Croatia is a perfect destination for couples. From the sun-soaked Dalmatian coastline and islands to the Italian-influenced wine and truffle wonderland of Istria, romance is in the air. You will find gorgeous natural parks, pristine walled cities with Roman ruins and Venetian architecture, hip beach clubs, endless boating options, and plenty of wine, fresh seafood, and pasta. Your Croatian vacation can be filled with island hopping, sunset sails, wine tours, waterfront dining, spa retreats, and outdoor adventures.
Whether you are commemorating an anniversary, planning a babymoon, or celebrating good news, anyone who loves Greece or Italy will find Croatia a romantic setting for a couple’s trip. My husband and I recently spent 12 nights in Croatia celebrating my being breast cancer-free and it was the perfect balance of relaxation and exploration.
If you are looking to plan a Croatia couples trip, use this travel guide to create an itinerary that is packed with romantic experiences. I’ll walk you through where to go, where to stay, what to do, how to get around, and where to find the most romantic dinners.
Or, take the stress out of planning with my custom trip planning services. I’ll work with you to craft and book the itinerary of your dreams.
Romantic Places to Go in Croatia
There are many towns and islands that are perfect for a Croatia romantic getaway and where you go all depends on your style and what activities you enjoy the most. Some of the best include:
- Dubrovnik: Dubrovnik may be well known for its appearances as Kings Landing in the Game of Thrones series, but couples don’t need to be fans to appreciate the Old World charm and gorgeous coastal views of the “Pearl of the Adriatic”. Whether you kayak to a secluded beach cave, take an early-morning walk along the medieval city walls, enjoy cocktails at the Buža Bar tucked into the side of a cliff, snorkel off nearby Lokrum Island, or take a private sunset boat cruise, your visit will be filled with memory-making experiences.
- Hvar: The largest of the Dalmatian Islands, Hvar is famous for its luxury resorts, vibrant nightlife, and beautiful beaches. With a stay in Hvar, you can spend the day beach or island hopping and your nights partying at the many nightclubs in Hvar Town. But there is also a quieter side of Hvar, with beautiful lavender fields, hidden beaches, wineries, and peaceful towns. You can include Hvar in a longer Croatia trip or just spend your entire vacation relaxing and island hopping from Hvar.
- Split: If you are looking for history, city life, and easy access, fly into Split and then you can take romantic day trips to nearby islands like Brač, Vis, or Hvar. Split is best known for its Roman history and is the site of the remains of Diocletian’s Palace, who was a Roman Emperor from 284-305 CE. At night, especially on the weekends, the Old Town erupts with revelry from bars and nightclubs.
- Zadar: Zadar is a bit further up the Dalmatian Coast and is more popular with regional visitors and locals, giving it an authenticity you may not find in Split or Dubrovnik. It is known for beautiful sunsets, where couples and families gather at the innovative Sea Organ to listen to the sound of the waves and watch the sun dip below the horizon. From Zadar, you can also take day trips to the National Parks such as Krka and Plitvice Lakes, making it a great choice for adventurous couples.
- Istrian Peninsula: Known for wine tasting, truffle hunting, and romantic hilltop towns such as Motovun, Istria is a perfect getaway for foodies and wine lovers. In addition, you can enjoy the charming fishing village of Rovinj, with its Venetian influence, picturesque streets, and romantic old town. Or, be wowed by the Roman Arena in Pula at the southern tip of the peninsula.
Can’t choose? There is no need, you can see it all with our 10-day Croatia itinerary. And before you book, find out how much a trip to Croatia costs (hint: it isn’t cheap!)
Croatia for Couples 10-Day Itinerary
While we spent 12 days in Croatia from late August to early September, you can easily fit the highlights into a 10-night stay or stretch it out for a more leisurely two-week trip. It helps to fly into one city (e.g. Dubrovnik) and out of another (e.g. Zagreb), but if you find a better deal on a round-trip flight versus a multi-city trip, there are plenty of inexpensive airlines that you can use to hop back to your arrival city.
To make your planning easier, I’m going to share our (slightly revised) itinerary, which includes:
- 3 nights in Dubrovnik
- 3 nights in Hvar (or 1 night in Korcula, 2 nights in Hvar)
- 1 night in Zadar
- 3 nights in Istria
We had added one night in Korcula, which is a lovely island but you can visit for the day if you are stretched for time, and we had four nights in Istria — because we adore wine and truffles (my husband recently passed his WSET Level 3 Exam and was eager to learn more about Croatian wine.)
