Istria

The largest green oasis of the Northern Adriatic and the largest Croatian peninsula surrounded by crystal clear blue sea.

Istria is the largest green oasis of the Northern Adriatic and the largest Croatian peninsula surrounded by crystal clear blue sea.

Cut by the 45th parallel, sitting half way between the Equator and the North Pole, Istria enjoys an ideal geographic and temperature position in the northern hemisphere.

Located in the Northern Adriatic, the Istrian peninsula is the closest Mediterranean destination to most of the Central European countries.

Istria is famous for its cuisine, rich with traditional flavors reflecting the historical, geographic and climatic characteristics of the peninsula. The interior of Istria hides many taverns and wine cellars where you can experience the authentic atmosphere and taste traditional local dishes complemented by local wines such as Malvasia (white), Teran and Refošk (red), or Istrian Muscat (a famous dessert wine).

Olive has been an important determinant of Istria since the time of the Ancient Greeks and Romans. Istrian olive oils are considered some of the best in the world, and they can be tasted in the finest mills and taverns across the peninsula.

The climate is mild, Mediterranean, with warm and dry summers and mild and pleasant winters. It has an average of 2,338 sunny hours per year, and 10 hours of sun per day during the summer. The average air temperature during the coldest part of the year is 6°C and 30°C during the warmest. The lowest sea temperatures are recorded in March, with an average of 9°C, while the highest temperatures are recorded in August, reaching up to 25°C. With an average of 2,000 hours of sun, the blue summer skies sometime last for several months (from April to October) without interruption in western Istria. Most beaches in Istria are rocky, stone, pebble, and in certain locations, sandy with lush Mediterranean vegetation reaching down to the sea, the perfect basis for your holidays in Istria.

Basic information

  • Population: 206,400
  • Area: 2,820 km2
  • Coastline: 445 km (a well-indented coast, twice as long as the road)
  • Vegetation: pine forests (35% of area)

Average sea temperature

  • March (9,3 °C to 11,1 °C)
  • August (23,3 °C to 24,1 °C)
  • Salinity: an average of 36 to 38 pro mille
  • Rivers: Mirna, Dragonja, Raša
  • Climate: Mediterranean climate
  • January (5 °C to 9°C)
  • August (22 °C to 25 °C)

Things to do

  • See the famous Roman Amphitheater
  • Explore the charming streets of Rovinj
  • Visit the old Labin coal mine
  • Go dolphin watching off of the coast of Vrsar
  • See Hum, the smallest town in the world

Pula

Pula, city that has existed for three thousand years, is situated in the south of the Istrian peninsula. The town has beautiful beaches spread over nearly one hundred miles of beautiful and indented coastline.

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Rovinj

Enjoy your holidays in Rovinj which is situated on the western coast of Istria in Croatia, the largest peninsula on the Adriatic coastline, a one hour drive from Trieste, 2.5 hours from Zagreb and 6 hours from Munich.

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Labin

Labin is a small town in Istria, Croatia, developed from the site of the Roman settlement of Albona. Before and under the Roman occupation, Albona was an important commune.

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Poreč

Poreč is a town located in the heart of the western coast of the Istrian peninsula, in Istria County.

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Pazin

Pazin is the administrative center of Istria County and already in the 19th century, mostly because of its central position on the Peninsula, but importance as well, came to be called the “heart of Istria”.

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Buzet

Buzet is an idyllic small town located in the northern part of the beautiful Istrian heart-shaped peninsula. Known as the "City of Truffles," It welcomes you with its centennial architecture, unique history, flavorful food, and colorful streets. 

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Umag

Umag is a charming town situated on the western coast of the Istrian peninsula. 

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