Holidays in Istria. Istria Croatia istria island
The country is located on Balkan Peninsula. Croatia can be roughly divided into two parts, the continental part - with the capital Zagreb, and the Adriatic coast.
The regions of Croatia differ from each other - both in landscape and mentality local residents.
The Istrian peninsula is probably one of the most popular resorts in the northern part of Croatia, bordering Italy and Slovenia.
Why holiday in Croatia and specifically on the Istrian peninsula
Clean sea, many beaches on the Croatian coast have received a blue flag, which is a symbol of cleanliness and an environmentally friendly environment. Mild Mediterranean climate, lack of winds. The only thing is that almost all the beaches in Croatia, including the Istrian peninsula, are a concrete plateau, natural stone, or pebbles. The landscape in Istra is hilly, more than 70% national parks and forests. Due to this it never gets hot. There are many islands around.
Resorts of the Istrian Peninsula - medieval towns
Until the mid-20th century, the Istrian peninsula once belonged to Italy, so it has an Italian spirit and style; almost all the inhabitants of the peninsula speak two languages, Croatian and Italian. The spirit of Italy is felt not only in the buildings of the cities, but also in the mentality of the residents.
Croatia for have a relaxing holiday: of course there are bars, restaurants, but there is no “ night life" The country is very sporty, from the bike paths on the peninsula to the yachts. Croatia is a leading country for yacht tourism.
Resorts of the Istrian Peninsula: Pula, Umag, Novigrad, Vrsar, Porec, Rovinj, Rabac, Medulin, Opatija. From Pula airport to the resort of Umag it takes about 2 hours, and to Opatija about 1.5 hours.
Resort Porec
This is one of the most popular resorts in Istria, an ancient medieval city. The famous Basilica of St. Euphrasius has been preserved. Meets all the attributes of the old city - tiled roofs, narrow streets. Along the entire coast there is resort area with hotels.
Almost all hotels have large areas, parks, tennis courts or sports grounds. On the peninsula, mostly all hotels are 3, 4 stars, there are practically no 2 star hotels left, and not many 5* categories, the service corresponds to the hotel category.
Resort Rovinj
A town with a centuries-old history, the most beautiful place on the peninsula, is located on a hill, offering a beautiful panorama of the neighboring islands and the coast. It was once an island, but later it was connected to the mainland. Embankments lined with cozy bars. Rovinj is usually called “little Venice”, winding streets, restaurants, fabulous architecture of the city, it truly is the pearl of Istria. And that's already more expensive hotels, the resort has 5 star hotels.
Umag
A small town founded by the Romans. It borders practically with Slovenia. A coastline with pebble beaches and small bays stretches along the city, on which all the main attractions of the resort are located. Also this famous center in tennis. Many tennis matches take place here. Almost all hotels have sports centers.
Pula
The city is quite large and has a port. With a rich cultural heritage, the city still preserves monuments of ancient Roman architecture. Tourist complexes are located 4 kilometers from the city center. The coast is indented with all kinds of coves, bays, even deep, protruding peninsulas.
Medulin
Medulin is located 10 km from Pula, a former fishing village, on the coast Adriatic Sea. There are not many hotels on it. Calm resort, but there is all the tourist infrastructure.
Opatija
a completely different part of Croatia, the Kvarner Bay. Such a majestic, ancient resort where the noble nobility vacationed. A promenade with palm trees, restaurants, very beautiful, and smoothly turning into hotels, former villas, palaces.
The resort is located closer to the south, the landscape changes, the hills turn into mountains, and the resort itself is already located at the foot of the mountain. The hotel base is also different, there are no such large areas, parks, the concentration of hotels is dense, it differs from the previous resorts of Istria. The beach is municipal, as is the case throughout Croatia.
A quiet, relaxing holiday on the Istrian peninsula can be diversified with excursions, there are a lot of them, the most interesting are:
Excursion for one day to Venice, ferries and boats go from all over Istria, with the exception of Opatija, travel time, depending on the weather, 2-3 hours.
Plitvice Lakes – National Park, 16 lakes lie one after another in a high mountain valley and are connected by waterfalls, surrounded by pine forests. The one way journey takes about 5 hours, from Opatija an hour less, but it’s worth it, it’s a very beautiful park.
Brijuni Archipelago, the former residence of Tito, a small safari park, with rich flora and fauna, where various animals roam freely. There are remains of Roman and Byzantine buildings, and the scent of hundred-year-old olive trees is everywhere.
Croatia is a country with stunning nature, with an endless blue sea, with national parks, with islands, with a rich cultural heritage. To appreciate and understand all this beauty, you need to visit the Istrian peninsula and see everything with your own eyes.