If you need help planning your trip, I’d highly recommend reaching out to Tasteful Croatian Journeys. They have been experts in this region for over 30 years and can craft the romantic trip of your dreams!
Day 1 – Dubrovnik
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If you can fly into Dubrovnik, your adventure starts in the south and works its way north. We flew from Boston to Amsterdam and then Amsterdam to Dubrovnik, arriving around 1:00 p.m. The cabs in Croatia can be a LOT more expensive than Uber, but depending on when you arrive, you may experience traffic jams getting from the airport to town, which can make finding an Uber more challenging.
I’d recommend pre-arranging a transfer. I used Welcome Pickups and I’ve used them now in at least five cities and the drivers have always been very professional, with nice, clean, and spacious cars. They meet you after you have picked up your bag and off you go, no waiting in lines.
After you settle in and refresh, take some time in the late afternoon to explore the charming side streets of Old Town Dubrovnik. If you want to kick off your trip with a romantic experience, book a private sunset boat cruise. We booked with Rewind Dubrovnik and it was such a great experience.
They offer wine, beer, and other beverages and we added a snack charcuterie tray to round out the experience. Our captain pointed out some sights but mostly left us to enjoy the moment and the playlist while experiencing our first Croatian sunset. We both agreed that this was one of our favorite activities of the trip and a perfect kick-off to our Croatia trip.
After the sun sets, Dubrovnik becomes even more magical. You will immediately notice how clean and safe the city is (Croatia is one of the safest countries to visit). The side streets are lined with restaurants, whose tables spill out onto the sidewalks and on the steps. There are plenty of options to choose from, but if you are looking for something romantic, I’d suggest booking a table at Nautika.
This fine dining restaurant is situated overlooking the bay and Lovrjenac Fort, so request an outdoor table with a view! It is pricey but a lovely way to start your holiday. You can have your first taste of fresh Croatian seafood and truffles.
Where to stay in Dubrovnik: Dubrovnik is one of the most expensive places in Croatia so finding a romantic hotel that is good for couples at a reasonable price is challenging. We also wanted to stay at a hotel with a pool or near a beach so we decided to stay at the Rixos Premium, which is a 20-minute walk from Old Town. This is a rather sizable luxury hotel, which has a large pool area and access to the sea. We booked through American Express Travel and as a Fine Hotel & Resort, I used my Platinum card to get an early check-in, free breakfast, and a $100 resort credit. I have a friend who loved her stay at the Sun Gardens Dubrovnik, which is a similar-style resort. Hotel Kazbek is a great boutique hotel option, about a 10-minute drive from Old Town.
Day 2 – Dubrovnik
Pro tip: Research what days during your stay cruise ships will be in town and try to plan your tours and excursions on days with the least number of cruise ship passengers in port.
If you are visiting Croatia in the summer, you will want to get up early to beat the heat. The best time to visit would be May through June or September through mid-October. In the summer, expect it to be hot and humid so you will want to do your touring in the early mornings or late afternoons and enjoy downtime, pool time, or beach time in between.
Start early with a walk along the city walls, offering views of the city’s historic old town and the shimmering Adriatic Sea. Built primarily between the 12th and 17th centuries to protect the city, these impressive stone walls wrap around the Old Town for about two kilometers, with a series of forts and towers along the way. The walk typically takes one to two hours, so wear comfortable shoes, sunscreen, and a hat and bring along water (you can refill your bottle at fountains in town.) You will need to enter at one of two gates, and you can either walk the full route or just partway.
You need to purchase a ticket to walk the walls, and it is a little pricey (35€ each) and if you are planning to also visit any museums or architectural sites, you may want to purchase the Dubrovnik Pass for the same price.
After walking the walls, you will be ready to cool off! I’d suggest taking the next ferry over to Lokrum Island. This nature retreat is only 10-15 minutes away by ferry, which runs every half hour during the day from the Old Port. It is a great way to escape the crowds in Dubrovnik and enjoy the lush botanical gardens, observe the free-roaming peacocks, or find one of the beautiful swimming spots, including rocky coves with crystal-clear waters (bring snorkel gear if you have it and don’t forget your water shoes…Croatian beaches are rocky!)
