Istria in Croatia is located on the northeastern part of the Adriatic Sea. Istria is proud of its miles of coastline full of dazzling beaches and its green inland full of forests and vineyards. During a stay in Istria, you will also find numerous villages and towns that breathe culture and history. The beauty and diversity of the region make Istria a popular holiday destination. For sun worshippers, for culture lovers, but also for those who love adventurous, but also exciting roads.

This route of a series of three goes through the south of Istria. The tour starts in Rovinj on the west coast of the Gulf of Trieste and ends in Rabac on the east side of the Kvarner

Picturesque Rovinj was once an island but has slowly but surely grown to the mainland over time. The old town is a maze of winding streets, cute vistas and colourful facades. Each house has been given a different cheerful colour and that creates a particularly cosy atmosphere. Not only the houses have cheerful colours but also the boats that float in the harbour are often red, orange or blue. This makes Rovinj the most colourful town in Croatia. Mediterraneo is the most colourful bar in Rovinj! Here you can enjoy a cocktail by the water with a view of the neighbouring island of Katarina and every now and then a boat sails by. At the highest point of Rovinj is the Church of St. Euphemia. This impressive church was built in 1736 and is also the largest baroque building in the whole of Istria. The bell tower looks very similar to the one of San Marco in Venice and that is because the St. Euphemia church was built by the Venetians who controlled Rovinj at that time. If you want to see Rovinj from above, you can climb the 60 meter high bell tower.

Vodnjan, medieval atriums, narrow cobbled streets, old stone houses that remind us of the past centuries. And in between, in the nooks and crannies of the buildings: murals, graffiti, street art! This combination is like the clash of two completely different worlds. That's how it is in Vodnjan. According to legend, the town of Vodnjan arose from a group of seven villas that were part of the colonial possession of Pula. Whether it is true, no one knows, but that Vodnjan has existed for ages is beyond doubt. The old town centre has preserved its medieval appearance. The narrow streets wind between houses with beautiful stone facades, characteristic churches and historical monuments. In the centre of the town lies the People's Square, surrounded by important buildings such as the Town Hall, the Benussi & Bembo House and the Bradamante Palace with its impressive ornate facade.

It is a popular destination for tourists looking for a peaceful environment and a wonderful beach holiday. Fažana has a beautiful view of the Adriatic Sea and includes a small village with a few cozy restaurants, a small harbor, an old city wall and an old fortress. Fažana breathes an authentic identity, but at the same time owes its popularity to its beautiful beaches and the fact that its harbor is the gateway to the enchanting Brijuni archipelago.

Brijuni National Park is located off the coast of Istria opposite Fazana. There are two large islands (Mali Brijun and Veliki Brijun) and about a dozen islets, but only the largest island, Veli Brijun, can be visited. It is an exceptionally beautiful island, covered with ancient pine and olive trees, surrounded by a sparkling sea. A visit to the Brijuni islands is an absolute must, a trip to the beautiful and historical island of Veliki Brijun is very popular. Get to know the beautiful nature on the island, see the remains of the Roman era and upon arrival on the island you can decide for yourself how you want to explore the island of Veliki Brijun. There are various options such as renting bicycles, golf carts and following the tourist tour by means of the train that takes you to various sights.

When visiting Pula you will quickly notice that the city is completely dominated by Roman culture. In many parts of the city you can still see the remains of the Roman culture that ruled Pula for years. The most beautiful sight and also the most beloved is by far the amphitheatre of Pula, every lover of art and culture must have seen this historical sight. The 4th largest amphitheatre in the world is located in Pula, this building has a great history and is still the main attraction of the city today. The outer walls of the amphitheatre form a beautiful backdrop for concerts, film nights and spectacles in the summer. In the arena of Pula there was room for approximately 23,000 spectators, who could see how the Christians and lions had to fight for their lives.
The second historical building that you should not miss when visiting Pula is the Temple of Augustus. This temple was built under the leadership of Augustus and was later converted into a church under Byzantine rule. During World War II, the building was hit by a bomb and was largely destroyed. The building is reinforced with steel cables to ensure that it does not collapse.
When you walk through the center of Pula, you will come across the triumphal arch Arco dei Sergi. an incredibly detailed Roman monument. You can compare it to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, but much smaller. This arch is located in the middle of the shopping street of Pula and is definitely worth a photo. The arch is surrounded by several terraces that have a beautiful view of this impressive monument.
Pula Castle is an old fortress built by the Venetians at Punta Christo and is located on a hill near the city center. The fortress was built in 1630 and was used to control the Adriatic coast, as Pula was still part of the Republic of Venice at that time.

Cape Kamenjak is surrounded on almost all sides by a crystal clear sea. The 30 km long coastline consists of high cliffs, more than 30 bays and hidden beaches. Off the coast there are also 11 islands that are all uninhabited. There is plenty to do on Cape Kamenjak, for example there are a number of beautiful hiking trails along the coast, the hilly terrain is very suitable for mountain biking and with cliffs between 3 and 12 meters high it is quite an experience to jump off them. This natural jewel is located about 15 kilometers south of the city of Pula and the entrance is in the village of Premantura. Here you can decide whether you want to have lunch first and then visit the park or the other way around. The fabulously beautiful coastline with its imposing cliffs is impressive and also some of the most beautiful natural bays in all of Croatia are located here.

Medulin has 6,500 inhabitants and is located on the southern tip of the Istrian peninsula. This seaside resort is idyllically situated on a long stretch of coastline with several beautiful bays and even a long sandy beach. Off the coast in the sea there are small, tiny islands that give the seaside resort an extra dose of charm. The tourist centre is not the old town of Medulin, but the beautiful promenade between the harbour and the lively sandy beach Bijeca. Here many fantastic restaurants, cosy bars, cafés, some shops and boutiques make your walk even more beautiful. In the evening some clubs are open to party until the early hours.

Labin, consists of an old part, where a drink stop is located and a new part where this tour ends. The town is located on a hill in Istria near the coastal town of Rabac, which is known for its beautiful beaches. Despite Labin being a small town, it has a rich culture and history, the origins of Labin go back to Roman times, when the town was known as Albona. In the Middle Ages, Labin was an important mining center, with a wealth of iron ore, copper, lead and silver. This wealth led to the construction of many beautiful buildings in the town, such as the various churches in the town.

Nearby is the beach town of Rabac. If you still feel like it and have energy, you can drive along here to enjoy the sea for a while.
Rabac used to be a fishing village but today it is a popular seaside resort with a wide choice of hotels, resorts and campsites. There is a big difference in atmosphere between these two places that are so close to each other. Rabac is a real beach destination, adapted to the needs of summer guests, while in Labin it seems as if time has stood still.

The ride ends in Labin. The return journey can be ended in modern Labin or you can decide to have a drink in the old town. In any case, finishing a day is always pleasant, wherever you are.