Topical Guides

'Flowing gold' since Roman times — a symbol of Istrian culture and the Mediterranean table.

Tasting rooms and thematic centres for prosciutto, oil, truffles and brandies — eat your way in.

From Roman traditions to today's cellars — Malvazija, Teran and the stories poured with them.

A prized subterranean fungus from the Motovun Forest — one of the world's most sought-after delicacies.

Explore the best snorkeling locations in Medulin, Croatia, including Ceja jug, Fraškerić, and the Kolombarica caves.

Explore the best snorkeling spots in Pula, Croatia, including Havajsko and Prirodno, along with essential safety tips and rules of conduct for a responsible underwater experience.

Explore the underwater beauty of Brijuni National Park with dedicated snorkeling spots at Saluga Beach and Verige Bay, accompanied by essential safety guidelines.

A guide to the primary paragliding take-off sites in the Istria region, including details on access, altitude, and site-specific conditions.

Istria's karst landscape offers a wealth of underground caves and pits, ranging from accessible tourist sites to challenging speleological adventures rich in endemic wildlife and geological formations.

Istria offers excellent conditions for paragliding throughout the year, featuring numerous take-off sites and scenic flights over the peninsula's interior. The region is particularly popular for its favorable weather and terrain suitable for both beginners and experienced cross-country pilots.

The hiking trails in Pula are undemanding and ideal for rehabilitation, winding through scenic coastal areas and forests. Eight marked trails cover 40 kilometers, offering a relaxing experience that can be completed in about nine hours.

Explore the best snorkeling locations in Vrsar, including Otočić Longa, Punta Montraker, and Plić Mramori, along with essential safety tips and rules of conduct.

A directory of climbing clubs and indoor climbing walls located in Pula, Rovinj, Pazin, and Roč, Istria.

The area around Rovinj offers a variety of forest trails perfect for trekking, allowing visitors to explore Istria's natural beauty and rich cultural heritage.

The north-western Istria region offers a variety of trails for running, trekking, and hiking, catering to both recreational enthusiasts and serious athletes through scenic landscapes and cultural sites.

Explore a diverse selection of beautiful beaches across the Istrian peninsula, ranging from popular resort spots to secluded naturist areas.

A guide to the historic lighthouses located along the coast of Istria, Croatia, offering a unique glimpse into the region's maritime heritage.

The Vrsar and Funtana area offers nature lovers a variety of marked trails ranging from light to challenging, winding through forests with scenic sea views.

Discover the exciting water parks in Istria, including Istralandia Aquapark in Brtonigla and Aquacolors Poreč Water Park.

Kayaking offers a unique and serene way to explore the indented coastline and hidden coves of Istria, with a well-developed rental network allowing for flexible coastal adventures.

The Istrian coastline maintains high sanitary standards for its sea quality, with regular testing conducted across 203 beaches since 1988. Results are categorized into four levels based on factors like transparency, temperature, and cleanliness.

The Blue Flag is a prestigious international eco-label awarded to beaches and marinas that meet high standards for environmental protection, safety, and service quality. This list details the specific beaches and marinas in the region that have earned the Blue Flag designation for 2026.

The Parenzana railway, once a vital link for the Istrian hinterland, is now a celebrated historical route featuring tunnels, bridges, and viaducts that offer a unique way to explore the region.

This article explores the historical dietary habits, trade regulations, and the social significance of inns and taverns in Vrsar during the modern period.

Pendolino is a Tuscan olive variety known for its hanging branches and excellent oil quality, primarily used as a pollinator for other olive species.

The Pula Arena hosts a spectacular summer concert season featuring world-renowned artists like Lenny Kravitz, Sting, Nick Cave, and Lorde. This historic amphitheatre provides a unique, world-class stage for a diverse lineup of musical legends and contemporary stars.

An overview of the Picholine olive variety, detailing its French origins, agro-biological properties, cultivation requirements, and the quality of its oil.

The Moraiolo olive variety is a Tuscan cultivar introduced to Istria in 1940, known for its high-quality oil and aromatic profile. It is a medium-early variety that produces small, rounded drupes and requires specific pollinators like Pendolino or Maurino.

The Rosciola olive variety originates from the Lazio region of Italy and is known for its high, regular fruit bearing and delicate oil quality. It is characterized by its adaptable nature and resistance to common olive tree parasites.

The Cucco olive variety is an Italian cultivar from Abruzzo and Molise, known for its large size, early maturation, and suitability as a table olive with a satisfying oil yield.

The Leccino olive variety is a highly adaptable, early-ripening cultivar originating from Tuscany, widely grown in Istria since 1940 for its excellent oil quality.

Rošinjola is an indigenous Istrian olive variety known for its compact foliage, high oil yield, and a distinctively spicy and moderately bitter flavor profile.

Moražola is a local Istrian olive variety characterized by its medium-sized plant, small rounded fruits, and high oil yield.

Karbonaca is a local Istrian olive variety known for its rich growth, pleasant floral fragrance, and good oil quality with a noticeable spicy note.

An overview of introduced olive varieties in Istria, focusing on the Ascolana tenera cultivar, its biological properties, and cultivation requirements.

Istarska bjelica is a robust, indigenous Istrian olive variety known for its high oil yield and excellent, distinctly bitter and spicy oil quality.

Oblica is the most widespread Croatian olive cultivar, known for its resistance to drought and wind, as well as its high oil yield and balanced flavor profile.

Žižolera is a rare, indigenous olive variety from southern Istria, characterized by its robust growth and dark red, date-like fruit.

The Cipressino is an Italian olive variety from Puglia known for its fast, vertical growth and suitability for mechanical harvesting, producing a delicate, slightly sweet oil.

Istria boasts a rich 2,000-year tradition of olive cultivation, producing high-quality, aromatic oils from both indigenous and introduced olive varieties. The region's unique cultivars are noted for their resilience and health-promoting properties.

Buža minuda is an indigenous olive variety cultivated primarily around the town of Bale in Istria, known for its large trunk and oval-shaped drupes.

Buža is a robust, indigenous Istrian olive variety known for its vigor and high-quality oil, which ranges from fresh and spicy to fruity and sweet depending on the harvest time.

An overview of the Črnica olive variety, an old indigenous Istrian cultivar known for its vigorous growth and high-quality, spicy oil.

Coratina is an Italian olive variety from Puglia known for its high oil yield, robust growth, and intensely fruity, spicy oil profile. It is well-suited for mechanical harvesting but requires care due to its sensitivity to certain olive diseases.

Buža puntoža is a robust, indigenous Istrian olive variety found primarily around Rovinj, Bale, Vodnjan, and Fasana, known for its regular fruit bearing and high-quality oil.

Drobnica is a local Istrian olive cultivar known for its regular fruit bearing and clear, spicy oil with delicate bitterness.

Frantoio is a common Tuscan olive cultivar introduced to Istria in 1940, known for its high-quality, spicy oil and adaptability to various growing conditions.

Grossa di Spagna is an olive variety originating from Puglia, Italy, known for its dense foliage and suitability as a table cultivar.

The Itrana olive variety is an Italian cultivar from Lazio known for its vigorous growth, late harvest, and high-quality oil with notes of fresh cut grass.

Istrian pasta is a unique culinary tradition featuring distinct shapes and names, such as fuži, pljukanci, and krafi, often served with rich meat sauces or local ingredients like truffles.