Villas in Croatia

The only National Park in Istria, Brijuni National Park is a group of islands off of Pula. Boats from the town of Fazana take around 15 minutes, although sight-seeing tours of the islands by boat also run from Pula. There is also a safari park which has various animals including zebras, elephants, llamas and ostriches, and a golf course on the coast overlooking the mainland.

Located in the heart of Rovinj, the Church of St. Euphemia has an impressive display of Baroque architecture and artwork and is also home to the sarcophagus of the patron saint of the city, St Euphemia herself!

The Basilica of St. Euphrasius in Porec is definitely worth a visit for anyone wanting to enjoy an authentic taste of Croatia and learn about its rich history. The Basilica has a collection of Byzantine art and architecture dating from the 6th century, included in the UNESCO List of World Cultural Heritage. The building is also easy to identify from the exterior, dominating the skyline of Porec, and is one of the most photographed sites in the area.

Without a doubt, the main attraction of Pula is the magnificent amphitheatre, the sixth largest in the world. Originally designed and built to be a gladiatorial venue, the amphitheatre is now used as a setting for concerts and theatre productions.

There are 2 good waterparks in Istria: Aquacolors Waterpark and Istralandia Waterpark, both around 30 minutes drive from the centre of Porec. Both parks have a great atmosphere and cater for all ages with pools, rides and slides galore! Please note, Aquacolours is open in high season only.

Fazana is a picturesque coastal town, just above Pula, on the western side of Istria. It has a lovely pebble beach with several cafes and gift shops leading up to the small port from which you can catch the boat across to the Islands of Brijuni.

Located just south of Porec, on the far west coast of Istria, is the area of Funtana. Here you'll find several good beaches and bathing platforms by the sea, perfect for swimming and sunbathing. Most of the areas around the seafront have deck chairs and sunshades for hire, as well as snack bars or cafes.

Just north from Porec, the area of Lanterna has several good beaches, as well as a popular camping resort. The main Lanterna Beach has pleasant views across the other side of the inlet towards the church at Novigrad. Parasols and sunbeds can be hired - perfect for a relaxed day by the sea.

Hotel Delfin Beach, in Lanterna, is situated below the Hotel Delfin. The beach is mainly paved, on various levels, and has life guards and a cafe.

Robinson Crusoe Beach in Lanterna, is a unique shingle cove, ideal for a laid-back day by the sea. The beach is accessed via a long driveway, with plenty of parking, and there's a good snack bar with seating byt he seafront too.

Valeta Beach is located on the edge of the north-western part of Lanterna. The beach is pebbly on one side, paved on the other, with a small lawned area in between, perfect for sunbathing. There are also restaurants, toilets and sporting activities all nearby.

Medulin's long, thin sand/shingle beach sits on the South Coast of Istria, 20 minutes' drive from Pula. Sunbeds and parasols can be hired and pedaloes can be hired in the summer. There are also a few bars and cafes at the back of the sand where you can take a break from the heat.

The beaches in Porec tend to be either pebbly or paved so having a pair of jelly shoes is essential! The water along this stretch of coast is very clean and perfect for swimming. The beach platforms have good facilities, with sunbeds and parasols for hire, showers, changing areas and of course, cafes and restaurants where you can take a break from the sun for a drink or bite to eat. Most likely you will need a car to reach the beaches in this areabut the parking facilities are good with plenty of trees for shade!

The Verudela Peninsula, 2km South of Pula centre, is the place to go if beach fever grabs you! The beaches are mostly rocky or paved but the water is ideal for swimming for all ages and capabilities. Valkana, Hawaii and Kolumbarica beaches are the most popular and Debeljak is the best sandy beach in the area. A choice of watersports can also be found at most of the beaches here, along with cafes or restaurants for when you decide to take a break fromthe sun! For serious beach-goers, take a boat from Pula across to the island of Brijuni which has a spectacular beach with beautiful scenery.

Almost every beach in Rovinj is made of either pebble or paving, but the entrances into the water are good and swimming is still very popular along this area of coast. There are many small hidden rocky bays and platforms that you can explore and make your own little haven! The bays of Skaraba and Cape Rusi have high rocky areas, popular with people wanting to jump into the sea, while Cuvi Bay, Lone Bay and Moulin Rouge Beach have a flatter appearancewith fine stones, much better for sunbathing and swimming. Sport and food facilities at most of the beaches are good, as well as parking for your hire car and many also have a lifeguard in high season.

Valbandon Beach has a beach bar, sunshades and deck chairs to rent, showers and a children's playground. Giant inflatables are also available in the summer.

Vrsar is situated between the maincoastal resorts of Porec and Rovinj, right by the entrance to the Lim Fjord Estuary. There are a few good beaches around this part of the coast, with sunbeds and deck chairs for hire, as well as inflatables and pedaloes in the summer.