Excellence Luxury Villas · Istria
Luxury Villa Rentals in Istria
Villas with private pools among hilltop towns, olive groves and a Venetian coastline, from Novigrad to the southern capes
As featured in
Croatia's Italianate corner, with truffles in the woods
Istria is a heart-shaped peninsula at the top of the Adriatic. Venice ruled much of it for centuries, so it can feel like Italy: street signs in two languages, bell towers modelled on San Marco and a kitchen that runs on olive oil, pasta and truffles. The coast has old harbour towns and pine-shaded coves. Inland, walled villages sit on the hilltops above vineyards and oak woods.
Our Istria collection runs to 380+ villas. Most are in the countryside around Svetvinčenat, Bale, Vodnjan and Žminj, where you will find traditional Istrian stone houses converted for holidays, along with contemporary villas looking out to sea near Rovinj, Poreč and the southern coast. Almost all have private pools.
Here is where to stay, when to come and what to eat when you get there.
Istria at a glance
- Villas
- 380+ across the peninsula, with up to 15 bedrooms
- Guide prices
- Typically £2,200 to £5,100 a week, from around £1,500
- Best areas
- Svetvinčenat, Bale and Vodnjan inland; Rovinj, Poreč, Novigrad and the southern coast by the sea
- Best time
- June to September for swimming; May and autumn for walking, wine and truffles
- Getting there
- Pula airport, with seasonal direct flights from the UK; Trieste in Italy for the north
Browse all 380+ villas in Istria
Villa numbers and guide prices are updated daily from our live collection.
Villa Krasica Croatia8 bedrooms
Kuca Tramontana Medveja: Luxury 5-Bedroom Apartment with Beachfront & Seaview – Istria5 bedrooms
Villa Ariah Croatia5 bedrooms
Rent Old Town Oasis Croatia6 bedrooms
Stone villages, castles and quiet lanes
Most of our villas are in the green middle of the peninsula. Svetvinčenat is built around a Venetian castle and one of the best Renaissance squares in Istria. Bale, a small walled town above the west coast, is around twenty minutes from Rovinj. Vodnjan's church of St Blaise has the tallest bell tower in Istria, and the town makes some of the region's best olive oil.
Staying inland gets you more space, more privacy and evenings with nothing to hear but the cicadas, and the coast is never much more than half an hour away.
Browse villas in Svetvinčenat
Rovinj, Poreč and the Venetian harbours
The tall houses of Rovinj's old town crowd a small peninsula, and the church of St Euphemia sits at the top. It is the prettiest town on the coast, and the best time to see it is early evening. In Poreč, the Euphrasian Basilica is on the UNESCO World Heritage list for its sixth-century mosaics.
A little further north, Novigrad is a quieter walled fishing town with good seafood restaurants. Vrsar overlooks the mouth of the Lim Bay, a long sea inlet where oysters and mussels are farmed, and you can eat them a few metres from where they were raised.
Browse villas in Novigrad
A Roman arena and wild capes
Pula's Roman amphitheatre is one of the best preserved anywhere, and in July it becomes the venue for the Pula Film Festival. From nearby Fažana, boats cross to the Brijuni islands, a national park that was once Tito's summer retreat.
South of Pula, the Kamenjak cape at Premantura is a protected landscape of low scrub, cliffs and clear water, best reached by bicycle or on foot. On the south-east coast, Ližnjan and Marčana are quieter, with rocky shores and views across the Kvarner Gulf.
Browse villas in Ližnjan
Malvazija in summer, truffles in autumn
Istrian food is reason enough to come. The Motovun forest in the Mirna valley is known for its white truffles, which are at their best in autumn, when they are shaved over fuži pasta or scrambled eggs. Through the year you can also have pršut ham, local olive oil and boškarin, the region's native grey ox. To drink, there is crisp Malvazija white or the darker Teran red.
June to September is the season for swimming. In May and in autumn the roads are emptier, the weather is good for walking and cycling, and the wineries have time to talk. Our concierge can arrange truffle hunts, wine tastings, boat trips and tables in the hill towns.
