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Croatia · Istria

Istria travel guide

Venetian towns, truffles and hilltop villages

Rovinj old town. Photo: Florian Hirzinger - http://www.fh-ap.com, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

2hflight from London
PUYnearest main airport
24° in Julwarmest month
6° in Jancoolest month

Istria is the heart-shaped peninsula in Croatia's north-west, with an Italian feel. Rovinj's old town rises on a peninsula above the sea, and Pula has a huge Roman amphitheatre.

Inland, hill towns such as Motovun and Grožnjan are surrounded by vineyards and truffle forests.

Good forFoodWineRomanceRoad trips

What Istria is known for

  • Truffles

    White and black truffles from the forests.

  • Rovinj

    A Venetian town on the sea.

  • Pula Arena

    A Roman amphitheatre.

  • Malvazija

    Istria's crisp white wine.

Top things to do in Istria

  1. 1

    Rovinj

    Climb to St Euphemia's Church for views.

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  2. 2

    The Pula Arena

    One of the best-preserved Roman arenas.

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  3. 3

    Motovun

    A hilltop town above truffle forests.

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  4. 4

    A truffle hunt

    Join a hunter and their dogs.

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See all tours and tickets in Istria

Where to stay in Istria

Find a hotel in Istria

Best time to visit Istria

Best value: Apr–May, Sep–Oct. May, June, September and October: warm, with truffle season in autumn.

  • Best valueGood weather, smaller crowds
  • PeakBusiest, highest prices
  • QuietCheapest, cooler or wetter
5.6 C6°J6.1 C6°F9 C9°M12.9 C13°A17.2 C17°M21.6 C22°J24.4 C24°J24.4 C24°A20 C20°S15.5 C16°O11.3 C11°N7.2 C7°D
Bar height is the average temperature in Istria, °C, 2001–2025 (NASA POWER).

Getting there and around

About 2h from London to PUY, and flights from most UK airports.

A car is best for the hill towns. Buses link the coastal towns.

Find flights to Istria (PUY)

Shows the cheapest fares for next month on Aviasales, our flight partner. We may earn a commission, at no cost to you. Flight times are straight-line estimates for a direct flight from Heathrow.

Good to know

  • Pula airport has direct UK flights in summer.
  • Truffle season peaks in October and November.
  • Book Rovinj early in summer.
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Istria FAQ

Is Istria good for families?

Yes, with resorts around Poreč.

How far is Istria from Venice?

About three hours by car.

More places in Croatia

Back to the Croatia travel guide + Add Istria to your bucket list