Istria
Istria is a unique destination full of breathtaking, green, and hilly landscapes with numerous vineyards, olive groves and soil which hides the famous Istrian truffles. A beautiful, indented coastline with crystal-clear water and scenic medieval towns that make the inland as charming as its coast.
Get to know Istria
A green oasis and the largest peninsula of the Adriatic where you can spend unforgettable moments both along the 445 km long coast or inland, which, apart from endless vineyards and olive groves, also boasts prized truffles which can be found in dense forests. On the west coast of Istria, we invite you to explore the pristine nature of Lim Bay, with Rovinj, the most romantic town in the Mediterranean, just a stone’s throw away to the south.
Cut by the 45th parallel, sitting half way between the Equator and the North Pole, Istria enjoys an ideal geographic and temperature position in the northern hemisphere.
Located in the Northern Adriatic, the Istrian peninsula is the closest Mediterranean destination to most of the Central European countries.
Istria is famous for its cuisine, rich with traditional flavors reflecting the historical, geographic and climatic characteristics of the peninsula. The interior of Istria hides many taverns and wine cellars where you can experience the authentic atmosphere and taste traditional local dishes complemented by local wines such as Malvasia (white), Teran and Refošk (red), or Istrian Muscat (a famous dessert wine).
Olive has been an important determinant of Istria since the time of the Ancient Greeks and Romans. Istrian olive oils are considered some of the best in the world, and they can be tasted in the finest mills and taverns across the peninsula.
Visit the Roman Amphitheater in Pula
Visit the Euphrasian Basilica in Poreč
Scuba dive to the Barun Gautsch near Rovinj
Visit the Cathedral of St. Euphemia in Rovinj
Visit the Cathedral in Pula
Lim Bay, Rovinj
Walls of Motovun
Hum - the smallest city in the world
Cape Kamenjak
The Brijuni islands
General information
The climate is mild, Mediterranean, with warm and dry summers and mild and pleasant winters. It has an average of 2,338 sunny hours per year, and 10 hours of sun per day during the summer. The average air temperature during the coldest part of the year is 6°C and 30°C during the warmest. The lowest sea temperatures are recorded in March, with an average of 9°C, while the highest temperatures are recorded in August, reaching up to 25°C. With an average of 2,000 hours of sun, the blue summer skies sometime last for several months (from April to October) without interruption in western Istria. Most beaches in Istria are rocky, stone, pebble, and in certain locations, sandy with lush Mediterranean vegetation reaching down to the sea, the perfect basis for your holidays in Istria.
- Population: 206,400
- Area: 2,820 km²
- Coastline: 445 km (a well-indented coast, twice as long as the road)
- Vegetation: pine forests (35% of area)
- Water temperature:
- March (9,3 °C to 11,1 °C)
- August (23,3 °C to 24,1 °C)
- Salinity: an average of 36 to 38 promille
- Rivers: Mirna, Dragonja, Raša
- Climate: Mediterranean climate
- January (5 °C to 9°C)
- August (22 °C to 25 °C)
Accommodations in Istria
The Grand Park Hotel Rovinj is a holiday experience that comes to life with great ease. It is harmoniously situated on Rovinj’s east shore, serving remarkable vistas of the Old town and a revitalising wellness & spa experience. The Grand Park hides many small pleasures. Take enough time to discover them.
Enjoy the carefully curated cuisine in one of three high-end restaurants, soak up the sun at the Beach Club with a refreshing cocktail in your hand or simply relax in our boutique wellness and spa designed to offer you pampering for the body and relaxation for the mind. Monte Mulini, an adults-only experience that will revitalise you in true hedonistic fashion
Hotel Lone, the first Croatian member of the lifestyle brand Design Hotels™, offers a unique blend of premium beauty, style, and design. One-of-a-kind shape and architecture that are as intriguing on the outside as they are inspiring on the inside. Just as we want you to be and feel after staying in Lone.
This chic boutique hotel is located in Rovinj’s historic centre and is entirely inspired by art. Every part of the hotel is decorated with art by Croatian artists made exclusively for the hotel. And if you feel inspired to create a piece of your own, the view of Rovinj’s rooftops from your room is an excellent motif with which to start.