Ask our conciergeFeatured villas in Istria
Kuca Vjetar Labin: Spacious 5-Bedroom Apartment with Private Pool & Seaview – Istria5 bedrooms · sleeps 10From £14,609 a week
Kuca Motovun Jurici: Luxury 4-Bedroom Apartment with Pool & Seaview – Istria4 bedrooms · sleeps 8From £13,454 a week
Villa Tramuntana Labin: Luxury 4-Bedroom Villa with Infinity Pool & Sea Views – Istria4 bedrooms · sleeps 8From £13,160 a week
Kuca Svetvincenat Istria: Spacious 7-Bedroom Apartment with Infinity Pool & Sauna – Istria7 bedrooms · sleeps 14From £12,789 a week
Kuca Tramontana Pula: Elegant 4-Bedroom Apartment with Seaview & Pool – Istria4 bedrooms · sleeps 8From £12,194 a week
Kuca Lovor Porec: Luxury 4-Bedroom Apartment with Air-Con – Istria4 bedrooms · sleeps 8From £11,459 a week
Kuca Tramuntana Rijeka: Luxury 5-Bedroom Apartment with Sea Views & Private Pool – Istria5 bedrooms · sleeps 10From £11,186 a week
Villa Tramontana Labin: Spacious 8-Bedroom Villa with Seaview & Pool – Istria8 bedrooms · sleeps 16From £11,046 a weekWhy book your Istria villa with Excellence Luxury Villas
The right house, not the nearest one
Istria's villas are spread across a long stretch of countryside and coast, and we know which are a short drive from Rovinj's restaurants and which feel deeply rural. With 380+ properties in Istria, we can usually find the house that suits you rather than the one that happens to be free. Search by size, pool, location and price, or tell us what you have in mind and we will put together a shortlist.
Book direct
You book with us directly, with no booking fees. Questions about access, parking, pool heating or how far it really is to the nearest beach go to people who can find out the answer.
A concierge who knows the territory
Truffle hunts in the Mirna valley, winery visits, boat trips to the Brijuni islands, private chefs, car hire and transfers from Pula or Trieste. Our concierge team arranges all of it, leaving you free to decide which terrace to sit on.
A house for every kind of party
Couples, families with small children, three generations together or a crowd of friends celebrating a birthday: we match the house to the group, down to the number of bathrooms and whether the pool is fenced.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the best place to stay in Istria?
Stay inland, around Svetvinčenat, Bale or Vodnjan, if you want space, privacy and easy drives to Rovinj and Pula. If you would rather walk to the sea and to restaurants, choose the west coast, around Rovinj, Poreč, Novigrad or Vrsar. Ližnjan and the southern coast are quieter.
How do I get to Istria from the UK?
Pula airport has direct flights from several UK airports in season, and the flight takes around two and a half hours. For villas in northern Istria, Trieste airport in Italy is a good alternative. Our concierge can arrange car hire and private transfers.
Can we go truffle hunting in Istria?
Yes. The woods of the Mirna valley below Motovun are among the best truffle grounds in Europe. Our concierge can arrange a morning out with a local hunter and his dogs, followed by lunch.
Can you arrange a private chef at a villa in Istria?
Yes. Our concierge can arrange a private chef for a single dinner or your whole stay, along with cookery lessons, guided visits, transfers and restaurant reservations.
How much does a luxury villa in Istria cost?
Across our 380+ villas in Istria, weekly rates typically range from £2,200 to £5,100, with the most affordable from around £1,500 a week and the largest estates well above. Prices depend on the size of the property, its location and the season, with July and August the most expensive. These are guide prices based on current listings; each property page shows its own rates for your dates.
When is the best time to visit Istria?
June to September is best for swimming. May, September and October are warm but quieter, which makes them good months for walking, cycling and visiting wineries. Autumn is also white truffle season.
Are there villas in Istria for large groups?
Yes. Our Istria collection includes properties with up to 15 bedrooms. Tell us the size of your party and the occasion, and we will send a shortlist that suits it.
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Find your villa in Istria
380+ villas across Istria, from hilltop countryside to the Adriatic shore, booked direct with our concierge on hand