The best hotels in Istria
Istria has 8,000+ places to stay and most of them are fine at best, overpriced at worst. We reviewed the standouts. these 10 made the cut.
Our Top Picks in Istria
Click any hotel to check availability and book at the best price.
HostelRiptions Rovinj
Old Town, Rovinj
Free cancellation & Pay later
Hotel Lone
Golden Cape Forest Park, Rovinj
Free cancellation & Pay later
San Rocco Hotel and Restaurant
Inland Istria, Brtonigla
Free cancellation & Pay later
Hotel Skiper
Northwest Istrian Coast, Savudrija
Free cancellation & Pay later
Mulini Beach Hotel
Monte Mulini, Rovinj
Free cancellation & Pay later
Kempinski Hotel Adriatic
Alberi, Savudrija
Free cancellation & Pay later
All Hotels Compared
Side-by-side comparison to help you pick the right hotel. Prices reflect shoulder season averages.
| # | Hotel | City & Area | Price/Night | Score | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | HostelRiptions Rovinj | Old Town, Rovinj | $48–75/night | 8.1/10 | Budget Pick |
| 2 | Hotel Pula | City Center, Pula | $65–95/night | 7.8/10 | Best Value |
| 3 | Hotel Lone | Golden Cape Forest Park, Rovinj | $175–320/night | 8.7/10 | Most Popular |
| 4 | Hotel Istra | Red Island Area, Rovinj | $120–210/night | 8.2/10 | Family Friendly |
| 5 | San Rocco Hotel and Restaurant | Inland Istria, Brtonigla | $145–235/night | 9/10 | Hidden Gem |
| 6 | Hotel Nautica | Waterfront, Novigrad | $155–240/night | 8.5/10 | Best Location |
| 7 | Hotel Parentino | Old Town, Poreč | $135–195/night | 8.9/10 | Top Rated |
| 8 | Hotel Skiper | Northwest Istrian Coast, Savudrija | $160–230/night | 8.3/10 | Romantic Stay |
| 9 | Mulini Beach Hotel | Monte Mulini, Rovinj | $280–520/night | 9.2/10 | Luxury Pick |
| 10 | Kempinski Hotel Adriatic | Alberi, Savudrija | $320–680/night | 9.1/10 | Top Rated |
Why These Hotels Made Our List
Every hotel earned its spot. Here's exactly why we picked each one.
HostelRiptions Rovinj
A solid budget option sitting just a five-minute walk from the Rovinj waterfront and the Church of St. Euphemia. Private rooms are compact but clean, with decent beds and working air conditioning. The shared bathrooms are kept tidy and never feel overcrowded. Staff are genuinely helpful with restaurant tips and day trip suggestions. Good base for exploring the peninsula without spending much.
Check Availability
Hotel Pula
The hotel sits on Ulica Gajeva, about a ten-minute walk from the Roman Amphitheatre. Rooms are straightforward and functional, nothing fancy, but everything works and the beds are comfortable. Breakfast is included and offers enough variety to start the day well. The location makes it easy to reach Pula's main sights on foot. For the price, it is hard to find better in central Pula.
Check Availability
Hotel Lone
Croatia's first design hotel sits inside the Golden Cape Forest Park, surrounded by pine trees and connected to the sea by walking paths. The architecture is genuinely striking, with a curved layout that gives nearly every room a sea or forest view. The wellness center and outdoor pool are well maintained and rarely feel crowded outside peak July and August. Food at the in-house restaurant is consistently good. Book a sea-view room on an upper floor for the best experience.
Check Availability
Hotel Istra
Hotel Istra sits on St. Andrew's Island just offshore from Rovinj, reached by a short boat transfer that runs regularly during the day. The setting is quiet and removed from the crowds of the old town, which suits families and couples looking for calm. The beach and shallow water directly in front of the hotel are safe for children. Rooms are spacious and bright, decorated in a relaxed Mediterranean style. The buffet meals are solid value if you choose the half-board option.
Check Availability
San Rocco Hotel and Restaurant
This converted 17th-century farmhouse sits in the village of Brtonigla in the Istrian interior, surrounded by olive groves and vineyards. The restaurant is the main attraction, serving some of the most serious truffle and Istrian wine pairings in the region. Rooms are individually decorated with antique furniture and exposed stone walls. The outdoor pool and terrace are peaceful, and the nearest crowds are well away. Worth going out of your way for even if you are staying on the coast.
