Why go? Cool forests, kayaking and rafting, eco-tourism, wildlife, and restful mountain villages.
Istria inland is Croatia’s premier region for olive oil production, with rolling hills carpeted in ancient olive groves and stone villages on tops of scenic hills. It offers not just taste and tradition, but also a unique sense of serenity and rural elegance, especially in its countryside, where isolated villas and restored stone houses invite travellers to enjoy and savour life.
Must-See & Do:
Vodnjan Olive Oil Tours
Sample award-winning oils from top producers like Chiavalon and Brist, paired with local delicacies.
Oprtalj
A quiet hilltop town with cobbled streets, panoramic views, and olive groves that stretch to the horizon.
Motovun & Grožnjan
Explore medieval towns filled with galleries, wine bars, and gourmet shops.
Bale
Charmy small city surrounded with olive groves offering seafood dining enhanced by local olive oil.
Olive Harvest in Autumn
Join a harvest on a family farm, experience the press, and taste freshly milled oil.
Stay in a countryside villa
Secluded stone villas with private pools and firewood ovens, surrounded by olive trees, they offer complete privacy, panoramic views, and a chance to enjoy Istria’s nature in total peace in your own herb garden.
🏡 Rural Escape:
Whether perched above vineyards or hidden in a valley of cypresses and fig trees, Istrian villas offer the ultimate travel experience. Wake up to birdsong, take your breakfast under olive branches, enjoy a swim with no one around, and dine on local specialties under the stars—with a bottle of wine and fresh bread dipped in your host’s homemade olive oil.
