Things to do in Motovun

Discover the wonders of Istria County on this multi-stop, guided tour from your choice of meeting point in Rovinj. Blend into local life as you explore the towns of Rovinj, Grožnjan, and the famous Motovun. Enjoy a tasting of the local culinary specialty truffles. The first stop is in Rovinj. Here, you will join a walking tour with your guide and learn about this Adriatic pearl's secrets. After Rovinj, head to Grožnjan. This village was abandoned entirely after World War II and has since been revitalized with the help of artists from all around Yugoslavia. Romantic stone-cobbled alleys and colorful workshops around every corner make the tiny town of Grožnjan a must-see location in Istria. Afterward, continue to Motovun, the mightiest hilltop town in Istria. Once in Motovun, try the most expensive mushroom in the world during a truffle product tasting. Walk the panoramic city walls (not included) and admire Istria in all of its glory. You'll return to Rovinj in the late afternoon.

Discover some of Istria's most spectacular landscapes and idyllic locations on a guided tour of the peninsula. Travel in the comfort of an air-conditioned vehicle and learn about Istria's history from your knowledgeable guide. Start your day with a convenient pickup from a range of locations and get ready to see the best of what Istria has to offer. Your first stop, Lim Fjord on the western coast of Istria. Stop to take photos and capture the beauty of this striking landscape before moving on to your next destination, Groznjan. Join your driver and guide on a walking tour of this small medieval jewel known as the artist village. See the old town and wander down the romantic alleys lined with rustic cafes and konobas, the Dalmatian word for taverns. Hop back into your vehicle and head to Motovun, a scenic hilltop town dominated by Gothic and Romanesque architecture. Enjoy a tasting of some local products before joining your guide on a walking tour of the town and the ancient city walls. Make the most of some free time after the tour and sit down for lunch at one of the local restaurants. The Motovun forest is packed with truffles, making this town one of the best places to get your truffle fix. The last stop on your tour of the Istrian Peninsula is Pazin, where you'll visit the Pazin Abyss, an extraordinary natural attraction that has been declared a protected area. Enjoy a short stop here before heading back to your original starting point.

Discover the wonders of Istria County on this multi-stop, guided tour from your choice of meeting point in Rovinj. Blend into local life as you explore the towns of Rovinj, Grožnjan, and the famous Motovun. Enjoy a tasting of the local culinary specialty truffles. The first stop is in Rovinj. Here, you will join a walking tour with your guide and learn about this Adriatic pearl's secrets. After Rovinj, head to Grožnjan. This village was abandoned entirely after World War II and has since been revitalized with the help of artists from all around Yugoslavia. Romantic stone-cobbled alleys and colorful workshops around every corner make the tiny town of Grožnjan a must-see location in Istria. Afterward, continue to Motovun, the mightiest hilltop town in Istria. Once in Motovun, try the most expensive mushroom in the world during a truffle product tasting. Walk the panoramic city walls (not included) and admire Istria in all of its glory. You'll return to Rovinj in the late afternoon.

Istria, a wonderful peninsula that lies near the clear blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea, is famous for its coastal sights and its vibrant green inland vegetation, with numerous cultural-historic attractions and memorable natural vistas viewed from village hilltops. Additionally, it is a treasure trove of culinary delights. Istrian cuisine is a reflection of the climatic, geographical, and historical wonders of the area, combining multiple local culinary traditions based on olive oil, seafood, seasonal vegetables, aromatic spices, and indigenous plants. Hidden beneath your Istrian host’s smile is an on-going invitation to taste and discover the real features of this idyllic coastal land. It’s the environmental beauty and living history that draws you in; along with the diligent craftsmanship witnessed in every stone. During your tour you will visit 3 famous Istrian villages: Hum, the smallest town in the world; Motovun, the most famous medieval town of Istria; and Grožnjan, the town of artists and music, where you will taste local liquors, wines, cheeses, truffle products, and marmalades.

