With rolling hills, expanses of countryside, medieval hilltop villages, and coastal fishing ports, the Istrian peninsula in northern Croatia offers relaxation, gourmet food, adventure, history and culture.
The area has a strong Italian influence which is apparent in its food and architecture, and Istria was actually part of Italy up until the early 20th-century.
Take a look at our package holidays to Istria to discover your perfect holiday.
On your holidays in Istria, you’ll experience some of the best Croatia has to offer: beautiful blue seas, amazing beaches and tasty cuisine.
Boasting fantastic hotels and resorts, cafes and fine restaurants, holidays to Istria are some of the most popular in Croatia.
All of our Istria holidays include airport transfers to and from your destination, guided tours and stays at some of the best hotels in Istria, handpicked by our experienced team.
With regular connections into Pula airport, the region is easily accessible and perfect for families and groups who want to discover another side to Croatia.
You’ll understand why our customers have rated us as having some of the best Istria holidays in Croatia.
Spend your time in beautiful Istria on your next holiday. Enquire today!
Istria holidays are in many ways different from holidays to the large resorts on the Dalmatian coast.
There are still plenty of hotel complexes and resorts along the coast, where you’ll find historic buildings, winding streets, an excellent choice of restaurants and nightlife, and plenty of rocky beaches to explore.
Move further inland, and you’ll see that life is much slower-paced, with much of the Istrian interior dedicated to food production.
The area is renowned for olive oil, wine and truffles, so if you’re a foodie you will enjoy discovering the variety of tastes on offer.
You’ll also discover charming medieval villages, dramatic scenery and the chance to take part in activities such as caving and paragliding.
There are plenty of different ways to enjoy holidays to Istria.
The area is relatively small – you can drive across the region in little more than an hour, which makes exploring easy.
Here are just a few of the towns/resorts to give you a flavour of what the region has to offer.
Pula is best known for its 2000-year-old Roman arena, which is one of the best-preserved examples in the world, and still holds concerts and events to this day.
Pula is located in southern Istria and is the largest town in the region.
You’ll find lots of history, especially Roman and Venetian heritage, but Pula is a city where the old meets the new, and you’ll also enjoy the many restaurants, wine bars and spectacular coastal scenery.
Rovinj is a fishing town, centred around the hilltop church of St. Euphemia, with its distinctive bell tower dominating the skyline.
Down by the port, you’ll discover plenty of seafood restaurants, with freshly caught fish, as well as trendy bars and cafes.
You will also enjoy wandering through the cobbled streets and discovering picturesque bays, pebble beaches and islands which surround the town.
For those who enjoy activities, you can scuba dive down to the wreck of the SS Baron Gautsch, which sunk in 1914.
Poreč is home to a 6th-century UNESCO-protected Euphrasian Basilica, which is one of the best examples of Byzantine architecture in the world.
It was built with marble blocks imported from the coast of the Sea of Marmara and decorated in beautiful mosaics by the Byzantines.
Today, Poreč is known as the party hub of the Istrian peninsula, attracting plenty of tourists to its lively bars and sunny beaches.
Brijuni National Park is a collection of 14 islands off the Istrian coast, with regular boat trips from Fažana, just north of Pula.
These islands show evidence of human settlement from the Neolithic period, over 5000 years ago, and are also home to an ancient Roman villa and a 5th-century church which is reported to have been used by the Knights Templar.
There are plenty of activities for visitors to the islands, including tennis, golf, buggy cars, archery, cycling, a zoo, picnic areas and snorkelling.
Plus there are lots of places to just relax and enjoy the beautiful blue Adriatic waters.
You’ll find plenty more towns, attractions and activities in Istria.
Pazin renowned for its Chasm, a network of underground passages 100m deep which lead to three underground lakes.
Pazin also has a medieval castle and two museums to visit.
Motovun is a medieval village located on top of a steep hill, which is accessed via a staircase of 1052 steps.
You can also do paragliding here, and enjoy the panoramic views across the vineyards.
Motovun also hosts a film festival in the summer months.
A day-trip to Lim Fjord is a must.
You can either sail up the fjord in a boat or, if you like to keep active on holiday, you can hike up to the top of the surrounding hills for unforgettable views over the fjord.
Another great place to visit for families and adventurers is Kamenjak nature park, located at the southernmost tip of Istria.
Enjoy discovering secluded beaches, and unspoiled scenery, and walk the Dinosaur Path to discover real dinosaur footprints!
Take a look at our package holidays to Istria to discover your perfect holiday. Enquire today!
