Staying in Rabac puts you in a pretty good position. You have the sea right in front of you, Labin just up the hill, and some of Istria’s most famous towns, landscapes and historic sites close enough for an easy day trip.
And autumn might actually be one of the best times to explore them. The biggest summer heat starts to ease, the roads become a little quieter, and spending a day wandering through an old town suddenly sounds much more appealing than it did at 35°C. So if you feel like seeing a little more of Istria during your stay, these five are worth the drive.
1. Brijuni — For the Day You Want to Escape to an Island
If there’s one day trip that feels completely different from the rest of Istria, it’s Brijuni National Park. The Brijuni archipelago consists of 14 islands and islets just off Istria’s western coast, and visiting feels a little like stepping into another world. Nature and history are mixed together everywhere you look: Roman remains, Mediterranean landscapes, an approximately 1,600-year-old olive tree, dinosaur footprints and even a safari park are all part of the story.
Most first-time visitors explore Veliki Brijun, the largest and most visited island. Part of the classic visit is done by tourist train, which makes this an especially easy day trip if you’re travelling with children or simply don’t feel like spending the entire day walking. And getting there is part of the fun. You head to Fažana, leave the mainland behind and take the boat across to the islands. A short boat ride later, you’re exploring a completely different side of Istria.
Ready for an island day? Explore the guided Brijuni tour.
2. Pula — For 2,000 Years of History (and a Very Impressive Arena)
You can see photos of the Arena before visiting Pula, but nothing quite prepares you for casually walking through the city and suddenly having an enormous Roman amphitheatre standing in front of you. And that’s exactly what makes Pula worth the drive.
The Arena might be the star of the show, but don’t make the mistake of seeing it and heading straight back. Pula’s Roman history is scattered throughout the city, and that’s part of what makes it so interesting — ancient monuments aren’t separated from everyday life here. They’re simply part of it. Take your time, walk through the centre, stop for coffee, find somewhere good for lunch and let the city unfold around you.
Want the stories behind the stones instead of just the photos? Discover Pula with a guided city tour.
3. Rovinj — Yes, It Really Does Look Like That
There are destinations that look incredible in photographs and slightly less impressive when you finally arrive. Rovinj is not one of them.
The old town rises directly from the sea, with colourful houses packed together beneath the Church of St. Euphemia. The best way to experience it is without much of a plan. Start by the harbour and slowly make your way uphill, getting deliberately lost among the narrow streets along the way. Eventually, you’ll probably find yourself on Grisia, one of Rovinj’s most recognizable streets, lined with galleries, ateliers and little shops as it climbs towards St. Euphemia.
Once you reach the top, stop for a moment. The church dominates the historic centre, and the views from up there quickly explain why Rovinj has become one of Istria’s most famous towns. Our local advice? Don’t rush Rovinj. It’s much better when you leave room for an unplanned coffee, a street you weren’t supposed to turn into and maybe a sunset that makes you stay longer than expected.
Rather explore without checking Google Maps every five minutes? Let a local guide show you Rovinj — and a little more of Istria along the way.
4. Poreč — Come for the Old Town, Stay for the Details
At first glance, Poreč might seem like another beautiful Istrian coastal town. Then you start looking closer. Right in its historic centre you’ll find the Euphrasian Basilica, one of Istria’s most important cultural treasures and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. The complex dates primarily from the 6th century and is especially known for its extraordinary Byzantine mosaics.
But Poreč isn’t a place where you should tick off the Basilica and leave. Wander through the old town, look for traces of its Roman past, stop along the waterfront and give yourself enough time for a long lunch. And if you’re trying to decide between Rovinj and Poreč — you don’t necessarily have to. They’re close enough that the two work beautifully as one full-day exploration of western Istria.
Two Istrian coastal classics, one day out: discover Rovinj and Poreč on this guided tour.
5. Motovun — When You Want to See a Completely Different Istria
For the last trip, we’re leaving the coastline behind and heading inland. Motovun sits high above the Mirna River valley, surrounded by green hills, vineyards and forests. It’s the kind of landscape that makes people understand why inland Istria is so often compared to Tuscany. But the view is only half the reason to come. This is truffle country. The forests surrounding Motovun are famous for Istrian truffles, and September marks the beginning of one of the most exciting times of the year for local gastronomy.
Spend some time exploring the medieval hilltop town, take in the views over the valley and then make truffles part of the experience. If you’ve never tried them fresh and in season, this is a very good place to start. Motovun also shows you something important about Istria: travel just a short distance from the coast and the landscape, food and atmosphere can change completely.
Head to Motovun for hilltop views, medieval streets and a taste of truffle season.
There’s More to Istria Than One Holiday Can Fit
That’s probably the problem with exploring Istria. Every place seems to lead to another one. You visit Pula and start wondering about Brijuni. You make it to Rovinj and realize Poreč isn’t far away. You finally head inland to Motovun and suddenly discover an entire part of Istria you hadn’t even considered before.
And now is a particularly good time to start exploring. The days are still warm, summer hasn’t completely disappeared, but the slightly slower pace makes road trips and old-town wandering much more tempting.
So pick a direction and make a day of it. Rabac will still be there when you get back.
