01 / Hill towns
Motovun
The view that stays with you
INLAND ISTRIA · CROATIA
Istria, at
its own pace.
Follow the Mirna through hill towns, truffle country and the quiet pleasures in between.
Explore the valleyMOTOVUN · MIRNA VALLEY↓
Ekaterina Polischuk · denoising: Ivar · CC BY-SA 4.0The valley / 01
One river.
A different rhythm.
Beyond the coast, another Istria unfolds. The Mirna gathers forests and fields into a valley watched over by stone-built towns. Motovun gives you the view. Livade brings you closer to the forest. Grožnjan and Oprtalj invite you to leave the afternoon unplanned.
This is not a collection of places to tick off. It is an invitation to stay for the second coffee, take the smaller road and discover what lies between the landmarks.
Explore the mapPlaces / 02
Small places.
Lasting impressions.
A few of our favourite starting points. Each with a different perspective on the same valley.
All places
02 / Hill towns
Grožnjan
An afternoon for art
03 / Hill towns
Oprtalj
A quieter hilltop
LIVADE · MOTOVUN · MIRNA
The richest stories
begin underground.
In truffle country, the forest sets the rhythm. Start in Livade, meet a local guide and follow the connection between soil, season and plate. Autumn is the season of the prized white truffle; the pleasure is in understanding what makes it so particular.
Tuber magnatum · Tuber melanosporum
Experiences / 03
Continue exploring
GROŽNJAN · ZAVRŠJE · VIŽINADA
The Parenzana
Old railway curves, stone viaducts and a landscape that rewards a slower pace. Choose a manageable section, not a race to the finish.
Read the guide
MALVAZIJA · TERAN · ISTRIA
Wine & olive oil
Malvazija, Teran and the pleasure of a tasting with time to ask questions. Follow the vineyards, then make room for olive oil.
Read the guide
Mirna, Istria.MIRNA · ISTRIA
A river connects it all.
From the western hills to Buzet and the upper river, choose a place to discover its story and the next connection.
Orientation map. Geography simplified; not a navigation or trail map.
Begin at the edge of the old town, where the valley opens below the walls. Motovun is a place of stone lanes, changing light and long views over the Mirna. Take the climb slowly, then give the surrounding countryside as much time as the hilltop. Livade below and Oprtalj across the valley make natural next chapters.
Read the guideJourneys / 04
Less itinerary.
More discovery.
Three days, a handful of places and enough space for the unexpected. A considered introduction to the valley.
Read the guideA valley for every season.
01
Fresh green hills, walks and the return of longer lunches. A lovely season to put the landscape first.
02
Early starts, shaded lanes and evenings outdoors. Keep the hottest part of the day for a long, slow pause.
03
Truffles, harvest landscapes and softer light. Reserve tastings and meals ahead; nature does not follow a fixed timetable.
04
Bare branches, quiet streets and time beside the table. Confirm seasonal openings before setting out.
Stay for
what you didn’t plan.
Choose a base, leave a little room in the day, and let the valley do the rest.
Plan your visit