Istria is a large green peninsula located at the head of the Adriatic, between the Gulf of Trieste and the Kvarner Gulf. Its chief city, the ancient port of Pula, sits on the peninsula’s tip. You can sail up the sunny west coast to Istria’s most popular seaside destinations, Rovinj and Porec.
Aerial view of Old town Rovinj at sunset, Istra region, Croatia.
During your trip, explore Inland Istria, a rural region of medieval-walled hilltowns, fertile vineyards, and olive groves. In addition, be sure to sample Istria’s gourmet specialty, truffles.
Why Istria for Your Yacht Charter?
Are you dreaming of a luxurious getaway this summer? Look no further than an Istria yacht charter! Located in the northern part of the Adriatic Sea, Istria is an ideal destination for a summer escape. From its crystal clear waters to its stunningly beautiful coastline, there are plenty of reasons why an Istria yacht charter should be your next summer vacation. Here are reasons to book an Istria yacht charter.
The Location
Istria is a peninsula located in the northern Adriatic Sea, off the coast of Croatia. It is the largest peninsula in the Adriatic, offering stunning views and a pristine coastline.
Istria is an excellent location for a luxury yacht charter because it’s relatively close to many international airports and major cities like Venice, Trieste, and Milan. Moreover, Istria offers a variety of natural attractions such as forests, mountains, and beaches.
The coastal towns of Rovinj, Pula, and Porec are all popular stops for yacht charters in Istria. These towns have various marinas, shops, and restaurants.
Rovinj. Colorful houses crowd the seafront of this lovely fishing village. The steeple of St. Euphemia dominates the skyline (see the photo above). Lone Bay is a pebble beach in the south of the old town.
Pula. This seafront city on the tip of the Istrian Peninsula has a protected harbor, beach-lined coast, and Roman ruins.
Poreč. Resort town on the coast. The 6th-century Euphrasian Basilica complex in the historic old town is a must-see. The coastline offers numerous beaches for swimming and water sports.
The Climate
Istria enjoys a pleasant Mediterranean climate with warm summers and mild winters. It typically has more than 2,500 hours of sunshine each year, making it an ideal holiday destination all year round. In the summer months, temperatures reach an average of 80°F.
The Activities
If you are looking for an action-packed holiday, a yacht charter to the Istrian Peninsula is perfect. A few things to do include:
Scuba diving. Istria has fantastic diving spots. Scuba divers can explore underwater caves, shipwrecks, and other exciting sites.
If you’re a fan of fishing, you’ll be spoilt for choice in Istria as the area is abundant with fish such as bass, mackerel, sea bream, and tuna.
Cycling, hiking, birdwatching, and horse riding.
Explore the local culture; Istria is full of quaint little towns and villages where you can wander around cobbled streets and visit ancient churches.
The Food
Istria is a paradise for foodies. The region offers something for every palate with an abundance of seafood, locally sourced ingredients, and traditional recipes.
Fresh-caught fish and seafood dominate the menu, with dishes like calamari, scampi, sea bass, mussels, and more. There are delicious dishes featuring Istrian pršut (cured ham) and homemade sausages for meat lovers. Vegetarians can also find plenty of options here.
Nearby Italy has greatly influenced Istria’s cuisine, so you can expect to find many kinds of pasta and pizzas. And don’t forget the famous Istrian truffles – the world’s finest!
Some local dishes you should try are Fuzi (Istrian ravioli), Jota (a traditional bean and sauerkraut stew), and Fuži s tartufima (homemade noodles with truffles). Of course, no meal in Istria would be complete without sampling the region’s delicious wines. You’ll find plenty of variety, from robust reds to crisp whites.
Istria | Things to do
Explore Rovinj. Head to the old town and walk the cobblestone streets, photograph the colorful houses, and browse one of the many art galleries.
Go truffle hunting. Istria offers many truffle hunting tours where you can walk through quiet forests and find these hidden delicacies.
Hit the beach. Porton Biondi Beach in Rovinj has a fantastic view of the old town.
Play tennis. Tennis is very popular in Istria. The region has more than 400 tennis courts available all year long.
Horseback ride.
Marinas
ACI Marina Rovinj. A luxury marina overlooks the old town of Rovinj. It has 196 wet berths for vessels of an average length of 17 meters.
