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

The crystal-clear Adriatic Sea is one of the cleanest seas on our globe. Numerous beaches have been awarded the Blue Flag, which guarantees not only high environmental standards, but also good sanitary facilities in the bathing area. On the coast there are numerous beautiful bays that invite you to swim, some lively, others very lonely. Depending on your personal taste, you can choose the way from the beach or from the boat into the dreamlike waters of the Adriatic Sea. By the way, the coast of Istria is 440 kilometers long. If you add the countless, dreamlike islands, it is even 540 kilometers. Quite a few holiday homes and villas in Poreč are within walking distance of the sea, other holiday accommodations, for example in Kaštelir, are a few minutes away by car, but offer a fantastic view of the sea. You can decide according to your preferences.

Istria is easily accessible

You can easily organize your journey to Poreč, Rovinj or Kaštelir-Labinci by car, plane or train. Three airports, Pula, Rijeka and Trieste, are served from Germany. From Munich, you can fly to Istria in just 50 minutes or drive only about six hours by car. Especially for a family holiday, it is a good idea to travel by car. You gain flexibility, have fewer worries with your luggage and enjoy the landscape and the holiday feeling as soon as you arrive over the Alps. Of course, renting a villa or holiday home is recommended, especially for families. In addition to the car, Istria can also be explored by bike or public transport during your vacation.

The mild and healthy climate in Istria

Istria is beautiful at any time of the year and worth a holiday trip. Due to its location and mild climate, the Poreč, Rovinj and Kaštelir region is ideal for a holiday at any time of the year. Many hotels are open all year round and a holiday home or elegant villa can be rented all year round.

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 Istrian peninsula offers an extremely diverse and varied landscape and nature. The coastal sections and the hinterland vary greatly and the individual landscapes differ in many details. If you explore the Poreč, Kaštelir and Rovinj region, starting from the sea into the hinterland or along the coast, you will be surprised by the variety and variety on offer. The nature reserves in Istria, Cape Kamenjak and the Učka Mountains, the Limfjord and the Motovun Forest, the Pazin Gorge and the Baredine Cave or the Brijuni archipelago are waiting to be explored during your holiday weeks in Istria.

The people and their hospitality

If you talk to friends who have spent their holidays in Istria, you will have noticed the reports about the friendliness and hospitality of the people of Istria. The people are open and tolerant, a smile and a friendly greeting are still part of the good manners here. Although hospitality has of course also become a tourist and thus economic factor, the people still retain their natural and genuine friendliness and openness. It is not uncommon for you to be approached unexpectedly or invited for a drink. At the farms in Kaštelir-Labinci you can taste wine and olive oil or visit the Istarska Kapljica brandy distillery for a tasting. If you rent a villa or holiday home in Kaštelir or Poreč, you will of course be much closer to the people and their friendliness and will be able to enjoy them all the more.

The beautiful towns and picturesque villages

On the Adriatic coast there are fantastically beautiful towns and villages. Poreč, Rovinj, Novigrad and Vrsar are charming harbour towns with a Venetian-influenced architectural style and well-preserved buildings from Roman times. In Pula, for example, the amphitheatre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In Poreč, for example, you can admire the Euphrasian Basilica with mosaics from the sixth century. But the hinterland also offers attractive travel destinations with Hum, the smallest town in the world, or the artists' town of Grožnjan.

The good food and the good wine

Good food and drink are just as much a part of a perfect holiday as the sea and the sun are to a perfect summer. In Istria you will find both, healthy and varied food and good wine and brandy. The cuisine of Istria is probably one of the most varied in the Mediterranean and is a mixture of Croatian, Italian and Austrian influences. There are excellent, chic restaurants and rural inns, the konobas, that invite you to visit and linger. The alternatives in Poreč, Rovinj and Kaštelir are countless. If you have rented a villa or holiday home in Poreč or Kaštelir, you should visit the green market and buy your ingredients fresh from the farmers and traders selling there. In addition to fresh fish and seafood, pršut, Istrian prosciutto, fuži, pasta and truffles belong on the table. Kvarner prawns, Istarska Fritaja, Istrian scrambled eggs, Boškarin beef and šparoga, wild asparagus, are also among the very special and delicious specialties in Istria. Every meal includes a bottle of olive oil and Istrian wine. The wife of Augustus, the Roman Empress Livia, claimed at the proud age of 82 that she owed her health and vitality only to Istrian wine, and Casanova also praised Istrian wine. Taste the Malvazija and Teran grapes and find your own truth in wine. For dessert, be sure to try a palačinke, pancakes.

The sights and entertainment offer

The world's sixth largest amphitheatre and the best preserved in Pula, and the basilica in Poreč, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are certainly among the most famous sights in Istria. But the old town of Rovinj or the villages of Kaštelir, Labin and Groznjan on the hills are also worth a visit. The tourist, cultural and sporting entertainment options are extremely complex and varied. If you want to be active yourself, there are countless opportunities on the beaches of the Adriatic Sea, on a boat or jet ski, in the water parks, on the sports fields and tennis courts, as well as on the bike paths, go-kart tracks or in the climbing parks. Concerts for rock, pop and classical music fans and large music festivals are held in the towns along the Adriatic Sea. Gladiator shows in the amphitheatre or sporting events such as the ATP tennis tournament or the Poreč Rally are also popular. In addition, there are many traditional festivals and events, such as the knightly ring jousting in Barban or the fishermen's festivals in Fažana, Rovinj, Novigrad. Organized wine tours to the best winemakers in the region are also a popular tourist attraction in Istria. You can also go on excursions by boat, for example. Venice can be reached from Poreč by speedboat in two hours a day. This way you can enjoy your day trip and be back in the evening.

Safety in Istria

The Istrian peninsula offers many advantages, for all tastes and budgets. There are many reasons to spend your vacation in Poreč, Kaštelir or Rovinj. A very important reason for a perfect holiday and a carefree stay is also safety. And safety is the top priority in Istria, both in terms of health and cleanliness as well as crime. Street crime, thefts and violent crimes are extremely rare. Even on unguarded beaches, there are rarely reports of lost things. Since tourism also means existence for a large part of the people, the inhabitants of Poreč and Kaštelir pay close attention to safety.

The beautiful hotels, villas and holiday homes

Istria is home to a variety of modern and luxurious hotels, villas and holiday homes. The facilities and services are certainly among the best in the Mediterranean region. Especially in recent years, a lot has been built in the Rovinj, Poreč and Kaštelir region. While hotels in particular have been newly built with four or five stars, the existing hotels, which are often classified in the 3-star category, have been comprehensively upgraded. For this purpose, many new holiday homes and villas have been built. Most houses have three or four bedrooms, more rarely five or six bedrooms. The holiday homes or villas in Poreč or Kaštelir-Labinci are mostly suitable for 6, 8 or 10 people and have very good facilities. While the pool, often built and heated as a saltwater pool, is standard, some holiday homes and villas also offer a sauna or hot tub. In Istria, construction is sustainable and with high quality. The furnishings of the hotels, villas and holiday homes meet the highest international standards. They offer the perfect conditions for a first-class family holiday or a trip for two or in a group.

Rent a luxury villa in Istria

Croatian Villas - Poreč & Istria

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