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With a reputation for its olive oils, wines and truffles, Istria has plenty of gastro-credentials, but that’s just for starters. At times, this northwest region feels more Italian than Croatian, and it shares many of the same attractions. It plays host to Italianesque ports left over from its time under the Venetian Republic, along with a string of bucolic islands and one of the best-preserved Roman amphitheaters still standing. You’ll also encounter UNESCO-protected Byzantine art, age-old towns and castles, and vineyards reminiscent of Tuscany.

Our Croatia specialists have explored Istria’s main sights and its lesser-known ones, and they’ll carefully plan your visit to the region individually to match your preferences. Whether you want to explore culinary delights and visit vineyards or olive farms, search for truffles or linger over long lunches, they’re there to guide you along the way.

With first-hand knowledge of Istria and its historic sights, our specialists can also help you decide where to go and what to do. We might suggest exploring the medieval fishing town of Rovinj or attending a summer concert in the Roman amphitheater in Pula. You can take a boat trip around the forested islands of Brijuni National Park and discover their Cretaceous dinosaur footprints. Or, explore the ancient Roman town of Poreč with its 6th-century Euphrasian Basilica, a place of worship cosseting golden Byzantine mosaics.

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Audley Travel Specialist Samantha

Start planning your tailor-made trip to Istria by contacting one of our Croatia specialists

Suggested itineraries featuring Istria

Our itineraries will give you suggestions for what is possible when you travel in Istria, and they showcase routes we know work particularly well. Treat them as inspiration, because your trip will be created uniquely by one of our specialists.

Map of Istria

Places & hotels on the map

    Places in and around Istria

    Our expert guides to exploring Istria

    Written by our specialists from their own experiences of visiting Istria, these guides will help you make the most of your time there. We share both our practical recommendations and the best ways to appreciate Istria at its best.

    • A highlights guide to Croatia
      Dubrovnik, Croatia

      A highlights guide to Croatia

      A highlights guide to Croatia

      From the brilliantly blue waters of the Adriatic to the vineyards of Istria, Croatia specialist Caroline outlines five highlights of any trip to Croatia, including two cities where Game of Thrones was filmed.

      8 min read

      Read this guide

    Accommodation choices for Istria

    We've selected a range of accommodation options for when you visit Istria. Our choices usually come recommended for their character, facilities and service or location. Our specialists always aim to suggest properties that match your preferences.

    Ideas for experiencing Istria

    Our specialists seek out authentic ways to get to know the places that could feature in your trip. These activities reflect some of the experiences they've most enjoyed while visiting Istria, and which use the best local guides.

    • Bike tour in Brijuni National Park
      Brijuni National Park, Istria

      Bike tour in Brijuni National Park

      Bike tour in Brijuni National Park

      Offering a neatly packaged presentation of Croatian history, the Brijuni Islands offer an insight into Roman, Byzantine, Venetian, Austro-Hungarian and Yugoslavian rule, with significant ruins as well as rocky beaches, shady forests and a wide range of plant and animal life.

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