ISTRIAN HIGHLIGHTS - STUNNING BEACHES, GREAT FOOD AND HISTORICAL PLACES, THE LAND OF RIM TIM TAGI DIM
ISTRIAN HIGHLIGHTS: SOME FUN
FACTS AND TIPS
Istria is the biggest Adriatic peninsula divided between Croatia (87%), Slovenia and Italy. Because of its proximity to most European countries and good transport infrastructure, it is the most visited part of Croatia and one of tourists' favourites. Istria’s appeal lies beyond its beautiful coastline. Small picturesque places, beautiful landscapes and rich history, together with the abundance of gastronomic offers and the hospitality of the locals make it one of the best places to spend your holidays.
20 FUN FACTS ABOUT ISTRIA
1) Istria used to be home to dinosaurs, whose footprints were found throughout the peninsula. There is a total of 24 spots with dino footprints in Istria, most of them on the Brijuni archipelago.
2) Among some famous people who lived in Istria for some time were James Joyce (Pula) and Jules Verne (Pazin).
3) Before tourism was even invented, Umag was a popular summer resort for the Roman aristocracy. The remains of Roman villas were excavated in and around Umag.
4) Istria is home to the smallest town in the world - Hum. The town measures 100 metres in length and 30 metres in width and has only 30 inhabitants.
5) Istria is famous for its high quality truffles, which mostly grow in the Motovun forest. Fun fact: The first truffle in Istria was found in1925 near Livade.
6) Another fun fact: The biggest truffle ever found was the 1.31 kilogram one from Buje, Istria.
7) Most of Venice was built from the Istrian oaks.
8) Goat is a symbol of Istria and is featured on its coat of arms.
9) Istria has its leaning tower at Završje.
10) Every July the small Istrian place of Grožnjan becomes the “Jazz World Centre”.
11) Although modern olive production in Istria began only 25 years ago, today Istria is one of the best olive oil regions in the world.
12) North-western Istria is a Gourmet Paradise. Truffles, wild asparagus and seafood have their respective festivals (Buzet, Lovran, Vrsar), which provide opportunities to taste some of the best locally sourced foods.
13) By the color of its soil Istria is divided into Red Istria (Western Coast: Poreč, Rovinj, Umag), Grey Istria ( Central Region) and White Istria (Učka mountain and the white limestones and karst of Eastern Coast).
14) Istria has its Own Anthem. “Krasna zemljo” (“Gorgeous Land”) dates back to 1912 and is the official anthem of Istria.
15) Most Istrian towns are built on hilltops. They have cobblestone streets, stone houses and mediaeval churches.
16) Thanks to its exquisitely groomed vineyards, olive groves and pine trees, Istria is sometimes referred to as the “little Tuscany”.
17) Istria is famous for its great wines, among which local sorts of white Malvasia and red Teran are the most popular.
18) Euphrasian Basilica, built in 553 in Poreč, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
19) The Roman Amphitheatre in Pula, dating back to the 1st century, is one of the best preserved and the 6th biggest in the world. Nowadays it is occasionally used for (mostly) summer concerts, shows and festivals.
20) The largest animal in Istria, weighing up to 1300 kilograms, Istrian Ox - Boškarin was on the verge of extinction before local farmers started to raise it for meat production.
SOME HIGHLIGHTS OF ISTRIA
ROVINJ
10 FUN THINGS TO DO IN ROVINJ
2) Explore the Old Town with its winding cobbled streets.
3) Visit the church of St. Euphemia, the landmark of the town, and climb its bell tower to have an unparalleled panoramic view of Rovinj and the surrounding area.
4) Go rock climbing to Punta Corrente Park
5) Visit Red Island (aka St. Andrew's Island) and Maskin Island connected by the beach, both of them popular swimming spots for the locals.
6) Visit St. Catherine Island and its beautiful gardens and parks featuring over 450 different plants.
7) Browse the Rovinj's most popular Grisia street and have a peek in its small galleries, ateliers and souvenir shops.
8) Go shipwreck diving. The Baron Guatsch ship is the Croatian Titanic, sunk in WW1 to the depth of 35 metres.