Brijuni Islands
Brijuni National Park contains the islands of the Brijuni archipelago. It consists of two larger islands, Veli Brijuni and Mali Brijun, plus twelve smaller islets. The islands lie opposite Fazana, off the Istria mainland coast. Pine trees, holm oaks, and rare flowers grow on the islands. Meanwhile, wild animals, such as fallow deer, mouflon, hares, and peacocks, roam free here. Veli Brijun Island Former Yugoslav President Tito had his official summer residence on Veli Brijun. He entertained many world leaders and international celebrities here, including Queen Elizabeth II, Fidel Castro, Richard Burton, and Elizabeth Taylor. Today, Veli Brijuni has three hotels, one private villa, and several restaurants and cafes. Sailing around the Adriatic archipelago is a beautiful experience and will be a memorable part of your Croatia Yacht Charter. Brijuni | Things to see and do First, see Safari Park and Zoo on Veli Brijun. The Indian elephant and sacred...
Porec lies on Istria's west coast and is one of Croatia's most popular tourist destinations. Initially founded by the Romans, the Old Town sits on a tiny peninsula. The main cultural attraction is the 6th-century Euphrasian Basilica, decorated with magnificent golden Byzantine mosaics and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Also, some noble Gothic and Baroque buildings are in the Old Town. Porec's big modern hotel resorts lie out of town, along the coast. Aerial view of the Croatian town Porec In short, Porec is a lovely place to visit while sailing the Istrian coast. July and August are the warmest months and the height of the tourist season. You can swim from May through October in Poreč's clean sea waters. Things to see and do Walk the length of the Decumanus, the ancient Roman street with polished stones, in the Old Town. At the end of the Decumanus, on the...
The industrial port city of Pula lies on Istria's southern tip. The Ancient Romans founded Pula in the first century BC, and the well-preserved Roman amphitheater still dominates the city center. Known to locals as the Arena, it hosts open-air summer concerts and the annual Pula Film Festival. Pula is the largest coastal city and port of Istria, Croatia. The city has a population of about 20,000 and is located on the northern coast. You can take day trips out from the city to explore the region's prestigious wine country and even taste some of the country's best olive oil. Roman Amphitheater in Pula, Croatia Croatia’s Adriatic coastline has become a popular vacation destination in recent years, drawing tourists from around the globe to its mix of charming cities, welcoming locals, and beautiful sandy beaches. Among Croatia’s many popular tourist destinations, Pula stands out as one of the best places...
Rabac is a cheerful seaside resort on Istria's east coast, overlooking Kvarner Bay. It is twinned with the nearby medieval hilltop town of Labin. Rabac started as a simple fishing village, but nowadays, it is a modest tourist destination with big modern resort hotels. Several of these are all-inclusive and cater specifically to families with kids. The hotels and pebble beaches are connected to the old village by a boardwalk. Rabac Beach Climate Rabac has a temperate climate with hot summers and some rainfall in all months, although it rains more in the winter. The average sea temperature ranges between 61 °F in winter and 81 °F in summer. May, June, September, and October are most likely to have good weather, with average temperatures between 68°F and 79°F. Rabac & Labin | Things to see and do Hike up to Labin, following the lovely two-mile Sentona Trail. Wander through Labin's...
Rovinj is Istria's prettiest and most-loved seaside destination. It lies on Istria's sunny west coast. You might already be familiar with Croatia as one of the best yacht charter destinations, but if you’ve never been to Rovinj, it may be time to try it. This quaint fishing village is on the Adriatic coast, just south of Venice, Italy, and north of Dubrovnik, Croatia. With its tiny streets and beautiful harbor location, Rovinj has a feel unlike any other place in Croatia, or even in Europe for that matter. ACI Marina Rovinj Rovinj Old Town sits on a tiny peninsula, which was initially an island. Pastel-colored Venetian-era facades rim the deep curving fishing harbor, overlooked by a lovely hilltop church. South from here, on the coast, are some of Croatia's most luxurious contemporary hotels. Sailing crews moor up along Rovinj's quayside to come ashore and explore its romantic cobbled alleys. Meanwhile,...
The town of Umag lies on Istria's west coast, close to the border with Slovenia. The Old Town is compact, sitting within the remains of the 10th-century walls. In addition, a long sea wall from the 1800's shelters the harbor. Town of Umag's historic coastline Umag was declared European City of Sport 2018. Tennis enthusiasts much love it for its summer tennis camps. In addition, each July, Umag hosts the ATP Croatia Open Umag at the Plava Laguna tennis complex. The SeaStar Festival is here in late May, featuring rock, pop, electronic, techno, and hip-hop music. Umag | Things to see and do Explore Umag's Old Town. See the main square, the 18th-century St. Pelegrin Church, and the Umag Municipal Museum in a former defense tower. Play tennis at Umag's Plava Laguna resort, which has 26 tennis courts. Rental equipment and tuition are available. Enjoy a round of golf at the...
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