the area was known for the production of olive oil and amphorae – the large clay vessels used to transport oil and wine around the Roman Empire, among other things.

Archaeological finds show that there was extensive amphora production in Fažana during Roman times. It is an exciting part of the town's history that is easy to miss when you walk among fishing boats, restaurants and holidaymakers today.

By motorhome in Fažana

We stayed one night at the huge campsite. Bi-Village. There is space for over a thousand motorhomes and caravans, as well as a large number of cottages. The campsite is perhaps a bit too large for our taste, but it is in an excellent location when you want to visit Fažana or the Brijuni Islands. Between the campsite and the centre there is a nice promenade of about 1 kilometre.

The campsite has everything you need (and then some): several restaurants and bars, a supermarket, kiosks, several swimming pools, tennis courts, bicycle and jet ski rentals, activity programs for children and an "adrenaline park", a nice newly built high-altitude course for both children and adults.

See more in the neighbourhood

There is a lot to see and experience in Croatia. Here are some suggestions for some amazing places, not too far from Fažana:

• Rovinj
• Labin
• Amphitheatre in Pula