The 15 Best Istria Tours & Day Trips

1.Truffle hunting & cooking tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 257 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $130Our pick

In Paladini near Motovun, the Karlić family introduces you to Istrian truffle hunting with trained dogs, forest traditions, and a three-course meal. You’ll visit Croatia’s first truffle museum, walk through the Motovun forest, watch truffle dishes prepared, and sample local cheese, salami, honey, brandy, wine, chocolate, and truffles. The small group is limited to 12.

“The truffle hunting walk was very educational, the dogs managed to turn up three truffles. Afterwards the cooking portion was exceptional, the food was excellent and the chef cooks in the main area so you can observe and ask questions. We took our 16mo old and stroller, which was difficult at certain points of the walk. I would suggest a stroller that’s easy to fold up and carry through tough spots. All that said the restaurant had the nicest high chair I’ve ever seen and our toddler developed a frightening taste for truffle products haha”

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2.Beautiful Sunset and Dolphin Watching

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 164 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $36Best value

From Fažana, sail aboard the Kristina toward Brijuni National Park for up to two hours of dolphin watching and sunset views. The crew searches open waters where dolphins feed, with free water or a soft drink included. Italian interpretation may be available, and the boat returns to Fažana.

“Personale accogliente e preparato. Esperienza rilassante e gradevole con interprete italiano simpaticissimo.”

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3.Paladini: Truffle Hunting Tour with 3-Course Tasting Menu

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 102 reviews · 3 hours · from $127

In Paladini, Karlić Tartufi guides you through a black-truffle plantation and an old forest with trained dogs, followed by a generous three-course tasting. Learn from guides such as Lydija, Philip, or Armin, watch fresh truffles go into scrambled eggs, and sample homemade wine, brandies, cheese, sausages, and truffle desserts.

“Amazing tour. Lots of great information about truffles. The hunt with dogs was cool, but I can't help to think it was slightly staged, was still a great adventure. The 3 course meal was fabulous loved how they cooked 2 of the 3courses in front of you and they invite you up to the counter to watch. 100% worth every $. Apparently other tours are offered on viator which is not offered on this site.”

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4.Istria: Guided Tour of Inner Istria with Food Tasting

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 67 reviews · 8 hours · from $108

Spend eight hours exploring Inner Istria with guide Siniša, known as Sini, in a comfortable air-conditioned van. Visit Lim Fjord, Grožnjan, Motovun, and Pazin, with guided walks, truffle and olive-oil tastings, free time, and pickup from southern Istria.

“Fantastic day out, Sini is very knowledgeable and explains the history and culture of the area very well. We would highly recommend this tour.”

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5.Wine Tour – The Best of Istria

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 44 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $462

Join Agnieszka, known as Agi, for a relaxed small-group day from Rovinj into Istria. Visit three distinct wineries, taste 5 to 8 wines at each, tour cellars, stop in artistic Grožnjan, and finish with a four-course local dinner. Hotel pickup, snacks, transport, and guiding are included.

“Agi’s coverage of wine history in the region is beyond insights provided by a fact book. Agi is an active character is the growing story line of Istria wine. We are beyond than glad to have to spent the day (10 hours), as she has become a friend hosting us in her region.”

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6.PERVINO – Wine tasting

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 43 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $42

At Pervino winery in Novigrad, your private group selects six wines from a range of 18, including Malvazija Istarska, Teran, Merlot, Chardonnay, and Muscat. A winery host explains the wines, pairs them with prosciutto, cheese, bread, olives, and olive oil, and shapes the tasting around your preferences.

“My girlfriend and I went, and it is amazing. The wines are perfect and the lady that helped us asks you a few questions to know what wine to give you next, and out of all six wines, she chose the best match for my girlfriend and I. The food is also superb. The price was perfect, and the experience was like a dream!”

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7.Private Truffle Hunting with Cooking Session

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 38 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $188

Meet the Karlić family in Paladini near Motovun for a private three-hour truffle hunt with dogs such as Stela and Trufi. Learn about Istrian truffles, search the Motovun forest, visit Croatia’s first truffle museum, then help prepare scrambled eggs before a meal of cheeses, sausages, local products, and truffle chocolate spread.

“The highlight of our Croatia trip. The whole truffle experience is what makes up what Croatia is. The staff were wonderful but the stars were the dogs that found the 4 truffles that day with them. Amazing experience!!The best!!”