Check Availability
Hotel Nautica
Hotel Nautica occupies a prime spot right on the Novigrad marina, with direct views across the Adriatic from the front-facing rooms. The town of Novigrad is smaller and quieter than Rovinj or Poreč, which makes this a good choice for visitors who prefer a slower pace. Rooms are modern and well-equipped, with large windows that make the most of the sea views. The hotel restaurant focuses on fresh seafood and does it well. Parking is available on site, which matters in summer.
Check Availability
Hotel Parentino
Set inside a renovated building in the old part of Poreč, Hotel Parentino is close to the UNESCO-listed Euphrasian Basilica and the main pedestrian street. The rooms are tastefully done with stone accents and local artwork, and service is attentive without being intrusive. Breakfast is served in a small courtyard during warmer months. The hotel has no pool, so guests use the nearby beach facilities. One of the better-run small hotels in town.
Check Availability
Hotel Skiper
Hotel Skiper is part of a larger resort complex near Savudrija on the northwestern tip of Istria, close to the Slovenian border. The location feels more private than the busier resort towns further south. A golf course, tennis courts, and several outdoor pools are available on the property. Rooms in the main hotel building are more comfortable than the bungalow options. Couples tend to rate this one highly for the quiet evenings and well-managed beach area.
Check Availability
Mulini Beach Hotel
Mulini Beach Hotel sits at the edge of the Golden Cape Forest Park with its own private beach and direct sea access. The design is sleek and contemporary, and the rooms facing the water are genuinely impressive. The spa is large and well-staffed, with a strong program of treatments. Restaurant Mediterraneo on the ground floor delivers food that matches the room rates. This is the benchmark luxury address in Rovinj, and the service generally justifies the price.
Check Availability
Kempinski Hotel Adriatic
The Kempinski Adriatic sits on a private peninsula near Savudrija with its own 18-hole golf course, a large spa, and direct beach access. Rooms and suites are done in a high-end Mediterranean style with marble bathrooms and serious attention to detail. The beach club is well organized and rarely feels overcrowded compared to Adriatic resorts further south. Dining options on the property are varied and consistently good. This is one of the top two or three luxury hotels in all of Istria.
Check AvailabilityWhere to Stay in Istria
The neighborhood you pick matters more than the hotel.
Rovinj: the crown jewel, and it knows it
Rovinj deserves its reputation. The Old Town peninsula, with its tangled lanes climbing up to the Church of St. Euphemia, is one of the most genuinely beautiful spots on the Adriatic. But it commands the prices to match. expect $120-520/night depending on whether you're staying in a guesthouse off Ul. Grisia or a suite at Mulini Beach Hotel.
The Golden Cape Forest Park (Zlatni Rt) starts where the town ends, and it's walkable. Hotels on the Monte Mulini side of town like Mulini Beach Hotel and Hotel Lone put you at the park entrance in under 5 minutes. If that matters to you, it's worth paying for proximity.
Pula: history without the hype tax
Pula doesn't get the Instagram love that Rovinj does, and that's exactly why we like it. The Pula Arena is a 2,000-year-old Roman amphitheater sitting right in the city center on Flavijevska, and you can walk to it from Hotel Pula in about 5 minutes. Rates here run $65-95/night for solid mid-range options.
The Pula Film Festival takes over the Arena every July, which means crowds spike and rooms disappear. Book at least 6 weeks ahead if you're going in July. Outside that window, Pula is one of the best-value bases in all of Istria.
Poreč: the Basilica town that's more than a day trip
Most people visit Poreč for the UNESCO-listed Euphrasian Basilica and leave the same afternoon. That's a mistake. The Old Town along Decumanus street has a genuine local life, and Hotel Parentino sits right in the thick of it. rated 8.9, it's one of our strongest picks in the region at $135-195/night.
The crowds around the Marafor square get thick in August, but by September the waterfront promenade is relaxed and the seafood restaurants along Obala maršala Tita are half as busy. That's when Poreč really clicks.
Novigrad: small town, serious waterfront
Novigrad is compact. the Old Town sits on a tiny peninsula at the mouth of the Mirna River estuary, and you can walk its perimeter in 20 minutes. Hotel Nautica sits right on the waterfront, and the location badge it carries is earned. You're steps from the marina and about 3 minutes from the main square on Veliki trg.