9) Sail around the Rovinj archipelago.
10) Treat your buds in some of the best restaurants in Rovinj: Monte (with a Michelin star), Maestral, Male Marlene, Konoba Jure (locals’ favourite),Veli Jože (a typical local tavern) and sample the great Istrian wines ( Piassa Granda) and have a drink at the Mediterraneo Bar.
POREČ
PLACES TO VISIT:
Euphrasian Basilica
The Euphrasian Basilica is the landmark of the town and the number one attraction in Poreč. It is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Site as the only preserved early Christian church dating back to the 3rd (baptistry) and 4th century (the rest of the church) with the elements of early Byzantine art. An interesting fact: At the end of WW2 Poreč was heavily bombarded and nearly one quarter of the town was completely destroyed. However, the Euphrasian Basilica remained undamaged.
The Old Town of Poreč
Enjoy a nice leisurely walk along the cobblestone streets of the Old Town. Browse the inviting souvenir shops, try some local delicacies in the cosy restaurants or have an ice cream/coffee in the street bars.
PULA - the little Rome of Croatia
If you are a fan of Roman history then you will enjoy Pula. The biggest Istrian town with its 3000 year long history boasts some ancient Roman buildings, scenic beaches (Lungomare and Hawaii Beach, Seagull Rocks) with crystal clean sea.
Some places of interest in Pula:
Arena of Pula
Dating back to the 1st century and built at the time of Vespasian, this Roman amphitheatre is the most popular and visited sight of Pula and its symbol. It is believed that the Arena could seat around 20,000 people in the past, whereas today it can hold about 5000 spectators. In the underground passages below the Arena gladiators used to keep their equipment, while today it is an exhibition hall with olive oil presses and amphoras. Fun fact: These amphoras have pointed ends because they were buried in the sand while transported by the ships. Today the Arena of Pula is a venue for many different cultural events, such as concerts, festivals, theatre and film screenings. Another fun fact: In summer weeks the amphitheatre brings Roman history to life by featuring gladiator fights with real weapons, workshops and ancient costumes and hairstyles.
Temple of Augustus and Forum Romano
In Roman times the Forum Romano used to be the religious, administrative, legislative and commercial centre of the city. Today, it is the main square and the most lively part of the town. The most significant building on the square is the Temple Augustus, built between 2 BC and 14 AD. The former church today houses a small archaeological exhibition.
The twin gates
One of the few remaining gates of the city will lead you to the Archaeological Museum and the Roman theatre.
Arch of Sergi
Another pearl of the Roman legacy dates back to 30 BC and is still very well preserved. It's a mixture of Corinthian and Hellenistic style and it leads to the main street of the historic centre full of small souvenir shops, bars and restaurants.
UMAG
BRIJUNI (aka BRIONI)
And last, but definitely not least, Brijuni archipelago is often referred to as the paradise on earth. This Istrian gem consists of 14 islands scattered along a few kilometres of sea. The islands are rich in natural beauties, flora and fauna brought from various parts of the world, scenic little coves and warm crystal clear sea. The biggest island Veli Brijun is a national park and open to visitors. The guided island sightseeing tour is a pleasant one-hour ride in a motor train with walking tours in between. On the way you see the Safari Park, golf courses, a Venetian citadel and the beautiful landscape of the island.
How to get to Brijuni: By boats frequently departing from Fažana, which is only 8 km from Pula.
Best time to visit: May-October when it's not too hot and crowded
10 FUN FACTS ABOUT BRIJUNI:
1) The Brijuni archipelago was a popular resort for the Viennese upper class and members of the Imperial family.
2) 125 years ago the archipelago was sparsely populated, dotted with swamps, quarries and long-abandoned vineyards and olive groves. Malaria was rampant in Brijuni, Fažana and Pula.
3) Robert Koch and his associates visited Brijuni and managed to eradicate malaria by filling and levelling all the ponds. Since 1903 Brijuni is malaria free. As a token of gratitude they put up a monument in honour of Dr. Robert Koch.
4) Brijuni Islands used to be Tito’s (ex Yugoslav president) personal state summer residence. The archipelago was closed to visitors during his lifetime.
