Istria is Croatia’s greenest and most relaxed region: Venetian-style harbour towns, hilltop villages, truffles, olive oil and wine, and a coastline of pine-fringed coves. It is especially good for families and food lovers, and only around two hours from the UK.
These seven hotels are the ones our guests rate most highly.
You’ll find on this page
- Quick verdicts and a comparison table of every hotel
- Seven top hotels with photos and ratings
- Rovinj, Poreč or the south?
- Answers to the questions we’re asked most
- Live prices with flights and transfers in the search box at the end of the page
At a glance: compare the hotels
| Hotel | Where | Stars | Board | TripAdvisor | Adults only |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Park Hotel Rovinj | Rovinj, Istria | 5★ | Bed and Breakfast | 4.7/5 | No |
| Valamar Collection Marea Suites | Porec, Istria | 4★ | Full Board, Half Board | 4.7/5 | No |
| Family Hotel Amarin | Rovinj, Istria | 4★ | Full Board | 4.6/5 | No |
| Valamar Parentino Hotel | Porec, Istria | 4★ | Bed and Breakfast, Half Board | 4.5/5 | No |
| Hotel Pelegrin Plava Laguna | Umag, Istria | 4★ | Bed and Breakfast, Half Board | 4.3/5 | No |
| Valamar Bellevue | Rabac, Istria | 4★ | All Inclusive | 4.3/5 | No |
| Park Plaza Belvedere Medulin | Medulin, Istria | 4★ | Bed and Breakfast, Half Board | 4.3/5 | No |
Star ratings are official; TripAdvisor scores were correct when we last checked and can change. Board options vary by room and date.
Quick verdicts
Our top picks
1. Grand Park Hotel Rovinj
- Rovinj, Istria
- 5-star
- Bed and Breakfast
- TripAdvisor 4.7/5
Five-star Grand Park Hotel Rovinj has ultra-stylish interiors, spectacular sea-view rooms, a luxurious spa and Michelin-starred dining.
Best for: Rovinj luxury
2. Valamar Collection Marea Suites
- Porec, Istria
- 4-star
- Full Board
- TripAdvisor 4.7/5
Valamar Collection Marea Suites in Poreč has spacious, modern suites, a stunning infinity pool and a chilled-out beach club, close to the beach.
Best for: Suites
3. Family Hotel Amarin
- Rovinj, Istria
- 4-star
- Full Board
- TripAdvisor 4.6/5
Family Hotel Amarin in Rovinj has a great beachfront location, children’s clubs for all ages, a games console zone and brilliant children’s entertainment.
Best for: Families
4. Valamar Parentino Hotel
- Porec, Istria
- 4-star
- Half Board
- TripAdvisor 4.5/5
Valamar Parentino Hotel in Poreč has a lovely pool area, a splash park and slides and a brilliant children’s club, close to the beach.
Best for: Splash park
5. Hotel Pelegrin Plava Laguna
- Umag, Istria
- 4-star
- Half Board
- TripAdvisor 4.3/5
Fully refurbished Hotel Pelegrin in Umag has a modern style, a stylish pool area and a peaceful, relaxing setting.
Best for: Peace and quiet
6. Valamar Bellevue
- Rabac, Istria
- 4-star
- All Inclusive
- TripAdvisor 4.3/5
Valamar Bellevue in Rabac has modern rooms, exquisite sea views and seafront sunbathing platforms, and it is family-friendly, with all-inclusive.
Best for: Sea views
7. Park Plaza Belvedere Medulin
- Medulin, Istria
- 4-star
- Half Board
- TripAdvisor 4.3/5
Park Plaza Belvedere in Medulin has seafront bathing terraces, a sports centre and excellent family entertainment, about 550 metres from Bijeca beach.
Best for: Active families
Rovinj, Poreč or the south?
Rovinj: the prettiest town in Istria, with a hilltop church and colourful harbour. Poreč: a lively old town with the UNESCO-listed Euphrasian Basilica and lots of family resorts. Umag: quieter, in the north-west. Rabac: a pretty bay on the east coast. Medulin: sandy, shallow beaches in the south near Pula. Most hotels are 30 minutes to an hour and a quarter from Pula airport.
How we chose these hotels
We looked at every hotel we sell in Istria and chose those our guests rate most highly. We excluded hotels already featured in our other guides, so you get fresh choices. Every hotel here is well rated by our guests on TripAdvisor, and every one can be booked with us as an ATOL-protected package with flights and transfers. Prices change daily, so use the search box at the end of this page for live availability, or ask a Travel Designer for a tailored shortlist.
When to go and what to eat
May to October is the season, with June and September ideal; autumn is truffle season. Flights to Pula take around two hours from the UK. Visit Pula’s Roman amphitheatre, the hill towns of Motovun and Grožnjan, and the Brijuni Islands National Park. Try truffle pasta, fresh seafood, Istrian olive oil and Malvazija wine.
Frequently asked questions
Is Istria good for families?
Yes, it has some of Croatia’s best family resorts, such as Family Hotel Amarin and Valamar Parentino.
Is Rovinj or Poreč better?
Rovinj for charm and luxury; Poreč for family resorts and a lively old town.
Which airport do I fly to?
Pula, around two hours from the UK.
Does Istria have sandy beaches?
Mostly rocky and pebbly, with sandier, shallower beaches around Medulin.
Find your Istria holiday
Search live prices with flights and transfers, all ATOL protected, or ask a Travel Designer to compare these hotels.
Keep planning
- All Istria hotels
- Where to stay in Croatia
- Best hotels in Split, Hvar and Makarska
- Best hotels in Dubrovnik
Updated October 2026. Hotels can be booked as ATOL-protected packages with flights and transfers through Travelisto.
