Istrian truffles at a glance
Istria is known for truffles, and the village of Livade lies in the truffle area. Four species matter to visitors: the white truffle, the black truffle, a darker winter relative called Tuber brumale, and the summer truffle. Their seasons overlap, so there is something to find in most months, but the white truffle is the one that draws the autumn crowds.
A season list tells you when a species can be found. It is not a harvest guarantee and it does not give you permission to dig. Truffles are found by trained dogs and experienced hunters, and a guided hunt is the sensible way for visitors to see it.
Truffle seasons in Istria
The seasons given by the regional tourism portal.
| Species | Latin name | Season |
|---|---|---|
| White truffle | Tuber magnatum | September 15 to January 31 |
| Black truffle | Tuber melanosporum | November 1 to March 15 |
| Winter black truffle | Tuber brumale | October 1 to March 15 |
| Summer truffle | Tuber aestivum | May 1 to October 31 |
The text of the same portal adds that the summer truffle can be found for most of the year, apart from a short pause in spring. The table gives May to October, so ask your guide what is realistic on your dates. If you want the white truffle, plan for the period from late September to January. For the black truffle, the main season runs from November to mid-March.
Our picks: truffles and local food
A truffle hunt, truffle products on a day trip and a tasting in Pula.
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 →
Istrian wine, ham and cheese tasting in Pula
A guided tasting of cheese, prosciutto, olive oils and regional wines, plus water and a tour of the shop.
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 Istria
Truffle hunts with dogs, tastings, hill-town visits and day trips across Istria, with live prices and availability.
How a truffle hunt works
On a guided hunt, a trained dog searches the forest floor and the guide digs out what the dog finds. You walk with the group, watch, and taste afterwards. The forests around Livade are typical truffle ground.
One provider near Buzet, Karlić, offers hunts with trained dogs and a tasting all year. The meeting point is at the provider's base in Paladini near Buzet, and you can reserve a date with them. A hunt offered all year does not mean that white truffles grow all year. Ask which species is in season on your date.
At the Zigante offer in Livade, a show hunt lasts about 45 minutes. Dogs you bring yourself are not allowed, and disposable rain gear is available if it rains. Ask for the current price when you reserve, as the published price list may be older than the 2026 season.
Truffle events in autumn 2026
Dates from the regional events calendar and the organizer of the fair in Livade.
| Event | Place | Dates in 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Zigante Truffle Days | Livade | October 3 to November 1, Saturdays and Sundays, 10:00–19:00 |
| Motovun Teran and Truffle Festival | Motovun | October 17–18 |
| Tuber (Food) Fest | Livade | October 24–25 |
| Buzet Truffle Festival | Buzet | November 7–8 |
Entry to the Zigante fair is free, according to the organizer. The Tuber (Food) Fest is a separate event in the same village and not another name for the whole fair period. If you visit on one of the festival weekends, plan your parking and your meals in advance, and check parking fees locally.
When to go, month by month
What the season table means for your dates.
May to August
The summer truffle is the species in season. Hunts are offered, but the white and black truffles are not in season.
September
The white truffle season opens on September 15. The summer truffle is still in season.
October
The white truffle, the winter black truffle (from October 1) and the summer truffle (to October 31) overlap. The festivals in Livade, Motovun and Buzet fall in October and early November in 2026.
November to January
The black truffle season opens on November 1, and the white truffle continues until January 31.
February to mid-March
The black truffle and the winter black truffle are still listed until March 15.
Tasting truffles
The easiest tasting is the one that comes with a hunt, as in the Karlić offer. At the fairs, ask what is on offer on the day. Restaurant menus and prices for fresh white and black truffles change with the harvest, so ask for the price before you order a dish with fresh truffle.
Tour operators may combine a truffle hunt with a visit to a hill town. For the hill towns themselves, see Motovun, Grožnjan and Hum, and for transfers and car rental, our Pula Airport page. Overnight stays near the truffle area are compared on our where to stay page.
Istria truffles: frequently asked questions
When is the white truffle season in Istria?
From September 15 to January 31, according to the regional tourism portal.
When is the black truffle in season?
The black truffle, Tuber melanosporum, runs from November 1 to March 15. The winter black truffle, Tuber brumale, runs from October 1 to March 15.
Can I hunt truffles in summer?
The summer truffle, Tuber aestivum, is listed from May 1 to October 31. The same portal says in its text that it can be found nearly all year, apart from a short spring pause. Ask your guide about your dates.
Can I look for truffles on my own?
The season list is not a permission to collect. Rules for independent collecting are not published here, so go with a guide.
What are the Zigante Truffle Days?
A fair in Livade from October 3 to November 1, 2026, on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 to 19:00. Entry is free. The Tuber (Food) Fest on October 24 and 25 is a separate event in the same village.
Can I bring my dog on a truffle hunt?
At the Zigante show hunt, dogs you bring yourself are not allowed. Ask any other provider before you book.