With its Venetian-style houses, crystal-clear waters and relaxed coastal charm, this gem could be the perfect alternative for families and couples looking for a quieter beachside getaway
Carla spent five days exploring Croatia’s beautiful Istrian coastline(Image: DAILY MIRROR)
Millions of Brits will be jetting off in search of sunshine this summer, flocking to hotspots like Spain and Italy. But one destination still flying under the radar is the stunning Istrian coastline in Croatia.
With its Venetian-style houses, crystal-clear waters and relaxed coastal charm, Istria could be the perfect alternative for families and couples looking for a quieter beachside getaway without some of the price tags that come alongside Italian holidays. Which begs the question: Is Croatia the new Italy?
I spent five days exploring Croatia’s beautiful Istrian coastline to discover exactly what the region has to offer, from truffle hunting and wine tasting to national parks and medieval hilltop towns.
What stayed with me most about Istria wasn’t only the Roman architecture or the endless coastline, but the way the people seemed to carry centuries of wisdom so casually in conversation.
Standing beside an olive tree over a thousand years old in Brijuni National Park, our guide told us, “Olive trees are like your mother, they will always wait for you.”
It was such a simple sentence, yet it captured the patience and permanence woven into the region itself.
Located on Croatia’s largest peninsula, Istria is a hidden gem packed with history, culture and breathtaking scenery. Every season here has its own charm, but summer is when the region truly comes alive.
Alongside its peaceful beaches and picturesque forests, traces of Istria’s medieval past remain everywhere, from defensive hilltop towns to centuries-old churches and cobbled streets. It is a place that offers something for every kind of traveller.
Adventure lovers can enjoy water sports, zipline experiences and waterparks, while history enthusiasts can explore stunning medieval towns like Motovun and admire the Venetian Gothic architecture of Poreč.
Visitors can also immerse themselves in Istria’s famous food culture by meeting families who have run truffle farms for generations, tasting local wine and olive oil on mountain tops, and exploring national park islands complete with safari-style tours.
Later, while wandering through Pula’s ancient streets, we were taught another local saying: “Not everything is that bad if you have someone you can drink a beer with.”
That warmth and perspective seemed to define the city. Beneath the Roman arches and weathered stone is a place full of life, where history feels less like something preserved and more like something shared between people.
Unlike some of Europe’s busier summer destinations, Istria still feels authentic and relatively untouched. The coastline is dotted with charming harbour towns, hidden coves and waterfront restaurants serving freshly caught seafood and homemade pasta infused with the region’s famous truffles.
Truffle hunting was one of the most memorable experiences I had on my trip. What could have easily felt like a tourist activity instead became something personal and authentic.
Watching Sky, the truffle dog, sprint through the centuries-old farm was both impressive and strangely heartwarming. There was something special about seeing a tradition passed down for generations still carried out with so much passion. Our tour guide was in the process of teaching her 5-year-old daughter the family trade.
I was invited into an intimate truffle tasting experience where everything felt unhurried and local, from the stories shared around the table to the rich earthy flavour of the truffles themselves and the homemade elderflower cordial made from the family’s century-old elderflower berries.
It was one of those moments where Istria’s connection to food, family and tradition became impossible not to feel.
Holidaymakers can find surprisingly good value packages in the region. Jet2holidays currently offers a range of getaways across the Istrian Coast, including a seven-night stay at the three-star Arena Grand Kazela Eurocamp in Medulin from £759 per person, based on two adults sharing and departing from East Midlands Airport on 28 June 2026. The package includes 22kg baggage allowance and car hire.
Families looking for a luxury escape can stay at the four-star Keight Hotel Opatija Curio Collection by Hilton in Opatija from £949 per person, based on two adults and two children sharing, departing from Birmingham Airport on 2 October 2026. The seven-night stay includes return transfers and baggage allowance.
Meanwhile, couples searching for a more upscale coastal retreat can opt for the five-star Valamar Collection Marea Suites in Poreč, with prices from £1,749 per person departing from Manchester on 11 June 2026, or from £1,653 for families departing from London Stansted on 21 June 2026. Both packages include half-board accommodation, transfers and checked baggage.
Nature lovers will love exploring the breathtaking Brijuni National Park, a stunning island just off the coast near Fažana. The islands are home to Roman ruins, botanical gardens, a safari park and the former summer residence of Yugoslav leader Tito.
Brijuni added another layer to my time in Istria. It felt like stepping into a different world, despite being just a short boat ride away from the mainland.
The safari park was unexpected, with open landscapes where animals including zebras, elephants and ancient cows moved freely against a backdrop of coastal wilderness.
What stayed with me most, though, was being shown the preserved footprints of “Sunda,” a dinosaur that once roamed these islands millions of years ago. Standing there, it was hard to fully grasp the scale of time.
Elsewhere, visitors can wander through the Roman streets of Pula and visit its preserved amphitheatre, one of the largest surviving Roman arenas in the world. The city perfectly blends ancient history with a lively café culture and bustling marina atmosphere.
Pula reminded me of a more serene and personal version of Rome. It is impossible to overlook the Roman heritage here. Weathered stone gateways, historic temples and grand arenas emerge suddenly amidst the local coffee shops and residential blocks, echoing the architectural rhythm of the Italian capital.
I felt lucky to experience these things in a far quieter and more intimate way than you can in Rome or Florence.
For me, Istria felt like one of those rare places that quietly changes your pace without you realising it. I found myself slowing down, lingering longer over dinners, watching the light hit the old stone buildings and appreciating conversations that would normally pass by unnoticed.
There was something grounding about being surrounded by history that has survived for thousands of years, while life still moves so effortlessly around it.
Between the sea air, the crowded café terraces and evenings spent wandering through Pula’s streets, the region felt both deeply historic and incredibly alive at the same time.
