Istria, Croatia, is ranked as one of the world's top destinations. National Geographic hand-picked Istria among the top places to visit in 2011. Lonely Planet lists Istria as one of the top 5 places for 2011. Readers of the Guardian voted Croatia among the top 5 favourite European countries of the 2010 Travel Award winners.
Istria is also a place which celebrities like. Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt are currently considering building a home in Istria near Barbariga across from Briuni National Park.
Istria is indeed a feast for the eyes. Its streams flow to the sea through deep valleys and gullies which bring to mind the ancient local myths about giants. Rolling hills overlook the fields and valleys with little towns perched on the peaks, recalling some old paintings. The view is splendid: white-topped mountains, lush wheat fields, plateaux, valleys, vineyards and olive groves on hillsides, and, finally the sea.
As you get to know Istria you will notice more and more enchanting details: church facades and portals, tiny village alleyways with their specific architectural touches, the babble of a stream, the blossoming cherries. Everything is warm–hearted and friendly here: nature, towns and people.
Main destinations with many tourist attractions in Istria are: Brijuni National Park, Buje, Buzet, Fažana / Valbandon, Grožnjan, Hum, Labin, Medulin / Ližnjan, Motovun, Novigrad, Opatija (Kvarner), Pazin, Poreč, Premantura / Cape Kamenjak, Pula, Rabac, Rovinj, Svetvinčenat, Umag, Vodnjan, Vrsar.
To read an interesting article about Istria go here. To download a detailed brochure about Istria click here.
Travelling to Croatia from Slovenia? Here is up-to-date Slovenian traffic information about traffic conditions on roads and border crossings to Croatia including webcams.
FACTS
Location
The westernmost county of the Republic of Croatia. The largest peninsula of the Adriatic.
Area
2,820 km2 (triangle Dragonja, Kamenjak, Učka)
Population
206,344
Language
Croatian
Coast Length
445 km (well-indented coast is twice as long as the road one). The western coast of Istria is 242.5 km long, with island 327.5 km.
The eastern coast of Istria is 202 km long with the pertaining islets 212 km.
Sea
The lowest sea temperature is in March ranging from 9.3°C up to 11.1°C. The highest sea temperature is in August when it reaches 23.3°C and 24.1°C. Salinity amounts approximately to 36-38 pro mille.
Rivers
Mirna, Dragonja and Raša
Vegetation
Istria is the largest green oasis of the North Adriatic. The coast and the islands are covered with pine woods and easily recognizable green macchia. The main specimens of macchia are holm oak and strawberry trees. 35% of Istria is covered with forests.
Administrative Centre
Pazin (9,227 inhabitants)
Economic Centre
Pula (58,594 inhabitants)
Below you can find a photogallery for Istria. For other tourist information about Istria visit: www.istra-istria.hr
