Istria is not just Pula, Rovinj and Porec: this magnificent region of Croatia, so loved by Italians who increasingly choose it for their summer holidays, is full of hidden gems, more or less easy to reach by car or public transport.
You will find beaches frequented by locals, thirteenth-century castles, medieval villages, wonders of nature, small villages made up of narrow streets, magnificent views and, of course, plenty of restaurants where you can enjoy local specialities. Here are 6 villages in Istria to discover, for a different kind of holiday full of tranquillity and good living.
Surrounded by beautiful beaches, the medieval village of Bale is one of Istria’s hidden treasures. Visitors will be enchanted by the labyrinth of cobbled streets and old stone houses surrounding the Gothic-Renaissance castle of the Bembo family.
The ancient village is dominated by the immense bell tower of the Baroque church of S. Giuliano and captivates with its churches and ancient palazzi, including the town hall with its marvellous 14th-century loggia.
With its charming climate full of joie de vivre, its open-air cafés and its proximity to 9 km of pristine beaches and shallow waters, Bale is the ideal holiday resort!
Moreover, there is always something going on in town: theatre performances, jazz festivals, art performances and cabaret!
If the Istrian coastline is made up of fishing villages and crystal-clear waters, the hinterland is characterised by a magnificent rural landscape with medieval villages perched on vineyard-covered hillsides and farms with rustic taverns offering the delicious local produce of asparagus and truffles.
Nestled in this bucolic landscape is Labin, a charming hilltop village that looks like something out of a postcard, one of the pearls of Istria, made up of steep narrow streets and pastel-coloured stone houses lining the cobbled lanes.
Not to be missed during a visit to the village:
This pretty little town was founded as a Benedictine settlement and revolves around the beautiful square framed by cypress trees around which the ancient palaces wind in splendid harmony.
Its peaceful atmosphere makes it an ideal destination for a pleasant break.
Visit the Grimani Castle dating back to 1200, the Renaissance façade and the Venetian altars of the Church of the Annunciation of Mary.
This picturesque perched town was the inspiration for one of Jules Verne’s novels and still enchants the few tourists who decide to visit: a totally pedestrianised centre, a retro atmosphere and undulating hills that contribute to making Pazin a place out of time.
Devoid of fashionable attractions and nightlife, it is the ideal base for those seeking tranquillity, those who love silence and those who go to bed early in the evening to face demanding days of trekking, climbing and cycling.
The village’s main attraction is the Foiba, a 100-metre sinkhole into which the Pazincica River plunges, forming three underground lakes. Following a marked path, it is possible to descend into the cavity in an unsupervised 45-minute walk, although the most spectacular view is from the castle.
The castle is the best-preserved medieval fortress in all of Istria and encompasses very different architectural styles, Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance, and has an interesting Ethnographic Museum describing daily life in the area.
This quiet medieval village holds an incredible historical and architectural heritage thanks to a number of old buildings such as the Venetian-style Solomon’s Palace from the 1400s and two beautiful Romanesque churches.
It does not take more than 30 minutes to visit the village, but it is well worth a visit for the old-world atmosphere, the walks that can be taken in the surrounding area and the exquisite local cuisine that offers game and truffle dishes.
At risk of abandonment for many decades, today the small village of Groznjan has regained all its splendour.
A Venetian defensive stronghold due to its strategic position on top of a hill, it is equipped with bastions, gates, loggias, granaries and charming churches.
Its medieval charm has bewitched artists and young talents who have made it their base, restoring abandoned buildings and opening galleries, workshops and ateliers.
Since then, the village has come back to life, thanks also to the foundation of Jeunesses Musicales Croatia, a summer school for musicians that organises music, dance and acting courses every year.
Don’t miss the beautiful Renaissance loggia near the town gate, the patio of the splendid Palazzo Spinotti Morteani, which houses truffle shops and wine bars, and the more than 30 galleries and ateliers scattered throughout the narrow streets of the village.
In the following map you can see the location of the main places of interest mentioned in this article.
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