There is a cafe restaurant on the island, as well as picnic grounds, and there is even a Game of Thrones exhibit located in the former Benedictine monastery, which includes an Iron Throne replica (the island was used as a stand-in for Qarth, which is where Daenerys seeks refuge after crossing the Red Waste with her dragons.)
At the end of the day, I’d suggest taking a walking tour of Dubrovnik. We took a Game of Thrones tour, which focused primarily on filming locations, but I think I may have preferred more of a history walking tour. Just make sure you either spring for a private tour or that you book a small-group tour. You want to avoid those large tours where you are following an umbrella with a listening device in your ear.
For another special dinner, we ate at one of the best seafood restaurants in Dubrovnik, Proto, where the service was excellent and the food was delicious.
Day 3 – Dubrovnik
If you want an amazing keepsake to remember your trip, book an early morning photo shoot with Flytographer. We had a one-hour session with Valentina and she did an amazing job capturing so many different poses and locations in a short amount of time. It is really special to have professional couple photos as a souvenir!
If you want to give this a try, book a session through my referral link and you will receive $25 (or more) off your first session!
After your photo shoot, I’d suggest taking the cable car to the top of Mount Srd. At the top, you can visit Fort Imperial, a fortress built during the Napoleonic Wars in the early 19th century which now houses a museum that explains the history of the Croatian War of Independence and the Siege of Dubrovnik in the 1990s. There are also ziplines, a sky bike ride, ATV tours, and hiking trails.
Even if you aren’t up for an adventure, book a table for lunch at the Panorama restaurant, where you can enjoy truly spectacular views of the coastline, Old Town, and Lokrum Island. This is also a stunning spot to watch a sunset!
For dinner on our last night, we took a food tour with Dubrovnik Food Tours. I loved our guide Goran, but I’ll be honest that it wasn’t the best food tour that I’ve taken. I like food tours where you have five or six stops and only one sit-down restaurant. I think that might be harder to do because of the tight quarters in Dubrovnik, but our tour had two sit-down stops and each felt really long. At the first stop, we were served wine and a charcuterie board of local meats and cheeses.
At the next restaurant, we dined on salad, followed by black risotto (made with cuttlefish, a local specialty) and pasta with wild boar bolognese. Next, we went to a wine shop to sample Croatian wines and we finished up with gelato from Gianni’s (what locals claim is the best in the city.) We certainly had plenty of food, I just would have preferred moving around and sampling more. I wish we had chosen to do the Dubrovnik Eat with Locals experience instead.
Day 4 – Hvar or Peljašac Peninsula/Korcula
Three days is plenty in Dubrovnik unless you want to take day trips to Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina or Kotor in Montenegro. Next, it is time to move on to Hvar or take one night on the island of Korcula first if you have the time. Since we were spending one night in Korcula and three nights in Hvar, we decided to take a day trip to the Peljašac Peninsula that included a visit to an oyster farm with an oyster and mussels tasting, followed by a wine tasting, and then a short 15-minute ferry to Korcula.
Another option is to take a high-speed catamaran ferry from Dubrovnik to Hvar, which takes three to four hours. The ferry stops in Korcula first, so you could also get off, take a day to explore Korcula, and then take another ferry from Korcula to Hvar on the late afternoon ferry.
I’d recommend taking the time to explore the Peljašac Peninsula, whether as a day trip from Dubrovnik or as part of a transfer to Korcula. Since we were transferring to Korcula, we booked a private tour with Touch Croatia. Our entertaining driver picked us up at our hotel at 9:00 a.m. to start our adventure.
We started in the small town of Ston, which is known for its impressive medieval walls and ancient salt flats. The Walls of Ston were built in the 14th and 15th centuries and are the longest defensive walls in Europe. Originally constructed to protect the valuable salt pans, the walls connected Ston and its sister town, Mali Ston.
Today, you can walk along much of the walls, but they are steep so it was more of a workout on a hot day than we were up to during a short visit. Ston is also famous for its salt flats, which are still operational today and are among the oldest in the world, dating back to Roman times. You can tour the salt pans and learn about traditional salt harvesting methods.
