📍
Croatia
Istria Road Trip: Roman Ruins, Hilltop Villages & Truffle Trails
Where Roman emperors met Venetian merchants—and the world's finest truffles grow wild.
≈ 15
Days
375
Km
11
Stops
Discover Croatia's Istrian peninsula on this 14-day journey from the Roman amphitheater of Pula to the truffle-scented hills of the interior. Wander cobbled lanes in artists' villages perched above misty valleys, swim in Adriatic coves fringed with pine, and feast on fresh seafood, wild truffles, and award-winning wines.
- Marvel at Pula's 2,000-year-old amphitheater, one of the world's best preserved
- Explore UNESCO-listed Byzantine mosaics at the Euphrasian Basilica in Poreč
- Hunt for truffles with local guides in the oak forests around Motovun and Buzet
- Roam the car-free lanes of Rovinj, Istria's most photogenic fishing port
- Kayak the emerald waters of Limski Kanal and taste oysters at the source
- Discover Hum, officially the smallest town on Earth
Your day-by-day itinerary
1
Day
10 photos
Discover
1
Pula's amphitheater ranks among the six largest in the Roman world. Its intact arcades once welcomed 20,000 spectators cheering on gladiators, and now echo with summer concerts.
2
The Arch of the Sergii was erected in the 1st century by a patrician family to honor three brothers who served in the Roman legions. Its carved reliefs still celebrate their military exploits.
3
The Temple of Augustus has raised its Corinthian columns over the Forum since 14 AD. This sanctuary dedicated to the first Roman emperor remains one of the best preserved in the world.
4
Pula's underground tunnels were carved into the rock beneath the castle hill. These galleries served as air-raid shelters during World War II.
+3 Places visited
Activities
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Attend a concert or film screening in the amphitheater under the stars. Since 1954, rock stars and orchestras have performed in this two-thousand-year-old arena.
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Visit Pula Aquarium, housed in the Austro-Hungarian fortress at Verudela. Tanks carved into former ammunition stores showcase Adriatic marine life.
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Take a day trip to Brijuni National Park, the archipelago where Tito entertained movie stars and heads of state. The agenda includes a safari zoo, Roman ruins, and presidential villas.
+2 Optional activities
Next stop
Distance:
55 km
Travel time:
50min
2
Day
10 photos
Discover
1
Brijuni National Park comprises 14 islands off the coast of Pula. Tito made it his summer residence from 1949 to 1979 and hosted around a hundred heads of state from across the globe.
2
The Brijuni safari zoo is home to Sri Lankan elephants, zebras, and ostriches. These animals were gifted to Tito by foreign leaders and still roam the park today.
3
The ruins of the Roman villa at Verige reveal the splendor of a 1st-century thermal complex. Frescoes and mosaics have faced the Adriatic Sea for two thousand years.
4
Fossilized dinosaur footprints mark the rock on Brijuni. These sauropod tracks, 100 million years old, were discovered on the main island.
Activities
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Rent an e-bike to explore the main island. Shaded trails wind through Mediterranean forests and meadows where fallow deer and mouflon graze.
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Visit the Tito exhibition on Brijuni. You'll see period photographs, diplomatic gifts, and the Yugoslav president's personal Cadillac in its original garage.
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Take the sightseeing train around the island with narrated stops at archaeological sites and viewpoints over the Istrian coastline.
Next stop
Distance:
40 km
Travel time:
45min
3
Day
10 photos
Discover
1
Rovinj's old town coils around its hill like a snail of golden stone. Cobbled lanes climb toward St. Euphemia's Church, which has crowned the summit since the 18th century.
2
St. Euphemia's bell tower rises 61 meters and mirrors St. Mark's in Venice. Climb the 192 steps for panoramic views over the sea, rooftops, and islands.
3
A copper statue of St. Euphemia pivots atop the bell tower to show the wind direction. Legend has it that the saint's sarcophagus miraculously washed ashore in 800 AD.
4
Grisia Street has been an open-air art gallery since 1967, where local artists display their work. Each August, a festival turns the cobblestones into a giant vernissage.
+3 Places visited
Activities
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Swim off the flat rocks at Lone Bay or in the coves of Punta Corrente forest. This 95-hectare wooded park was planted in the 19th century by an Austrian baron.
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Hop on a boat to St. Catherine's Island or Red Island. Both offer beaches and trails just 15 minutes from the harbor.
