Istria in a nutshell
Istria is a peninsula in Croatia. The western coast has old harbor towns such as Rovinj, Poreč, Novigrad, Vrsar and Umag. In the south, Pula has Roman monuments and a large amphitheater, and the Brijuni islands form a national park. Inland, hill towns such as Motovun, Grožnjan and Hum look out over the forests where truffles grow.
This is an independent guide. It is not run by a tourist board, a town, a national park or a tour operator. Prices are those published for 2026 at the time of writing. Opening hours change by season, so check the current times before you go.
Four areas, four kinds of trip
Tourism bodies split Istria into North Istria, the Poreč Riviera, the Rovinj Riviera, South Istria, East Istria and Central Istria. Treat these names as a rough guide, not as exact borders. For planning, four areas are enough.
Rovinj and the west coast
Rovinj has a car-free old town and the baroque church of St. Euphemia. Poreč has a basilica complex on the UNESCO World Heritage list since 1997. Vrsar, Novigrad and Umag complete the string of coastal towns.
Rovinj →Pula and the south
Pula combines the Arena, the Temple of Augustus and the Arch of the Sergii. Cape Kamenjak is a protected landscape with quiet bays, and boats to Brijuni leave from Fažana.
Pula →The hill towns inland
Motovun sells a ticket for its town walls, Grožnjan is known for art and music, and Hum near Buzet is promoted as the smallest town in the world. The truffle villages lie in the same hills.
Motovun and the hill towns →Labin and Rabac
Labin is a medieval town on a hill. Below it lies Rabac, a beach resort with pebble coves, a promenade and a snorkeling area.
Labin and Rabac →Our picks: Istria tours
A boat tour to Lim Bay, the islands of Brijuni and a truffle walk.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Red Island and Lim Bay boat tour with lunch
Five hours with an appetizer, canapés, lunch, white wine, soft drinks and water. The pirate cave costs €1 per person extra.
Check availability →
Guided truffle hunting walk in Livade
A guided walk, with boots and a rain jacket if needed.
Check availability →
Brijuni boat trip with lunch and dolphin watching
A guide, binoculars, a meal and unlimited white wine, water and soft drinks. The stay of about 2.5 hours is on Sveti Jerolim, so a visit to the main island Veliki Brijun is not guaranteed.
Check availability →Istria tours and day trips
Boat trips, truffle hunts and day trips from the coast and the hill towns, with live prices and availability.
Plan your trip
The main pages of this guide, in the order most visitors need them.
Things to do in Istria
Fifteen places and experiences, from Roman Pula to truffle hunting.
Istria tours compared
Boat trips, the Limski Canal, Brijuni and truffle hunts, and what to check before you book.
Rovinj
The old town, the church of St. Euphemia, nearby beaches and boat trips.
Pula and the Arena
Tickets and hours for the Roman amphitheater, the Temple of Augustus and the Arch of the Sergii.
Poreč
The Euphrasian Basilica, the Roman street grid and the old town.
Motovun, Grožnjan and Hum
Wall tickets, art galleries and the smallest town in the world.
More places and themes
Islands, beaches, food and practical pages.
Brijuni National Park
Boat tickets from Fažana, the safari park and the guided tour.
Umag
The old town, the beaches near Stella Maris and the tennis tournament.
Labin and Rabac
A hilltop old town above a beach resort.
Istria beaches
Twelve beaches and coves, with notes on water quality.
Istria truffles
Seasons by truffle type, truffle hunts and the autumn events.
Where to stay in Istria
Rovinj, Pula, Poreč, the hill towns, Umag and Novigrad, and Rabac compared.
Good to know in autumn 2026
Notes with dates for the weeks ahead, valid in the second half of October 2026.
Road closure near Fažana
A section of the Fažanska cesta is closed from 14 October 2026 to 13 January 2027. The detour towards Štinjan and Fažana runs via Vallelunga. Allow extra time if you take the boat to Brijuni.
Brijuni →Rail works in the east
Trains between Buzet, Lupoglav and Pazin do not run from 19 to 23 October 2026, and a second closure is announced for 26 to 30 October. Replacement buses run instead, and delays are possible.
Truffle events
The Zigante Truffle Days in Livade run until 1 November 2026. The Tuber (Food) Fest takes place in Livade on 24 and 25 October, and the Buzet truffle festival is announced for 7 and 8 November.
Truffles →Brijuni open days
From 23 October to 1 November 2026 the guided tour costs €17 for adults and €12 for children aged 7 to 18. The regular adult price is €35 from October to May and €50 from June to September.
Sea quality
In the ninth sampling round of 8 to 16 September 2026, 219 of 222 points were rated excellent (98.6 percent), 2 good and 1 satisfactory. These are single samples, not a guarantee for every day.
Beaches →Money, borders and getting around
The practical basics before you pack.
Euro and Schengen
Croatia has used the euro since 1 January 2023. It also joined the Schengen area in 2023: checks at land and sea borders with other Schengen states ended on 1 January 2023, and at airports on 26 March 2023. Check the entry rules for your passport before you travel.
Flights and buses
Pula Airport has a shuttle bus to Pula bus station, and the fare is €6 one way. Trieste, Venice, Ljubljana and Rijeka are alternatives with their own transfer options.
Pula Airport →Weather and season
Summer is the warm season on the coast, while autumn brings the truffle season. The weather page covers the seasons and the best time to visit.
Weather →Tourist tax
A tourist tax is added to accommodation bills. There is no single amount for all of Istria, so ask your host what applies to your stay.
Where to stay →Istria: frequently asked questions
What is Istria known for?
Istria is known for its coastal towns such as Rovinj and Poreč, the Roman monuments of Pula, the hill towns of Motovun, Grožnjan and Hum, the Brijuni national park and its truffles.
How much does the Pula Arena cost?
In 2026 an adult ticket costs €10. Children, school pupils and students pay €5, and children under 5 enter free. Hours run from 8:00 in spring and summer to 9:00 in winter, so check the current times for the month of your visit.
When is truffle season in Istria?
The white truffle season runs from 15 September to 31 January. The black winter truffle is listed from 1 November to 15 March and the summer truffle from 1 May to 31 October. These are seasonal windows, not a promise of a find.
Does Croatia use the euro?
Yes. Croatia replaced the kuna with the euro on 1 January 2023, so you pay in euros everywhere in Istria. Old kuna prices on older web pages are no longer current.
Which airport is best for Istria?
Pula Airport is the closest to most of the peninsula. Trieste, Venice, Ljubljana and Rijeka are alternatives, and each has its own bus or transfer options. Check how you continue to your town before you book a flight.
Is this the official Istria tourism website?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It is not run by the Istria tourist board, the Croatian National Tourist Board, a town, a national park, a hotel or a tour operator.