What do you need to know about Istria?
In the first article on our website dedicated to just one aspect of the overall tourist experience in Istria—accommodation—we would also like to share other important information that is essential for ensuring you know how to fully enjoy your visit if you decide to come to Istria.
It is difficult to rank all the advantages of Istria as a tourist destination in order of importance, but its geographical location in relation to the rest of Europe is certainly highly favorable. This was clearly demonstrated during the time when the world was in lockdown due to the pandemic and air travel was not easily accessible. Even in those challenging times for the global tourism industry, Istria recorded outstanding results compared to conditions in other tourist markets. The reason is that Istria is easily accessible by car from various parts of Europe. Most guests from Austria and Germany are only 5–6 hours away, northern Italy even less, Hungarians as well, while Slovenians frequently visit Istria due to its proximity.
This constant flow of visitors over the years, thanks to its accessibility, has laid the foundation for the entire region, local authorities, and individuals to recognize the potential for developing a more comprehensive tourism product beyond just sun and sea.
In addition to its extremely favorable geographical position, Istria also benefits from being located by the sea with a mild Mediterranean climate, providing ideal conditions for living and year-round tourism development. Combined with fertile soil, this results in world-renowned olive oils and wines. Need proof? Istria was named the best olive oil region in the WORLD seven years in a row up to 2022, according to the most influential guide for extra virgin olive oils in the world – FLOS OLEI.
Another major advantage loved by travelers worldwide is GASTRONOMY, based on local fish, world-class olive oils, and wines. Istrian gastronomy is something we love to describe, and it is truly worth traveling not only from Europe but also from the rest of the world to experience it. Imagine staying in Rovinj and wanting to enjoy a gastronomic experience. Restaurants are always an option, but here’s an even better idea. Early in the morning, go to the harbor in the city center, wait for the fishing boats, and look for the fresh catch. You will always find red scorpionfish, seabream, squid, sardines, shrimp, and scampi. Slice the fish thinly, season it with salt, lemon juice, and olive oil from nearby producers. Clean the scampi and prepare them in a similar way. For grill lovers, a few sardines, seabream, or sea bass will be a dream come true. All of this can be enjoyed with one of the excellent Istrian Malvasia wines. And when it comes to food, we must not forget truffles—black, white, summer, and winter. Nor should we forget homemade pasta such as pljukanci and fuži. And of course, we must mention Istrian prosciutto and cheeses. Have you seen the goat on Istria’s coat of arms? Try goat cheese in Istria.
This is a brief overview of Istrian gastronomy. On our blog, we will introduce individual winemakers, olive oil producers, and others who contribute to the quality and recognition of Istrian gastronomy, offering you an experience that will make you wish you had visited more often.
To complete the entire tourism product, high-quality private and hotel accommodation is essential. Istria does not lack it, and quality is continuously improving. Every year we witness the opening of new high-category hotels, campsites, apartments, and holiday homes.
In short, we have tried to explain why Istria is an excellent option for your next holiday. The claims made in this text will be explored in more detail in future blog posts so that every visitor to our website can dive deeper into the aspects of Istria that interest them most. We would also love to hear your questions and experiences, so feel free to contact us via the details provided on our website.
