Croatia is home to some of the most popular summer holiday destinations for Britons but there’s one place that’s a must-see when the heat cools off.
Forget Split, Zagreb and Dubrovnik, and instead, head to Motovun – a picturesque medieval hilltop village located in the Istria region of Croatia.
Located at the top of the Adriatic between the Gulf of Trieste and the Kvarner Gulf, the Istria peninsula is shared by three countries: Croatia, Slovenia, and Italy.
Motovun itself is renowned for its stunning views, charming cobblestone streets, and rich cultural history, and has become a popular destination for tourists seeking to explore the unique charm of the region.
Throughout its history, Motovun has been governed by various states, including the Venetian Republic, and the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and acts as a living museum of different cultural influences, all of which are visible in the well-preserved architecture.
The dwelling is also a hub for truffle hunting with the Motovun Forest being one of the last relics of ancient Mediterranean forests in Istria. Hunting for truffles is an activity deeply ingrained in the regional culture as the nearby forests are rich in both the black and white kind.
Explore the forestry via organised tours or wander, cycle and hike the many trails which are easy to find on the AllTrails website. No matter which route you take, the views are renowned for being truly captivating.
The quiet and calm Mirna River Valley offers lush landscapes ideal for hiking, cycling, and exploring. The source of Mirna is near Hum, the smallest town in the world, which according to a legend, was built by giants using rocks left over from the building of towns in the valley.
As for the locals in Motovun, the quiet hilltop village is home to just 983 people. It has just five restaurants and taverns, a few bars, and a shop.
According to Tripadvisor, the best coffee shop in the area is Caffe Bar Mure, described as “a lovely little coffee shop on Motovun walls, just off the main square”. Visitors say the “views are amazing” and “the owner is very friendly and makes you feel welcome”.
For drinks, the B5 Wine Bar Motovun boasts “beautiful scenery” and “delicious wine”, along with meat and cheese plates that can be enjoyed on the terrace of Villa Borgo.
Pod Voltom is ideal for a light lunch with views over the Mirna River valley. One Tripadvisor reviewed: “We opted for local pasta speciality (fuži) with black summer truffles, accompanied by fresh cabbage salad.”
Motovun has a unique reputation as Istria’s best-preserved hilltop settlement, located on a 277-metre-high summit. It’s also renowned for its film festival hosted in July, which transforms it into a cultural party location for a few days.
The Cinehill Film Festival just marked its 22nd annual event where films are screened far away from urban cultural centres, deep in the heart of nature on the hilltop setting – hence the name, ‘Cinehill’. It is primarily dedicated to films from small cinematographies and independent productions that have a hard time fighting their way to theatres and wide audiences.
Of course, with such a hilly landscape, one packing essential for Motovun is a good pair of walking sandals or trainers for the steep walk to the top. For those not up for the challenge, there’s a little bus that drives to the view.
On TripAdvisor, “Hilltop walled ancient city of Motovun” has 562 reviews, giving it a high overall score of 4.5 stars. Users described it as a place with “tremendous views”, and a “magical steep walk”, and called it the Croatian “San Gimignano.”