Things to do in Vrsar – 9 tips for the west coast of Istria

Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated: August 2026 | What is there to see and do in Vrsar in Croatia? The small coastal town on the west coast of Istria offers a charming old town, fine views of the Adriatic Sea, bathing coves, boating and restaurants with fish and Istrian specialties.

Vrsar in Croatia

We visited Vrsar by camper van and fell in love with the combination of the old town and life down by the sea. We also had a memorable dinner with local flavors and stayed right on the Adriatic Sea – and discovered that little Vrsar had much more to offer than we had initially expected.

Vrsar in Croatia is located on the Adriatic Sea on the west coast of Istria, north of Rovinj and south of Porec.

Things to see and do in Vrsar

Vrsar is not very big, but there is still a lot to see and do. You can explore the old town, enjoy the view of the Adriatic Sea, swim, eat well and go on boat trips along the Istrian coast. Here are our top tips for things to see and do in Vrsar.

1. Stroll through the old town of Vrsar

The old town of Vrsar is located on a hill above the sea and is a nice contrast to the more lively area down by the harbor. Here you can stroll around narrow alleys, old stone houses, small squares and historic buildings.

It's the kind of neighborhood where you don't really need a specific plan – a big part of the experience is just walking around and seeing where the alleys lead. As the buildings climb up the hill, there are also nice views of the sea and the surrounding area along the way.

2. See St. Martin's Church and the bell tower

High up in Vrsar is the parish church of St. Martin, which was built in the first part of the 20th century and consecrated in 1935. Next to it stands the 40-meter-high bell tower, which is actually much younger – it was only completed in 1991. The tower also serves as a lookout point and from here you get a sweeping view of the old town, the sea and the Vrsar archipelago.

3. Enjoy the view of the Vrsar archipelago

One of the things that makes Vrsar special is its location above the Adriatic Sea. Off the coast lies a small archipelago with a number of islands and islets, and from the heights of the old town you get great views of the sea, the harbor and the islands.

So, take the opportunity to look for one of the viewpoints when you walk through the older part of the city. It is especially beautiful when the sun starts to set over the Adriatic Sea.

4. Stroll along the harbor and promenade

After the steep alleys of the old town, you can continue down towards the sea and the harbor. Here the atmosphere changes, with boats, palm trees, restaurants and outdoor cafes along the water.

Vrsar has a long tradition as a fishing community, although tourism now plays a major role. The harbor is still a central part of the town and a pleasant area for a walk, an ice cream or a dinner with a view of the boating life.

5. Eat Istrian food and fish

Vrsar is a great place to discover Istrian cuisine. On the menus you will often find fresh fish and seafood, but also pasta, risotto, truffles, Istrian air-dried ham and other regional specialties. Don't miss the local olive oil and Istrian wines.

When we visited Vrsar, we had a truly memorable dinner at the Trost restaurant. We started with a delicious fish soup, followed by risotto with locally picked chanterelles and shrimp. Then we had fresh fish and squid with potatoes and chard – a classic side dish along the Croatian coast.

Finally, we finished with two local pastries, a cake with pine nuts, cheese and poppy seeds and another with fat-free cheese and figs - and the latter was just soooo good!

6. Sunbathe and swim in Vrsar

As in many other places in Istria, the bathing life in Vrsar is mainly about pebble beaches, cliffs and small coves with clear water. There are several bathing areas along the coast both near the center and at the holiday resorts just outside the town.

In other words, it's easy to combine sightseeing with sunbathing and swimming here. One tip is to bring swimming shoes, which often come in handy on Istria's rocky beaches.

7. Take a boat trip in the Vrsar archipelago

With all the small islands off the coast, Vrsar is an excellent starting point for a boat trip on the Adriatic Sea. Various excursions are offered from the port, and there are also opportunities to rent a boat.

From the water, you get a completely different perspective of the hilly old town, which rises above the harbor. Depending on which boat trip you choose, the excursion can also go along the Istrian coast or into the Limfjord.

8. Discover the Limfjord

Just south of Vrsar lies the Limfjord, or Lim Bay, a long, narrow inlet that cuts deep into the green Istrian landscape. Despite its Swedish name, it is not actually a fjord in the geological sense.

The area is known for its beautiful nature and for the cultivation of mussels and oysters. You can experience the Limfjord from various viewpoints on land or join a boat trip. For those who live in Vrsar, this is one of the most natural excursions to do.

9. Follow in Casanova's footsteps

Vrsar also has a somewhat unexpected historical connection to the Venetian adventurer and writer Giacomo Casanova. In his memoirs, he tells of visits to Vrsar in the 18th century, when the city was part of the Republic of Venice.

Casanova's stories have become part of Vrsar's tourist identity, and the connection is a fun way to get another dimension of the small town's history. As you walk through the old alleys, you can think that even one of Europe's most famous adventurers once strolled here.

By motorhome in Vrsar

We stayed at a campsite Porto Sole – a nice campsite that is leafy and nice even though it has over 800 places. We got a super nice place right next to the sea, where we could sit with the windows and doors open to the water. Best of all, it is walking distance into town along a nice promenade.

We stayed at camping Porto Sole, a large and leafy campsite with a great location on the Adriatic Sea. We got a super nice spot right next to the sea, where we could sit with the windows and doors open to the water. Best of all, we could walk along the coast to Vrsar.

Also nearby is Koversada, a classic camping site with a long history in naturism. Since our visit, the site has changed and now consists of both Koversada Uncovered Naturist Campsite, where naturism lives on, and Koversada Covered Campsite, which is a textile campsite.

See more around Vrsar in Croatia

There is a lot to see and experience in Croatia! Here are suggestions for some great places, not too far from Vrsar:

• Porec
• Rovinj
• Hum