Pula Arena
One of the best preserved Roman amphitheatres anywhere, with all four towers and the full seaward wall still standing, an underground gladiator level to explore, and summer concerts in the same stone ring.
Croatia
Istria: Pula & Rovinj
Istria is the heart-shaped peninsula where Croatia borrows from Rome, Venice and Vienna.
Pula keeps one of the best preserved Roman amphitheatres anywhere, Rovinj stacks pastel houses up a former island to a baroque bell tower, and the green interior hides walled hill towns, truffle forests and some of the Adriatic's best olive oil and Malvazija wine. This guide books the headline experiences properly, from the Pula Arena and the Brijuni Islands to sunset sails, sea kayaking, Lim Fjord and the Parenzana railway trail, then matches them with hotels in Rovinj, Pula, Poreč and Motovun so you can choose the base that suits your trip.
Don't miss
Pula Arena
One of the best preserved Roman amphitheatres anywhere, with all four towers and the full seaward wall still standing, an underground gladiator level to explore, and summer concerts in the same stone ring.
Brijuni National Park Boat Excursion
A boat trip to the Brijuni archipelago, the former summer retreat of Yugoslavia's president, with a safari park, Roman villa ruins, ancient olive groves and dinosaur footprints on Veliki Brijun.
Rovinj Old Town Walking Tour
Rovinj's old town sits on a former island, a maze of cobbled lanes, pastel houses, art studios and harbour cafes crowned by the hilltop church of St Euphemia. A guided walk adds the stories behind the Venetian charm.
Rovinj Sunset Sailing on a Sail Yacht
A small-group sail along Rovinj's coast in the golden hour, with the old town skyline, islands and the sun sinking behind the church tower, plus a swim stop and drinks on board.
Things to do in Istria: Pula & Rovinj
Hand-picked: every experience here has strong traveler reviews and a verified booking link.
Pula Roman Old Town Walking Tour
A guided loop through Pula's compact Roman core: the Arch of the Sergii, the Temple of Augustus on the forum square, the Golden Gate, the theatre and the layers of Venetian and Habsburg history around them.
Pula Walking Food Tour
A tasting walk through the old town sampling Istrian prosciutto, sheep cheese, olive oil, fuzi pasta, truffle products and Malvazija wine, with stories about the Venetian, Austrian and Italian influences on the table.
Cape Kamenjak Bike and Swim Tour
The wild southern tip of Istria: a protected limestone peninsula of juniper scrub, hidden coves, cliff-jump bars and clear water, explored best by bike with swim stops.
Pula Sea Cave Kayak and Snorkel Tour
Paddle a guided route along Pula's rocky coast to sea caves, small islands and cliff coves, with snorkelling stops in water clear enough to see the seabed.
Brijuni National Park Boat Excursion
A boat trip to the Brijuni archipelago, the former summer retreat of Yugoslavia's president, with a safari park, Roman villa ruins, ancient olive groves and dinosaur footprints on Veliki Brijun.
Pula Yugoslav History Tour in a Vintage Zastava
A private tour in a restored Zastava 101, the classic Yugoslav family car, touring the shipyard, military sites and neighbourhoods that tell Pula's twentieth century story.
Rovinj Old Town Walking Tour
Rovinj's old town sits on a former island, a maze of cobbled lanes, pastel houses, art studios and harbour cafes crowned by the hilltop church of St Euphemia. A guided walk adds the stories behind the Venetian charm.
Church of St Euphemia and Tower Self-Guided Tour
Rovinj's baroque hilltop church holds the marble sarcophagus of its patron saint, and its 60 metre bell tower, modelled on St Mark's in Venice, is the best viewpoint over the old town and the sea.
Rovinj Sunset Sailing on a Sail Yacht
A small-group sail along Rovinj's coast in the golden hour, with the old town skyline, islands and the sun sinking behind the church tower, plus a swim stop and drinks on board.
Rovinj Kayaking Adventure to Paradise Island
A guided kayak trip from Rovinj to the sheltered islands just offshore, with swimming, snorkelling and views back to the old town from the water.
Lim Fjord, Vrsar and Rovinj Boat Tour
A boat day from Rovinj into the Lim Fjord, a ten kilometre drowned valley of oyster farms and steep wooded cliffs, with a stop in the hillside town of Vrsar and swim breaks along the coast.
Where to stay
Hotels we would book ourselves, from splurges to good-value bases.
Hotel Lone
Lone Bay, near the old town
Rovinj's design hotel on the Lone Bay woodland edge, a bold contemporary building with a large spa and a walk through the forest park to the old town.
Check rates →Hotel Monte Mulini
Mulini Bay, near the old town
A five-star, adults-only retreat above Mulini Bay with a spa, pool, fine dining and a short stroll to Rovinj's old town.
Check rates →Hotel Adriatic
Harbourfront, old town
A harbourfront hotel right at the edge of Rovinj's old town, steps from the quay, with sea-view rooms, a terrace and a restaurant overlooking the water.
Check rates →Hotel Eden
Coastal pine forest, south of the old town
A seaside resort-style hotel south of Rovinj's old town in a pine forest setting, with a pool, beach access, spa and family-friendly facilities.
Check rates →Family Hotel Amarin
Coastal resort area near Rovinj
A family-focused coastal resort near Rovinj with pools, kids clubs, sports facilities and beaches, designed to keep both children and parents happy.
Check rates →Hotel Scaletta
Central Pula, near the Arena
A small, friendly hotel in central Pula within walking distance of the Arena and the old town, popular with travellers who prefer a personal base over a big resort.
Check rates →Park Plaza Histria Pula
Verudela peninsula
A large seaside resort hotel on the Verudela peninsula with pools, a spa, kids facilities and beaches, a short ride from Pula's centre.
Check rates →Valamar Riviera Hotel and Residence
Poreč seafront, old town edge
A seafront hotel on the Poreč waterfront beside the old town, designed for adults, with a pool, spa and walkable access to the Euphrasian Basilica.
Check rates →Isabella Island Resort
Saint Nicholas island, off Poreč
A resort on the small island of Saint Nicholas just off Poreč, reached by a short boat ride, with sea views, pools and a quiet, car-free setting.
Check rates →Hotel Kastel Motovun
Inside the walls of Motovun
A historic hotel inside the walls of Motovun, a medieval hill town above the truffle forests, with views over the Mirna valley and a restaurant serving local dishes.
Check rates →Istria: Pula & Rovinj guides
Istria in Three Days: Pula, Rovinj and the Hill Towns
A three day plan that links Roman Pula, pastel Rovinj and the truffle hills of the interior, with tips on sequencing, transport and where to eat.
Where to Stay in Istria: Pula, Rovinj, Poreč or the Hills
A guide to choosing your base in Istria, comparing Pula, Rovinj, Poreč and the hill towns by atmosphere, price, access and style of stay.
Eating and Drinking in Istria: Truffles, Malvazija and Olive Oil
A guide to Istrian food and wine: truffles, fresh pasta, prosciutto, olive oil, Malvazija and Teran, with tips on where and how to enjoy them.
Best Time to Visit Istria: Seasons, Sea and Crowds
A season by season guide to Istria covering sea temperature, crowds, truffle season, festivals and what is open.
Day Trips from Pula and Rovinj: Islands, Hill Towns and Fjords
The best day trips in Istria from Pula and Rovinj, including Brijuni, Lim Fjord, Motovun, Poreč, the Parenzana trail and Cape Kamenjak.
Istria with Kids: Beaches, Boats and Gladiators
A family guide to Istria with ideas for children of different ages, from Roman arenas and boat trips to cycling, swimming and relaxed resorts.
