Introducing Istria
Capital : Zagreb
Language : Croatian
Currency : Kuna (Closed currency)
Time Difference From GMT : +1.0 hr
Istria lies in three countries: Croatia, Slovenia and Italy. The largest portion (89%) lies in Croatia. "Croatian Istria" is divided into two counties, the larger being Istria County in western Croatia. Important towns in Istria County include Pula, Poreč, Rovinj, Pazin, Labin, Umag, Motovun, Buzet, and Buje.
Discover holidays in Istria. Sometimes called the ‘new Tuscany’, Istria (Istra to Croatians) is the heart-shaped 3600-sq-km peninsula just south of Trieste, Italy, with a landscape of green rolling hills, drowned valleys and fertile plains.
The rugged and indented coastline is enormously popular with the sun ‘n’ sea worshippers, while the scenic interior is beginning to attract artists to its hilltop villages.
Even though most beaches are sandy, pebbly and rocky, they are exceptionally beautiful.
Overview
Pazin, inland, is the administrative capital of the region, while coastal Pula, with its bustling shipyard and Roman amphitheatre, is the economic centre. Tourism along the coast centres on the ancient Roman town of Poreč and the fetching fishing village of Rovinj. The northern part of the peninsula belongs to Slovenia, while the Ćićarija mountains (an extension of the Dinaric Range) in the northeastern corner separate Istria from the continental mainland.
Italy is only across the water , but the Italian influence is strongly felt. Italian is a second language in Istria and many Istrians have Italian passports. History ties Istria to Italy and it is evident in its food of fresh seafood and excellent pizza and pasta dishes. The options for dining are limitless, enjoy seaside restaurants, romantic hilltop bistros, trendy eateries or fine dining restaurants; you´ll be spoilt for choice!
