USEFUL INFORMATION

ISTRA INFO

Istria is the largest peninsula in Croatia, and life along its coast has always been connected to the sea. Explore the whole peninsula of Istria and get to know new places, historical towns and charming little islands. In the distance and up a hill the town of Labin is located. It is a small town that has been enclosed in walls for centuries. Rabac is located at the foot of Labin, along one of the most beautiful beaches in Istria. Point Kamenjak is located at the southernmost part of Istria and a beautiful, historic town of Pula is to the West of it, one of the biggest towns in Istria, as well. This town is adorned with an antique arena, 6th in length in the world.  A magnificent harmony of flora and fauna stretches along the South-western coast– the islands of Brijuni, the beauty of which will leave you breathless.  Rovinj is known as the most photogenic little town of the Mediterranean. Its narrow medieval alleys and the warm Mediterranean atmosphere make this little town so charming.

 

Be sure to visit 

Rovinj is a small city located on the western coast of Istria. It is rich with natural beauty such as Limska Draga, the Rovinj islands and coastal region, “Zlatni Rat” Forest Park, “Fantazija” quarry, “Palud” marsh and the Dvije Sestrice islands. Apart from its natural beauty, it is rich with historical landmarks, of which we recommend the following: Old Town, City Walls and Gates, Church of St. Eufemia, Baptistry of the Holy Trinity, Franciscan Monastery and the castle on the island of St. Andrew.

 

 

Umag is a port-town on the north western coast of Istria. It is known for being the host of the ATP tournament (welcomes numerous world tennis stars) because of which it was named the town of tourism and sports. 

 

 

 

 

 

Pula is a city rich with historical and cultural monuments. The city center is dominated by the 6th largest ancient amphitheater in the world. We also recommend you view the triumphal arch of the Sergijans, the gates of Hercules, the Lowe Gate, Augustus’ temple, , the Forum, the navy cemetery and many others. The city offers a wide variety of sports and recreational activities as well. You can take part in windsurfing, basketball, tennis, sailing, panoramic flights, nature climbing, golf, scuba diving, walking, cycling and many others.

 

 

 

Excursions

The program of excursions from Poreč and Poreč's tourist resorts is extremely rich and diverse and includes excursions on the sea and to the Istrian hinterland. For example, you can take a small boat to the Lim Canal, Rovinj, Brijuni National Park, or you can go on an organised boating, fishing and 'pirate' picnic. Hydrofoils and fast boats take excursionists to Venice, Trieste and Pula. Travel agencies also organise excursions to the renowned natural attraction, the Plitvica Lakes National Park.

Excursions to Istrian cities and towns in the hinterland are a must and include visits to Motovun, Hum, Grožnjan, Oprtalj, Momjan, Vižinadu, Višnjan, Beram, Sv. Lovreč, Pazin, Savičentu, Barban… Every town will enchant you in its own way. You can also cool off with an excursion to the karst Baredine Cave near Nova Vas.
You can also research specific Istrian wines should you take off on one of Istria's wine roads. No matter which way you turn on your short trips, the view will include numerous olive groves which can take you along olive oil roads. On these roads you can taste various olive oils that liquid gold that represents a true abundance of health.

 

Beaches in Poreč

Sea quality in the area of Istria has been monitored continuously since 1988. Based on years-long examination, the criteria of sea quality have been introduced, classifying it into four categories marked by different colours. Blue colour marks high quality sea, green colour marks the sea acceptable for bathing, yellow colour marks moderately polluted sea, while red marks heavily polluted sea. These criteria tend to point out the coastal areas with very clean sea. It is precisely the blue colour that makes the basis of the Blue Flag project which aims at preserving sea and shore. Beaches and marinas with Blue Flags are the ones with clean sea, quality services and equipment, and in order to be recognized as such they have to meet numerous criteria of the sea and shore preservation project which has been implemented in Europe since 1987, and since the year 2000 even in the rest of the world.The award is given for the period of 1 year and has to be earned every year. This year on Brulo Beach in Poreč one more Blue Flag, 21st in a row, was hoisted ceremoniously. Twenty beaches in the area of Poreč proudly show off their Blue Flags, the beaches of Plava laguna (Blue Lagoon) boast 9, and those of the Poreč Riviera 8 of them. There is one more flaunting in the marina, while the town beaches have 3. For as long as 12 years Poreč has been included in the international project for the preservation of sea and coastal area as well as safe beaches and shoreline. From year to year the town tends to prove how much it contributes to the welfare of its citizens and guests. We are proud to say out loud that 20% of all the Blue Flags in Croatia belong to Poreč!

 

NIGHTLIFE

Fun in Poreč is available at every step. Should you head from Freedom Square (Trg Slobode) to the city waterfront during summer nights the music of top international hits and dance rhythms will follow you from numerous clubs, night bars and cafes, while those who want to try their luck can do so at the enchanting atmosphere of Poreč’s casinos.
Summer terraces of hotels and restaurants are hosts to various entertainers almost every night as they entice you to demonstrate your dancing skills while lounge and beach bars by the sea offer additional refreshment during hot summer nights.
An unforgettable, all-night experience can be found at the largest night club in the region, the Byblos Discotheque. Byblos has already hosted all eminent electronic musicians: David Guetta, Erick Morillo, Umek, Sander Kleinenberg, Sharam, Axwell, Paul Oakenfold, David Morales… The list is heavy, and awards continue to come in. This year DJ Mag placed Byblos at number 71 on the list of The World's TOP 100 Clubs, which promises first-rate entertainment at the Poreč Riviera!

 

Istra Gourmet

The wine and food guide to Istria, Istria Gourmet, has been advising lovers of traditional Istrian dishes and high quality wines for a number of years. Istrian gastronomy is renowned for its long tradition of flavours and scents born in the kitchens of homes throughout the peninsula. The local dishes Istrian cuisine offers, which simply must be tasted, are based on pasta, meat or fish and are accompanied by deserts such as round fritule (donuts), crunchy kroštule and cukerančići (types of cookies).
The best restaurants, taverns and agrotourisms have earned their place in Istria Gourmet according to grades they received in the categories of food, drink, ambience and service, chosen according to the creativity and quality of their preparation, their selection, storage, presentation and serving of top-notch wine, interior and exterior design, staff friendliness as well as ambience, and the way staff receive guests and see them off.
The valuable title of Chosen Restaurants and Taverns was achieved by seven restaurants and five taverns this year. For the first time, this year's issue also presents ten a la carte hotel restaurants who significantly improved the level of the dishes they offer.
All these enticing addresses are open to all gastronomads, and tasting their specialties will convince you yet again that Istrian gastronomy is indeed unique.
This Gastronomic Guide advises you to head to the Istrian hinterland and the trail will take you directly to the indigenous taverns where you can taste dishes with truffles. Because of its specific aroma this aphrodisiac melds perfectly into every dish, from appetizer to desert. Other than various types of truffles described in Istria Gourmet, another gastronomic specialty is the meat of the Istrian ox, the boškarin.
Other than gastronomic delicacies, this wine and food guide also offers a list of Istrian wineries which in their wine cellars store excellent wines from the ever-present Malvazija, to red wines such as Teran and Refošk and desert wines such as Muškat.
Should you desire to take the olive oil roads, Istria Gourmet has prepared a list of excellent Istrian olive oil producers and local oil mills and taverns.