Istria is Croatia's largest peninsula, jutting into the northern Adriatic Sea and bordering Slovenia and Italy. Known as the 'Croatian Tuscany,' it blends Roman heritage, Venetian architecture, medieval hilltop villages, and a world-class culinary scene centered on truffles, olive oil, and indigenous wines.
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
A rental car is by far the best way to explore Istria, especially for reaching inland hill towns, wineries and rural konobi. The peninsula has a good network of well-maintained roads including the Istrian Y motorway (A9/A8). Public buses connect major towns but are infrequent to rural areas.
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Buy multi-day or weekly transit passes if you'll use public transport more than twice a day.
Keep small change handy for buses and shorter trips where contactless may not work.
Avoid rush hour (typically 7-9 AM and 5-7 PM) for a more comfortable journey.