Istria

The westernmost Croatian region, Istria is the most visited tourist destination in the country. With its rich historical and cultural heritage, picturesque villages, beautiful coastline and a variety of popular events, Istria holds many treasures for those who seek to experience a memorable vacation.

Istria's pleasant Mediterranean climate comes with warm summer days and cooler nights. Temperature averages range from 24 °C in August, to 5 °C in January, and a large part of the year sees daily temperatures above 10 °C.

Wonderful nature is another one of Istria's strong points. Third of the territory is covered in woods, and the agriculture is an important part of the economy. Most notable are wine and oil production. Malvasia is the most famous wine in the area, while Istria's olive oil is one of the best and most expensive olive oils in the world.

In the Istria County, population of over 205,000 people inhabits the area of 2,820 km². Larger cities can be found along the coastline, while the inland contains numerous small towns and villages. The coastal and continental areas are both well connected by the roads, which furthermore connect the region to the rest of Croatia and Europe. Other options to travel through Istria include railroad and airplane.

The biggest commercial airport can be found in Pula, the Istria's most populated city. Among Pula's attractions the most famous one is Arena, an ancient Roman amphitheatre built by Emperor Vespasian.

Located in the region's center, Pazin is dubbed to be "The Heart of Istria". The town features a castle built in 983, and is also the location of the Pazin pit, an impressive geological attraction. The castle and the pit served as the inspiration for Jules Verne's novel Mathias Sandorf.

From archaeological finds and gourmet delicacies, to festivals and vampire legends, towns of inland Istria have a lot to offer. Among them, Motovun is considered to be the main attraction away from the coast.

With its blend of Roman, Venetian and medieval influences, paired with abundance of activities and places to explore, Istria is truly a refreshing choice of destination.