HOLIDAYS IN ISTRIA
There are countless reasons why people love to spend their holidays in Croatia and especially in Istria. And most holidaymakers who have been to Poreč or Kaštelir come back again and again to spend their holidays in the most beautiful part of Istria. The love for Istria is great for many and is based on the indescribable beauty of Istria and the crystal clear Adriatic Sea, as well as on the warmth and hospitality of the people of Istria.
When is the best time of year to vacation in Istria?
Istria's culture, sports and leisure activities
On the beaches of the Adriatic Sea, in beautiful bays or directly from the boat, you can swim in the crystal-clear water of the Adriatic Sea. The leisure activities on and in the water are diverse and varied. Swim and dive according to your preferences, rent a boat or jet ski or let yourself be tempted by a dolphin tour. On land there are water parks, climbing parks, caves and go-cart tracks that invite you to enjoy a variety of leisure activities. The perfect holiday for the whole family. Starting from your own holiday home, you can discover a special country relaxed and rested.
The best way to explore the coastal region of Istria is by bike. Istria has first-class conditions for cycling tourists. There are many safe cycle paths along the Adriatic coast. In Poreč or Rovinj you can easily rent bicycles. And in many holiday homes and villas in Kaštelir and Poreč, bicycles are even part of the equipment offered. On the coasts of Istria you will find picturesque, dreamy and romantic villages and towns full of vibrant life. First-class restaurants with excellent Mediterranean cuisine, cafés and ice cream parlors, markets with regional products and alleys with a wide variety of shops invite you to explore and linger. In addition, you will find cultural and historical treasures and places that tell of Istria’s eventful history almost everywhere.
Istria's excursion destinations and sights
There is a wide variety of sights and excursion destinations in Istria. In the Rovinj, Poreč, Kaštelir region, there are many great places and things to explore and countless opportunities to spend your free time actively. There is something for the whole family, from culture to adventure, from sports to games. From Poreč or Kaštelir, you can start your exploration by car or bike to explore the region. Places such as Kaštelir, Vrsar, Novigrad or Umag inspire tourists from all over the world.
In the immediate vicinity you will find the Lim Bay, the Brijuni National Park and the Postojna Caves, the Baredine Cave and the Predjama Cave Castle. The Višnjan Observatory, the Aeropark Vrsar is also worth a visit. In Pula, the amphitheatre and many other sights beckon, and the shopping centre also invites you to visit. For a day trip, you can also visit the Plitvice Lakes National Park or take a trip by speedboat to Venice.
Inland, you can find top-notch restaurants serving truffle dishes. Did you know that the largest truffle in the world was found in Istria? How about a truffle tour? Or you can visit the artists’ village of Grožnjan and discover the picturesque alleys of the old town. Hum, the smallest town in the world, is also located in Istria and is worth a visit.
The dolphin tour is also very suitable for a family outing. The children will love the Funtana Dinopark or the Aquacolors Aquapark in Poreč. Alternatively, they can let off steam in the climbing forest or on the go-kart track. Of course, swimming and playing in the sea is and remains best and the beaches with their varied leisure activities should not be missed. That is why it is also worth visiting the various beaches and bays in the Poreč, Kaštelir-Labinci and Rovinj regions by bike or car.
Istrian cuisine: true gourmet enjoyment
The culinary specialties of Istria include the prosciutto, the raw prosciutto of Istria, the fuzi, a traditional noodle from Croatia, the Kvarner scampi, which is not caught with trawl nets because otherwise their thin shell would break, the sparoga, the wild asparagus of Istria and of course the white truffle, which is otherwise only found in two other regions of the world. For dessert, we recommend Palačinke, the Istrian pancake.
In addition, there are countless other gourmet delights in Istria that are waiting to be discovered. Overall, the cuisine of Istria is Mediterranean, healthy and above all one thing, varied. Quite a few claim that Istria has the best and most varied cuisine in the Mediterranean. This is certainly a question of personal taste. But one thing is certain: The cuisine is healthy and uses almost without exception regional and fresh ingredients. You can taste it and it also noticeably increases your well-being. In your rented villa or holiday home, you are welcome to use the local and fresh ingredients purchased at the market yourself. Maybe you will try a typical Istrian dish yourself.
Souvenirs from Istria: wine, fine wines and first-class olive oil
Istria has been named the best olive region in the world several times. Istria’s olive oil was already considered the gold standard of the then known world more than 2000 years ago. An olive oil considered perfect, by whose quality all other olive oils in the Roman Empire were measured. And even today, the aroma formation, finesse and balanced proportion of fatty acids of Istrian olive oils set standards worldwide. By the way, the olives are harvested by hand and in Istria “class before quantity” still applies to its olive oils. You can find delicious varieties at the market in Poreč and from selected farmers in Kaštelir.
One of the most beautiful beaches is the Municipal Lido – Gradsko Kupalište Beach, which is located about one kilometre south of the old town of Poreč. This beach is equipped with lifeguard posts, has bars and restaurants and offers a wide range of sports and leisure activities.
The Val Parentino family beach is located right next to the municipal beach. This family beach with fine pebbles slopes gently into the sea, offers barrier-free access to the Adriatic Sea and is also excellently equipped.
Another family beach is the beautiful sandy beach Val Marea Sandy Family. This is about 1.8 kilometers from the old town of Poreč and inspires with a crystal-clear sea and a large sunbathing area. The beach also offers barrier-free access to the sea.
About three kilometres away, in a quiet bay, you will find Lotosi beach, which you can easily reach by bike or on foot. It is not far from the aquatic park, so it is a good idea to combine the visits.
In addition, there are a variety of other beaches and bathing opportunities around Poreč, you can get into the sea to swim at almost any point and enjoy the crystal-clear, clean Adriatic Sea. If you want, you can also find your own private place at a secluded bay or head for such a bay or island by boat to find peace and privacy.
10 reasons
for holidays in Istria
There are countless reasons to spend your next vacation in Istria. The region around Poreč, Kaštelir and Rovinj invites you to a dream holiday with its first-class hotels, villas and holiday homes. Unique nature, the crystal clear waters of the Adriatic Sea, romantic villages, national parks, countless cultural and sports facilities, water parks and the evening tourist hustle and bustle in the romantic alleys make it easy to fall in love with the region. So it is not surprising that almost everyone who has visited Poreč or Kaštelir also spends their holidays in Croatia later on. For us, the main reasons for a holiday in Istria are the following:
The sea and the beautiful coast
Istria is easily accessible
The mild and healthy climate in Istria
At the best time vacation in Istria
No matter what time you plan your vacation in Istria, you will be amazed by the country, the people and the cuisine and love the hospitality, variety and many experiences. Maybe you spend your vacation in Poreč or Kaštelir at different times of the year and test for yourself which season is right for you.
The nature and landscape of Istria
The people and their hospitality
The beautiful towns and picturesque villages
The good food and the good wine
The sights and entertainment offer
Safety in Istria
The beautiful hotels, villas and holiday homes
Rent a luxury villa in Istria
Villa Lionea
for a maximum of 10 (8+2) people.
Villa Anni
Villa Santa Domenica
Villa Kastelir
Villa Nura
for a maximum of 8 (6+2) people.