Destinations

Croatia, Istria & Pula

Before your arrival, you can check the key information about our destinations. Welcome!

Croatia

Situated in Southern Central Europe, a roughly horseshoe shaped country with a coastline 5.835 km of which 4.058 km is a coastline of islands, solitary rocks and reefs.

No less than 1.185 islands lie offshore, but only 50 of them are inhabited. Croatia’s stunning coastline is on the Adriatic Sea, arguably one of the cleanest seas in the Mediterranean and wonderfully warm.

Croatia is indeed unique with a thousand years of different cultures that have replaced each other and sometimes assimilated in these areas.

The east coast of the Adriatic Sea was inhabited as early as the beginning of the early Stone Age, and there is proof that most of the accessible islands were also inhabited (archaeological findings in caves near the islands of Hvar and Palagruza, etc.)

Archaeological discoveries prove that in the 6th century BC the ancient Greeks had commerce with the Illyrians by means of the sea, and that they founded their colonies there (for example Pharos, today's Starigrad, on the islands of Hvar and Issa - or Vis).

Later on, the Romans arrived, and they not only built palaces and summer residences but they also spent a considerable amount of time on the sea, and there are many underwater discoveries, mainly amphorae, located between Pula and Cavtat which show this to be true.

A new era dawned with the arrival of the Slavs in the fifth century, a period characterized by constant struggle for supremacy and by defence against diverse enemies. Dubrovnik, eminent in its position as a republic, played a leading role in culture and trade especially with Venice.

In the 18th century, Napoleon ruled for a short period of time, after which he was replaced by the Austrian monarchy. During the next hundred years, Italy and Austria fought each other for supremacy of the east coast, culminating in the battle of Vis in 1866.

Testimony to those glorious times can be found not only on the mainland, but also under the sea in the shape of shipwrecks and remains of the detritus of great ships. The period of Austro - Hungarian rule commenced thereafter. Ports were built and fortified, trade and shipbuilding flourished.

During the two World Wars, the Adriatic was one of the more important areas of battle, and there are many shipwrecks dating from those periods. Near Pula, for example, which at the time was a strategically vital naval harbour, twenty shipwrecks have been located, including a number of submarines, destroyers, and torpedo-boats.

The Adriatic Sea has always been an important maritime route between East and West, which can still be seen today because of the numerous relics, which remind us that the past should never be forgotten, but rather used as a lesson for the future.

Walking Tours in Kvarner and Šibenik

Looking for a different way to explore Croatia? Turn your sightseeing into an interactive experience with self-guided walking tours in Rijeka, Opatija, Cres, Mali Lošinj and Šibenik.

Your phone becomes your guide as you move from one location to another, discover local stories and hidden details, and complete observation and logic-based challenges. Start when it suits you, stop for coffee or sightseeing whenever you like, and continue

when you are ready.

Rijeka – The Legend of the 14 Witnesses -walking tour

Step into an intriguing story from Rijeka’s past while exploring the city centre. Follow the clues, discover historic locations and uncover the story behind the legendary 14 witnesses.

https://questoapp.com/rijeka-walking-tours/the-legend-of-the-14-witnesses-in-rijeka

Opatija – Top 10 Coastal Gems - walking tour

Discover the elegant seaside atmosphere of Opatija on an easy circular walk connecting some of the resort’s best-known coastal sights and hidden details.

https://questoapp.com/opatija-walking-tours/opatija-s-top-10-coastal-gems-circular-and-accessible-walk

Cres – Legends of Cres: The Hidden World - walking tour

Walk through the old streets of Cres and enter a world of local legends, mysterious stories and historic places that reveal another side of this Adriatic island town.

https://questoapp.com/cres-walking-tours/legends-of-cres-the-hidden-world

Mali Lošinj – Promenade Puzzle Tour: Mali Lošinj Edition - walking tour

Explore Mali Lošinj through a light and playful walking experience along its beautiful bay. Follow clues, discover maritime stories and solve observation-based challenges at your own pace.

https://questoapp.com/mali-losinj-walking-tours/promenade-puzzle-tour-mali-losinj-edition

Šibenik – Šibenik Highlights & the Story Behind the Cathedral Faces - walking tour

Explore Šibenik’s historic centre and step into the world of the people who shaped the medieval city. Discover its landmarks and uncover the story behind the 71 stone faces of the Cathedral of St. James.

https://questoapp.com/sibenik-walking-tours-1/sibenik-highlights-and-the-story-behind-the-cathedral-faces

Ready to explore?

Choose your destination in Questo: Walking Tours & Games, head to the starting point and let the tour guide you through the city one challenge at a time.

Use code AVI20 for 20% off your first walking tours purchase.

No schedules. No groups. No need to rush.

Istria

Istria is the biggest Croatian peninsula situated on the north-west part of the country. The territory is spread over 3000 km2 and with almost 2000 km of roads.

All European civilisations left their trace, knowledge and legacies.

