📷 Photo by Lothar Boris Piltz on UnsplashIstria: coast towns and truffle hills
Pula’s arena, Venetian Rovinj, hill towns above the truffle woods and belle-époque Opatija.
- Distance
- 145 km (90 mi)
- Driving
- 2 h 01 min
- Suggested days
- 3
- Stops
- 5
- Countries
- Croatia
- Updated
- May 3, 2026
At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 145 km (90 mi) with 5 stops, from Pula to Opatija. About 2 h 01 min of driving in total.
More road trips in Croatia
Route description
Pula has a Roman amphitheatre, one of the best preserved in the world, and the Temple of Augustus in the old forum. Follow the coast road north to Rovinj, whose old town sits on a peninsula crowned by the church of St Euphemia.
Rovinj’s old town is car-free, so park outside and walk in. Then turn inland into green hills and oak woods to Motovun, a walled hill town above the Mirna valley.
The road up to Motovun is steep and narrow; park below the town and walk to the ramparts for views over the truffle woods. Autumn is truffle season, when local restaurants put them on the menu. Nearby Grožnjan is a quiet hill village of artists’ studios and galleries.
Cross the Učka mountain, through the toll tunnel or over the pass road, to Opatija on the Kvarner Gulf, with belle-époque villas and a long seaside promenade. The Istrian motorway is tolled, while the older roads are slower but more scenic.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Pula
Croatia - 236 km
Rovinj
Croatia - 340 km
Motovun
ViewsMotovun, CroatiaA walled hill town above oak woods known for truffles. Walk the ramparts for views over the Mirna valley.
- 412 km
Grožnjan
Croatia - 557 km
Opatija
Croatia
Suggested stages and overnight stops
3 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Pula → Rovinj · 36 km · 0 h 30 minOvernight nearby, for example: Porton Biondi (2 km); Amarin (3 km).
- Day 2: Rovinj → Grožnjan · 52 km · 0 h 43 minOn the way: Motovun.Overnight nearby, for example: Motovun Camping (9 km); Sirena (13 km).
- Day 3: Grožnjan → Opatija · 57 km · 0 h 47 minOvernight nearby, for example: Camping Opatija (4 km); Autocamp Draga (12 km).
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and August–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July and October. Cold, short days in December–February. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
Practical notes for the road
- Croatia: Motorway tolls. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.
Road rules and fees change. Check official sources before you travel.
FAQs
How long is Istria: coast towns and truffle hills?
3-day road trip of about 145 km (90 mi) with 5 stops, from Pula to Opatija. About 2 h 01 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Istria: coast towns and truffle hills?
We suggest 3 days: about 2 h 01 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Istria: coast towns and truffle hills start and end?
It starts in Pula and ends in Opatija.
Which countries does Istria: coast towns and truffle hills pass through?
Croatia.
Where can you camp along Istria: coast towns and truffle hills?
OpenStreetMap lists 102 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 20 km of the stops on this route. For example: Arena Stoja, Sidro and Kamp Diana.
When is the best time for Istria: coast towns and truffle hills?
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and August–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
More like this
© Aconcagua (talk) · CC BY-SA 3.0Friuli: from the Adriatic lagoons to the Julian Alps
Photo by Monika Sojčáková on UnsplashMontefeltro: Rimini to Urbino and Gradara
© Hans A. Rosbach · CC BY-SA 3.0