Three hill towns, three different visits
The three towns have little in common except their height and their size. Motovun has town walls you can visit with a ticket. Grožnjan is an art town with galleries and music. Hum is a village near Buzet that is promoted as the smallest town in the world.
Motovun and Grožnjan suit a slow walk and a coffee. Hum lies close to Roč, where the Glagolitic Alley ends, so the two combine well in one trip.
What each town is known for
A short guide to choosing where to spend your time.
Motovun
The ticket covers the town walls, the photo point with binoculars, the Pet kula gallery, the town loggia and the medieval tower Nova vrata. Do the walls first, then spend the rest of your time in the lanes.
Grožnjan
Grožnjan is known as an art town. Artists revived empty houses there, and the town now has galleries and a music scene. The sculptor Aleksandar Rukavina played a leading part in that revival.
Hum
Hum lies near Buzet, about 7 km from Roč. The regional tourist board calls it the smallest town in the world. Treat that as a nickname, not as a record.
Our picks: Motovun and the hill towns
A day trip through three towns and a truffle walk in Livade.
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.
Day trip to Poreč, Grožnjan and Motovun
Air-conditioned transport with a driver and guide, a tasting of truffle products and walks through all three towns. The Motovun town wall costs €5 and the Euphrasian Basilica €10 extra.
Check availability →
Guided truffle hunting walk in Livade
A guided walk, with boots and a rain jacket if needed.
Check availability →Truffle hunts and day trips in inland Istria
Guided hunts, tastings and day trips that reach the hill towns, with live prices and availability.
Motovun tickets in 2026
The ticket is the Motovun experience package. Prices include VAT.
| Visitor | Price in 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adult | €5 |
| Child aged 7–14 | €3 |
| Student (up to age 25, with valid proof) or retiree | €3.50 |
| Child under 7 | Free |
| Person with a disability | Free |
| Group of 20 or more, per person | €3.50 |
| School group aged 7–14, per person | €2.50 |
| Costumed guided tour, from 10 people | €12, register in advance |
Check the current opening times for the walls before you go. If you plan to drive up, also check the access and parking rules for the hilltop.
Grožnjan, the town of artists
The regional tourist board describes how artists moved into empty houses and turned Grožnjan into a place of galleries and music. Walk the lanes and step into the galleries that are open.
The town works best on foot, without a fixed route. Check the current opening days of the galleries before you go, because they set their own hours.
Hum and the Glagolitic Alley
Hum is near Buzet, about 7 km from Roč. The Glagolitic Alley ends at Roč. The two stops combine well in one trip, because the distance is short.
The tourist board uses the phrase "smallest town in the world" for Hum. Do not look for a fixed population figure or a record, because the phrase is a tourism nickname. Check ahead whether any entrance or parking fee applies.
Truffle season and autumn events in 2026
Truffles are the reason many visitors come inland. The regional tourist board lists these seasons.
- White truffle (Tuber magnatum): September 15 to January 31.
- Black truffle (Tuber melanosporum): November 1 to March 15.
- Tuber brumale: October 1 to March 15.
- Summer truffle (Tuber aestivum): May 1 to October 31.
The season table is an overview, not a permit to dig and not a guarantee of a find. A truffle hunt with trained dogs and a tasting is offered all year by a provider in Paladini near Buzet. Reservations are offered. A year-round tour does not mean a year-round white truffle season.
Truffle events in autumn 2026
Dates as listed in the regional calendar and by the organizers.
| Event | Place | Dates in 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Motovun Festival of Teran and Truffles | Motovun | October 17–18 (already held) |
| Zigante Truffle Days | Livade | October 3 to November 1, Saturdays and Sundays 10:00–19:00 |
| Tuber Food Fest | Livade | October 24–25 |
| Buzet Truffle Festival | Buzet | November 7–8 |
The Tuber Food Fest is a separate event from the Zigante Truffle Days, even though both take place in Livade. Entry to the Zigante fair is free in 2026. More on seasons, hunts and tastings is on our truffle page.
Getting there and where to stay
Railway works affect the line near Buzet in October 2026. Trains between Buzet, Lupoglav and Pazin are replaced by buses from October 19 to 23 and are announced again for October 26 to 30. Replacement buses run between Pazin and Buzet and between Pazin and Lupoglav, and delays are possible. The Nugla stop cannot be reached by minibus, so the railway recommends boarding and alighting at Roč.
Motovun has its own directory of places to stay on the regional portal, which makes it a possible base for the hinterland. For a comparison by area, see where to stay in Istria. For another old town to pair with these three, read about Rovinj.
Motovun, Grožnjan and Hum: frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to visit Motovun?
The Motovun experience package costs €5 for adults and €3 for children aged 7 to 14 in 2026. Students and retirees pay €3.50. Children under 7 and people with a disability enter free.
What does the Motovun ticket include?
It includes the town walls, the photo point with binoculars, the Pet kula gallery, the town loggia and the medieval tower Nova vrata.
What is Grožnjan known for?
It is known as an art town. Artists revived empty houses there, and the town now has galleries and music. Galleries set their own hours, so check before you go.
Is Hum really the smallest town in the world?
The regional tourist board uses that description. It is a promotional nickname, not a record with a fixed population figure.
When is white truffle season?
The white truffle season runs from September 15 to January 31, according to the regional tourist board. Black truffle season runs from November 1 to March 15.
Can I reach the hill towns by train?
Parts of the line near Buzet are replaced by buses on set dates in October 2026. Check the railway's current notices, and use the Roč stop if you need one near Hum.