Choosing a base in Istria
Istria is small enough to see from one base, but each place has its own character. Rovinj is an old town on a harbor. Pula has Roman monuments. Poreč has a famous basilica. The hill towns inland suit slow trips and truffle days. Umag, Novigrad, Labin and Rabac suit beach stays with some sights nearby.
This guide does not list hotels or prices, because rates and availability change by date. It tells you what each place is like, so you can search with a clear idea of what you need. The tourist tax for 2026 is covered further down.
Istria bases compared
The setting, the main sights and one thing to keep in mind for each place.
| Base | Setting | Nearby | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rovinj | Old town on the coast | St Euphemia, Monte beach, southern bays | Motor vehicles are banned in the old town |
| Pula | Roman city | Arena, Temple of Augustus, Arch of the Sergii | Parking has its own price list valid from 1 April 2026 |
| Poreč | Old town on a Roman street grid | Euphrasian Basilica, beaches | The Plava Laguna test point was rated satisfactory in September 2026 |
| Motovun and the hills | Hill villages | Motovun walls, Grožnjan, Hum | The Buzet to Pazin train line has replacement buses on some dates in October 2026 |
| Umag and Novigrad | Northwest coast | Umag old town, ATP stadium, Novigrad harbor | The Laguna beaches are pebble and paved |
| Labin and Rabac | Hill old town above a beach resort | Girandella, Maslinica, St Andrea, Lanterna | There is no beach in the hill old town |
Not sure about the town? Read the Rovinj, Pula and Poreč pages first, then come back and pick the base that fits your days.
Tours from Istria's coast and hill towns
Boat trips, truffle hunts and day tours from the main bases, with live prices and availability.
Where to stay by place
Each section says who the base suits.
Rovinj
Rovinj's tourist board lists hotels, resorts, private accommodation and campsites as separate categories. Motor vehicles are banned in the old town, so you get there on foot or by bike. Monte beach lies on the west side of the old town, about 150 m long, rocky and without natural shade. Mulini, Lone and Cuvi are south of town. Cuvi is about 3 km away, and Lone lies in the Zlatni rt forest park. Choose Rovinj if you want a walkable old town and beaches close by.
Rovinj →Pula
Pula is the base for Roman sights. The arena on Flavijevska ulica costs €10 for adults and €5 for children, pupils and students in 2026. The Temple of Augustus costs €2 for adults and €1 for students, and the Arch of the Sergii on Flanatička ulica is free. Cape Kamenjak, a protected landscape, charges €20 per day for a car in the main season (2026). Pedestrians and cyclists do not pay.
Pula →Poreč
The Euphrasian Basilica complex has been on the UNESCO list since 1997. The old town keeps the grid of a Roman town, with the Decumanus running east to west and the Cardo north to south. The basilica ticket is €10 for adults and €5 for school children and students, as listed by the regional tourist board. If you plan to swim, check the current bathing water results first.
Poreč →Motovun and the hill towns
The regional portal has its own accommodation directory for Motovun. The Motovun ticket for 2026 covers the town walls, the photo point, the gallery and the loggia, and costs €5 for adults and €3 for children aged 7 to 14. Grožnjan is known as an art town, and Hum lies near Buzet. This base suits slow days in small towns.
Motovun →Umag and Novigrad
Umag has an old town, and the beach at Laguna and Stella Maris is next to the ATP stadium, about 3 km from the center. Kanegra is about 10 km from Umag. Novigrad has an old town with the Mandrač harbor, remains of the town walls, the Belveder loggia and a lapidarium. Its bell tower is 44 m high. This is the Novigrad in Istria, not other places of the same name. Vrsar, with steep stairs and winding lanes, lies near the Lim channel to the south.
Umag →Labin and Rabac
The local tourist board lists hotels, resorts, apartments, guesthouses, camps and private accommodation. Labin is a medieval town on a hill above Rabac, with art workshops. Rabac is the beach side, with Girandella, Maslinica (a pebble beach about 500 m long, part of it accessible for people with disabilities), St Andrea and Lanterna. Note that a traffic regulation for the ISTRIA300 race was announced on 2 October 2026.
Labin and Rabac →Tourist tax and what to ask before you book
Ask your host these questions before you pay.
Tourist tax in 2026
The county announced a decision of 10 December 2024 that covers 1 January to 31 December 2026. There is no single amount for the whole of Istria, so ask your host which rate applies to you, and whether children are exempt.
Cancellation and minimum stay
Rules differ from host to host. Ask for the cancellation terms and any minimum stay before you pay.
Parking
Check parking at your host. In Rovinj, the old town is closed to motor vehicles, and Pula has a parking price list valid from 1 April 2026.
Island stays on Brijuni
The autumn 2026 offer of the Brijuni National Park mentions Hotel Istra and Neptun. In those packages, boat trips and park entry were included. Do not assume that this applies to every booking.
Brijuni →Plan the rest of your trip
After you choose a base, look at how you will reach it and when to go.
Where to stay in Istria: frequently asked questions
What is the best base for a first trip to Istria?
It depends on your plan. Rovinj suits a walkable old town and nearby beaches, Pula suits Roman sights, and Poreč suits the basilica. Motovun suits a quiet stay in the hills.
Can I drive into Rovinj old town?
No. The city tourist board says motor vehicles are banned in the old town, so you reach it on foot or by bike. Check parking with your host.
Is it cheaper to stay inland?
Prices depend on the date and the property, and no general rule applies. Compare the same dates for the coast and the hills before you decide.
How much is the tourist tax in 2026?
A county decision covers 1 January to 31 December 2026. The amount is not the same everywhere in Istria. Ask your host for the rate that applies and whether children are exempt.
Which base is good for beaches?
Rovinj has Monte, Mulini, Lone and Cuvi. Rabac has Girandella, Maslinica, St Andrea and Lanterna. Umag has Laguna and Kanegra. See the beaches page for all twelve.