If you still have no idea where to go, Istria is always a good idea. Wineries, restaurants, local specialties along with enjoying the natural beauty of our largest peninsula make Istria the perfect location to escape from the hectic everyday life. Below are some suggestions that will make your weekend in Istria unforgettable! Can’t you imagine anything better than spending a holiday far away from everyday life surrounded by nature? Then Villa Magnifica is the right choice. Located in the heart of Istria, you can enjoy a truly magical view as this luxurious villa is surrounded by green fields, vineyards and hills.
Read more: Discover the 5 most beautiful places in Istria
Visit Istrian cities
From the interior to the coast, Istrian towns will win you over with their charm, and each one has something that makes it special. Find accommodation in one of them, and then set off by car to tour everything that interests you. In Rovinj you will find everything you need for a well-rounded stay, from hotels, restaurants and cafes, historical sights to beaches where you can sunbathe and swim. Motovun is probably the most attractive Istrian town that captures attention with its natural beauty and its gastronomic offer. Picturesque Grožnjan will win you over with its narrow, medieval streets and colorful galleries and studios… There are also Novigrad, Pula, Bale, Labin, Umag, Fažana… Each is worth a visit and, if nothing else, a short walk.
Enjoy the gastronomic experience
Truffles, olive oil, various types of cheese, Istrian prosciutto, pasta and wine – Istria is a true paradise for food lovers! Below we have compiled a short list of some of the best Istrian restaurants, wineries and olive oil producers, and it’s up to you to find your favorite and enjoy top Istrian delicacies!
Restaurants and taverns
If you are a lover of truffles, then head to the town of Livade, which is the home of the Istrian truffle, and to the restaurant Zigante, which is completely dedicated to the creation of unique dishes with truffles.
In Rovinj, next to the church of St. Euphemia, you will find the restaurant Monte, which holds a Michelin star. In this unique location, local tradition and innovative cuisine meet in an environment of heartiness and elegance.
In the heart of the old town of Rovinj, with a view of the sea, rocks and the islet of Sv. Katarine, La Puntulina restaurant is a truly special place to enjoy the gastronomic offer. Visits to restaurants on the coast should definitely include seafood specialties, so don’t miss them here either.
Restaurant for seafood lovers
Restaurant Marina in Novigrad is an ideal destination for seafood lovers. Since what the sea gives that day is cooked, only tasting menus of four, six or eight courses are offered in the Marina.
Another place worth visiting in Novigrad if you are a fan of fresh Adriatic fish is the restaurant Damir & Ornella. Mediterranean Sashimi is the name given by spouses Damir and Ornella to the preparation of their dishes – a simple way that gives the fish the opportunity to express itself in the best light. Everything is based on raw fish that is filleted in front of the guests and spices from the Istrian climate are added.
In addition to numerous awards, the San Rocco restaurant in Brtonigla can also boast of a modern kitchen that makes sure that traditional Istrian dishes are presented the way they really deserve – from the best ingredients from controlled cultivation, but also with San Rocco olive oil and wine vinegar. Their seasonal tasting menus are the best way to fully experience the gastronomic uniqueness of Istria.
Try traditional Istrian cuisine
In the valley of the river Arglia, below the Momjan castle, the family tavern Stari podrum is located, on the site of the first Istrian liquor factory. This family restaurant will delight you with its traditional recipes and pleasant atmosphere. As soon as you enter, you will feel the relaxing home atmosphere and wonderful aromas that whet your appetite. You will always be greeted with a big smile, but due to the small space, it is advisable to make an appointment earlier.
In the San Servolo restaurant in Buje, you can taste numerous well-known specialties of traditional Istrian cuisine, such as truffles, wild asparagus, boškarin, lamb, prosciutto and homemade cheese. However, the foundations of their gastronomic offer are meat specialties and recipes that include beer. Don’t forget to taste the San Servolo beer with the food.
Homemade pasta with Boškarin meat
In the town of Banjole, near Pula, there is a famous fish tavern Batelina, which is owned by the Skoko family, one of the best Croatian chefs, David Skoka, who still cooks at Batelina three days a week. Superbly prepared seafood specialties made from daily fresh ingredients will not leave you indifferent, and be sure to reserve a table early because the tavern is almost always full. In central Istria, in Tinjan, you can eat at the Danijeli tavern where you will enjoy traditional Istrian dishes. A specialty that you must try is homemade pasta with Boškarin meat, porcini mushrooms and seasonal products.
Wine and olive oil
The Kozlović Winery in Momjan should definitely be at the top of your list of discovering wines in Istria. The winery is located in an idyllic location with a view of the vineyard, and once you visit it, you will always want to come back. In addition to wine tasting, there is also the possibility of visiting the cellar.
The wine story of the Markežić family and the Kabola winery began way back in 1891 with Momjanski Muskat. From then until today,the winery has created its own distinctive style under the Kabola brand, which is actually the family’s nickname. Located on a picturesque hill, surrounded by vineyards, this stone, traditional Istrian building brings a romantic atmosphere and a superb wine and gastronomic experience for the palate.
Go for fine dining
In addition to fine dining, Meneghetti Wine Hotel & Winery offers individual or group guided wine tasting programs in the tasting room within the winery. If you particularly like one of the top wines of Meneghetti or Kuće Glavić, you can buy individual bottles or sets packed in handmade wooden boxes in the tasting room.
Trapan is a young winery that has been creating fine and elegant wines since 2005, immediately recognizable with a special Mediterranean note. Their Food & Wine Station allows visitors a complete and rounded experience of enjoying quality Trapan wines and top culinary specialties. The specially designed menu is based on seasonal ingredients and local products. Arrival must be announced in advance by phone.
Agrolaguna is a well-known Istrian company that grows olives and vines and produces top quality wines and olive oils. The most interesting part of the winery is certainly the barique hall, where more than 100,000 top red wines from the Festigia line are stored in massive oak barrels.
Taste real extra virgin olive oil
The Chiavalon family from Vodnjan is the most awarded producer of extra virgin olive oils in Croatia, and their Ex Albis olive oil is included in the top 25 organically grown extra virgin olive oils in the world. For visitors, the Chiavalon family has designed several interesting tours of their farm, where you will get to know more about the production of extra virgin olive oil through a walk through the olive grove, and in the specialized tasting room they will teach you how to properly taste and recognize real extra virgin olive oil.
Take a break from everyday life
Istria offers so much that it is simply impossible to list everything. A few days of exploring Istrian cities, their natural and cultural beauties and enjoying local delicacies will be enough for you to take a break from the otherwise hectic everyday life and recharge your batteries. Until the next visit, because you will surely want to return to Istria again…