Comparisons are inevitably drawn with Tuscany and, as recently as 1945, Istria was ruled by Italian masters; as a result many Istrians speak the language fluently. The names of towns and streets are often in two languages; Rovinj becomes Rovigno in Italian and Poreč is Parenzo. Yet Italy is just one part of the historical fabric here. Traces of Roman architecture rub shoulders with the Gothic, the Renaissance and the Baroque. Slavs, Venetians, ancient Greeks and the dual monarchy of Austro-Hungary have all left their imprint in the fertile soil. Few places in Europe can boast such a wide range of influences within such a small region.

In Istria borders were always considered something to overcome or to cross, not something that definitively separated: worlds on both sides of the border should integrate, thereby enriching each other.

Identity card of Istria:

Location
The westernmost County of the Republic of Croatia, the largest peninsula of the Adriatic

Area: 2.820 km2

Population: 200.000, predominantly catholics

Costal lenght
445,1 km (well-indented coast is twice as long as the road one) The western coast of Istria is 242,5 km long, with islands 327,5 km (178,1 M). The eastern coast of Istria is 202,6 km long, with the pertaining islets 212,4 km (114,5 M)

Climate:
Mild, Mediterranean climate (warm and dry summers, mild and pleasant winters) Average amount of sunshine: 2.388 hours. Owing to the day's length and plenty of clear days throughout the summer it has the longest isolation with a daily average of 10 hours in Istrian seaside resorts.

Vegetation: Istria is the largest green oasis of the North Adriatic. The coast and the islands are covered with pine woods and easily recognizable green macchia. The main specimens of macchia are Holm oak and strawberry trees. 35% Istria is covered with forests

Rivers: Mirna, Dragonja and Rasa

Sea: the lowest sea temperature is in March ranging from 9.3 C up to 11.1 C and being the highest in August when it reaches 23.3 C and 24.1 C; salinity amounts approximately to 36 - 38 pro mille

Administrative centre: Pazin, 9 000 inhabitants

Economic centre: Pula, 52 000 inhabitants.

Walking Tours in Istria – Explore at Your Own Pace

Discover some of the best walking tours in Istria with self-guided Questo experiences in Umag, Novigrad, Medulin, Vrsar and Funtana.

These Istria walking tours combine sightseeing, local history, storytelling and interactive challenges. Instead of following a fixed group tour, you can explore independently, start whenever you want and discover each destination at your own pace.

Use code AVI20 for 20% off your first Questo purchase.

Umag Walking Tour

Explore the highlights of Umag on a self-guided walking tour through the historic centre. Discover local stories, landmarks and interesting details while solving logic and observation-based challenges.

https://questoapp.com/umag-walking-tours

Novigrad Walking Tour

Discover Novigrad’s old town and waterfront through an interactive walking tour combining local history with a story about growing up, responsibility and learning to look beneath the surface.

https://questoapp.com/novigrad-walking-tours

Medulin Walking Tour

Explore Medulin through a story-driven walking tour set in Roman times. Follow the journey of an enslaved person facing an important decision while discovering the history of the area.

https://questoapp.com/medulin-walking-tours/the-medulin-time-traveler-s-challenge

Vrsar Walking Tour

Enjoy a relaxed self-guided walking tour in Vrsar, combining sea views, art, local stories and interactive challenges.

https://questoapp.com/vrsar-walking-tours/vrsar-views-and-vibes-a-family-stroll-by-sea-and-art

Funtana Walking Tour

Discover Funtana through a self-guided walking tour focused on local history, interesting places and challenges along the route.

https://questoapp.com/funtana-walking-tours

How to Play

Download Questo: Walking Tours & Games
Log in or create an account
Search for your chosen destination in Istria
Select the tour and go to the starting location
Start the tour and follow the instructions in the app

Use code AVI20 for 20% off your first purchase.

No guide. No fixed starting time. Just choose your destination and enjoy a self-guided walking tour in Istria whenever it suits you.

t suits you.

Pula

Pula, the biggest town, is situated on the south-western part of the Istrian peninsula. The Romans built the city as a copy of Rome

History of Pula began approximately 3000 years ago when on a hill where it is today Castle created the first settlement, Fort Histrians. From then until now Pula, to be exchanged by many rulers. Through most of its history, Pula is experiencing a number of peaks and lows, which lasted until the mid 20th century when it began an uninterrupted continuous development.

On seven hills, with the amphitheatre Arena which hosted gladiatorial contests in front of an audience of 20.000 spectators.

The little Roman Theatre
The Forum with the temple of August erected in 2BC.
The remaining of the temple of Diane nowadays incorporated into the city hall -the Triumphant Arch of the Sergi erected in 2 BC.
The Twin gates The Gate of Hercules with the city walls.

There are many other cultural monuments preserved:

The church of St. Marie Formosa
The Mausoleum
The Cathedral
Venetian palaces
a French fortification in the centre and many Austro-Hungarian near the coast

The Archaeological Museum exhibits history to the middle ages.

Natural beauties:

National park Brijuni islands – an archipelago comprising 14 islands and islets along the south-west coast of Istria, also known as Tito’s islands. Natural park Rt Kamenjak - the southernmost peninsula of Istria wild and unattached, long "finger" jutting into the Adriatic and surrounded by a number of islets.

EXPLORE PULA WITH 20% OFF

Discover Istria in a different way with self-guided walking tours on Questo. Explore at your own pace, follow engaging stories, discover local history and solve logic and observation-based challenges along the way.