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Watch the sunset from the Molo, the pier where locals and visitors gather. Beer in hand, everyone watches the orange disk sink into the Adriatic.
+2 Optional activities
Next stop
Distance:
10 km
Travel time:
15min
4
Day
10 photos
Discover
1
Limski Kanal is a 10-km fjord cutting deep into the Istrian landscape. A river carved it during the Ice Age, and its forested walls now plunge into emerald waters.
2
Romuald's Cave opens on a cliff face and served as a hermitage for a saint in the 11th century. Cave bear bones and traces of prehistoric habitation have been found inside.
3
The hilltop village of Dvigrad was abandoned after the plague of 1631. Its romantic ruins raise crumbling walls on a hill overlooking the canal.
Activities
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Taste fresh oysters and mussels at the shellfish farms along the Limski Kanal. They're served with lemon and white wine, facing the fjord.
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Paddle down the canal by kayak, gliding between verdant cliffs where raptors and herons nest.
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Hike to Dvigrad to explore its overgrown ruins. Crumbling walls and abandoned churches create a fantasy-film atmosphere.
Next stop
Distance:
25 km
Travel time:
30min
5
Day
10 photos
Discover
1
The Euphrasian Basilica is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its 6th-century Byzantine mosaics. Gold and lapis lazuli depict the Virgin, Christ, and saints against a celestial blue background.
2
Climb the basilica's campanile for sweeping views over Poreč's rooftops and the island-dotted sea. From above, the mosaics reveal details invisible from the floor.
3
The octagonal baptistery beside the basilica retains its 6th-century font. Early Christians of Istria received baptism by immersion here.
4
Walk the Decumanus, the straight Roman artery that cuts through the old town from east to west. Ancient flagstones still peek through beneath pedestrians' feet.
+2 Places visited
Activities
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Stroll along Obala Maršala Tita promenade beside the harbor. Its cafés and gelaterias face the yachts, and sunsets draw photographers and couples.
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Swim at Zelena Laguna beach south of town. This resort among the pines offers water sports and beach bars.
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Take a boat to St. Nicholas Island, 10 minutes from the harbor. Its tranquil beaches and restaurant occupy a former Benedictine monastery.
+2 Optional activities
Next stop
Distance:
30 km
Travel time:
35min
6
Day
10 photos
Discover
1
Novigrad sits on a peninsula that was once an island, joined to the mainland in the 18th century. Venetian ramparts still encircle lanes and squares where fishing remains a way of life.
2
The Church of Saints Pelagius and Maximus houses relics in its 11th-century crypt, the only remnant of the original basilica. Its Romanesque bell tower dominates the small town.
3
The Lapidarium Museum displays Roman, medieval, and modern sculptures in a former port warehouse. This eclectic collection mingles antiquities with contemporary art.
4
Rigo Palace dates from the 17th century and now houses the municipal art gallery. Temporary exhibitions are presented in a baroque setting with preserved stucco.
Activities
→
Savor seafood specialties at a harbor konoba: scampi alla buzara and seafood risotto washed down with Malvazija.
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Rent a bike to ride the Parenzana, the former Austro-Hungarian railway converted into a cycling path. It winds through vineyards and villages for dozens of kilometers.
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Swim off pebble beaches or concrete platforms at the foot of the ramparts. The waters are clear and shallow, ideal for families.
+1 Optional activities
Next stop
Distance:
15 km
Travel time:
20min
7
Day
5 photos
Discover
1
Umag is Croatia's westernmost town. It blends Venetian vestiges with modern beach resorts, and its marina welcomes Italian yachts sailing over for the weekend.
2
The fortified old town retains its 13th- and 14th-century towers and walls. In the narrow lanes, Venetian façades stand alongside fish restaurants.
3
The Church of Saints Pelagius and Mary holds a 9th-century Romanesque ciborium, a rare remnant of the Carolingian era in Istria.
4
The Town Museum displays Roman amphorae, ancient anchors, and objects fishermen have hauled up from the seabed over the centuries.
Activities
→
Attend the ATP Croatia Open, the clay-court tennis tournament that draws circuit stars every July. The atmosphere is festive at Stella Maris stadium.
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Explore the beaches of the Umag Riviera along 20 km of coastline. Pebble coves and pine groves alternate with resort complexes.
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Sample Istrian white truffle at Umag's restaurants. This prized fungus from the inland forests is harvested in autumn.