5) The archipelago is home to almost 700 plant species and around 250 bird species.
6) Over 200 dinosaur footprints have been discovered on the Brijuni Islands.
7) At the entrance to the harbour of Veliki Brijun, imprinted in the limestone, you can see the footprint of a theropod.
8) Brijuni is home to one of the oldest olive trees in the world. It's assumed to be over 1600 years old.
9) In the national park of Great Brijun you can visit a big open air safari park with some exotic animals that were given as presents by diplomatic visitors. (Now 52 year old Lanka elephant was a gift from Indira Ghandi.)
10) The 52 year old Koki parrot, Tito's gift to his granddaughter, is one of the main tourist attractions. If Koki feels like it, he will socialise with you and even pose for a photo! (I wasn't that lucky!)
WHERE TO STAY
Istria is quite a small peninsula and most visitors come by car. There is also a reliable bus service, so you can easily reach every nook and cranny from wherever you choose to stay . Of course, provided it's not the high season when the traffic is heavy.
The places I stayed in an liked:
PICAL HOTEL in Poreč https://www.mountvacation.hr/hotel/pical-sunny-hotel-by-valamar_porec
The hotel I stayed in was a 3* hotel, a popular spot for congresses, business meetings and banquets. What I liked most about it was its location. Surrounded by fir trees which provide shade on hot summer days and close to the long beach, about a 20 minute walk away from the town and its hustle and bustle.
AMFORA HOTEL in Medulin
Located just 9 km from Pula, this very good 3* hotel is situated near the beach. Very clean, cosy, great choice of food (buffet). A big group of demanding and picky teenagers I stayed with (my students) liked it very much. I wasn't impressed, though, with the Medulin beach.
THINGS TO BRING BACK FROM ISTRIA
1) GOURMET SOUVENIRS
OLIVE OIL
WINE
TRUFFLES
Istria, in particular the area of Motovun, is famous for its truffles. The best known producer is Zigante who sells various truffle products. October is a truffle season, so if you happen to be there at that time look for a real truffle hunter and buy from him.
CHEESE
Istria has a long tradition of cheese production, especially goat and sheep cheese. Agrolaguna is a budget friendly producer of different kinds of local cheeses.
ISTRIAN PROSCIUTTO
Unlike some other prosciuttos, this autochtonous produce of Istria does not go through the smoking phase, but is air cured, which makes it more durable.
2) BUKALETA (POTTERY JUG)
Bukaleta is a traditional Istrian bird shaped jug. Each specimen is unique, hand-made and painted. Istrian soup made of red wine, sugar, grilled bread, a pinch of pepper and olive oil is traditionally made and served in bukaleta. And everybody drinks from the same jug!
3) KAZUN (MINIATURE STONE FIELD HOUSE)
Kazun is an Istrian stone house, round in shape and used as a shelter.
4) LAVENDER PRODUCTS
Like in most other Mediterranean countries lavender is widely grown in Istria and most souvenir shops offer a wide range of lavender based products.
QUO VADIS FINAL THOUGHTS
Istria is a small peninsula which has a lot to offer. From scenic beaches and nearby picturesque islands, to historical places and memorable gastronomic experiences. With friendly locals and only a few hour drive from most European countries. No wonder it's so popular with the foreign visitors!
Umag
) Explore the Old Town with its winding cobbled streets
Visit the church of St. Euphemia, the landmark of the town, and climb its bell tower to have an unparalleled panoramic view of Rovinj and the surrounding area
Go rock climbing to Punta Corrente Park
Visit Red Island (aka St. Andrew's Island) and Maskin Island connected by the beach, both of them popular swimming spots for the locals.
Visit St. Catherine Island and its beautiful gardens and parks featuring over 450 different plants.
Browse the Rovinj's most popular Grisia street and have a peek in its small galleries, ateliers and souvenir shops
Go shipwreck diving. The Baron Guatsch ship is the Croatian Titanic, sunk in WW1 to the depth of 35 metres.
