32 Best Hotels in Istria, Croatia

This family-run hotel has an excellent location right across the seafront promenade just a few yards from the water, and its spacious, modern, and well-equipped rooms have balconies overlooking the sea. The ground-floor units have a nice terrace with a small grassy area, but that wonderful sea view is partly blocked. Restaurants, bars, beaches, and shops are all within walking distance, but you can also take a tourist train to reach popular beaches at the other side of the village. The staff are extremely helpful and friendly. Pets and children are also welcome.

Its outstanding location on the head of a small peninsula in Poreč’s Old Town sets this historic hotel apart; built in 1910, it housed the very first hotel in town. The original architecture has been preserved, but the comforts are contemporary: stylish furnishings, heated floors in the bathrooms, flat-screen TVs, and high-speed Internet. On-site facilities include a small outdoor pool, spa area with saunas, restaurant, casino, and bar.

In a tiny village just below Grožnjan, you'll find Bolara 60, a lovingly restored 18th-century stone farmhouse surrounded by peaceful rolling hills, vineyards, and olive groves. Anna and Matthew thoughtfully attend to every cozy detail with a high creative standard— from the vintage doorknobs to the wisteria-covered pergola, outdoor pizza oven, cozy open kitchen, antique beds with fine linens, bikes and boots to ramble with, and produce picked fresh from the garden. Anna's a chef, cooking teacher, food writer, and culinary anthropologist with many years working with Alice Waters to draw on, so anything she makes is amazing. But her breakfasts are truly fantastic, especially when eaten in the warmth of her open kitchen, with almost everything on the table made from ingredients grown right on the farm. And if they don't grow it, they know the best farmer, grower, or producer who does. This is a special culinary adventure not to be missed.

Nestled in a cloistered niche at the very top of the hilltop town sits this peaceful old-fashioned boutique hotel that makes an ideal retreat if you prefer quaint streets and rolling green hills to sea views and island escapes. Out in front of the hotel there's a small garden and pretty summer terrace. Rooms differ in their level of comfort and amenities; all rooms have flat-screen TV, Internet access, and air-conditioning. If you're here in summer, it's well worth paying extra for an upgrade for a balcony or private garden access.

These seven bright modern apartments and studios have Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, and kitchenettes. The location is convenient in the heart of Pula's Old Town, just a couple of blocks from the Arena, Forum, and the Golden Gate.

A luxury glamping resort in the peaceful countryside overlooking the sea, Floria offers lush gardens, private pools, Jacuzzis, a large community pool, a wellness center, saunas, a cocktail bar, a gift store, and a restaurant. There are 8 glamping tents and 10 camping pitches for RVs and caravans, as well as electric charging stations for cars and bikes (you can even rent an e-bike or scooter). Just a 15-minute walk from Old Town Labin, Floria also offers transportation to the Old Town and nearby restaurants via their electric golf cart shuttle. Several beaches are within 10 minutes by car. 

The beachfront location and expansive sea views from every floor make this grand hotel a welcome addition to the Pula scene. From the welcoming helpful staff and the peaceful blue and sand tones to the thoughtful open design and comfortably elegant decor, the atmosphere here is truly luxurious. Don't miss enjoying a cocktail at sunset at the Lobby Bar Terrace overlooking the large infinity pool, which visually flows into the sea below. After a day at the beach, you can spend a few hours in the full-service spa and then enjoy dinner at one of the lovely restaurants—each one offering spectacular views.

Emerging from the fragrant pine forest, this hotel has an unbelievably perfect location on the waterfront opposite Sveta Katarina Island and the charming Old Town of Rovinj, an excellent restaurant, a top spa, and luxurious accommodations. Designed by the renowned Italian architect Piero Lissoni and Croatian 3LHD Studio, this elegant but unfussy hotel offers artfully designed rooms and suites, many with plunge pools and gardens. Views of Rovinj are mind-blowing and romantic, particularly from the well-regarded Cap Aureo Signature Restaurant and on the marina at the Michelin-starred restaurant Agli Amici. Albaro Wellness & Spa has one of the most intriguing spa menus found in Europe, inspired by Istrian tradition as well as local flora and fauna. Bringing nature into the hotel was critical to the award-winning design, as shown in its use of 30,000 native plants.

Set in a beautifully restored old house in the center of Fažana, Heritage Hotel Chersin is a small and cozy family-run hotel perfect for couples. Rooms, which have partly exposed stone walls, are spacious, clean, and nicely decorated. All rooms are air-conditioned and come with flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, minibars, and en-suite bathrooms with showers.

