Croatia’s remarkable shoreline as well as rich eco-friendly hills are house to a few of the most picturesque towns in Europe. right here are 7 renowned Istrian towns to see in Croatia.

There are few much better travel experiences than driving winding roads that expose the spire-prickled profile of a bit drystone town. Or that lead you to the blue shimmer of the Adriatic as it ends at the walls of an ancient harbour bobbing with bit fishing boats.

The Istrian Peninsula, which draws so much influence as well as culture from Italy, is a ideal blend of coastal villages that remind you of Puglia as well as hilltop towns that provide Tuscany a run for its money.

So when we went to Istria recently, we couldn’t wait to check out a few of these bit lost places.

Check out our travel video of a few of these lovely bit coastal as well as hilltop towns:

Click right here to view the video.

For some reason, Istrian Croatia, which is much even more north-west than the well-known Dalmatian coastline as well as Split, has been ignored… well, perhaps ‘ignored’ is harsh. Left alone may be much more accurate.

Comparatively traveler light, Istria still has numerous of its brightest treasures still untouched by the stomping feet of the mass tourism juggernaut. In spring time, when locals suggest coming, you have the run of a few of this part of Croatia’s many prominent areas for visitors.

At times it felt like we were the only people walking the smooth cobbles of stunningly lovely towns. It was at times eerie, however for the most part bliss!

Mind you, you shouldn’t wait as well long before you visit. You never understand exactly how long it’s going to stay like it is.

Here’s our pick of the very best towns to see in Istrian Croatia

7 towns you should see in Croatian Istria

Coastal towns

Being a peninsula, Istria has much more than its fair share of coast, as well as the fantastic blue of the Adriatic Sea, which laps at its shores, just amplifies the splendour of it all.

Rovinj

Possibly the most lovely town we’ve ever been to, Rovinj is a focal point for visitors in the high season. Its narrow cobbled streets clamber up rather steeply at times. The limit of the land is simple to see here, with the town walls looming directly up from the Adriatic.

Doors open directly out over the water, reminding us of Venice.

The early 1700s Baroque church as well as its steeple that dominates the skyline of this town provides amazing views from the top, if you’re game for a climb.

Food tip:

Be sure to eat as much squid as well as calamari (they’re different animals by the way) as you can while you’re here. as well as if the menu provides regional truffles with the dish, take it!

Pula

The region’s funding as well as thus the most significant town in Istria, Pula has a great deal to offer. many notably, the Roman amphitheatre on the northern side of town. It’s the most total amphitheatre in Europe, as well as the only one with all its sides still intact.

As you head towards the sea, you’ll discover the surprisingly little however extremely essential temple of Augustus, which is the oldest staying building in Pula, dating back to 2BCE.

Food tip:

Drive south along the coastline to Restoran Skuza in Pjescana Uvala for beachfront dining as well as the most indulgent cheese gnocchi.

Porec

Porec, a UNESCO Heritage noted town, is a prominent resort town in July as well as August. however in may as well as early June, things are calm, peaceful as well as beautiful. We were able to check out the bit streets, speak with shop owners without feeling hassled as well as delight in the quite bit park in the centre of town.

Walk the esplanade around the old town that complies with the edge of the water. It is absolutely stunning, with the old walls of the town one side as well as the flat, beautiful blue of the sea the other.

Food tip:

Restoran Rialto for excellent, reasonably-priced food, friendly service as well as a sea-view rooftop terrace. opt for the truffle gnocchi or the grilled seafood.

Hilltop towns

The interior of the Istrian Peninsula has as remarkable a landscape as its coast. So much like Tuscany it’s uncanny thanks to the hills as well as ravines of Istria, as well as the region’s occupants, there’s a riches of postcard deserving towns peeping up from their high vantage points.

Motovun

Sitting at 277m, Motovun is one of the greatest hilltop towns as well as simple to spot. It’s likewise one of the smallest towns of Istria with about 500 residents. So it’s rather unexpected exactly how much there is to do here.

Plenty of galleries as well as restaurants are tucked away down its lovely bit laneways. We were caught in an horrendous storm as we got to Motovun as well as took shelter in the nearest restaurant. For outstanding food, service as well as being waterproof, Restoran Pod Napun is the location to go!

When you arrive, don’t be lured by the totally free auto parking down at the bottom of the town. For a little fee, you can park best where the town appropriate begins as well as only the town’s few residents can drive beyond.

Food tip:

Restoran Pod Napun for amazing views of the valley from three different levels as well as beautiful, homely food.

Groznjan

Groznjan is just up the road from Motovun (you can see it from across the valley), however just like with the towns of Tuscany, Groznjan has a totally different feel to its neighbour.

It’s likewise understood as the City of artists as well as is house to numerous regional musicians, painters as well as sculptors. You can see evidence of this in the designs on the stone walls of numerous of the homes as well as in the cafés as well as bars that offer some outstanding views out across the valleys.

Food tip:

Look for a café called a Modomio-caffe Vero, which has a rear terrace that looks out across the lovely countryside.

Bale

Istrians phone call this town Croatia’s best-kept secret… even though it has its own website. It is, however, a lovely hilltop town that’s truly worth visiting.

Not far from the coast, this bit walled town, perched up 142m on a hill just south of Rovinj, is ideal for getting the feel of what Istria is about. The bit narrow cobbled streets lead you with small crooked passages as well as lanes. It’s simple to be taken back in time to Roman times when this town was founded.

Food tip:

Konoba Bembo, mercifully close to the town’s primary carpark, does tasty fish dishes as well as super-charged garlic squid.

Beram as well as Pazin

Right in the middle of the peninsula, the hilltop town of Beram is possibly the longest constantly occupied town in Istria. evidence tells us people have lived right here because 800BCE – perhaps longer.

Exploring Beram on foot, you’ll discover all the trappings of a well-kept extremely quite Istrian hilltop town.

There’s a hiking path from Beram to its closest neighbour, Pazin, that takes about an hour. Pazin is house to a gorge you can zipline across! It’s really awesome! inspect out Zip Line Pazinska here.

Food tip:

Konoba Vela Vrata in Beram is a real regional trick that visitors have now discovered out about. try the manestra soup – an Istrian version of the traditional minestrone.

Croatia’s Istria truly is a lovely part of the world. The people are welcoming, the landscapes are spectacular as well as the food is excellent. In truth we tried difficult to have a poor meal right here as well as totally failed.

Have you been to Croatia or the Istrian Peninsula? Do you have a preferred European destination? tell us in the comments!