+2 Optional activities
Next stop
Distance:
35 km
Travel time:
40min
8
Day
10 photos
Discover
1
Grožnjan floats on its hilltop like a ship of stone. This artists' village has thrived since 1965, when painters and sculptors moved into its abandoned houses. Galleries and studios line every alley.
2
The medieval ramparts offer plunging views over the Mirna Valley and the Istrian hinterland. Sunsets here are spectacular.
3
The Church of Saints Vitus, Modestus, and Crescentia dates from the 15th century. Its Venetian bell tower rises above the village, and the whitewashed interior holds baroque altars.
4
The Town Gate, pierced through the ramparts, bears the Lion of St. Mark. It recalls four centuries of Venetian rule over Istria.
Activities
→
Attend Jazz is Back! concerts in July and August. This international festival draws musicians from around the world to a village of 100 inhabitants.
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Catch rehearsals by Jeunesses Musicales Croatia during summer. Young musicians practice in the alleys and give impromptu performances.
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Buy ceramics, paintings, or jewelry directly from artists in their gallery-studios. Each creator will tell you the story of how they settled here.
+2 Optional activities
Next stop
Distance:
15 km
Travel time:
20min
9
Day
10 photos
Discover
1
Motovun emerges from the morning mist like a crown of stone encircling its hill, 277 meters above the Mirna Valley. You can climb the 1,052 steps on foot or hop on the shuttle train.
2
Venetian ramparts ring the village in two concentric circles. These 13th-century walls offer a panoramic walk over a sea of wooded hills.
3
The main square opens onto the Romanesque communal palace, clock tower, and Venetian cistern. Cafés and restaurants occupy former patrician mansions.
4
St. Stephen's Church dates from the 17th century. It houses a statue of the patron saint attributed to a Venetian workshop and fragments of medieval frescoes.
+1 Places visited
Activities
→
Attend the Motovun Film Festival in late July. Independent cinema is screened outdoors on the ramparts, and stars and directors wander the tiny lanes.
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Go truffle hunting with a local guide and his dog. From October to December, they comb the oak forests for Istria's black diamonds.
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Taste truffle dishes in the village restaurants: scrambled eggs, fresh pasta, and aged cheese reveal this unique aroma.
+2 Optional activities
Next stop
Distance:
25 km
Travel time:
30min
10
Day
10 photos
Discover
1
Oprtalj commands the valley from its fortified spur. This medieval village with its preserved Venetian gates is less touristy than Motovun and offers a more authentic atmosphere.
2
St. Mary's Church holds recently restored 15th-century frescoes. The cycle of the Virgin's life unfolds in ochre and blue tones.
3
The 16th-century Venetian loggia juts out over the void with its stone arches. It once served as a courthouse and public gathering place.
Activities
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Visit a family truffle farm in the Mirna Valley. Producers will explain how they cultivate mycorrhizal oaks and train truffle-hunting dogs.
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Cycle the country roads between hilltop villages, terraced vineyards, and centuries-old olive groves.
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Taste Istrian prosciutto, pršut cured by the Bura winds. Sliced paper-thin, it literally melts in your mouth.
Next stop
Distance:
30 km
Travel time:
35min
11
Day
3 photos
Discover
1
Pazin's chasm plunges 100 meters beneath the castle. Jules Verne sent his hero Mathias Sandorf into this karst abyss. The Pazinčica River pours into it and vanishes underground.
2
Pazin Castle is a medieval fortress perched above the chasm. It houses the Ethnographic Museum of Istria and the Town Museum—over 1,000 years of history under its vaults.
3
St. Nicholas Parish Church preserves 15th-century Gothic frescoes in its side chapel. Saints and biblical scenes are painted in faded colors.
4
The central square is lined with Austro-Hungarian façades, a reminder that Pazin was the administrative capital of Istria under Habsburg rule.
Activities
→
Rappel into the chasm with a caving guide. This 100-meter vertical descent takes you down to the underground river.
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Hike the educational trail that circles the chasm. Panels explain karst geology and cliff-face flora.
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Visit the Ethnographic Museum, which presents traditional Istrian costumes, farming tools, and reconstructed house interiors.
+1 Optional activities
Next stop
Distance:
25 km
Travel time:
30min
12
Day
10 photos
Discover
1
Labin's old town perches on its hilltop. You'll discover Venetian palaces with coats of arms over their doorways, cobbled lanes, and shaded squares. Art galleries and studios have moved into the old mansions.
