Brijuni Islands

The Brijuni Islands lie a short boat ride off the Istrian west coast and form one of Croatia's best known national parks. Of the fourteen islands, the largest, Veliki Brijun, is the one most visitors explore. For decades it was the summer residence of Yugoslavia's president Josip Broz Tito, who hosted heads of state and film stars here, and the legacy is a landscape of manicured parkland, a small safari park and a museum of the era. Before that, the islands were a retreat for wealthy Romans, and the remains of a first-century villa stretch along Verige Bay. Guided tours usually combine a boat from Pula or Fazana with a tour of the main island by small electric train, covering the safari park, the Byzantine fort, a 1,600-year-old olive tree, fossilised dinosaur footprints and the church with its frescoes. It is one of the most varied day trips in the region.

The park mixes history, nature and a touch of surrealism. The safari park holds animals given to Tito as diplomatic gifts, descendants of which still roam in enclosures, and the museum and car collection tell the story of the leader's court life. Along the shoreline, the Roman villa ruins offer a sense of scale and leisure, while the lanes between pines and cypress make for pleasant strolls or cycling if you rent bikes.

Many excursion boats add a swim stop, a lunch on board and sometimes a dolphin-spotting cruise on the return, so choose according to whether you want a history day or a relaxed boat day. Visits are managed by the park authorities and tickets and ferry timing are tied to the island schedule.

Practical details matter. Boats leave Pula or the harbour at Fazana, around fifteen minutes by sea from the islands, and the full excursion lasts about five to eight hours. Park entry may or may not be included in the boat price, so check the inclusions. Wear a sun hat and comfortable shoes, bring swimwear, and be prepared for limited shade on the walking sections. In high season the islands can feel busy around midday, so a morning departure or a sunset cruise gives a different experience.

Spring and autumn are quieter and cooler, with the park looking lush. For families, the safari park and the small train are highlights, and for history buffs the Roman ruins and the Tito museum add depth. Anyone staying in Pula, Rovinj or Fazana can fit this in as a full day, and it pairs well with an evening in the old town afterwards.

To get the most from the day, decide in advance how you want to spend your hours. If the Tito story and the Roman ruins interest you, favour tours that devote time on the island itself and include the small train. If you mainly want a sea day with a cultural stop, a boat-based excursion with a swim break and lunch may suit better.

Whichever you choose, carry water, a light jacket for the breeze on the boat, and a camera, as the views back toward the coast and the pine-lined shoreline are unusually photogenic. The park museum also has displays on local wildlife and geology that older children often enjoy.