Hum is situated in the center of Istria with barely 20 inhabitants. Turn your trip to Hum into a beautiful story of Istrian small towns. This hidden part of Istria is extremely welcoming to visitors. According to the legend, Hum was built with the stones left over when giants were building towns in the river Mirna valley, an area in central Istria including the wonderful hill towns of Motovun, Roc, and Bale. Despite the small number of residents, Hum has preserved the ritual of Election of the Prefect for a Year. All the men from the parish gather at the Municipal Loggia (Town Hall) to elect the village superior by carving their votes into a wooden stick. Apart from being famous for being the smallest city in the world, Hum has recently become popular for Biska, which a brandy spiced with mistletoe and made according to an old recipe originating in Hum. Every year, at the end of October, the Grappa festival takes place here and hosts brandy producers from all over Istria.  In the north of Istria, located high above the Mirna River, is probably the most attractive and famous medieval town of Istria, Motovun. This fascinating site on top of a hill is a characteristic symbol of the interior of Istria. The bell tower, which is 13th-century Romanesque-Gothic, has a crown that is crenulated and dominates the center of the historic town from its position adjacent to St Stephen’s 17th-century parish church. In the center square stands the Romanesque Municipal Palace, which was Istria’s biggest secular building when it was built. Many other historical buildings surround it. Motovun’s forest which reaches down the Mirna River’s valley is particularly good for finding truffles, the alleged aphrodisiac malodorous fungus that grows underground. These white truffles of Istria, which are in season from September to December, are said to be as good as even the best French and Italian truffles. Vineyards surround the town from all sides and Istria’s finest wines including the red Teran and the white Malvasia are produced from the grapes of these vineyards. The whole locality is sprinkled with superb restaurants serving konobe. The city of Labin is an old medieval town located on a 320-meter hill with the new part of the town below. The Old Labin is the best preserved acropolis in Istria. Apart from many cultural and historical monuments, Labin is a city of artists. There are some 30 artists living and working there as well as several galleries. In nearby Dubrova, there is the Sculpture Par where International Sculptors Symposium have taken place for the past 40 years. In the summer, the old center is taken over by the Art Republic, which is a combination of music, performance, and fine arts. The town gates of St Flor, built in 1587, lead to the old town. There is also a 17th-century tower in the town offering a magnificent view. 

Explore the road of giants, climb the medieval city of Motovun and learn about the legendary giant Veli Jože. You will also taste our traditional mini donuts “Fritule”. This tour will take you through vineyards and woods all the way up to the cobblestone streets of Motovun. This accessible adventure is designed to show you Motovun in a different light. Combining nature and tradition with the beautiful streets of Motovun to give you an experience that is often missing from traditional tours.

Experience a day trip from Ljubljana to Croatia's countryside with this unique truffle hunting in the hills of Istria. Head into the woods with a local Hunter and learn how trained truffle dogs sniff out these precious tubers from under the forest floor and dig up white and black truffles. You are also welcome to taste truffle dishes with local red and white wines. Meet with a local family of truffle hunter in the Motovun and Stroll through the woods with the trained truffle dogs. You will also learn about how white and black truffles grow.

Experience the flavors of the Mediterranean on a guided food tour of Istria. Let these new tastes reveal themselves to you, intensifying your senses and dismissing the stress of the outside world, replacing it with new friendships and experiences to treasure and share. Discover Istria, a wonderful peninsula that lies near the clear blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea. It is famous for its coastal sights and its vibrant green inland vegetation, with numerous cultural-historic attractions and memorable natural vistas viewed from village hilltops. Additionally, it is a treasure trove of culinary delights. Istrian cuisine is a reflection of the climatic, geographical, and historical wonders of the area, combining multiple local culinary traditions based on olive oil, seafood, seasonal vegetables, aromatic spices, and indigenous plants. Hidden beneath your Istrian host’s smile is an on-going invitation to taste and discover the real features of this idyllic coastal land.

I'm inviting you on special excursion to Istria. We will visit charming town of Motovun. This town is gem of medieval architecture and its surroundings keeps many legends and treasures. One of those treasures are definitely local truffles. You will be accompanied with professional hunter and dog while you will search for this precious fungi. After hunt you will have degustation of truffle products - cheeses, sausages, deserts, and more. Of course perfect match for such food is high quality local wine. As bonus you will have chance to climb on Motovun tower to end your experience with amazing view over the valley and forest.

Start your day trip to the charms of Istria by exploring Poreč, a city with a rich history and a spectacular center. Visit the picturesque city center and explore the unique atmosphere of the Euphrasia Basilica, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This monumental church, built in the 6th century, amazes with its sumptuous Byzantine architecture. After Poreč, head towards the small artistic town of Grožnjan. Known for its picturesque streets and artistic spirit, Grožnjan is home to numerous galleries and studios. Stroll through the stone streets, explore art workshops and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of this picturesque town. Continue your journey towards Motovun, a magical medieval town that rises on top of a hill with a beautiful view of the surroundings. Get ready for a unique truffle tasting experience here. Istrian truffles are known for their exceptional taste, and this part of the excursion allows you to enjoy truffle tasting, where you will discover different variations of this prestigious ingredient. After the tasting, relax with a delicious Istrian lunch at a local restaurant (at your own expense), where you will have the opportunity to taste authentic Istrian specialties prepared with carefully selected ingredients.