Sail around the Rovinj archipelago
Treat your buds in some of the best restaurants in Rovinj: Monte (with a Michelin star), Maestral, Male Marlene, Konoba Jure (locals’ favourite),Veli Jože (a typical local tavern) and sample the great Istrian wines ( Piassa Granda) and have a drink at the Mediterraneo Bar.
POREČ
Poreč is a lovely little town located on the western coast of Istria. It dates back to the 2nd century when it was built on a small peninsula where the town centre is today. Unlike most other Istrian towns it is not on a hilltop, but on the flat surface. Poreč is one of my favourite Istrian places, although packed with tourists in the high season.
Euphrasian Basilica
The Euphrasian Basilica is the landmark of the town and the number one attraction in Poreč. It is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Site as the only preserved early Christian church dating back to the 3rd (baptistry) and 4th century (the rest of the church) with the elements of early Byzantine art. An interesting fact: At the end of WW2 Poreč was heavily bombarded and nearly one quarter of the town was completely destroyed. The Euphrasian Basilica remained undamaged.
The Old Town of Poreč
Enjoy a nice leisurely walk along the cobblestone streets of the Old Town. Browse the inviting souvenir shops, try some local delicacies in the cosy restaurants or have an ice cream/coffee in the street bars.
PULA - the little Rome of Croatia
If you are a fan of Roman history then you will enjoy Pula. The biggest Istrian town with its 3000 year long history boasts some ancient Roman buildings, scenic beaches (Lungomare and Hawaii Beach, Seagull Rocks) with crystal clean sea.
Some places of interest in Pula:
Arena of Pula
Dating back to the 1st century and built at the time of Vespasian, this Roman amphitheatre is the most popular and visited sight of Pula and its symbol. It is believed that the Arena could seat around 20,000 people in the past, whereas today it can hold about 5000 spectators. In the underground passages below the Arena gladiators used to keep their equipment, while today it is an exhibition hall with olive oil presses and amphoras. Fun fact: These amphoras have pointed ends because they were buried in the sand while transported by the ships. Today the Arena of Pula is a venue for many different cultural events, such as concerts, festivals, theatre and film screenings. Another fun fact: In summer weeks the amphitheatre brings Roman history to life by featuring gladiator fights with real weapons, workshops and ancient costumes and hairstyles.
Temple of Augustus and Forum Romano
In Roman times the Forum Romano used to be the religious, administrative, legislative and commercial centre of the city. Today, it is the main square and the most lively part of the town. The most significant building on the square is the Temple Augustus, built between 2 BC and 14 AD. The former church today houses a small archaeological exhibition.
The twin gates
One 9f the few remaining gates of the city will lead you to the Archaeological Museum and the Roman theatre.
Arch of Sergi
Another pearl of the Roman legacy dates back to 30 BC and is still very well preserved. It's a mixture of Corinthian and Hellenistic style and it leads to the main street of the historic centre full of small souvenir shops, bars and restaurants.
UMAG
Located on the west coast of Istria, only 10 km from the Slovenian boarder Umag boasts 20 km of stunning coastline and beautiful hinterland. It was discovered by Roman aristocracy who built there their summer residences. The splendour of that period still reflected in the Venetian style houses of the old city centre. The Old Town features charming little cobbled streets with souvenir shops, bars and restaurants. It's a very popular tourist place and has been declared the European City of Sports. It has hosted many sports events, the Umag Croatian Open Tennis Cup being the most popular one. It is also known Fun fact t: Umag is the home of the Croatian Eurosong contestant Baby Lasagne who came second with his catchy song and scenic performance of Rim tim tagi dim.
BRIJUNI (aka BRIONI)
And last, but definitely not the least, Brijuni archipelago is often referred to as the paradise on the earth.This Istrian gem consists of 14 islands scattered along a few kilometres of sea. The islands are rich in natural beauties, flora and fauna brought from various parts of the world, scenic little coves and warm crystal clear sea. The biggest island Veli Brijun is a national park and open to visitors. The guided island sightseeing tour is a pleasant one-hour ride in a motor train with walking tours in between. On the way you see the Safari Park, golf courses, a Venetian citadel and the beautiful landscape of the island.
How to get to Brijuni: By boats frequently departing from Fažana, which is only 8 km from Pula.