The Novigrad dining scene punches well above the town's size. Restaurante Damir & Ornella on Zidine street is one of the most talked-about seafood spots in Istria, and it's a 5-minute walk from Hotel Nautica. Book dinner reservations before you book your room. they fill faster.
Inland Istria: the version most tourists miss
The hill towns of interior Istria. Motovun, Grožnjan, Buzet, Livade. are a completely different experience from the coast. No beach, no marinas, but truffle hunting, local konobas, and vineyard views that go on forever. San Rocco Hotel in Brtonigla is the best base for this part of Istria, sitting in a restored 17th-century stone building surrounded by olive groves.
Brtonigla to Motovun is about 25 minutes by car. The Mirna River valley between them is truffle country, and from October through January the whole area smells like it. If you're a food traveler, this is where Istria gets serious.
Savudrija: northwest coast, resort mode
Savudrija is the northwest tip of Istria, quiet and a little removed from the tourist circuits. It's home to Croatia's oldest lighthouse (built 1818) and two of our top-rated properties: Hotel Skiper at $160-230/night and Kempinski Hotel Adriatic at $320-680/night. Both have private beach access on the clean rocky shoreline along the Umag coast.
The tradeoff is isolation. You're about 35 minutes by car from Rovinj and 20 minutes from Umag town. That suits couples and anyone who wants a resort-style stay without constant foot traffic. But if you need to be somewhere, you're renting a car or paying for taxis.
Istria's best neighborhoods
Rovinj is the obvious first choice and it earns the hype, but Poreč and Novigrad are seriously underrated. If you want something completely different, inland Istria around Brtonigla and Motovun will blow your expectations out of the water.
Rovinj 4 vetted hotels Istria's most photogenic town, with hotels to match the scenery.
Istria's most photogenic town, with hotels to match the scenery.
Rovinj is where most visitors to Istria end up, and honestly it's not hard to see why. The Old Town peninsula is genuinely stunning, the food is excellent, and you're within walking distance of the Golden Cape Forest Park at Zlatni Rt. Four of our 10 vetted picks are here, ranging from $48 hostel beds to $520/night suites.
The best addresses sit either in the Old Town itself or on the Monte Mulini hill to the south. Old Town is great for atmosphere and walkability. but rooms are small and streets are cobbled. Monte Mulini is quieter, greener, and has the better beach access via the Mulini Beach Hotel and Hotel Lone.
Peak season (July-August) is absolutely hectic. Ul. Grisia fills with tourists from 10am and the harbor gets congested. If that's when you're visiting, book accommodation well away from the main promenade or you'll be paying for noise as much as location.
Poreč & the Northwest Coast 2 vetted hotels UNESCO architecture, a compact Old Town, and some of the best-value mid-range stays on the coast.
UNESCO architecture, a compact Old Town, and some of the best-value mid-range stays on the coast.
Poreč's Old Town is anchored by the Euphrasian Basilica on Eufrazijeva street, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. The town is smaller and less hectic than Rovinj, which makes it a solid alternative if you want culture without the crowds. Hotel Parentino in the Old Town is one of our highest-rated picks at 8.9.
Novigrad, 20km north of Poreč along the coast road, is even quieter and gets overlooked completely by most visitors. Hotel Nautica on the waterfront is a genuine find here: the harbor views from Novigrad are as good as anything in Istria, and you'll pay $155-240/night instead of Rovinj's peak rates.
The stretch of coast between Poreč and Novigrad is clean and relatively undeveloped by Istrian standards. The Mirna River estuary just south of Novigrad is a bird sanctuary and worth a morning visit. Restaurants along Novigrad's Zidine street consistently outperform those at double the price in more touristy towns.
Pula & South Istria 1 vetted hotel Real city energy, a Roman amphitheater, and the best-value hotel rates in Istria.
Real city energy, a Roman amphitheater, and the best-value hotel rates in Istria.
Pula is a working city first and a tourist destination second. That's actually a point in its favor. The Roman Arena on Flavijevska is extraordinary. it's the sixth-largest in the world and hosts concerts and the Film Festival every July. Hotel Pula in the City Center is our pick here, rated 7.8 and coming in at $65-95/night.
South of Pula, Cape Kamenjak is one of the most unspoiled coastlines in the Adriatic. a protected nature park with no hotels, just pine forest and clear water. You need a car or bike to get there, about 20km from the city center. It's worth it for a day trip.
