Languages

Meetings and events Agencies
Valamar Quality Centre Groups

You are located at: Home / Guide by destination / Istria Travel Guide / Istria Attractions /

Explore
Istria

Istria Attractions

Istria is a peninsula that has a wonderful mixture of green and blue countryside. It is joined up into an ideal whole, where its outer side is lapped by the sea, and its interior is peppered with green hills, castles, vineyards and charming scenes. Any account about Istria’s natural beauty and sites of interest must start with its National Park that it has reason to be proud of. The Brijuni islands are famous for being one of the most attractive and well preserved archipelagos in the Mediterranean, with 14 islets scattered on the south western coast of Istria. All of Istria’s corners have their own story and are unique, and there are sites the length of the entire peninsula that are definitely worth visiting, researching and experiencing. But some areas, due to their diverse and unique flora and fauna, deserve special status as protected natural areas. There are six forest parks, nine protected areas of countryside (five botanical, one zoological, three geo-morphological and one geological natural monument), and two monuments of park architecture in Istria. Istria has the Učka mountain range in the east, which is the highest point in Istria, the Motovun woods and the Lim Channel in the centre, and the coast that is surrounded by crystal clear sea in the west. The whole of Istria is witness to the valuable and interesting work of nature and man who have always lived together in harmony. Istria’s natural beauty is just a part of life here, which continues with the rich history and numerous localities that have seen the passing of the turbulent centuries, rulers, and changes, from the Histri to the Roman times and up until today. Then there is the culture that has always been an important element in this area, the Istrian people and their traditions that they have even kept today, as well as a whole range of other details and events that Istria warmly offers its visitors.

Top 10 attractions

	Rabac’s beaches and paths The kilometres of well-cared for beaches and paths that run beside the crystal clear sea and are surrounded by fragrant Mediterranean vegetation, is one of the reasons why it has been called the “Pearl of Kvarner”, a name that Rabac uses with pride.
	Francovich and Battiala Lazzarini Palaces The most beautiful palaces in Labin were built in the 17th century. Today in Francovich Palace you can see the permanent exhibition of Mathija Vlačić Ilirik, a famous theologist, reformer and historian who was born in Labin in 1520. The National museum has been housed at Battiala Lazzarini Palace since 1960, and amongst the many valuable exhibitions, of particular interest is the mining exhibition with items that were once used in the coal-mines.
	Sanfior gate The main gate of the town of Labin, St. Flora, was built in 1589. Above it sits the Labin crest and Venetian lion.
	Old Town - Poreč A huge attraction in itself. It developed on the peninsula in Roman times and has kept its original urban street system. The peninsula, which is where Poreč’s centre is located, is divided lengthways by Decumanus Maximus street with a parallel series of ancillary streets. They are connected together by horizontal streets with Cardo Maximus at the centre. As a result of this layout, the town area takes the form of a proper square with the houses inside it.
	Euphrasius’ Basilica complex The most significant and valuable cultural historical site in Poreč. It is the best kept memorial of early Byzantine art in the Mediterranean and is on the UNESCO world cultural heritage list. It was built in the 6th century during the time of Bishop Euphrasius and Emperor Justinian I.
	Romanesque house This is near Marafor square and was built in the 13th century. There is a stable on the ground floor, stone steps lead to the first floor, which is a large area with a hearth, and the façade is decorated with two double lancet windows and a wooden balcony.
	Baredine Cave The only open geological monument in Istria.
	The Arena amphitheatre "Arena" Which is the sixth largest amphitheatre in the world and is commonly known as the Arena was built in the 1st century. Gladiator fights used to be held here, but today it an open-air stage.
	The Golden Gate (Triumphal Arch of the Sergii) One of Pula’s more famous landmarks from the Roman period, built in 27 B.C. by the Sergii family in honour of those family members who held high positions in Pula.
	Temple of Augustus Built between 2 to 14 B.C., dedicated to the Goddess Roma and Emperor Augustus.