Ston is renowned for its oysters and seafood, and our next stop was such a special (and romantic) experience! We met with a local oyster farmer who raises over one million oysters a year. We headed out on his boat to learn all about oyster farming and taste freshly shucked oysters. While on the water, we were served wine and also a full lunch of Mussels Buzzara, which are mussels with olive oil, wine, garlic, parsley, and tomatoes. We even had a rare treat and spied some dolphins frolicking in the bay!
After our amazing lunch on the water, we visited one of the more popular wineries on the Peljašac Peninsula, Miloš Winery. We enjoyed learning about and tasting some more Croatian wines in its beautiful tasting room. Make sure you taste some Plavac and Dingač while in Croatia if you love red wine and Pošip, Grk, and Malvasia if you prefer white.
Our driver then took us to Orebic for a short, 15-minute ferry to Korcula. I’d recommend taking at least a day trip to Korcula and even staying the night if you have time. You can break up your time in the islands with one night in Korcula and two nights (or three) in Hvar.
Korcula Town is compact and incredibly charming with Venetian influences and plenty of outdoor dining experiences overlooking the Adriatic. Filippi is a Michelin-recommended restaurant if you want a romantic, fine-dining evening. Otherwise, Bokar Wine Bar, Lole Wine Bar & Tapas, and Konobo Nonno are all good, more casual options. If you are looking for a unique spot for a drink, you need to go to Massimo Cocktail Bar, which is located on top of one of the town’s stone towers (but you need to climb up some stairs and then a ladder to get there!)
If you are in town on a Monday or Thursday in the summer, make sure you get to watch the famous Moreska Sword Dance, a traditional battle dance performed by locals that dates back to the 15th century. Unfortunately, we were there on a Wednesday night and didn’t get to experience this.
Where to stay in Korcula: If you decide to stay in Korcula, the Aminess Korcula Heritage Hotel is a historic hotel with an excellent location in Korcula Town, right across from the pedestrian ferry from Orebic and just a five-minute walk to the main ferry port with ships that go to Hvar. The rooms were small and could use updating, but the dining room and patio were elegant and the included breakfast was plentiful. Another great option in town is the Lesic Dimitri Palace, which offers a romantic al fresco fine dining experience in their Michelin-star LD Restaurant.
Day 5 – Korcula/Hvar
Since we stayed overnight in Korcula and had extra time in our itinerary, we decided to spend the day getting to see more of Korcula and take the late afternoon ferry to Hvar.
We started our morning with a short, one-hour private tour of Korcula Town, given by someone who was born and raised in Korcula. Korčula Town is a walled settlement with narrow, winding streets that showcase Venetian Gothic architecture, as Korčula was under Venetian rule for centuries.
Even if you don’t take a tour, be sure to see the main gate, explore St. Mark’s Cathedral, and Marco Polo’s House, where the famed explorer is believed to have been born, although this is debated.
Korčula is also surrounded by vineyards and olive groves, and you can take buggy/ATV tours or wine tours to experience more of the island. Since we wanted to relax on our trip, we took the afternoon to chill out at the La Banya Beach Club, which is just a 10-minute cab ride from town.
After you are done exploring Korcula, it is time to take the ferry to Hvar, which takes about 1.5 hours. The pedestrian ferry takes you to Hvar Town, which is most convenient for a short stay. If you have decided to pick up a car in Dubrovnik, the car ferry arrives in Stari Grad. I wouldn’t recommend having a car at this point unless you wanted to stay in a rental home on the island, as parking near Hvar Town would be a huge challenge.
Hvar is brimming with restaurants and bars, from fine dining to casual and affordable takeaway. If you are looking for a lovely, but not overly fussy, dinner in a romantic setting, I’d recommend making a reservation at Giaxa. Some other options include La Bocca for pizza, Konobo Menego for traditional food, Black Pepper for a hip, upscale setting, Macondo for seafood, and Gariful for people-watching.
Where to stay in Hvar Town: There are plenty of hotel options in Hvar Town, but I loved the chic, boutique style of the Beach Bay Hvar Hotel. The location couldn’t be better. It is steps from a small public beach (and the hotel has a good amount of sunbeds on its patio) and just a two-minute walk to the ferry. It is so close to everything in town but on a quiet harbor with pretty water and sunset views.
