Istria 'called original Tuscany' (Rovinj, Pula,Porec) - Private Tour from Zagreb

Istria experience starts in Zagreb when our guide picks you up at your accommodation. The drive from Zagreb to Pula is approximately 3 hours so we always recommend an early start for this tour. So, our first stop is the city of Pula.

PULA – the biggest city and the center of the Istrian peninsula. The earliest mentioning of the city was in the 10 century BC when it was founded by an ancient tribe. The city was well known by the Greek travelers and sailors so it was also included in some Greek myths. The Romans have made the city strong in the 1st century and you will explore with us the vivid remains of that era. It is well known for the roman arquitecture and the most famous of them is Arena, one of the best preserved amphitheaters in the world, the several gates to the city ( Arch of the Sergii, gate of Hercules…) or the Temple of Augustus.

After a 45 minute drive you arrive at ROVINJ. The city was also founded by the Istrian tribes. It was built on a small island close to the mainland and in the 18th was connected to it. It was ruled for 5 centuries by the Venice so both Italian and Croatian language are official in the city. During this period the walls were built around the city and the remains are seen even today. Rovinj is a real gem and adored by tourists because in reality on every step you take you are forced to take another photo.

Another 45 minute drive and we are in POREČ – the old town almost 2000 years old is most famous for its Euphrasian basilica, which is from 1997. on the UNESCO world heritage list. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Istria. You can still notice the roman influence and the arquitecture in the city. You will walk the main streets, still preserved in its original form.