Istrian Hill Towns: Motovun, Grožnjan and the Interior

The Istrian interior is one of Croatia's most overlooked regions. While the coast draws the crowds, the hills behind Poreč and Rovinj are covered in vineyards, olive groves and truffle forests, dotted with medieval walled hilltop towns. **Motovun** (population ~900) sits on a conical hill at 277 metres, its 13th-century Venetian walls intact. The views from the walls over the Mirna river valley are extraordinary. Motovun hosts the Motovun Film Festival each July. Truffle hunting in the Mirna valley is the town's main industry — the Zigante tartuf shop sells one of the world's largest ever recorded truffles (1.31 kg, found 1999). A truffle pasta lunch costs €15–20. **Grožnjan** (winter population ~80) was largely abandoned after the Istrian exodus of the 1950s–60s and repopulated from the 1960s onwards by artists and musicians. It is now a UNESCO-protected artists' colony. **Hum**, 20 km from Grožnjan, claims to be the world's smallest town with walls — population 21, one church, and a medieval gate. The Glagolitic Alley nearby is a 7-km outdoor sculpture path commemorating the ancient Glagolitic script. All three are within 30 minutes of the coast and make excellent half-day excursions from Poreč, Rovinj or Pula.

Beautiful but Less Crowded: Croatia's Hidden Gems for 2026

Beyond Dubrovnik and Plitvice, Croatia has islands, medieval cities and national parks that deliver every bit as much magic — with a fraction of the crowds. This guide covers the best of them.

Beyond Dubrovnik and Plitvice, Croatia has islands, medieval cities and national parks that deliver every bit as much magic — with a fraction of the crowds. This guide covers the best of them. Why Look Beyond the Crowds in Croatia: Croatia is one of Europe's most visited summer destinations, but the crowds are not evenly distributed. Dubrovnik's old town, the Blue Cave on Biševo, and Plitvice Lakes on a Saturday in July are genu Vis Island: The Most Unspoiled Island in the Adriatic: Vis was a closed Yugoslav military base until 1989 — longer than any other Croatian island. Its infrastructure for mass tourism never developed. The result is an island of around 3,500 permanent resid Šibenik: A Medieval Gem Most Tourists Skip: Šibenik sits between Split (85 km south) and Zadar (60 km north) and is often bypassed by travellers driving the coastal route. This is a mistake. Šibenik's medieval old town, built on a steep hillsid

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