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8.Buje: Authentic Istrian family farm, guided walk, foods & wine

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 37 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $77

At Olivo Istriano near Buje, you’ll walk through a family orchard, olive grove and vineyard, then learn olive-oil production with hosts such as Rene and André. A certified olive oil sommelier leads the tasting, followed by Istrian meats, fish, cheese, wine, homemade juice and artisan ice cream with olive oil.

“Die Geschichte von Istrien, was es alles braucht um Oliven ernten zu können und wie Olivenöl heute gewonnen wird. Abgerundet mit lokalen Köstlichkeiten. Das was du isst, verbindet dich täglich mit dem Ort, wo du lebst!”

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9.Full-Day trip to Lake Bled

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 26 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $155

Travel from selected Istrian hotels to Slovenia’s Lake Bled for a long but rewarding day. You’ll visit Bled Castle, ride a traditional pletna boat to the island, and have free time in Bled. Guides such as Mauro, Micky, Mario, and Elvis have been praised for clear commentary and friendly care. Bring a passport, good shoes, and patience for the long road journey.

“Everything from the horse and carriage ride all the way round the outside of island ,the boat ride over to the island going up the tower looking out the famous lake bled cake and the tour guide was excellent.”

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10.Istrian hill top cities tour with truffle and olive oil tasting

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 18 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $116

Spend about eight hours touring Istria in an air-conditioned vehicle with guide Sini, also listed as Sinan in one account. Visit Groznjan, Motovun, the Lim Fjord, and Pazin Abyss, with free time for lunch and tastings of truffles, cheeses, local products, and roughly ten olive oils.

“Super nice tour with Sinan. All well arranged. Very nice village with Art, nice olive oil and truffle tasting where we were allowed to taste plenty of things, and a good tour. Highly recommended!Auto-translated”

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11.Istria: Pervino wine tasting

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 16 reviews · from $41

At Pervino winery in Novigrad, you choose six wines from 17 bottles, including Malvazija Istarska, Teran, Merlot, Chardonnay, and Muscat. An English-speaking host serves the tasting in two stages, with a plate of cold cuts and Pervino olive oil between them. Dogs are welcome, but cellar and vineyard visits are not included.

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12.Istria Private Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 14 reviews · 8 hours (approx.)

Spend eight private hours exploring Istria from southern Istria, with pickup at your hotel or port. Your guide-driver can shape the day around Roman and Venetian sights, hilltop villages, Poreč, olive oil, and homemade food. Transport and guiding are included, while meals and drinks cost extra.

“Our guide was so knowledgeable about the colliseum and the whole town of Pula. He then took us Porec and showed us around there. He was prompt with the pick up and informed us also about the olive production in Croatia and many interesting facts about olive oil. Lunch of pig from the spit was absolutely delicious and succulent.”

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13.Istrian tapestry – gourmet tour combining wine, truffles and olive oil

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 12 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $463

Spend about 10 hours exploring Istrian food and wine from Rovinj with guide Agnieszka. Visit Motovun, watch truffle hunting with dogs, taste five to eight wines, sample organic olive oils, and enjoy truffle cheese, sausage, spread, and scrambled eggs. Transport, tastings, food, and pickup in Rovinj are included.

“Amazing day! We had such a great time! Olive oil, wine, truffles and more food than we could ever possibly eat. Everyone was wonderful, at every location. Excellent experience! Thanks, Angi!!!”

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14.Istria: Private Boat Tour with Skipper

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · 2 - 3 hours · from $41

Meet local captain Damir in Fažana and cruise Istria’s west coast on a private boat for up to 12 people. Depending on your chosen length, you can swim near Saint Jerolim and Kozada, snorkel at Blue Cave and Seagull’s Rocks, watch for dolphins by Brijuni, or spend a full day reaching Kamenjak and Fenoliga.

“To była wspaniała niespodzianka dla naszej Panny Młodej z okazji jej wieczoru panieńskiego. Łódka bardzo przyjemna i przemili sternicy! Serdecznie pozdrawiamy! 11 dziewczyn z Polski”

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15.Istra Adventure JET SKI SAFARI 20, 45, 90 MIN

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews

You’ll steer a new Sea-Doo GTI or GTX from Rakalj through Raša Bay on a guided safari lasting 20, 45, 90, or 150 minutes. Expect small groups, English or Croatian instruction, GPS-assisted group control, fuel, and a swim stop on longer routes. Drivers must be at least 18, and a T-shirt is required.

“It was a great experience, especially the boss with his cool way of inspiring people. Thank you and we will be back”

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