The Istrian Peninsula in Croatia is an ancient land of farmers, winemakers and fishermen, attracting connoisseurs of pristine nature and ancient history, ecotourists, rock climbers and cyclists, artists and gourmets from all continents. People come here to soak up the beaches in picturesque bays, enjoy fresh oysters and aromatic local malvasia or Casanova’s favorite wine - ruby teran, visit the smallest city on the planet, take unforgettable photographs against the backdrop of the facades of ancient fortresses, Venetian villas or pastoral villages, and take a walk along the 12-kilometer embankment of the Opatija Riviera. The attractiveness of the region is also added by the friendliness and aphoristic language of the local residents, full of wise sayings, convenient modern urban infrastructure and good ecology.
Business card
Istria, largest peninsula Adriatic, from the north-west it is washed by the waters of the Gulf of Trieste, and from the east by the Kvarner Gulf. The water temperature at the beginning of spring is about +10° C, at the beginning of autumn +23° C, the water salinity is about 37%. The climate is warm and quite dry, with cold winds in the northeastern part. It is relatively easy to move around the peninsula, which allows you to combine beach holiday with study tours around historical cities and villages, with walks in the mountains.
What to see, where to visit
The region is unusually rich in historical and natural wonders. Lovran and Opatija in the north-eastern part of Istria, on the banks of the Kvarner, have retained their appearance from the times when Venetian doges and rich merchants built their villas here; the charming ancient towns of Buje and Grožnjan; in Bale there is an interesting neo-Gothic palace of the 15th century, in Vodnjan the baroque church of St. Blazh, and Divigrad in the Lima Bay area are the ruins of a fortress abandoned by people many centuries ago. Important attractions of Istria can be considered one of the best in Croatia national reserves“Brjuny”, which is an archipelago and several islands, the smallest town with a population of about 20 people - Hum, Baredin Cave, Glagolitic Alley, oyster farms on the Lima Canal. Amazing panoramic views open from the highlands near the towns of Vrh and Vojak. You can visit the Plitvice Lakes, as well as go on day trips to Slovenia and Italy.
Beaches
Istria is one of the popular beach regions of the Adriatic: rugged picturesque shores create many cozy coves and bays, protected from the wind by rocks. Sandy shores not many, the beaches are mostly pebble, in some places the shores are concreted, and the emphasis is on good infrastructure, an abundance of restaurants and entertainment, but there are also many lovers of traditional beach and camping tourism on the peninsula paradises. In Vrsar there is a nudist complex, the largest in Europe.
Entertainment and active recreation
Croatia is rich in all kinds of holidays and festivals, and the Istrian peninsula is no exception; almost every month all kinds of festivities take place here: the fishermen's festival, when fish are fried along the entire coast, they drink wonderful local wine and dance; the Lovran holiday, the cheerful Marunad in honor of the chestnut harvest, culinary competitions, the festival of young wine, all kinds of regattas, bicycle races. On the peninsula there are courts with excellent coverage - the world's tennis elite come here for training camps and training, there are golf courses, yacht clubs, equestrian sections, rental bicycles and electric cars, many marine entertainment. Nightclubs and discos operate in all major cities.
Local cuisine and wines
Croatia is a true paradise for lovers of natural products and gourmet tours, and Istria represents the country well. Freshly caught fish, crayfish, oysters from local farms, truffles and asparagus, kajmaki and homemade cheeses, pasta, ravioli, all kinds of prosciutto, famous far beyond the region, and dishes from boshkarina, snow-white bulls with huge horns. And, of course, any establishment, from a pretentious club to a small tavern on the shore, will offer local wines that have earned Istria fame throughout the world.
Noisy entertainment, all-inclusive meals from morning to night and animation in between - this is not to be found in Croatia. But stunning nature, an impeccably clean sea, four thousand kilometers of coastline, strewn with pine needles and decorated with rocks and bays - this is welcome. This implies a significant advantage for Croatia - the “non-captivity” of the direction.
The golden rule “Close to nature!” in Croatia everyone follows, but each in his own way. Someone enjoys the stunning ecology of the country: the clearest sea and beaches, where instead of ridiculous beach umbrellas there are pine trees, and the coastal waters are transparent for tens of meters. Someone chooses the healing power of earth and water - fortunately, in Croatia there are as many as 20 mineral springs and one deposit of unique medicinal oil. Well, the most radical citizens, accustomed to taking everything literally, come here to throw off the hypocritical veils of civilization and completely merge with nature on one of the country’s many nudist beaches.
Major resorts in Croatia
Istrian Peninsula
Istria is the most large peninsula Croatia and the westernmost region of the country. Due to the abundance of pine and deciduous trees, doctors recommend this place to people suffering from respiratory diseases, and the calm atmosphere of the peninsula allows guests to thoroughly relax and eliminate the “large metropolis syndrome.” In addition, there is a fairly extensive and interesting “excursion” here.
