Istria Without A Car: Where To Stay & What To Do
If you’re looking at cheap flights to Pula, you might wonder if you can enjoy Istria without a car.
Istria is a Croatian region that is popular with tourists coming by car from neighboring countries. However, affordable flights to Pula attract more visitors who are flying and prefer not to rent a car.
As an Istrian local, I’ve traveled all over the region, often by public transport.
So, I’m here to show you how to get around Istria without a car, where to stay, and what the best things to do that don’t require you to rent a car are!
Let’s get started!
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Do You Need A Car In Istria?
No, you don’t need a car in Istria to enjoy your holiday.
Sure, having a car would make it easier to get around the region if you want to explore more remote tourist attractions.
Still, the best things to see in Istria are accessible by public transport or organized tours.
If you’re coming to Istria for the beaches and staying in one of the coastal towns, you can easily walk to the beach or take a bus.
Also, if you’re staying in the city center of popular towns like Pula or Rovinj, having a car would be more of a hassle.
Parking in the city center of most towns in Istria is limited and pricey.
Most accommodations don’t offer free parking unless they’re outside the city center, meaning you’ll either waste time searching for parking or rely on public transport.
🚙 Not convinced? Check rental car prices in Istria here!
Where To Stay In Istria Without A Car
Istria is a small region, but picking the right place to stay is crucial to enjoying your stay if you don’t have a car.
The main issue is that public transport is most efficient in the cities, while villages and suburbs have very infrequent bus services.
If you’re dreaming of staying in one of those stone villas with a pool in central Istria, you will need to have a car if you want to leave your accommodation –even getting a taxi can be challenging!
However, there are many places with reliable public transport or close to the beach, and you’ll have plenty of options to choose from.
1. Pula
Pula is the biggest city in Istria and the best place to stay without a car.
If you’re flying to Istria, you’ll land in Pula Airport. Once there, you can easily take a shuttle bus to the city center.
Pula is the best place to stay in Istria without a car because it has reliable public transport, it is the bus hub of the region, and there are many things to do in Pula, including great beaches.
If you want to explore the region, you can take day trips from Pula by bus or by joining a tour.
Where to stay in Pula?
- TOP Pick: Monvidal by Bura Hotels
- Best Mid-Range Option: Park Plaza Arena Pula
- Best Budget Pick: L&B Old Town Studio
2. Rovinj
Rovinj is one of the most picturesque places in Croatia, so it’s not surprising that it is also one of the most popular places to visit.
This seafront town is a great summer holiday destination with a walkable city center, stunning beaches, and great nightlife.
Rovinj is also a great base for day trips, with many organised tours and boat trips departing from Rovinj.
Where to stay in Rovinj?
- TOP Pick: Lone Hotel by Maistra Collection
- Best Mid-Range Option: Apartments Casa Ivona
- Best Budget Pick: Casa Bachieri
3. Poreč
Poreč is another Croatian coastal gem that not many people know about.
Situated about 20km north of Rovinj, this seafront town is home to the only UNESCO site in the region, stunning beaches, and lively nightlife.
If you compare Rovinj and Poreč, Rovinj is slightly better connected by bus, but Poreč has more beautiful beaches.
Where to stay in Poreč?
- TOP Pick: Hotel Parentium Plava Laguna
- Best Mid-Range Option: Hotel Dua Residence
- Best Budget Pick: Villa Hasi
4. Medulin
While you probably never heard of Medulin before, it is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Croatia.
This small seafront town is perfect if you don’t have a car. It’s lively enough that you can spend a few days enjoying the beach and trying out local restaurants without needing to travel far.
If you want a change, you can take a local bus to Pula and be in the city in half an hour. Even if you stay out late, it is easy to catch a taxi back to Medulin.
Where to stay in Medulin?
- TOP Pick: Boutique Hotel Chevalier
- Best Mid-Range Option: Arena Grand Kazela
- Best Budget Pick: Sasa Apartments
5. Fažana
Finally, we have another smaller town close to Pula, which makes for a great place to stay in Istria without a car.
Fažana is a typical seafront holiday town that comes alive in the summer. It is a great place to stay for a beach holiday, as the beach is right in the center of the city.