Best time to visit: May-October when it's not too hot and crowded
10 FUN FACTS ABOUT BRIJUNI:
The Brijuni islands was a popular resort for the Viennese upper class and members of the Imperial family.
125 years ago the archipelago was sparsely populated, dotted with swamps, quarries and long-abandoned vineyards and olive groves. Malaria was rampant in Brijuni, Fažana and Pula.
Robert Koch and his associates visited Brijuni and managed to eradicate malaria by filling and levelling all the ponds. Since 1903 Brijuni is malaria free. As a token of gratitude they put up a relief in memory of Dr. Robert Koch.
Brijuni Islands used to be Tito’s (ex Yugoslav president) personal state summer residence. The archipelago was closed to visitors during his lifetime.
The archipelago is home to almost 700 plant species and around 250 bird species.
Over 200 dinosaur footprints have been discovered on the Brijuni Islands.
At the entrance to the harbour of Veliki Brijun, imprinted in the limestone, you can see the footprint of a theropod.
Brijuni is home to one of the oldest olive trees in the world. Its established age is over 1600 years.
In the national park of Great Brijun you can visit a big open air safari park with some exotic animals that were given as presents by diplomatic visitors. (Now 52 year old Lanka elephant was a gift from Indira Ghandi.)
The 52 year old Koki parrot, Tito's gift to his granddaughter, is one of the main tourist attractions. If Koki feels like it, he will socialise with you and even pose for a photo! (I wasn't that lucky!)
THINGS TO BRING BACK FROM ISTRIA
1) GOURMET SOUVENIRS
OLIVE OIL
Istria has a variety of great locally produced olive oils. Buy
them directly from the producers or reputable shops.
WINE
Wines typical for Istria: red wine Teran, white wine Malvasia
and dessert wine Muscat.
TRUFFLES
Istria, in particular the area of Motovun, is famous for truffles.
The best kniwn producer is Zigante who sells various truffle
products. October is a truffle season, if you happen to be
there look for a real truffle hunter and buy from him.
CHEESE
Istria has a long tradition of cheese production, especially
goat and sheep cheese. Agrolaguna is a budget friendly
producer of different kinds of local cheese.
ISTRIAN PROSCIUTTO
Unlike some other prosciuttos, this autochtonous produce of
Istria does not go through the smoking phase, but is air
cured, which makes it more durable.
2)BUKALETA (POTTERY JUG)
Bukaleta is a traditional Istrian bird shaped jug. Each
specimen is unique, hand-made and painted. Istrian soup
made of red wine, sugar, grilled bread, a pinch of pepper and
olive oil is traditionally made and served in bukaleta.
Everybody drinks from the same jug.
3) KAZUN (MINIATURE STONE FIELD HOUSE)
Kazun is an Istrian stone house, round in shape and used as a shelter.
4) LAVENDER PRODUCTS
Like in most other Mediterranean countries lavender is widely grown in Istria and most souvenir shops offer a wide range of lavender based products.
QUO VADIS FINAL THOUGHTS
Istria is a small peninsula which offers its visitors a lot of opportunities. From scenic beaches and picturesque nearby islands, to historical places and memorable gastronomic experiences. With friendly locals and only a few hour drive from most European countries. No wonder it's so popular with the foreign visitors!
WHERE TO STAY
Istria is quite a small peninsula and most visitors come by car. There is also a reliable bus service, so you can easily reach every nook and cranny from wherever you choose to stay . Of course, provided it's not the high season when the traffic is heavy.
The places I stayed in an liked:
PICAL HOTEL in Poreč
The hotel I stayed in was a 3* hotel, a popular spot for congresses, business meetings and banquets. What I liked most about it was its location. Surrounded by fir trees which provide shade on hot summer days and close to the long beach, about a 20 minute walk away from the town and its hustle and bustle.
AMFORA HOTEL in Medulin
Located just 9 km from Pula, this very good 3* hotel is situated near the beach. Very clean, cosy, great choice of food (buffet). A big group of demanding and picky teenagers I stayed with (my students) liked it very much. I wasn't impressed, though, with the Medulin beach.
Umag
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