Istria has long been promoted as a great eco-tourism destination, and it really is. There are many cycling routes and trails for hiking(all maps and brochures can be found at the information desks at each resort). Moreover, the purest olive oil in Europe is produced here, and local wines have long been considered worthy competition to their neighbor Italy. And, finally, this is where professional tennis players train, if not from all over the world, then from all over Europe for sure. The quality of the surfaces is above all praise, and the price they ask for renting a court is simply ridiculous.
Istria is famous for its picturesque (rocky) coastline, amazingly beautiful hills, pine forests and grapes from which excellent wine is produced, the most famous brands of which are Pinot, Malvazija and Teran. On the peninsula is the smallest city in the world, Hum, which is listed in the Guinness Book of Records. Located here national park Brijuni, which is an archipelago of two large and twelve small islands. Another of the attractions of Istria is the Bay of Lima near Vrsar, which stretches inland for several kilometers.
The Istrian Peninsula has become the most popular tourist region Croatia thanks to its rich history, many architectural monuments, clear sea and excellent recreational opportunities. And also - thanks to its proximity to countries Western Europe. Tourists from Germany, Austria, Italy come here by buses and cars.
Main resorts of Istria
Umag
The modern tourist center is located near the border with Slovenia, 80 km from the airport. On its coast, which stretches for 20 km, there are many rocky beaches and platform beaches, bays, small ports, comfortable hotels, apartments and bungalows.
Novigrad
A small fishing town located on west coast Istria is 5 km from Umag and 16 km from Porec. There are narrow streets, ancient buildings and a beautiful church. All this Middle Ages is quite successfully superimposed with a modern tourist infrastructure, which is ideal for a relaxing holiday. An undoubted advantage of the place is the gently sloping pebble beaches, rare for this region.
Porec
The largest tourist center in Istria and Croatia, located 60 km from the airport on the western coast of Istria in the 25 km long lagoon of the same name, with a bizarrely indented coastline. The beaches are mostly rocky plateaus and concrete platforms.
Numerous cafes under open air It's crowded throughout the season, and the busy promenade offers wonderful views of the nearby islands, fishing boats and yachts passing by. In the old part of the city there are small squares with centuries-old pine trees, and cozy courtyards surrounded by greenery. Porec is one of the few Mediterranean cities with well-preserved ancient Roman temples, houses, medieval fortress walls and towers.
Vrsar
A small medieval town located between Rovinj and Porec, directly on the Bay of Lima, which stretches inland for several kilometers. Spectacular landscapes Adriatic coast, developed resort infrastructure and authentic medieval atmosphere attract tourists here who are looking for peace and quiet. And also for those who are disgusted by some of the conventions of civilization: the largest nudist complex in Europe has been opened in Vrsar. Local beaches are mostly concrete platforms and rocky plateaus, but you can also find small pebble areas hidden in coves on the rocky coast.
Rovinj
The beaches of the resort are quite diverse: there are rocky, pebble and platform beaches. The appearance of Rovinj is quite romantic - ancient narrow streets, unique architecture of houses, which have absorbed the influences of several civilizations. In summer, the city hosts the International Regatta, the International Youth Pop Music Festival and the International Photographers Festival.
Pula
The largest city in Istria, large sea port and an international tourism center. It is located 6 km from the airport. Perhaps Pula is the most mysterious and unusual city Croatia. This is primarily due to its rich history, which has greatly influenced its architecture, culture and traditions. The beaches in Pula are anything but sandy: there are concrete and rocky ones, as well as large pebbles.
Medulin
Most Southern City Istria, located 11 km southeast of Pula, in the northeastern part of the beautiful Medulin Bay. Counts ideal place for camping and swimming, but is especially famous among athletes. Medulin is not only a city, but also an archipelago, including 10 uninhabited islands, which are excellent as day excursions or nudist secluded beaches.
Rabac
A friendly resort town, terraced down to the sea and surrounded by greenery. In summer, families with children and young people come here, in spring and autumn - middle-aged couples in search of nature and peace. Rabac is the right place for lovers aquatic species sports and active rest: Here wide choose boats equipped for fishing and scuba diving, canoes, catamarans, and numerous diving schools.
Opatija
Located 70 km from Pula, in a vast bay of the Kvarner Bay at the junction of the Istrian peninsula with the mainland, surrounded by low rocky mountains. It has a special microclimate that is conducive to healing and recuperation. Thanks to this, as well as the work of famous doctors, health tourism is rapidly developing in Opatija. The mountainous landscape reliably protects the city from harsh sea winds and gives coolness in hot weather. summer days. It is warmer here than in other areas, so exotic plants grow in parks and gardens that cannot be found in other Istrian cities - camellias, magnolias, palm trees, bamboo. The weak point of the resort is the rocky beaches, but this is compensated by the abundance of swimming pools with sea water. Most hotels here have indoor pools, even two-room apartments.
Lovran
Considered an ideal place for family vacation and is especially popular among Scandinavian retirees. Entertainment: many shops, restaurants, boutiques, night disco clubs.
