Motovun, Croatia travel & vacation packages

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Motovun

Istria, Croatia

The quintessential hilltop village at the heart of inland Istria

Video about Motovun

Motovun, or Montona to Italian speakers, is a settlement with a history that stretches back to before the Romans. A long spell as part of the Venetian empire is why to this day it is surrounded by thick defensive walls. Around and within the walls you'll find examples of Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance architecture. Signs of its time as an outpost of the Venetian empire are evidenced by the lion of St Mark dotted around the town.

Motovun is one of Istria's truffle towns and several prominent truffle purveyors have shops just outside the town. The population of the town, both within and outside the walls, is under 600, so this isn't a place with a lot of nightlife or choice of restaurants, and most visitors to Motovun tend to be day-trippers from Istria's coastal towns. The town has been on the Tentative List for UNESCO World Heritage Site status since 2007. Besides the ubiquitous truffles, Motovun has several notable wineries worth visiting.

What we love about Motovun

Team Leader for Greece & Turkey

Motovun and Groznjan are some of Istria's cutest little hill towns, small hilltop paradises with the smell of truffles in the air. One of my favourite Croatian gastronomic spots is in Motovon - Mondo. Everything you order from this restaurant's menu is super delicious. But if you don't like the truffles, you can skip this one.

Local Teams Specialist & Senior Adriatic Destination Expert

A small hilltop, medieval town, situated inland, Motovun is charming, with a lot of character. No wonder it was chosen as the venue for a famous open-air film festival held every summer. I love Motovun's vibes and have found there a winning combination of truffles, wine, and views like no other.

Where to stay in Motovun

While most people who come to Motovun stay just for a few hours, that's not to say it's not worth staying a few nights, particularly if you prefer a more relaxed pace of a trip and more time in the countryside. We've selected some exceptional places to stay where you'll have every chance to indulge all your senses. Rather than staying in the town itself, we've chosen properties where you'll have all the facilities you need to relax and enjoy yourself. Once we start preparing your customized itinerary we will present our recommended options for you to select from.

Villa in Motovun

Villa

An authentic Istria experience!

Heritage Hotel in Motovun

Heritage Hotel

A charming family run luxury hotel in the countryside, with a very peaceful ambience.

Things to do in Motovun

A must-do for many people visiting Istria is truffle hunting, and Motovun is the ideal place for it, with the Motovun forest and several other areas rich in black and white truffles, depending on the season. Cycling in the area is another great way to see more of the countryside and if you prefer, e-bikes will help you cover more ground. Alternatively, you could get a birds-eye view on the area with a tandem paragliding session, perfect for thrillseekers.

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