1. Visit the Roman Amphitheater in Pula
Built entirely from the limestone coming from local quarries, the Roman Amphitheater in Pula, dating from the 1st century overlooks the harbor northeast of the old town. Designed for gladiatorial contests, it could receive up to 20,000 spectators in its heyday
The 30 meter high outer wall is almost intact and contains two rows of 72 arches.
2. Visit the Euphrasian Basilica in Poreč
One of the finest examples of the 6th century Byzantine art is the Euphrasian Basilica in Poreč. A World Heritage site built on the foundations of a 4th century basilica and a 5th century church, this complex includes a church, an atrium and a baptistery with mosaics from earlier structures still visible on the northern nave floor.
3. Scuba dive to the Barun Gautsch near Rovinj
Austrian-Hungarian passenger ship Baron Gautsch, which sunk in 1914, still exudes the magical aura of La Belle Epoque, mostly because of its magnificently preserved wreck lying at the depth of 40 meters off the coast of Rovinj.
4. Visit the Cathedral of St. Euphemia in Rovinj
The largest baroque building in Istria, the Tower of St. Euphemia, is also the highest point in Rovinj, offering an enchanting view of the town and the archipelago that surrounds it. The church tower is a replica of the bell tower of St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice, with a bronze statue of Saint Euphemia on its spire. The statue spins around to show the direction of the wind with her right hand.
5. Visit the Cathedral in Pula
The main altar of the cathedral is a Roman sarcophagus dating from the 3rd century. The church was built around it sometime at the 5th century. The floor reveals fragments of 5th and 6th century mosaics. After a fire, church was rebuit in 1242 and the Renaissance southern portal was added in the 15th century. Further improvements were made in the early 16th and 17th centuries.
6. Lim Bay, Rovinj
The Lim Bay enjoys the status of a preserved landscape. It is over 10 km long and looks like a fjord, shaped by the dissolution of the limestone bedrock.
7. Walls of Motovun
Known for its film festival in the recent years, Motovun is the most beautiful and best preserved Istrian medieval hilltop fortification. Taking a walk along its walls is like being on a time travelling expedition, because the higher you climb its two sets of fortified walls, the older they get. Once at the top, take a moment to enjoy the view and imagine a merchant caravan in the valley of Mirna underneath.
8. Hum - the smallest city in the world
With a population of only 17 people, Hum is officially listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the smallest town in the world. This small, fortified medieval town was first mentioned in documents dating from 1102, in a deed of gift of Urlich II to the Patriarch of Aquilea. Around that time, the frescoes of Hum, counting among the very few things left worth seeing in Hum, were made..
9. Cape Kamenjak
Cape Kamenjak is the most southern tip of the Istrian peninsula, a long narrow strip of land about 9.5 km long and 1.5 km wide. It is an area of unspoiled beauty, rich with wildlife and fish and thus rightfully proclaimed a nature park under special protection. It is open to visitors, divers, sports fishermen and other nature loving adventurers willing to look after its beauty as well as enjoy it.
10. Brijuni Islands
The Brijuni island group that lies off the southwest coast of Istria in the vicinity of Pula, was once the meeting place of the European and world jet set. As the only national park in Istria, Brijuni with its 14 islands covering an area of 736 square hectares presents a unique play of nature that brings together remarkable animal species and rare and rich flora all at one place. It ranks as one of the loveliest archipelagos in the Mediterranean.