Brijuni Island
A group of islands off the western coast of Istria. The islands are separated from the mainland by the Pheasant Strait and are located 6 km from Pula. 14 of them have the status national park. The largest island has several hotels and individual villas. The former residence of President Tito is also located there. There are several restaurants on the island, sports complex, water sports center, diving, fishing, boat and yacht rental, several tennis courts, tennis school, golf course (9 holes), riding school, bicycle and electric car rental. On one of the islands there is a zoo, animals to which were once donated by high-ranking guests.
Krk
Dense forests intersperse with rocky terrain, grape and olive plantations. Krk has a mild Mediterranean climate and beautiful sand and pebble beaches. A majestic bridge connects the island with the mainland. The town of Malinska is located on the western coast of the island, in a wide bend of the bay. Sheltered from the easterly winds, with its typical Mediterranean vegetation, it provides excellent opportunities for walking. Just a 10-minute walk from the city is the Haludovo resort, offering its guests a large selection of sports centers, bars, dance floors, as well as an excellent beach. The town of Baska is an important tourist center of the island, which also has one of the most impressive and ancient cultural heritage in Europe. The historic city center is a reminder of the Roman settlers, religious monuments, churches, cathedrals and museums. In addition, there is the only sandy beach in Croatia, 1.5 km long.
Central Dalmatia
Today Dalmatia is one of the main resort areas Croatia. There is a mild climate, 285 sunny days a year, and sea water, thanks to its exceptional purity and high content of iodine, salts and other elements, has healing properties. Two of the seven are located in this part of the country national parks Croatia - Kornati and Krka, as well as natural Park Biokovo. Another important plus is the Central Dalmatia the best strip of beaches in mainland Croatia: small pebbles and pine trees, close to the water.
The main resorts of Dalmatia
Sibenik region
Vodice
Located 70 km from Split airport in the southwestern part of the Sibenik region, 15 km from the city of the same name. The city stretches for 12 kilometers along the sea line, the local beaches are made of small pebbles. Vodice attracts with its balance of antiquity and modernity, the possibility of solitude in the lap of nature and immersion in the vibrant day and night life of the resort.
Sibenik
One of the most colorful cities in Central Dalmatia. It has several very famous monuments history and culture - cathedral St. James, 31 meters high, the fortress of St. Anne, the “rector's palace.” The narrow winding streets of the Old Town, ancient buildings, pavements made of stone polished over centuries have turned this amazing city into an open-air museum. All beach hotels are located approximately 6 km from the center of Sibenik. The local beach is sandy.
Primosten
Located on a peninsula, 60 km north of Split. Its atmosphere is unique: fiery red roofs of ancient houses, winding alleys with boutiques, taverns and cafes. Opposite the city, on a long peninsula surrounded by pebble beaches and Mediterranean pine trees, lies the famous hotel"Adriatic".
Split region
Trogir
Historical Old city located on a small island, separated by a narrow channel from the mainland and a wider channel from big island Ciovo. The bulk of Trogir's population lives on the mainland and on Ciovo. The historical part of Trogir is impressive with a unique set of palaces, temples, towers and ancient buildings, and the labyrinthine streets of the “old town” make Trogir unlike any other city on the Croatian coast. There are no beaches within the city: there is a port there that receives all kinds of ships and boats, luxury yachts and motorboats. Therefore, you need to get there for swimming - on foot, by taxi/bus or by water.
Split
Located in the central part of the Croatian coast between the cities of Zadar and Dubrovnik, dividing Dalmatia into two parts. It is the second largest city in the country and is located on the Marjan Peninsula. The city has good small pebble beaches, and its historical Center included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Modern buildings made of glass and concrete coexist with houses from the 15th to 19th centuries, and fashionable boutiques overlook the ancient town square.
Podgora
The resort town, located 7 kilometers south of the city of Makarska, and 3 km from the village of Tučepi, is one of the most beautiful places Makarska Riviera. Holiday season in Podgora it opens in April, and the last warm month here is October. However, young people prefer to vacation in July-August. If the crowd of tourists on the embankment is not pleasant to you, then September - best time for a trip to Podgora.
Brac Island
One of the most beautiful islands Croatia. There are many pine forests, vineyards and olive groves. Amazing rose wine is made here and extraordinary fish and seafood dishes are prepared. The island has two famous resort towns with good hotel facilities - Supetar and Bol. The first is popular due to its medieval buildings and convenient connections with the mainland. Brac has small pebble and sandy beaches that stretch along the entire coast for tens of kilometers. One of the best beaches here, located in the south of the island near Bol, is called “Zlatni Rat”.
Hvar
The longest and most sunny island Adriatic: the sun shines here 2718 hours a year! Small medieval towns, numerous coves and the scent of lavender everywhere, lush subtropical vegetation and a mild climate make this island one of the most beautiful holiday destinations in Croatia. And in the capital of the island of the same name, life does not stop either day or night.
