Istria County can be explored through several themes: protected island nature, hiking trails and cultural sites with Roman and early Christian history. When planning, it helps to first choose the experiences you want to shape your stay. The following places and tours offer concrete ideas—from a guided island tour to hikes with different stated durations, lengths and difficulty levels.
Nature between the island archipelago and the southern tip
The Brijuni National Park is part of Istria County’s protected natural heritage. It comprises 14 islands and islets and covers 33.9 square kilometres, including the surrounding sea and seabed. The park’s current boundaries were established in 1999. The archipelago’s exceptional biodiversity is linked to its geographical location, geological foundation and geomorphology, the diversity of its habitats and its island setting.
Cape Kamenjak, a protected landscape, lies at the southernmost point of the county. A marked Istrian cycling route passes through the area, which can also be explored on foot. Brijuni and Kamenjak therefore offer different nature experiences: an island archipelago with surrounding sea on the one hand, and a protected landscape at the southern tip on the other.
Hiking and guided nature experiences
In Učka Nature Park, the Vela Učka–Sedlo–Vojak–Plas–Poklon trekking route takes about five hours and is rated moderate to difficult. The approximate duration and difficulty provide a concrete guide for planning your time. Trail conditions and programme details may change, so check the latest information before setting out.
The Vela Draga educational trail runs along the edge of the gorge. Information boards there provide details in four languages about this natural monument, which is of exceptional geomorphological value. If you are interested in how landscapes are formed, you will find explanations about the site as well as the trail itself. From the old stone tower on Vojak, the view stretches across Istria, the Kvarner Bay and its islands, the mountains of Gorski kotar, the Velebit massif, the Alps and Italy.
Another hiking option with a clearly stated distance connects Pazin and Beram: the circular trail, marked with red-and-white hiking signs, is twelve kilometres long and starts in Pazin. The distance and starting point help distinguish this route from the approximately five-hour trek on Učka; for both, take the respective trail conditions into account.
On Veliki Brijun, the guided tour takes about three and a half hours. It includes a one-hour ride on the tourist train and a walking tour, and is offered in Croatian, Italian, German, Russian and English. As programme details may change, check the latest tour information before planning your visit.
Cultural heritage in Poreč and Pula
The Euphrasian Basilica in Poreč is an early Christian complex and was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1997. In Pula, the Arena tells the story of a different era: its construction began under Emperor Augustus in the early first century. Under the Flavian dynasty, it was expanded to accommodate up to 23,000 spectators. Today, the Arena is used for cultural events such as film festivals and various concerts. These two sites offer different ways to experience Istria’s cultural heritage.
Wine and planning a trip to suit you
In Sylvis cultivates four hectares of vineyards on red Istrian soil around Sveti Petar u Šumi. The grape varieties grown are Malvazija istarska, Teran, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. The winery offers guided wine tastings in its tasting room. Vineyard area and grape varieties may change over time; if you are planning a tasting, check the current offer before your visit.
First choose the places and activities that suit your stay, then compare specific accommodations based on their location and your travel plans. This keeps your choice of hotels in Istria County connected to your own plans without turning the region’s variety of themes into a fixed itinerary.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Općina Umag, Općina Poreč, Općina Labin, Općina Rovinj, Općina Svetvinčenat, Općina Marčana, Općina Kršan, Općina Pula, Općina Buje, Općina Barban, Općina Višnjan, Općina Kanfanar, Općina Tinjan, Općina Sveti Petar U Šumi, Općina Buzet, Općina Ližnjan, Općina Vižinada, Općina Sveti Lovreč, Općina Žminj, Općina Raša, Općina Kaštelir - Labinci, Općina Vodnjan, Općina Medulin, Općina Sveta Nedelja, Općina Novigrad, Općina Gračišće, Općina Oprtalj, Općina Pićan, Općina Fažana, Općina Bale, Općina Lupoglav, Općina Cerovlje, Općina Motovun, Općina Grožnjan, Općina Pazin, Općina Karojba, Općina Lanišće, Općina Vrsar, Općina Brtonigla.
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