The seafront promenade is lovely to stroll at night, with many local restaurants and lively bars.
At the same time, you can easily take a boat over to Brijuni National Park for a change of scenery or a 20-minute bus ride to Pula.
Where to stay in Fažana?
- TOP Pick: Heritage Hotel Chersin
- Best Mid-Range Option: Lux Camp Bi Village
- Best Budget Pick: Villa Mihaela
How To Get Around Istria Without A Car?
So, how do you get around Istria if you don’t have a car?
You have several options, but most of the time, it will be by bus!
While there is a train from Pula to Buzet in northern Istria, it’s not the most popular choice for travelers, mainly because it doesn’t connect to other coastal towns.
Buses in Istria
The best way to get around Istria, besides driving, is by bus.
Buses are the most popular way to get around Croatia without a car in general, and Istria has many routes connecting various parts of the region.
Pula has the most bus options, followed by Rovinj, and then Poreč. Many buses heading to Pula also stop in Rovinj, but Poreč is a bit more out of the way.
You can buy bus tickets online or at the bus station – getting bus tickets at the station is still fairly common in the region.
There are several bus operators in the region, so it’s best to visit the bus station for an overview of all the routes, as there isn’t a single online platform to check all the lines yet.
If you prefer getting your bus tickets in advance, this website covers most operators!
Local Buses
Big cities in Istria also have local buses that operate within the city and its suburbs.
Pula has the most developed local public transportation network, with connections to several smaller towns in the area, like Medulin, Fažana, Premantura, and Vodnjan.
Rovinj and Poreč also have local public transport!
Local bus is an affordable way to get around, with tickets costing about €2 to €3.50 for 1 way trip.
Taxi
Finally, you can always catch a taxi to get you from one place to another!
However, I’m not the biggest fan of taxis in Croatia as they can often overcharge you and refuse to use a taximeter.
Alternatively, ridesharing apps are available, but they’re not always reliable in coastal destinations as they’re typically seasonal.
There’s Bolt in Pula year-round, but more drivers come in the summer, so it’s easier to catch a ride.
Things To Do In Istria You Don’t Need A Car For
So, what are some activities you should add to your Istria itinerary that you don’t need a car for?
Here are some of my favorites!
Sightseeing
Istria is dotted with picturesque seafront towns like Pula, Poreč, and Rovinj, and you can reach all of them by bus.
Each of these towns has a walkable city center where you can stroll the cobblestone streets, take photos, and enjoy laid-back summer vibes.
Boat Tours
You can take boat tours from most larger coastal towns in Istria!
The most popular boat tours in Istra are from Pula and Fažana to Brijuni National Park.
You can visit this stunning group of islands by taking a ferry from Fažana or joining one of many boat tours.
Enjoy The Beaches
The majority of the best beaches in Istria are accessible by public transport, so you don’t need a car to get there!
If you’re staying in beach towns like Medulin or Fažana, you can simply walk to the beach.
Poreč and Pula beaches are not in the city center, but they’re just a short bus ride away.
Rovinj has one rocky beach in the city center. However, you might prefer the pebble beaches just a short walk from the historic center.
Discover Local Cuisine
Istrian cuisine is heavily influenced by Italian flavors, featuring fresh, local ingredients as the star of every dish.
You can even take a local cooking class to learn how regional dishes are made with just a few simple ingredients!
Join Organized Tours
Finally, Istria is a tourist region with countless day tours and trips organized from most towns along the coastline.
Although reaching hilltop villages like Motovun and Grožnjan by public transport can be tricky, organized tours make it easy to visit these charming destinations.
The same goes for the wine region in northern Istria! You can join wine-tasting tours to discover the best local wines.
Summary: Istria, Croatia, Without A Car
As you can see, you don’t need to have a car to enjoy a holiday in Istria.
If you stay in one of the places I suggested, you’ll have easy access to the beaches and buses for day trips in the region.
Pula or Rovinj are the best options for those who like sightseeing holidays, while smaller coastal towns like Medulin and Fažana are great for a beach vacation.
Istria is one of Europe’s most affordable beach destinations, and it’s definitely worth exploring. Even if you don’t rent a car!
