At first glance, the east coast of Istria with its steep rocky coastline appears much more rugged than the flat west. However, over extensive chestnut forests, Mediterranean scrub and olive groves, you will always find beautiful unspoilt bathing bays with crystal-clear water and a magnificent view of the islands of the Kvarner Bay. Between the imposing seaside resorts of Opatija and Lovran (which geographically no longer belong to Istria) and the Učka Mountains in the far north and the lively tourist strongholds in the south of the peninsula, a gentle tourism has developed that is an ideal destination for all those seeking peace and quiet. With its many small winding roads, this is also a paradise for cyclists and motorcyclists.
The southern tip of Istria presents itself quite differently: the bustling metropolis of Pula with its many relics from Roman times and the seaside resorts of Medulin and Premantura are popular holiday destinations for young and old. In the extreme south of the peninsula, the Rt Kamenjak Nature Park is an absolute highlight!
Fažana
The picturesque seaside resort of Fažana is located in the southwest of the peninsula, just...
Labin
Anyone planning a trip to the east coast of Istria, should consider a stop in Labin. The medieval...
National Park Brijuni
The summer residence of Tito, the former head of state of Yugoslavia, used to host state...
Nature Park Učka
Visible from afar, the peaks of the Učka Mountains, up to 1400 m high, tower over the north of...
Opatija
At the far north-east of Istria, just before Rijeka, is the famous seaside resort of Opatija...
Pula
The vibrant metropolis in the far south of Istria is one of the oldest cities at the Adriatic Sea...
Rt Kamenjak
A special highlight is the Rt Kamenjak. During a longer stay in Istria you should definitely take...
The summer residence of Tito, the former head of state of Yugoslavia, used to host state guests, artists and stars such as Willy Brandt, Leonid Brezhnev, Princess Margaret of England, Sophia Loren and more on the islands of Brijuni.
In 1983, the archipelago of 14 small islands was declared a national park and opened up to tourists. Today you can take a boat from the fishing village of Fažana to Veli Brijun. The trip there across the blue Adriatic with a view of Fažana's colourful harbour scenery is worthwhile in itself. Unfortunately, you can't explore Brijuni on your own, you have to join a guided tour. You can take a small train around the island, past a safari park that still has some animals that Tito received as a gift from the state, various monuments, ruins from Roman times and lots of nature.
Anyone planning a trip to the east coast of Istria, should consider a stop in Labin. The medieval old town of Labin is situated on a rock high above the popular seaside resort of Rabac. On a tour through the streets you can immerse yourself in the history of the town and marvel at the many well-preserved buildings from different eras. Terrific is also the view of the bay of Rabac.
At the far north-east of Istria, just before Rijeka, is the famous seaside resort of Opatija located. With its magnificent boulevard, the exotic parks and colorful flower gardens Opatija exudes today a touch of the nostalgic Austro-time. A popular promenade, the Lungomare, runs about 6 km south from Opatija along the sea to Lovran. On this way, many luxurious villas and hotels are lined up.
An absolute highlight is the Christmas Opatija - a unique atmosphere!
The vibrant metropolis in the far south of Istria is one of the oldest cities at the Adriatic Sea and was once the most important Roman city in Istria. From this time remains the biggest attraction of Pula, the Arena, which was built in the 1st century by Emperor Augustus. Today many concerts and theatre production take place in the once up to 30,000-seat structure. More magnificent evidence of these times can also be found in the center of the old city, among others the Temple of Augustus and the Triumphal Arch of the Sergii.
Around the Arch of the Sergii the pedestrian zone spreads out with lots of shops. Also worthwhile is a visit to the market hall and the beautiful market with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables.