8 notable places within an hour's drive.
photogenic
Lubenice
A 4,000-year-old fortified hamlet perched 378 m directly above the sea on Cres island, its stone lanes ending at a cliff-edge view over Sv. Ivan cove. Summer evenings bring open-air concerts on the tiny square.
10 km · about 20 min drive
bridge
Krk Bridge
Twin reinforced-concrete arches leap from the mainland to Krk island; on opening in 1980 the 390 m main span was the longest concrete arch in the world, a dramatic gateway to the Kvarner islands.
34 km · about 40 min drive
ancient ruins
Pula Arena
One of the best-preserved Roman amphitheatres in the world, a magnificent 1st-century arena still hosting concerts and festivals in Istria.
45 km · about 50 min drive
natural wonder
Cape Kamenjak
A wild rocky cape of hidden coves, cliff-jumps and crystal water at Istria's southern tip: drive the dirt tracks slowly.
46 km · about 55 min drive
tunnel
Učka Tunnel
A 5 km motorway tunnel bored beneath Mount Učka in 1981, linking inland Istria with the Opatija Riviera and sparing drivers the old switchback climb over Poklon Pass.
46 km · about 55 min drive
restaurant
Konoba Batelina
The Skoko fishing family's konoba in Banjole near Pula: the day's own catch turned into legendary fish offal dishes and Istrian seafood that drew Anthony Bourdain. Dinner only, book well ahead.
46 km · about 55 min drive
national park
Northern Velebit National Park
Karst pinnacles and the Premužić trail thread Croatia's wildest mountain range with sweeping Adriatic views.
48 km · about 55 min drive
natural wonder
Zavratnica
A narrow fjord-like inlet below the Velebit mountains near Jablanac, ringed by a stone promenade with a sunken WWII German freighter visible from the shore. Reached by a short path from Jablanac off the coastal Magistrala.
48 km · about 55 min drive