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.
25 km · about 30 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.
29 km · about 35 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.
33 km · about 40 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.
36 km · about 40 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.
37 km · about 45 min drive
landmark
Motovun
A captivating hilltop medieval town in Istria surrounded by truffle-rich forests and vineyards, known for its annual film festival.
38 km · about 45 min drive
landmark
Rovinj
A captivating Istrian fishing town with colorful houses tumbling down a peninsula into the Adriatic, crowned by the Church of St. Euphemia.
41 km · about 45 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.
41 km · about 45 min drive