"Makarska Riviera"
Brela
A small Dalmatian town, famous for its unique pebble beach Punta Rata, which is several kilometers long. The main features of this beach are very small pebbles and a huge number of pine trees, approaching almost the very edge of the surf.
Head water
One of the most cozy towns of the Makarska Riviera, located 60 km from Split and 75 km from the airport. Not so many years ago it was a small fishing village, but today it has turned into one of the most popular resorts in Croatia with very hospitable residents, many restaurants and bars, magnificent small-pebble beaches and the clearest sea.
Makarska
Located in quiet bay at the foot majestic mountains and is surrounded by the Oseyawa and St. Peter peninsulas. Makarska is a quiet and peaceful place with clean pebble beaches, from which the whole riviera originated.
Tucheli
Young modern resort, the southernmost in the “necklace” of the Makarska Riviera. The town of Makarska is only 5 km from here. This calm and quiet place is well suited for a relaxing family holiday, especially with children. In Tučepi there is a small pebble beach 3 km long, with a very flat seabed (another significant plus for vacationers with children).
South Dalmatia
Dubrovnik
“Must see” for all tourists who value cultural attractions: it, together with Venice and Amsterdam, is included in the top three by UNESCO the most beautiful cities- monuments of Europe during the Renaissance. In general, you should not only visit it, but definitely need it. Tired of the extensive cultural and educational program, you can relax on one of the local beaches.
Lapad Beach is the largest and most popular in Dubrovnik. This is a sand and pebble beach with well-developed infrastructure: there are showers, changing cabins, sun loungers, beach umbrellas, as well as a variety of opportunities for active recreation. There are numerous restaurants and cafes along the promenade. The pebble beach of Banje is located in close proximity to the Old Town, offering an unforgettable view of the historical center of the city and the island of Lokrum.
Kolocep Island
It is distinguished by a calm, unhurried and, as they say, cozy rest.
Divers here will enjoy a wall over 70 meters long, a cave at a depth of 28 meters, red corals and a lot of wild but cute (and completely harmless) marine life.
Lastovo
One of the most remote island archipelagos, which includes main island Lastovo and several dozen smaller ones. The nearest island - Korcula - is located ten kilometers to the east. Due to the distance from the mainland and the small tourist flow, the island has retained a favorable ecology and originality. The entire archipelago was declared a nature reserve in 2006.
Korcula
This is one of the most beautiful islands in Croatia, with centuries-old pine forests and lush Mediterranean vegetation completely covering the island. Sandy beaches The islands are located in quiet, calm coves. The hot summer here is softened by the sea wind, creating ideal conditions for windsurfing. Fans of sports and active recreation will be able to take part in competitions among tennis players and yachtsmen. Most hotels and campsites have sports grounds for playing volleyball and basketball.
Mljet
There are many quiet paths for walking, beautiful beaches and small bays, people come here to kayak, surf and fish - fortunately, the underwater world is very, very conducive to this. The length of the island is about 48 km, you can travel around it by car, bicycle or even on a donkey. The island has many sand and pebble beaches, and the local salt lakes (bearing the original names Big and Small) are perfect for swimming.
Mlini
A tourist town 10 km south of Dubrovnik and 12 km from the airport. The beaches here are small pebbles, but if you walk along the sea along a picturesque walking path several kilometers long, you can come to the village of Srebreno, where the beaches are sandy.
Plat
A small green tourist village in typical Mediterranean style. There are four small pebble beaches in Plata, and on one of them any clothing is considered an unnecessary excess. If we talk about entertainment, they are represented by a tavern with a wide selection of national dishes of Croatian cuisine and a disco, several bars, and the Posejdon restaurant with very tasty and always fresh seafood.
Cavtat
Like a “toy” ancient town on a peninsula with Mediterranean nature, 20 km south of Dubrovnik. Picturesque walking paths along the sea, many well-kept pebble beaches and reconstructed hotels - all this makes Cavtat popular tourist center. The town has an abundance of restaurants and bars for every taste, and the Croatia Hotel is open night club and casino. Sports activities: diving, fishing, tennis, cycling.
Climate of Croatia
The coast has a Mediterranean climate with hot and very dry summers (air temperature +25.+29°C) and humid, warm winters (+9.+15°C). The heat is easily tolerated thanks to the dry air, sea breeze and an abundance of greenery on the coast. Swimming season lasts from early May to mid-October.
Average monthly air/water temperature on the Istrian peninsula (Pula), in °C: April +17/+13, May +23/+17, June +26/+21, July +28/+22, August +28/+24 , September +25/+22, October +20/+19.
Average monthly air/water temperature in Central Dalmatia (Split), in °C: April +18/+12, May +22/+18, June +27/+22, July +30/+24, August +30/+25 , September +26/+21, October +21/+18.
