Istria in Croatia - 9 wonderful places to visit

Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated: August 2026 | What to visit in Istria, Croatia? The large peninsula in the northern Adriatic offers historic coastal towns, small mountain villages, crystal clear waters and a cuisine that is among our favorites in Croatia. Here you can stroll through cobblestone alleys, swim in the Adriatic Sea and enjoy truffles, olive oil, wine, fish and seafood.

Where to travel in Istria?

We have traveled around Istria several times, mainly by camper van, and visited both the popular coastal towns and smaller towns inland. Here we have collected nine places in and around Istria that we have visited ourselves and think are worth discovering – from Rovinj and Poreč on the coast to Motovun and little Hum among the hills inland.

Where is Istria located?

Istria is a peninsula in northern Croatia, extending into the Adriatic Sea. Almost all of Istria belongs to Croatia, and most of it is included in the Istrian County. A small part of the peninsula belongs to Slovenia, and two municipalities in northern Istria are in Italy. The city of Opatija, located in the far northeast, is geographically part of the Istrian peninsula, but not part of the Istrian county.

Why do we like Istria in Croatia?

Yes, why do we like Istria in Croatia? First of all, it's probably because Istria is full of small picturesque towns and villages with narrow alleys, beach walks and bobbing boats. We also like the abundance of campsites and the crystal clear water. Plus, this is the part of Croatia where we think the food is the best. Olive oil, seafood and truffles can never go wrong, right?

9 places to visit in Istria

Here are nine great places to visit in Istria, in no particular order. We start in Opatija in the north-east, and move around the peninsula until we reach almost is back where we started.

1. Opatija

Opatija is an interesting and beautiful town, unlike almost anything else in Croatia. Once part of the mighty Empire of Austria-Hungary, Opatija was a place where the wealthy of the time came to relax at the luxurious seaside resort. You can almost feel the breeze from the past as you pass the beautiful turn-of-the-century houses.

READ MORE: Things to do in Opatija – 12 attractions and experiences

2. labin

Labin is a charming little town on the eastern side of Istria, where the small houses climb the hill towards the church at the top. The municipality of Labin also includes the tourist resort of Rabac, which is located right by the sea. In the same municipality we have found the nice campsite Marina, where you can relax in an infinity pool by the Adriatic Sea, among other things.

READ MORE: Labin – old town, Istrian food and camping by the sea

3. Amphitheatre in Pula

Pula in the south is the largest city in Istria, and we have mainly visited this city to see the mighty Roman amphitheater called Arena. The amphitheater in Pula is the sixth largest in the world and incredibly well preserved. Just north of there is also a nice campsite that we have visited twice, both summer and winter.

READ MORE: Pula Arena – visit the Roman amphitheater in Pula

4 Fažana

Located just north of Pula, Fažana is a cosy little fishing and tourist town. It is ideally located for visiting the archipelago and the Brijuni National Park, where the President of Croatia has his summer residence. Of course, you can also stay in the town and enjoy fresh fish and delicious seafood. A kilometre outside the town is a huge campsite and there is a nice promenade between the town and the campsite.

READ MORE: Things to do in Fazana – the fishing village on the west coast of Istria

5. Rovinj

Rovinj is located on the west coast, about four miles north of Pula. This is an idyllic little town, filled with narrow cobbled streets and beautiful Baroque and Renaissance houses. You can swim from the cliffs in the centre of town or climb to the top of St Eufemia's Cathedral for a breathtaking view of the whole city. Of course, there are plenty of outdoor restaurants serving fish and truffle dishes.

READ MORE: Things to do in Rovinj – attractions and experiences in Istria

6. Vrsar

The west coast of Istria is full of charming towns. Vrsar is located between the more famous Rovinj and Porec. Vrsar is a little smaller, but perhaps just as charming. We enjoyed a lovely 4-course dinner here, with ingredients such as prawns, squid, chanterelles, chard and figs. Yum! There are also two campsites in Vrsar, one of which is a naturist campsite with its very own island and large luxury glamping cabins.

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

7. Poreč

Poreč is a town with a dramatic history, having been ruled by the Byzantine Empire and the Republic of Venice as well as the Austrian and Italian Empires. Today it's a quiet holiday resort, but its buildings and food culture bear traces of its history.

Here we visited a restaurant that we can highly recommend, where we enjoyed a meal with truffles. Outside the city is a huge campsite, with a "tourist train" that smoothly transports guests between the campsite and the city.

READ MORE: Things to do in Porec 10 attractions and experiences

8. Bergsbyn Motovun

The mountain village of Motovun is located inland, in the northern part of Istria. It is fascinating to drive along the road towards the small village - suddenly the mountain and the village climbing to the top appear. The village is famous for truffles and the annual film festival that attracts thousands of people from all over the world. Once you reach the top, you can admire the view and enjoy a meal in a restaurant. There is also a caravan park here.

9. Hum - the world's smallest city

Less than an hour east of Motovun is Hum, considered the smallest city in the world. Hum has a fortress, a church and a single small street. Only about 20 people live in the small town, but despite this, there is a restaurant and a museum,

READ MORE: Things to do in Hum in Croatia – the world's smallest town

Have you been to Istria in Croatia?

Have you been to Istria, and if so, what are your favourite places?