The Verudela peninsula southwest of the center has marina restaurants and a calmer vibe than the Old Town, but it's not walking distance. A taxi from Hotel Pula to Verudela runs $7-10. The Roman Triumphal Arch of the Sergii on Ul. Sergijevaca is 3 minutes walk from the hotel and almost always crowd-free before 9am.
Savudrija & Northwest Tip 2 vetted hotels Croatia's quietest luxury corner, with two standout resorts on a clean rocky coast.
Croatia's quietest luxury corner, with two standout resorts on a clean rocky coast.
Savudrija is as far northwest as you can get in Istria without crossing into Slovenia. It's quiet, unhurried, and home to two of our highest-rated properties: Hotel Skiper and Kempinski Hotel Adriatic. The Kempinski at $320-680/night is the most expensive hotel on this list and it earns the rating: a 9.1 with a private golf course and beach.
Hotel Skiper is the more accessible of the two at $160-230/night, with a spa and a marina that doubles as a departure point for day trips to the Brijuni islands and the Slovenian coast. Both hotels sit within 2km of each other along the Alberi coastline.
The nearest real town is Umag, about 8km south along the coast road. Umag has a lively waterfront promenade and decent supermarkets. useful if you're in Savudrija for more than 2 nights. The lighthouse at Savudrija point is a 10-minute walk from Kempinski and worth seeing at sunset.
Inland Istria 1 vetted hotel Truffle country, hill towns, and the best food in the peninsula. inland.
Truffle country, hill towns, and the best food in the peninsula. inland.
Most people treat inland Istria as a half-day excursion from the coast. That's shortsighted. The area around Brtonigla, Livade, Motovun, and Buzet has an identity entirely its own: stone villages on hilltops, the Mirna River valley below, and a truffle-hunting culture that runs October through January. San Rocco Hotel in Brtonigla is the one property we vetted here. a 9.0 rating and $145-235/night.
Motovun is the most visited of the hill towns, about 25 minutes by car from Brtonigla. The walk up from the lower car park to the medieval walls takes about 15 minutes and the views across the Mirna valley are genuinely dramatic. The Motovun Film Festival every July fills the town for 5 days. rooms within 20km fill up 3 months ahead.
Grožnjan, the so-called 'town of artists,' is about 20 minutes from Brtonigla and much quieter than Motovun. The summer music school Jeunesses Musicales brings chamber music performances into the streets in July and August. Pair this region with San Rocco's restaurant and you have the most food-forward stay in all of Istria.
Best Areas by Vibe
Tell us how you travel and we'll point you to the right part of Istria.
Romantic
Hotel Skiper in Savudrija is the call for couples who want total privacy. a marina at your doorstep, sunsets over the Adriatic, and none of the Old Town crowds. The northwest coast here is genuinely serene.
Culture & History
Base yourself near Pula's Roman Forum and the Arena on Flavijevska. you're stepping over 2,000-year-old stones on the way to breakfast. Hotel Pula puts you 5 minutes from the amphitheater, which is one of the best-preserved in the world.
Family
Hotel Istra on the Red Island area just off Rovinj has calm, shallow water and resort facilities that actually work for families. The free ferry to Red Island runs every 30 minutes and kids love it.
Budget
HostelRiptions in Rovinj's Old Town nails the budget brief. $48-75/night with a location that most mid-range hotels can't match. You're off Ul. Carera, in the heart of the action.
Beach
Mulini Beach Hotel on Monte Mulini has its own private beach and the cleanest water access in Rovinj. The Golden Cape Forest Park begins just past the hotel grounds, with 10+ swimming spots within a 20-minute walk.
Foodie
San Rocco Hotel in Brtonigla is the base for serious food travelers. 10 minutes from the truffle grounds at Livade, surrounded by Malvazija vineyards, with a kitchen that uses ingredients from its own garden.
Location Quality
Is the neighborhood walkable? Are restaurants, shops, and attractions within 10 minutes on foot? How does it feel after dark? We evaluate safety, public transport access, and whether the area has genuine local character or just tourist traps. A hotel in the wrong neighborhood ruins a trip. That's why location carries the most weight.
