Istria is the largest peninsula in Croatia and the place we adore. We live in southern Croatia, not so close to Istria, but we do travel to it at least 5 times a year. Istria is beautiful. It’s one of the most visited regions of Croatia, famous for its wines and gastronomy delights. But there are many other things to do in Istria, it’s a region for everything – gastronomy, adventures, and history. In this article, we’re going to present you with the best places to stay in Istria.
This will be our list of the places to stay and it will consist of the places we have stayed at or visited during our travels to Istria. Being one of the most famous destinations in Croatia, Istria is full of all kinds of places to stay. But if you search for other lists similar to the one we bring, you’ll see that most of them have at least 3 places from our list. Let’s explore our list of the best accommodation in Istria.
Why Visit Istria? Let’s discuss Istria first and why we believe it should be on your list of places to visit in Croatia. Or a place for spending your whole vacation at. Istria is a stunning blend of Mediterranean, historical towns, and gastronomy delights . It’s often compared to Tuscany in Italy, and if you visit it, you’ll immediately see why that is so.
Just like Tuscany, Istria has rolling vineyards, medieval hilltop villages, and a beautiful coastline full of picturesque seaside towns. A luxurious getaway, a wine-lovers retreat, or a peaceful countryside escape , Istria can be all of that.
The reason we love Istria is its towns, especially hilltops like Grožnjan, Višnjan, and Motovun. Nowhere in Croatia will you find places like these and walking through these is really an experience for itself. When it comes to places to stay in Istria, some of the best accommodations in Croatia can be found here as well. Our favorite Croatian hotel, Lone in Rovinj, is located in Istria too and we will tell you a bit more about it later in the text.
5 Best Places to Stay in Istria Once again, we emphasize that this list is our selection of the best places to stay in Istria, Croatia. But we’re sure you’ll find most of these on any other similar list that you can find online. We have visited all of these places, although we haven’t stayed in each of them. Yet. But we did explore the rooms, and surroundings and know what to expect out of each place.
1. Meneghetti Wine Hotel & Winery (Bale) We are starting this list with one of the most popular and luxurious places to stay in Istria. Meneghetti Wine Hotel & Winery wine lovers and those seeking tranquility when visiting Istria.
Why Stay Here?
A 5-star estate surrounded by vineyards and olive groves.
Exclusive wine tastings and gourmet dining .
Elegant rooms, suites, and villas with a rustic yet modern design .
A relaxing wellness center and two outdoor pools.
Close to Bale and Rovinj , making it a perfect countryside escape while staying close to some of the most popular places in Istria.
2. Hotel Lone (Rovinj) Continuing with our favorite hotel in Croatia. This is a subjective opinion since we had such a great vacation when staying in Lone, but still, it’s one of the best hotels in Istria. Lone is located near Golden Cape Forest Park and it’s one of the most stylish hotels in Croatia that offers a modern and artistic retreat by the sea.
Why Stay Here?
Stunning contemporary architecture and design .
Spacious rooms with sea views and private balconies . Some rooms even have their own pools on the balcony.
Direct access to beaches and scenic walking trails .
A top-notch spa & wellness center with pools and saunas.
Just a 10-minute walk to Rovinj’s Old Town .
3. San Canzian Village & Hotel (Buje) San Canzian is yet another accommodation similar to Meneghetti. Secluded and peaceful. For those looking for a serene, exclusive stay in the Istrian countryside , San Canzian Village & Hotel is a good place for you.
Why Stay Here?
San Canzian is located in a restored traditional Istrian village .
It offers a boutique, 5-star experience with elegant stone-built accommodations.
Michelin-recommended dining with a focus on local flavors.Surrounded by truffle forests, vineyards, and olive groves .
A perfect location to explore the nearby hilltop towns of Grožnjan and Motovun .
4. Cattunar Wine Residence (Brtonigla) As you can see, Istria is all about wines and gastronomy. Cattunar Wine Residence is an intimate, wine-focused retreat and a paradise for those wanting to experience Istria’s wine culture firsthand.
Why Stay Here?
Surrounded by picturesque vineyards and rolling hills .
A family-run estate with private wine tastings and cellar tours .
Beautifully designed suites with panoramic countryside views .
A relaxing outdoor pool and wellness area .
Close to Brtonigla and Novigrad , making it ideal for wine and gourmet lovers.
5. Grand Hotel Brioni (Pula) We are ending this list with yet another hotel. Grand Hotel Brioni is perfect for those who prefer a luxurious coastal stay . It is located in the famous city of Pula and offers stunning Adriatic views and a great atmosphere .
Why Stay Here?
A 5-star seafront hotel with breathtaking views of the Brijuni archipelago which is the only national park in Istria.
Elegant, modern rooms with high-end amenities.A state-of-the-art spa and infinity pool .
Exceptional seafood dining with fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
Close to Pula’s Roman ruins , including the famous Pula Arena .
Before You venture to Istria We hope that this list of the best places to stay in Istria was valuable to you and you have a better image of what to expect when it comes to accommodation in Istria. We won’t lie if we say that Istria has some of the most diverse and some very unique accommodation options in Croatia. After all, it’s one of the most visited parts of Croatia and somehow it has a completely different vibe than the rest of the Croatian coastline. Can’t wait to get back to Istria again.