Average monthly air/water temperature in Southern Dalmatia (Dubrovnik), in °C: April +19/+16, May +25/+18, June +29/+23, July +30/+25, August +30/+25 , September +26/+24, October +22/+21.
Beaches of Croatia
All beaches are municipal, admission is free. Renting sunbeds and umbrellas will cost approximately 2 EUR. Some hotels provide beach equipment for free.
The beaches of Istria, with very rare exceptions, are artificial concrete platforms, natural rocks, plateaus or small pebble lagoons. In Central Dalmatia (the cities of Brela, Baska Voda, Tucepi and others) and on the island of Brac there are small pebble beaches. They are considered the best on the entire coast. Pines here grow literally 3-4 meters from the surf line, and therefore no umbrellas are needed. In Southern Dalmatia there are pebble, rocky, and concrete beaches, and on the islands in the Dubrovnik area there are also sandy beaches.
And Croatia in general and Istria in particular - almost main center world nudist tourism.
In Croatian coastal waters, especially in secluded areas, there are sea urchins. The best protection against them are special slippers, which are sold in the tourist area at every turn.
Hotels in Croatia
Almost all hotels presented on Russian market, restored. There are still many old hotels, but Russian tour operators do not offer them. The level of hotels, as a rule, corresponds to the declared category. Most hotels are three stars, there are few “fours” and “fives”. Meals are mainly breakfast or half board. Moreover, breakfasts are usually buffet, dinners are Lately are also switching to it. There is practically no all-inclusive, with the exception of a few hotels.
Money in Croatia
Currency can be exchanged in banks, exchange offices, at the post office, at Croatia Tourist travel agencies (travelers' checks can also be exchanged there) and hotels, almost everywhere. Some banks provide currency exchange without commission, but usually the commission is 1-1.5%. Reverse currency exchange is only possible in banks, and bank receipts must be presented. Traveler's checks are accepted at most major banks in the country (it is preferable to use checks in euros).
Entertainment, excursions and attractions in Croatia
The city of Zadar impresses with its perfectly preserved fortress walls, which were never defeated by the Turks, the first Croatian university and Maraschino cherry liqueur. But the main attractions are centered around the Church of the Holy Martyrs, built on the ruins of the Roman forum. The Benedictine monastery has a good Museum of Church Art; the Cathedral of St. Anastasia, the Franciscan monastery, and the churches of St. Krsevan, St. Peter, St. Simun and St. Mihovil are also interesting. Widely known Archaeological Museum Zadara, beautiful National Museum, Maritime Museum and Ethnological Museum in the old watchtower.
Risnjak is one of the few places in Europe where you can see a lynx in the wild. There are also bears, deer, wolves, fallow deer, martens and there are no tourist sites as such - but there are many trekking trails, bike paths and cliffs suitable for rock climbing.
Krka National Park famous for its canyon, going down which you can see overflowing lakes, a twenty-meter waterfall and an abandoned Franciscan monastery in the middle of an uninhabited island.
In general, abandoned cities are a special attraction of Croatia. For example, empty city, also known as Naked Island, near the island of Rab. Since 1949, it has been a top-secret concentration camp for political prisoners. Hum is the smallest city in the world: officially there are 17 inhabitants including the mayor. It is also worth seeing the church with frescoes from the 12th century and the “Glagolitsky Alley” - ancient stones with Glagolitic inscriptions. If you drive along the highway from Pula to Porec, then halfway on the right (landmark - the town of Kanfanar) ruins are visible ancient city Dvigrad. It was founded by the Romans, but abandoned after the plague. Another interesting place- Church of St. Mary, one and a half km from Beram: there are magnificent frescoes from the 15th century.
There are many medieval castles scattered throughout the country: Bogensperk near Lithia with the Valvasor Museum, old castle Friedrichstein on Kocevska Mountain, Zhuzhemberk and Khmilnik castles, the castle on the island - Otočec, Turyak Castle. And also about 80 summer residences of the nobility, built in the Renaissance style on the territory of the Dubrovnik Riviera and in the north of the country.
In addition, many interesting excursion programs and routes have been developed throughout the country (many of which are of an appetizing culinary nature), for example: “The Instructive Road of Virovitich Bilogorie”, the project “On the Roads of Traditional Cuisine”, “Pearls of the Draw Valley” or a trip to the town of Grab.
Istria is the western region of Croatia, it is its largest peninsula. Deciduous and pine trees have a unique combination here; this wonderful place is simply recommended for people with upper respiratory tract diseases. Life on this peninsula is very measured and leisurely, which contributes to have a good rest from major cities and gives visitors the opportunity to thoroughly relax. Istria is famous for its pine forests, picturesque hills, and stunningly beautiful rocky coastline. They also grow their own grapes here and process them into excellent wine (the most famous brands are Malvazija, Teran and Pinot). This peninsula is also famous for its city, which is listed in the Guinness Book of Records. Hum, it is the smallest city in the world.