Founded in 1912, this harborside boutique hotel is the oldest (still functioning) one in town, and is modern, artsy, and as cosmopolitan as anything in New York or London. Rooms are spacious, with all conveniences and stunning marble bathrooms, and front-facing rooms have great views over the harbor. All rooms and suites contain original art made exclusively for the hotel by renowned international and Croatian artists. With a lovely bar serving everything from coffee to specialty gins and the on-site Brasserie Adriatic restaurant, today the Adriatic is a focal point of social life in Rovinj.

This boutique hotel is in a converted three-story town house just two minutes from the Roman Arena and one block from the seafront and has rooms with smart minimalist furniture, free Wi–Fi, and spacious modern bathrooms. In addition to its amazing location, a generous continental breakfast is included, and the hotel restaurant serves creative vegan-friendly Mediterranean cuisine for lunch and dinner.

The stone facade of this hotel is part of the medieval Old Town wall; inside, a glass-covered vestibule imaginatively separates the ancient wall from the modern hotel lobby. The location in the heart of Old Town Novigrad—right on the marina and 50 meters from the beach—couldn't be better. The air-conditioned rooms are bright, stylish, and clean, with pine floors, balconies, and silky bedspreads. This family-owned hotel is also known for its friendly staff and warm welcoming vibe.

Superbly designed by an all-star Croatian team, the large Hotel Lone blends perfectly with its lush surroundings; rooms are modern, spacious, and comfortable, with sleek bathrooms and huge balconies. For the ultimate treat opt for a Jazz Room, which features a private hot tub on the balcony. Rooms have large beds, flat-screen TVs, and lovely bathrooms with separate tub and shower. The fabulous spa and wellness center, free-form outdoor pool, and hotel beach are not to be missed. Although it's a five-star property, don't expect high-end luxury, but rather a stylish hotel with a friendly staff and a laid-back atmosphere.

Considered one of the top luxury hotels in Croatia, the Hotel Monte Mulini has a stunning location just a 20-minute walk from Rovinj’s Old Town, in a landscaped park next to the nature park Zlatni rt and 164 feet from the sea. The rooms and bathrooms are spacious and well appointed, with amenities including bottled water and handmade local sweets; those in suites can enjoy olive oil tastings and Illy espresso coffee machines. All rooms have a balcony and great views over Lone Bay and the sea; higher floors naturally offer better views. The staff is friendly, accommodating, and helpful. Two on-site restaurants, top-notch wellness and spa facilities, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, and the Mulini Beach Club make Monte Mulini a perfect getaway for those looking for true relaxation.

The ideal family resort, the Park Plava allows each family member to choose what they most want to do: animation activities, beaches, sports, fine dining, or hanging out at the five on-property pools. Take a walk along the sea, through the pine forest, or around the resort's landscaped gardens, or find a cabana to call your own for the day. You really never need to leave the resort, but should you want to, it's easy to visit Old Town Poreč as its cafés, bars, shops, and restaurants are just a short walk or drive away.

On the main road leading up to Labin's Old Town, this stylish boutique hotel offers fresh and playful designer interiors in a beautifully renovated palazzo with thoughtful facilities at the ready, such as saunas, steam baths, bicycles, and one of the absolute best restaurants in town. The 14 contemporary rooms all come with elegant interiors, hardwood floors, en-suite bathrooms, air-conditioning, satellite TV, and Wi-Fi. Free parking and a delicious breakfast with Istrian specialties complete this pretty picture.

Nine km (6 miles) up the road from Novigrad in Brtonigla (on the road to Buje), Hotel San Rocco is a real change of pace from the coast: among rolling hills surrounded by olive trees and vineyards, this upscale boutique hotel makes an impressive entrée to the Istrian interior. It's in a renovated farmhouse with exposed stone walls and wide wooden ceiling beams. Rooms are decorated with warm colors and rich fabrics, and the outdoor pool and patio area has stunning views of the hilly towns nearby.

Ideally situated close to the Roman Arena, this small family-run boutique hotel occupies a tastefully refurbished old town house decorated in cheerful yellows and greens with simple modern furniture. Rooms are air-conditioned and comfy, small pets are welcome, the staff is very friendly, and there is good strong (and free) Wi-Fi.

