Porec Coast Holidays, Croatia Istria’s most visited resort, Porec dates back to Roman times. The terracotta-roofed old town sits on a small peninsular, and its main sight is the sixth-century, UNESCO-listed Euphrasius Basilica, home to stunning golden Byzantine mosaics. Most of the large modern hotels, with good sports facilities and a sophisticated wellness centre, lie on the coast south of the old town, and on the tiny island of St Nikola, accessible by boat.
Pula Holidays, Croatia On the southern tip of the Istrian peninsular, this port town’s Roman monuments include the imposing Arena, a first-century amphitheatre hosting summer concerts and an annual film festival. Pula is also home to two yachting marinas and some top class seafood restaurants. The larger modern hotels with sports facilities are mostly out of town in Verudela. The scattered islands of Brijuni National Park make a pleasant one-day boat trip.
Rabac Holidays, Croatia Once a quiet fishing village, Rabac has developed into a popular seaside resort with modern hotels and apartments, plus some decent seafood taverns. Backed by hills, it looks onto a cove with a pleasant pebble beach. Each summer, Girandella beach hosts house and techno music festivals. It’s a 15-minute walk north of Rabac. Four kilometres inland lies hilltop Labin, a former mining town of old stone cottages, accessible by footpath.
Rovinj Holidays, Croatia Often considered Istria’s prettiest town, Rovinj was originally an island, which was fortified and joined to the mainland in the Middle Ages. Pastel-coloured Venetian-style buildings line the fishing harbour, overlooked by the hilltop Church of St Euphemia. Chic waterside bars serve cocktails while eateries dish up seafood and the region’s delicacy, truffles. South along the coast, Zlatni Rat offers pinewoods and secluded coves for bathing.
Umag Holidays, Croatia Close to the Slovenian border on Istria’s west coast, Umag centres around a medieval old town built on a small peninsular. Large modern hotels, including good sports facilities and two wellness centres, line the coast. Although there is no beach, concrete bathing areas offer access to the water. Each July, Umag hosts the Croatia Open international tennis tournament, and there is also a large yachting marina.