Thanks to the clean sea and wonderful opportunities for have a great holiday, as well as its rich history and a large number architectural monuments The Istrian peninsula is the most popular tourist region in Croatia.
Stories from tourists about Istria.
Dear site visitors!
I won’t write about the transfer, because readers are in different places on the planet, therefore, roads, railways and airways (airplanes) are different for everyone. I just want to remind you that Croatia is not a Schengen country, but in July 2015 it will become one and now accepts guests who already have Schengen visas in their passports. I also want to tell those who want to get to the sea quickly and cheaply that there are many “low-cost” flights, but you can find out about this on Google.
So, what am I talking about?
Before getting ready for the trip, I talked to people on the Internet and they told me not to get lost and ask Google search rental housing keywords in Croatian or Slovenian through Google translator, which is what I did. The results were impressive: in a couple of hours I found an apartment in Pula, right in the center, for 40 euros per night at the peak... read more
A magnificent country that managed to survive through tourism and rise after the collapse of Yugoslavia. Well, of course, this is Croatia, stunning and most interesting country, especially for those who have never been there. Where is the best place to relax in Croatia? The answer to this question is easy to give, just look at the map.
Naturally, most of all people like to relax near the sea, and if so, then you can immediately move on to the Istra Peninsula. This is a relatively small peninsula on which the Croats have managed to locate a large number of hotels and villas. Along the entire coast of this peninsula there are small but very beautiful, most of them even ancient cities, where everything works for tourism and recreation. There are a lot of these cities, everyone will find something to their liking. Porec can be called such a city - a very beautiful small coastal town, where at every step you meet a cafe and a hotel, but not only, there you can see an ancient church with a tower, from which you can clearly see the whole city, and clubs, and... read fully
Or a story about how things didn’t go as we planned, but the end result turned out even better.
I was lucky enough to visit the Istrian peninsula, which belongs to Croatia, several times. It has a wonderful temperate climate. Long summers, without sweltering heat, and very short, dazzlingly sunny and windless winters. The waters of the Adriatic off the coast of Istria steadily warm up to approximately 24-25 degrees.
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Croatia\Istria PeninsulaLatest hotel reviews in Istria.
My girlfriend and I were accommodated on the first floor, but it is very high here, so it was very convenient. And we also had a stunning view from the window of a beautiful pine forest, and after our noisy and polluted dusty city, we couldn’t get enough of it. The employees at the reception understand a little Russian; in any case, a basic set of Russian phrases was enough for communication.
There is a special employee to bring luggage to the room. They always cleaned up when we left for breakfast, that is, no one bothered anyone at all. Breakfast is generally standard, but if this is important for someone, there was even champagne in the morning. If you pay for a drinks plus wine tour, then all evening drinks are included in the tour price. There was also delicious ice cream of several types. For example, we preferred to have dinner on the veranda, because it is not as noisy there as in the hall. Many thanks to the chef for the delicious pizza, I’ve never even tried anything like it in my life.
The evening animation took place in many languages and we were very pleased that there was a translation into Russian. The hotel is truly decent and I was very surprised that it only has three stars, I would have given it more. The dinners are also simply excellent, the duck is delicious, the fish, and in general everyone can choose something to suit their taste.
We went on excursions and were satisfied with everything. Croatia is still a stunningly beautiful country. The people are very nice and behave with extraordinary dignity. The Adriatic Sea is very transparent, there were a few jellyfish, but they didn’t bother us. We put the sunbeds in the shade under the pine trees when it was hot, then went out for lunch and left our towels on them, no one took them. For those who, for health reasons, cannot sunbathe in direct sun, this hotel is perfect.
The only negative that I noticed is that the sides in the shower are too low and water spills onto the floor. Otherwise everything was just perfect!
My husband and I took our little three-year-old son with us on vacation to Croatia. At first, of course, it was somewhat alarming, but everything went very well. This was back in August 2013, so my review is a little late, of course. In the hotel, literally everything could be rated “excellent” - for the food, for the beach, for the rooms, for the work of the staff, and for the atmosphere itself too.
Meals included breakfast and dinner, and a snack bar was open from 12 noon to 4 pm. Since the hotel is located on a slight hill, you have to go down steps to the sea, but the descent is absolutely not strenuous. The beach is narrow with rocks, but that’s how Croatian beaches are, so sand lovers should take this into account. In general, you need to take special shoes with you here; without them, it’s bad here.
Istria is the largest peninsula of Croatia, located in the western part of the country, near the borders of Italy. Thanks to its rich history, a huge number of architectural monuments, including ancient ones, the cleanest sea and picturesque nature is the most popular region of the Adriatic. Proximity to Western European countries allows tourists from Austria, Germany and Italy to come to Istria by car and bus. international Airport there is one in Istria and is located 6 kilometers from the capital of the peninsula - the city of Pula. You can get to any resort within 1-2 hours by bus or taxi.