2
The Town Museum traces Labin's mining history—coal was extracted here from antiquity until 1999. A reconstructed mine gallery can be visited in the basement.
3
The Church of the Nativity of the Virgin dates from the 14th century and dominates the main square. The Lion of St. Mark on the façade recalls the town's Venetian allegiance.
4
The Fortica is a Venetian bastion at the town's highest point. It offers 360-degree views over the sea, mountains, and verdant hinterland.
+1 Places visited
Activities
→
Head down to Rabac below, a former fishing cove turned beach resort. Its white-pebble beaches and turquoise waters nestle at the foot of the cliffs.
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Browse the art galleries of Labin, declared a City of Artists. Painters and sculptors exhibit in studios open to the public.
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Catch the Labin Art Republic in summer. This contemporary-art festival takes over streets, squares, and abandoned buildings.
+2 Optional activities
Next stop
Distance:
50 km
Travel time:
55min
13
Day
4 photos
Discover
1
Hum is officially the world's smallest town, with just 20 inhabitants. It fits in a fortified pocket: two alleys, one church, a cemetery, and the absolute charm of insignificance.
2
The town gate bears a plaque in Glagolitic script, the 9th-century Slavic alphabet that Istria preserved longer than anywhere else in Europe.
3
The Parish Church of the Assumption is a tiny Romanesque nave containing 12th-century frescoes in earthy tones.
4
St. Jerome's Chapel stands outside the walls and preserves a 15th-century fresco cycle depicting scenes of the Passion in a pocket-sized church.
Activities
→
Walk the Glagolitic Alley from Roč to Hum. Over 7 km, monumental sculptures celebrate the ancient Slavic alphabet.
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Taste biska, a mistletoe brandy that is Hum's specialty. Recipes have been handed down through generations.
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Visit Roč at the start of the alley. This other fortified village once housed a Glagolitic academy in the Middle Ages.
+2 Optional activities
Next stop
Distance:
20 km
Travel time:
25min
14
Day
4 photos
Discover
1
Buzet is the truffle capital of Istria. The town commands the Mirna Valley from its fortified acropolis, and its upper old town preserves ramparts, gates, and 16th- and 17th-century Venetian palaces.
2
The Regional Museum occupies Bigatto Palace. It traces local history and the truffle tradition through harvesting tools and photographs of the most famous hunters.
3
The Parish Church of the Assumption features a baroque bell tower and holds the treasury of the Flagellant Brotherhood, composed of goldwork and precious textiles.
4
16th-century public fountains still feed the shaded little squares where elders play cards in the afternoon.
Activities
→
Attend the Truffle Festival in September during Zigante Days. A giant omelet is cooked on the main square to celebrate the black diamond.
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Visit Zigante House, the empire of the truffle hunter who discovered the world's largest white truffle in 1999, weighing 1.31 kg. It includes a restaurant, shop, and museum.
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Go truffle hunting with a guide and his dog in the surrounding oak forests. They'll initiate you into the secrets of this ancestral quest.
+2 Optional activities
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❓ Frequently asked questions
What weather should you expect?
Summer (June-August): Perfect weather, warmest seas, peak tourist season, highest prices, crowded attractions, vibrant atmosphere, festival season, advance booking essential.
Shoulder Season (May & September): Excellent weather, warm seas, fewer crowds, good value, comfortable temperatures, ideal conditions, perfect balance.
Spring (April-May): Mild weather, blooming landscapes, fewer tourists, good prices, pleasant temperatures, nature awakening, excellent hiking.
Fall (September-October): Warm seas, comfortable weather, harvest season, wine tourism, fewer crowds, excellent value, golden light photography.
Winter (November-March): Mild coastal weather, lowest prices, minimal crowds, Christmas markets, cultural focus, indoor attractions, cozy atmosphere.
How many days should I plan?
We believe you will enjoy this itinerary best by dedicating between 12 and 18 days. The next step will allow you to adjust the duration of your stay.
What to discover in Croatia?
Adriatic paradise with medieval cities, pristine coastline, and incredible natural beauty. Experience Dubrovnik's walls, Plitvice Lakes, and authentic Mediterranean culture. The country offers cultural heritage with natural wonders and excellent value. Croatia provides Mediterranean experiences with historical significance and natural beauty.