A hidden gem known only to locals is the perfect place to avoid crowds of Brits visiting Croatia. Istria is the largest peninsula within the Adriatic Sea. Located at the top of the Adriatic between the Gulf of Trieste and the Kvarner Gulf, it’s shared by three countries: Croatia, Slovenia, and Italy. A three-hour drive from Vienna and just 90 minutes from Trieste, the region feels a world away from the Dalmatian resorts and islands further south.
Pula is the largest of Istria’s coastal towns and is famous for its 2,000-year-old Roman Amphitheatre, the Arch of the Sergii, and the Temple of Augustus. Further up the coast is the picturesque medieval town of Rovinj, with cobblestone streets and colourful Venetian houses right down to the water’s edge. The Venetian hilltop town of Motovun sits further inland, with historic ramparts, galleries, boutiques, delis, and restaurants.
Further south are beautiful pebbled beaches. Zlatni Rat, known as the Golden Cape, is the most well-known, but there are lots of hidden gems dotted across the coast.
Just off the southern coast of Istria is Brijuni National Park, a collection of islets with striking natural beauty. Originally a Roman settlement, the islands later served as an Austro-Hungarian Fortress, a Viennese resort, and the summer retreat of President Tito.
Inland is made up of rolling hills and green fields, packed with wineries, olive groves, orchards, truffle forests, and medieval hilltop towns.
The cuisine of Istria is reminiscent of Italian, although influences are seen on both sides: Italian cuisine includes some dishes that Istrian Italians brought with them following the Istrian-Dalmatian exodus.
These include scampi alla busara, brudet, cured ham, and Istrian jota. Dishes like gnocchi or risotto are likely of Italian origin, while the flat bread focaccia is a shared heritage of the Mediterranean.
New data shows that 2025 was a record-breaking year for Croatian tourism, with UK stays reaching a new high. British travellers recorded 4.1 million overnight stays. This is a 2% increase on 2024, marking the fourth consecutive year of growth
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