Value for Money
We compare what you pay against what you get. A €150 hotel with a great location, clean rooms, and helpful staff can outscore a €500 hotel with fancy amenities in a bad area. We factor in seasonal pricing, cancellation policies, and hidden costs like tourist tax and breakfast surcharges. The goal is finding the best ratio, not the lowest price.
Guest Experience
We analyze thousands of verified guest reviews across multiple platforms, looking for patterns rather than individual complaints. Consistent praise for cleanliness, staff, and room quality counts. We also assess the intangibles: does the hotel have character? Would you recommend it to a friend? A soul-less chain hotel with perfect facilities still loses to a well-run boutique with personality.
When to Visit Istria
When to visit Istria and what to pay.
Summer (July-August)
July and August are relentless on the Istrian coast. Rovinj's Old Town fills up completely and parking at Valdibora hits capacity by 9am. Rooms in good properties sell out 3-4 months ahead and prices spike hard. Mulini Beach Hotel runs $280-520/night. The Pula Film Festival in the Arena draws big crowds mid-July, which means last-minute bookings near Flavijevska are nearly impossible.
Spring (April-June)
This is the best window to visit Istria and most regulars know it. Sea temperature reaches 20-22°C by late May, the wildflower meadows around Cape Kamenjak are in full bloom, and hotel rates are 30-40% below August peaks. Rovinj's harbor restaurants have outdoor seating back up by mid-April without the queues. The Asparagus Festival around Savičenta in May is a local highlight worth timing your trip around.
Autumn (September-October)
September is almost as good as June but with warmer sea temps. around 24°C. Crowds thin by the second week of September and you can actually get a table at Novigrad's better restaurants on Zidine street without a reservation. October brings truffle season to the Mirna valley around Livade, which is reason enough to book inland Istria. San Rocco Hotel at $145-235/night becomes the most in-demand property in the region from mid-October.
Winter (November-March)
Most coastal hotels close between November and March. The ones that stay open drop rates significantly. Hotel Parentino in Poreč's Old Town can run as low as $80/night versus $135-195/night in season. Pula stays active year-round as a real city, and the Arena without tourists is almost eerie in the best possible way. Inland Istria is at its most atmospheric in winter, with fog in the Mirna valley and truffle season running through January.
Booking Tips for Istria
Insider tips for booking hotels in Istria.
Book Rovinj 3+ months ahead for July-August
This isn't generic advice. Rovinj has a hard cap on beds because the Old Town peninsula is physically small. maybe 2km across. Good properties fill completely by April for summer, and what's left by June is either overpriced or too far out. If you're targeting Hotel Lone or Mulini Beach Hotel in peak season, book in January.
Inland Istria needs a car. full stop
There are 2 buses a day from Poreč to Buzet. That's it. If you're staying at San Rocco in Brtonigla or planning to explore Motovun, Grožnjan, and the Mirna valley, rent a car. Budget around $35-55/day from Pula Airport or Rovinj center. Don't rely on taxis. they're expensive and often unavailable in rural areas.
Avoid 'beachfront' listings near Pula without checking the map
Pula's Verudela and Stoja peninsulas have plenty of hotels marketed as beachfront. Some are genuinely good. But a significant chunk sit next to rocky industrial shoreline or working marinas. Always check the specific address against Google Maps satellite view before booking. The real beach action is at Cape Kamenjak, 20km south, and there are no hotels there.
Novigrad restaurants fill faster than the hotels
Novigrad has two of the best seafood restaurants in Istria: Damir & Ornella on Zidine street and Restoran Mandrač near the marina. Both take reservations for same-day dinner only during summer. Call the morning you want to go. most staff speak English. Without a reservation in July-August, you're eating elsewhere.
The Pula Film Festival changes everything. plan around it
The Pula Film Festival runs for about 8 days in mid-July inside the Roman Arena on Flavijevska. It's a big deal locally and brings in 60,000-80,000 visitors over the week. Hotels within 2km of the Arena book out and prices jump 40-60% above normal. Either lean into it and book 3 months ahead, or shift your Pula visit to June or September.
Currency and tipping are simpler than you think
Croatia switched to the euro in January 2023. All prices at hotels and restaurants are now in euros, though USD is occasionally accepted at tourist-heavy spots in Rovinj. ATMs are everywhere in coastal towns. Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory. 10% at restaurants is generous, rounding up to the nearest euro for taxis is standard. Card payments work at most mid-range and luxury hotels without issue.
