Istria County lies on the Istria Peninsula, at the border with Italy. In addition to the beautiful, bay-filled coast, it boasts the magnificent cities of Poreč, Pula and Rovinj, fortified towns inside the peninsula, and delicious cuisine.
The most famous part of Istria is its west coast. This is where popular resorts are located, including Umag, Novigrad, Poreč and Savadrija. The shoreline is highly fragmented, full of coves and capes. Small beaches are often hidden from the eyes of outsiders, but there are also well-developed places with the possibility of renting sunbeds, umbrellas and floating equipment.
The three most important Istrian cities are located on the coast. The largest of them is Pula, where you can admire the Roman amphitheater and other ancient monuments. Pula is also a bustling resort with a promenade and a large port. In comparison, Poreč and Rovinj are small and much calmer resorts. Poreč is known for its UNESCO-protected Euphrasian Basilica, while Rovinj impresses with its built-up Old Town on the peninsula, with distinct Venetian influences.
The interior of Istria is mountainous and very diverse. There are both gentle hills and rocks on which to climb. Among them are small towns and villages built of stone, often fortified. The most famous are Motovun with Venetian architecture, Groznjan, where the artistic colony and Buzet, the Croatian capital of truffles, operate.
Cuisine is an important part of Istrian identity. Italian influences are visible there, but the specialties include truffles, which grow in the central part of the peninsula. Vineyards also grow on gentle hills, and autumn is the time of gastronomy festivals attracting guests from all over the world.
