Croatia: Istria : With Rijeka and the Slovenian Adriatic

Written by two Croatia experts, this thoroughly updated third edition remains the only full-length guide to this varied and well-heeled region of the Adriatic.

Istria is a region of remarkable diversity packed into a conveniently compact peninsula—you can drive almost anywhere in under an hour. Home to some of Croatia's most famous sites, including Pula's spectacular Roman amphitheatre, Porec's UNESCO-listed Byzantine mosaics (rivalling Italy's Ravenna and Istanbul's Aya Sofya), picturesque medieval hill towns like Motovun and Draguc, and the beautiful Brijuni Islands National Park, there's plenty to captivate history and culture enthusiasts. The guide also covers Rijeka, which became Croatia's first European Capital of Culture in 2020, plus nearby Slovenian coastal towns, karst limestone landscapes, and the UNESCO-listed Skocjan cave.

Istria is renowned for its exceptional cuisine—particularly fresh pasta, game, seafood, and truffles—alongside fine wines and world-class olive oil. The region offers excellent opportunities for relaxation too, with luxury and boutique hotels, outstanding restaurants, and affordable spa treatments. Whether you're an outdoors enthusiast, culture lover, foodie, or wine connoisseur, this guide caters to all interests and budgets with extensive coverage of trekking, cycling (including the Parenzana long-distance route), diving, windsurfing, paragliding, and sailing. You'll also find detailed information on wildlife, festivals celebrating everything from film to truffles, travelling with children, and ancient history.

New to this edition: expanded coverage of the Vivapa Valley, Slovenian wines, recently opened hotels, rail travel options, and vegetarian and vegan dining choices.