Many tourists are captivated by the fact that while vacationing in this part of Croatia they can take visa-free excursions to Venice and Trieste, as well as visit the Alps (a Slovenian visa is required for this) and one of the country’s national parks – the Brion Islands.
A healthy lifestyle and sports are encouraged in Istria. A large number of walking and cycling excursion routes have been created for tourists. 
Weather
The climate and weather throughout the peninsula are very comfortable - there is no high humidity or sweltering heat, and thanks to the large number of coniferous forests, olive groves and park areas, the air in the region is considered very clean and especially useful for diseases of the upper respiratory tract. Many parents bring their children here to get rid of lingering bronchitis and chronic tonsillitis. The most optimal air and water temperatures for recreation usually occur in July and August. By mid-summer, the thermometer rises to +26…+27⁰C, and the sea warms up to a comfortable +25⁰C. 
Beaches
There are many beach resorts on the peninsula, but almost the entire coastline is indented with rocks and mostly the beaches of Istria are rocky with natural or artificial concrete platforms equipped with small stairs for descending into the water. Small pebble beaches are available in the resorts of Rabac, Rovinj, Medulin. In addition, in many family hotels There are children's pools with sea water and small shallow bays have been cleared for swimming children. More than 40 beaches on the peninsula have the Blue Flag for cleanliness, amenities and safety. All are equipped with sun loungers, umbrellas or shade canopies, showers, changing cabins and lifeguard services. There is a large selection here water activities, you can rent sports equipment, and in the immediate vicinity of the beach areas there are sports grounds for volleyball and basketball.
Resorts and Attractions
Istria is, first of all, magnificent nature and a huge museum of architecture from different times, located in the open air. When you come here on vacation, you should definitely visit the main natural attraction of the region and the only national park of the peninsula - the Brion Islands. You can get to the protected area by tourist boat departing from Pula. The Brijuni group has only 14 islands. 12 of them are small, almost completely overgrown with forest and have a special microclimate that promotes the growth and development of a wide variety of flora and fauna. The larger archipelagos - Veliki and Mali Brijuni - are excellent resorts with big amount luxury hotels and excellent infrastructure. The cuisine of the Brion Islands is famous for its various delicacies made from the freshest seafood, which can be tasted in any restaurant. On the island of Veliki Brijuni there are the villas of Marshal Tito and the medieval temple of St. Germain. Tourists can also visit the ruins of a Roman villa dating back to the 1st century AD and a unique safari park. 
Arriving in Istria, you can’t help but visit its capital – the port city of Pula, which is famous for its huge number of ancient architectural monuments. The most recognizable and well-preserved ancient Roman masterpiece is the Amphitheater, where film festivals, gala concerts and sports competitions are held today. 10 kilometers from Pula is the Medulin area, famous for its picturesque landscapes, beautiful beaches with small pebbles and smooth entry into the water. This is a favorite region for families vacationing with small children. 
There is a place on the calm coast of Istria where fun and music never cease day or night - youth resort Porec is famous for its large number of bars, restaurants and discos. However, many tourists are attracted here not by the vibrant nightlife, but by the huge number of medieval buildings - perfectly preserved houses, fortress walls, temples and towers. Almost every tourist photo from Porec is decorated with the famous Basilica of St. Euphrasius, which is an example of Byzantine art of the 5th-6th centuries. Particularly noteworthy is the interior decoration made of mosaics from the same period. The temple is on the UNESCO list of protected sites. 
Rovinj is the center of tourism in Croatia, attracting huge numbers of tourists with its fine pebble beaches and plenty of medieval architecture. A huge number of green squares, marble pavements and the 17th century City Hall transport you back to past centuries and enchant all travelers. The main religious attraction of the city is the Cathedral of St. Euphemia, founded in 1651, which houses the relics of the saint. The Franciscan monastery, founded at the beginning of the 18th century, is also popular. Today the holy monastery has been converted into a museum with a wide variety of ancient exhibits. In summer, the resort comes alive and hosts many different events: the International Regatta, the International Youth Pop Music Festival and the International Photographers Festival. 
The highlight of the peninsula is the smallest city in the world, Hum. Its population is 17 people. IN locality there are only about 20 buildings, including two churches, a post office, a cemetery, a wine store, and a workshop with souvenirs self made and the city museum. This city is recorded in the Guinness Book of Records.
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Zadar → Pula | ||
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Cologne → Pula | ||
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Memmingen → Pula | ||
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Stockholm → Pula | ||
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Split → Pula | ||
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Tallinn → Pula | ||
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Riga → Pula | ||
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Saint Petersburg → Pula | ||
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Moscow → Pula | ||
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Krasnodar → Pula | ||
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Kyiv → Pula |