A unique hotel with a charming atmosphere located in Lone Bay, in the shade of the fragrant Golden Cape forest park. With first-class service and a long tradition of individual approach to every guest, you can relax to the fullest with our Mediterranean beauty treatments and fragrances of Istria at our wellness and spa centre or stay active by playing tennis, swimming or cycling.
You will find endless adventures and exploration opportunities as soon as you set foot in the most modern family hotel in Croatia. Family Hotel Amarin is located on a green peninsula in a Mediterranean park with playgrounds for outdoor entertainment. Most of the 280 rooms offer great views of the sea or the town of Rovinj. Explore the beaches around the hotel, check out the fun and educational programmes of the unique Amarin Kids Club, and try the spa treatments for children and adults.
Island Hotel Istra, located on the island of St Andrew, has everything you need for a relaxing holiday: miles of beaches and promenades, a swimming pool complex, and a Wellness & Spa oasis with a Mediterranean garden. La Serra Restaurant, Anno Domini 547, located in the same building which was once Baron Hütterott’s summer residence, offers a modern take on traditional Mediterranean specialities.
The Island of St Catherine and the eponymous hotel (Katarina), located in a historic building that was once the summer villa of Count Milewski, are located only five minutes by boat from Rovinj. No cars, no traffic, no crowds – surrounded by beautifully landscaped parks filled with Mediterranean vegetation, spoil yourself with relaxing walks, exploring the island’s natural beaches and hidden coves. Enjoy the serenity of the hotel’s retro rooms and suites with a view of the sea or the charming Rovinj Old Town.
Visit the campsite situated in a peaceful bay with the most beautiful pebbled beach, just five kilometres from Rovinj. Choose from well-equipped pitches up to 140 sq. metres in size and comfortable mobile homes with a terrace. Alongside diving, an aqua park and an array of water sports, the campsite also offers a large swimming pool complex and a spray park. The attractive locations by the beach and the pools feature restaurants and bars serving local specialities and your favourite beverages.
Maistra’s largest campsite, Polari, is located in a serene bay near the town of Rovinj, where you can wake up surrounded by the sea, centuries-old olive trees, rows of cypresses and fragrant pine forest. The campsite features numerous sports and entertainment activities for the whole family, a large pool complex and spray park, natural beaches, as well as bars and restaurants for quick refreshment during the day or dinner savouring the local specialities. Rovinj is only 3.5 km away and can be reached by bike or on foot along the coastal cycling and walking trail.
Camp at this top-quality resort with the natural beaches in the shade of fragrant pine trees overlooking Rovinj and enjoy all the amenities on offer. Choose from spacious pitches with electricity, water and drainage hook-ups, comfortable mobile homes with private terraces, and 20 glamping tents. There are also three outdoor swimming pools by the sea and restaurants and bars for refreshment. A fantastic animation programme for children and teenagers, as well as an excellent choice of land sports and water sports, will make your holiday at this campsite fulfilling and revitalising.
Valkanela Campsite is situated in a beautiful bay with a view of Vrsar and the islands. Here you can find a unique offer of amenities and entertainment for the greatest family holiday. Choose from accommodation on well-positioned spacious pitches or in comfortable mobile homes with a shared pool or private hydro-massage bathtub on the terrace. The campsite features attractive natural beaches, a pool complex, and restaurants and bars right by the sea and the pools.
If you ever feel like spending time in Istria, Porto Sole Campsite is open throughout the year. You can stay at the pitches by the sea or in mobile homes embodying the special ambience of a winter holiday surrounded by nature. Explore the charming town of Vrsar, not far from the camp, or roam around the beautiful nature cycling the attractive trails nearby. Alongside the diving club and the outdoor fitness zone, the campsite offers a wide range of sports amenities by the natural beaches and pools.
Koversada Naturist Park is located at the entrance to the beautiful Lim Bay, surrounded by the typical Mediterranean landscape, the sea, and natural beaches. This campsite with the longest naturist tradition in Europe is a relaxing paradise in the heart of pristine nature, offering a variety of accommodation choices: from camping places and pitches, comfortable mobile homes, tents on the Koversada car-free island, to rooms and suites in bungalows. Explore the local flavours of Istria in our restaurants and bars and enjoy an active holiday with our sports activities and entertainment.