Hotels in Istria — FAQ
Everything you need to know before booking hotels in Istria.
What's the best area to stay in Istria for first-timers?
Rovinj is the right answer for most people. The Old Town peninsula and the Monte Mulini hill behind it put you within 10 minutes walk of the harbor, the Church of St. Euphemia, and about a dozen good restaurants on Ul. Grisia. It's compact, walkable, and genuinely beautiful. Just book early. the best spots here sell out by March for summer.
When is the best time to visit Istria?
Late May through June or September are the sweet spots. Crowds are manageable, sea temperature is 22-24°C, and hotel rates in Rovinj run $120-220/night instead of the $280-520/night you'll pay in July-August. The Truffle Days festival in Livade (October) is a solid reason to visit in autumn too.
How do I get around Istria without a car?
Honestly, a car helps a lot. especially for inland Istria. But coastal towns like Rovinj, Poreč, and Novigrad are connected by bus routes operated by Autotrans, with Rovinj-Poreč running about 45 minutes and costing around $5. Taxis between Rovinj and Pula run $25-35. Within Rovinj's Old Town, everything is on foot anyway.
Are there good budget hotels in Istria?
Yes, but they fill fast. HostelRiptions in Rovinj's Old Town sits right off Ul. Carera and comes in at $48-75/night, which is remarkable for the location. Pula's City Center hotels like Hotel Pula run $65-95/night and put you 5 minutes from the Pula Arena on Flavijevska street.
Which Istrian towns are best for families with kids?
Rovinj and Poreč are the top two. Hotel Istra on the Red Island area just off Rovinj has calm shallow water and beach facilities that actually work for young kids. Poreč's Zelena Laguna resort zone, about 5km south of the Old Town on the Lanterna peninsula road, has multiple family-oriented beaches within easy reach.
Is Istria expensive compared to other Croatian destinations?
Mid-range Istria is comparable to Split, but the top end gets steep fast. Budget beds start around $48/night in Rovinj's Old Town and climb to $680/night at Kempinski in Savudrija. Pula is consistently 20-30% cheaper than Rovinj for equivalent quality. Inland villages like Brtonigla offer serious value: San Rocco Hotel runs $145-235/night with food and wine that rivals coastal spots charging twice as much.
What areas of Istria should I avoid?
Skip the big Soviet-era resort complexes south of Poreč on the Plava and Zelena Laguna roads if you want character. They were built for package tourism in the 1970s and haven't evolved much. Also avoid booking anything labeled 'Pula beachfront' without checking the map. many properties are near industrial port areas, not the beach.
Do I need a visa to visit Istria (Croatia)?
Croatia joined the Schengen Area on January 1, 2023. EU and most Western passport holders enter visa-free for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. US, Canadian, and Australian citizens are covered under this rule. Always check the Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs site for the latest requirements before you book.
What's the best luxury hotel in Istria?
Mulini Beach Hotel in Rovinj's Monte Mulini neighborhood is the one that earns its $280-520/night price tag. It sits above its own private beach, a 12-minute walk from Rovinj's Old Town harbor, with a spa and pool that actually justify the rate. Kempinski Hotel Adriatic in Savudrija is technically more expensive at $320-680/night, but it's more resort-isolated. better for pure relaxation than exploring.
Is Rovinj Old Town walkable or do you need transport?
Completely walkable once you're there. The Old Town peninsula is about 800 meters end to end. St. Euphemia Church at the top to the southern harbor takes maybe 12 minutes at a stroll. The challenge is parking: if you're driving, use the Valdibora car park on the north edge of town and walk in. Taxis from there to your hotel cost $5-8.
Are there good hotels near the Pula Arena?
Hotel Pula in the City Center puts you about a 5-minute walk from the Arena on Flavijevska street. Most Old Town Pula accommodation is within a 10-minute walk of the amphitheater. Avoid anything labeled 'Pula South' or near Verudela if you actually want to be near the historical center. it's a $10 taxi ride away.
What's the food scene like in Istria and does it affect where I should stay?
Istrian food is genuinely world-class and yes, it should influence your choice. If truffles, local Malvazija wine, and konoba dining matter to you, stay inland near Brtonigla or Buzet. San Rocco Hotel puts you 10 minutes from the truffle grounds around Livade and has its own restaurant rated among the best in the region. Coastal towns are great but the food-to-price ratio in inland Istria is hard to beat.