Located on Sveta Katarina Island, just a 15-minute boat ride from the Old Town, Island Hotel Katarina is partly housed in an old family castle from the early 20th century with basic and outdated but spacious rooms, some with breathtaking views over the Old Town. The well-landscaped 20th-century parks on the island are beautiful, and boat rides to and from the island are free.

Located in the countryside near the village of Žminj, La Casa di Matiki may not be a fully working farm, but you’ll find donkeys, chickens, and three dogs here—you can even opt to sleep on hay in the converted barn, or in the more traditional apartments and cottage. While the apartments can be booked as accommodation only, it's strongly recommended to include breakfast: Sonja, the owner, is well-known across the area for her sumptuous breakfast feasts, which include homemade bread, jam, honey, and farm-egg omelets, not to mention her tasty crepes. People who stay here repeatedly claim it was an experience of a lifetime.

With its superb location at the tip of the Verudela Peninsula overlooking the marina and the sea, this large Radisson hotel has stylish modern rooms that are comfortable and well appointed with comfy beds, flat-screen TVs, Wi-Fi, and balconies. For extra comfort, opt for a premium room or a suite, all of which come with a Bose sound dock system and an Illy espresso machine. The 6,000-square-foot wellness and spa area features an indoor saltwater pool, saunas, ice bath, and gym.

Formerly a fisherman's cottage, this 100-year-old waterfront hotel in Verudela offers stylish hotel rooms, a posh penthouse apartment, a modern sauna, and an outdoor pool. For generations, dignitaries, businessmen, tourists, and locals have come to the koliba because it dishes up some delicious seafood. You can also venture up to the chic rooftop bar for a tapas-style menu of local cheese, prosciutto, and crudo, all while enjoying stunning views over a sailboat-filled marina.

A communal wine cellar until 1990, this Hapsburg-era stone building today houses a sophisticated hotel and restaurant to complement the high-tech family-run winery below. Stunning expansive views of the Mirna Valley greet you from one direction and the magic of Motovun from the other. Every part of Roxanich tells a story of high-style creative design, family heritage, and whimsical wonder. Producing wine was a passionate hobby that—18 labels later—continues to evolve, many winning international awards. Additional amenities include wine tastings, cellar and vineyard tours, a large pool area, and a cigar and whisky lounge.

A luxurious boutique hotel has been created from several old houses found in the medieval village of Mužolini Donji, near Buje, Momjan, and Grožnjan. Each room, suite, or villa is designed with the Istrian countryside in mind, using natural textures and high-end modernity, but blended together within the renovated medieval stone buildings. At the heart of the resort, you will find a stylish restaurant, café/bar, outdoor gardens, saunas, and an incredible infinity pool and pool cabana. Local farmers, olive oil, and wine producers provide Istria's best gourmet products.

This lovingly restored turn-of-the-century villa 30 minutes east of Rovinj is an excellent place to stay—and a good example of what you're likely to find if you venture into the agritourism section of the Istria lodging scene. A stay here gets you in tune with the countryside, breathing fresh air and seeing the stars at night. The agri part of the tourism here is a highlight; plenty of what you eat comes from the garden. The grounds are laced with stone walkways, and leafy trees provide shady corners to grab a lawn chair and doze in. Quiet it is—and in that sense, you are a world away from the crowds back on the coast. There are three immaculately furnished apartments, each with a private terrace, plus a full-fledged two-story house for rent. A generous breakfast is included in the price of the rental. The owner's meticulous attention to every detail of your surroundings ensures that no doorknob is left with grease or dirt. The farm is in the tiny village of Smoljanci, just beyond the picturesque Renaissance-era town of Svetvinčenat (5 km [3 miles] from Kanfanar, which is near Dvigrad).

For those desiring an apartment-like stay but with maid service and a shared lounge, dining room, and garden, the sophisticated Terra Residence is for you. Located just a one-minute walk from the main square in Old Town Labin, Terra's beautifully designed luxury apartments combine apartment living with boutique hotel services. Although children are welcome, Terra is highly regarded by couples for romantic getaways. Next door, you'll find the always filled-to-the-max Pizzeria Napoli for casual eats and wood-fired pizzas.

Accommodations at this sprawling premium resort on car-free Sveti Nikola island (across the harbor from Old Town Poreč), include apartments, villas, and hotels. The southern part of the island is active and attracts families with children, while couples tend to stay in the five-star properties on the northwest end. And to vacation like royalty, consider an apartment in the 19th-century castle. Sand beaches, water activities, spas, restaurants, formal gardens, forest parks, and pools are all available and accessible via a shuttle boat that operates every half hour.