# Istria

> Bron: https://photographbyjohn.com/regions/istria/ — Revealing Life Beyond the Lens (you see)


Istria is Croatia's heart-shaped peninsula, where Italian influence meets Slavic heart. It is the country's most varied small region: Venetian harbours like [Rovinj](/locations/rovinj/), the Roman amphitheatre at [Pula](/locations/pula/), truffle hills around Motovun, and the wild swimming coves of the Kamenjak cape.

**Standout spots:** [Pula](/locations/pula/), [Rovinj](/locations/rovinj/), [Poreč](/locations/porec/), [Motovun](/locations/motovun/), [Kamenjak cape](/locations/kamenjak-cape/). Browse all of them in the [Best of Istria guide](/guides/best-of-istria/).

**Best time:** May to October. September is the sweet spot, warm sea, thin crowds and the truffle season starting inland. July and August are hot and full.

**How it compares:** the closest region to Italy and the easiest to reach overland from western Europe. Smaller and gentler than Dalmatia, more Italianate than the rest of the country, and the one region where the inland hill towns rival the coast.