Where do you want to go and what do you want to see…

Where We’re At And How To Get Here
Where To Stay
Where To Eat
Where to Play

Where we’re at and how to get here

We are in Motovun, Croatia, in the heart of the Istrian peninsula, approximately 150 miles west of Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, 85 miles southwest of Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, and 150 miles east of Venice (the capital of glass!). The Istrian peninsula is surrounded by the Adriatic Sea. From Motovun, you can be at the water in half an hour, and nothing on the peninsula is more than about an hour and fifteen-minute drive away.

 
 
 

Once you’ve made your way to Europe, getting to Motovun is easiest by car. Unfortunately, World War II saw the end of the rail line that once connected Motovun to other parts of Europe. The closest railway station that connects to the rest of Europe is Trieste, Italy, about 40 miles northwest of us. If you don’t mind a bit of research and adventure there are some bus options to Motovun (or at least to the area), but they will take you a bit of work to figure out.

If you’re coming from the US you have a number of options for airports to fly into…

  • Trieste, Italy is the closest; however, flights since the pandemic have been more limited and more expensive.

  • Venice, Italy gets you to Venice from which you can either drive or take a ferry (people only) to get to Croatia.

  • Ljubljana, Slovenia has had the cheapest flights to the area we have found recently.

  • Zagreb, Croatia is solid and we’ve have had great experience with Croatia Airlines.

    There are also smaller regional airports in places like Pula (southern tip of the Istrian peninsula), Rijeka (the border between Istria and “mainland” Croatia, Split (beautiful city on the coast about a 6 hour drive from Motovun), or Dubrovnik (the southern most portion of Croatia and an 8 hour drive from Motovun).

If you really like boats, options for getting to Croatia by boat include ferries from:

  • Venice - People ferries only. There are two lines that run between various ports in Istria and Venice. The cost is approximately $75 each way. The two lines are Venezia Lines and Adriatic Lines. Check their websites for prices and schedules. These ferries do not run at all in the winter.

  • Ancona - People and cars. Jadrolinija is the line that runs these ferries and they run between Ancona and Split, Zadar, or Hvar. Ancona to Split is an 8-11 hour trip with overnight options.

  • Bari - People and cars. Also Jadrolinija. The route is Bari to Dubrovnik.

where to stay

The most used site for bookings in Motovun is Booking.com. You can also check Airbnb and Vrbo. A couple recommendations include:

Camino House - Beautiful rooms with private baths and a shared kitchen, owned by our good friend Vida who is a most gracious hostess. Vida will also share with you all her knowledge of local walking trails.

Villa Borgo - Lovely BnB with a spectacular terrace for morning breakfast or afternoon coffee or drinks, includes options for rooms or an apartment. Owner by our friend Slaven, you will be well taken care of.

Birdhouse - Stunning apartments lovingly designed and created by our friend Branko. With cozy wood stoves, full kitchens, and breathtaking views from the terraces you’ll enjoy your own slice of paradise.

 

Guesthouse Villa Marija - Beautiful rooms with private baths and terraces, as well as a studio apartment for rent in the courtyard. Lorena serves a beautiful breakfast spread…ask for the scrambled eggs with fresh truffle.

Hotel Kastel - Rooms or an apartment within the old city walls. The hotel has a full restaurant and a café, and on the lower level, you can partake of the indoor pool and various spa treatments.

 

where to eat

These are a few of our favorite places and a couple of recommendations from friends. Keep in mind that we are vegetarian, so pizza and pasta are most of our options for eating out here.

Motovun:

  • Pod Voltom: Homemade pasta and meat dishes. You’re in Motovun, so of course you will have all the options with truffles. $$

  • Mondo: Homemade pasta and meat dishes. Try the creamy polenta and truffles for a slightly different option here. $$

  • Fakin: Homemade pasta and meat dishes (seeing a pattern here???). Fakin is best known as a local winery, so be sure to enjoy a glass of the local Teran (red) or Malvazija (white) wine. $$

Buzet:

  • Pizzeria Ježić: One of our favorite places because it was one of the first places outside Motovun that we found. The two of us can split a pizza, salad, and pancake dessert and have a glass of wine and leave a tip for under $12. $

Karojba:

  • Pizzeria Alto: A great inexpensive gem not far from Motovun. They have great pizzas and sandwiches and an amazing selection of Palačinke (Croatian pancakes) for dessert. $

Rovinj:

  • Tipico Green Garden: Beautiful food in an idyllic vineyard setting with a number of vegetarian options. A great place to enjoy a late lunch and drinks after a day in the park climbing and swimming. $$

Pula:

Labin:

  • Pizzeria Napoli: Our favorite pizza place in Istria. The Buffalina pizza is our favorite. They also have pasta and burgers. $$

If you are looking for something other than pizza or pasta…i.e. more international cuisine, you’ll have a tough time finding it in Istria. Below are a few of the options we have found. Know that they will be a Croatia-fied version of your favorites. If you’re heading to Zagreb during your stay ask us for recommendations…there are plenty of great options for Indian and Thai in Zagreb and you get extra points if you can convince any of them to open shop in Istria.

Mexican:

Asian:

  • NOY Asian Cuisine and Bar in Pula

  • Peking in Pula

  • Street Wok Fažana in Fažana

  • Tsuki in Rovinj