Istria
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 Poreč.
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.
Places to see
There is so much to see and to do in Istria that you may want to return again and again. Here are a few places to see while on your luxury yacht charter:
- Rovinj. Colorful houses crowd the seafront of this lovely fishing village. The steeple of St. Euphemia dominates the skyline (see the photo, above). In the south of the old town is Lone Bay, a pebble beach.
- 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 definite must-see. The coastline offers numerous beaches for swimming and water sports.
Things to Do
- Explore Rovinj. Head to the old town and walk the cobblestone streets, photograph the colorful houses, and browse one of 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 an amazing view of the old town.
- Play tennis. Tennis is very popular in Istria. In fact, the region has more than 400 tennis courts available all year long.
- Horseback ride.
Gastronomy
Istria’s cuisine is filled with fresh fish and other seafood. Olive oil, wine, truffles, and produce add to traditional dishes such as gnocchi, homemade sausages, risotto, and seafood scampi.
Marinas
ACI Marina Rovinj. A luxury marina overlooking 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. Former Yugoslav President Tito had his official summer residence on Veli Brijun. Here he entertained many world leaders and international celebrities, including Queen Elizabeth II and Fidel Castro, and Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor. Today, Veli Brijuni has three hotels and one private villa, plus several restaurants and cafes. In summary, 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 Firstly, see Safari Park and Zoo on Veli Brijuni. The Indian elephant...
Porec
Poreč lies on Istria's west coast and is one of Croatia's most popular tourist destinations. Originally founded by the Romans, the Old Town sits on a tiny peninsula. Above all, the main cultural attraction is the 6th-century Euphrasian Basilica, decorated with magnificent golden Byzantine mosaics, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Also in the Old Town, there are some noble Gothic and Baroque buildings. Porec's big modern hotel resorts lie out of town, along the coast. In short, Porec is a lovely place to visit while sailing the Istrian coast. July and August are the warmest months and height of the tourist season. You can swim from May through October in Poreč's clean sea-waters. Porec | Things to See and Do Firstly, walk the length of the Decumanus, the ancient Roman street with polished stones, in Porec's Old Town.At the end of the Decumanus, on the tip of the...
Pula, Croatia
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. 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 to go on your next...
Rabac
Rabac is a cheerful seaside resort on Istria's east coast, overlooking Kvarner Bay. Moreover, 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
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 give it a try. This quaint fishing village is located 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. 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 proud 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,...
Umag
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 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 Firstly, explore Umag's Old Town. See the main square, the 18h-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 18-hole...
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