Day 6 – Hvar
You have plenty of options for your full day in Hvar. There are tons of boat tour options if you want to go island hopping or visit some beach bars or beach clubs. There are also e-bike tours, wine tours, and walking tours. But we decided to explore on our own. Near the bus station and main parking lot on the outskirts of town, as well as lining the port, there are numerous car and scooter rental companies.
Personally, I wasn’t comfortable renting a scooter to travel on the mountainous and sometimes narrow roads, so we decided to rent a car for the day. Keep in mind that the cars available are primarily manual transmissions and they are not new and well-maintained like you would expect from a standard car rental agency. We paid 70 euros for a very old VW Golf, which we weren’t sure was going to make it up some of the hills and whose air conditioning was more of a gentle breeze than actual relief from the heat. Still, it was worth it to get to see more of Hvar!
Sadly the Lavender Fields near Brusje were not in bloom in late August, but there were still plenty of places to stop and purchase locally-made lavender products. This area still offers some beautiful views if you don’t mind a drive through narrow mountain roads!
We then headed to Stari Grad, which is a lovely town on the north coast of the island and where the car ferry port is. This town is centered around a beautiful harbor, with plenty of restaurants and shops, but has a much more local and laidback feel compared to Hvar Town. It is a place to stay or visit if you aren’t into the nightlife scene.
After Stari Grad, we drove over to the small town of Jelsa, which is similar to Stari Grad with a harbor and a smattering of restaurants. We had a lovely lunch by the water at Me & Mrs. Smith. We ended up not having a lot of time to explore the town itself because we were due at a wine tasting nearby.
The area around Jelsa has several vineyards and wineries and we made a reservation at Vina Tomić. Reservations are required for this group tour and tasting experience. We started with a short introduction to the family winery and a visit to their fermentation and bottling facility before heading down into the cellars for a tasting. The seated tasting is in a beautiful stone cellar and is accompanied by local cheeses and bread. We tasted a total of five wines and one after-dinner cordial. Tomić is one of the more famous wineries on Hvar (you will find it on menus throughout the country) and it makes a lovely afternoon for couples that enjoy trying and learning about new wines.
On our way back to Hvar, we found a little sandy beach near Vrboska and spent some time relaxing and swimming. All along the coast, there are these little coves and sometimes there is enough space to pull off the road and park to walk down to the water. Most are rocky but this one was mostly sand.
When you get back to town, if you have the energy, many visitors like to hike up to the Spanish Fortress that sits just above town for beautiful sunset views. Unfortunately, with the heat, I just wasn’t up for a steep climb so we enjoyed the sunset over the water from our balcony instead.
If you don’t want to take a boat tour or spend the day exploring on your own, there are plenty of beach bars near Hvar where you can spend the day, such as the Falko Beach Bar or Carpe Diem Beach Bar.
For dinner, you can impress your significant other with dinner at Dalmatino Hvar. We had such friendly and amazing service at this fish and steak restaurant — truly a highlight of our trip! It was a lovely way to wrap up of our time on the islands.
Since we are too old (or drink enough wine with dinner) to jump into the nightlife, we usually just took a walk along the harbor, watched the yachts, and sometimes grabbed a gelato at L’Amor Per Il Gelato. However, nightlife isn’t hard to find. Head first to the Central Park Club and from there, you will spy plenty of clubs and bars ready to welcome you in.
Day 7 – Split and Zadar
Don’t party too hard the night before because you need to get up early to catch the ferry to Split. The high-speed ferry takes just under an hour, leaving you a full day to explore Split if you would like. Baggage storage is available right on the dock, so it is easy to drop your bags and head into town to explore. Split is Croatia’s second-largest city and is best known for Diocletian’s Palace, a massive, ancient Roman complex that forms the heart of the old city.
The Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was built by the Roman Emperor Diocletian in the 4th century AD as his retirement residence and it is one of the best-preserved Roman structures in the world. Unlike a traditional palace, it’s more like a living city, with shops, restaurants, homes, and historical sites integrated within its walls. You can explore on your own, but I’d strongly recommend booking a tour to get the most out of the experience and understand more of the history of what you are seeing.
We booked a private tour with Jelena and her colleague Pero that included Diocletian’s Palace and also the city’s Jewish heritage, which included a brief stop at the only remaining synagogue in Split. Pero was so personable and knowledgeable that our 2.5 hours together passed quickly and we were impressed with how much we were able to see.
If you decide to explore on your own or want to see more after your tour, be sure to visit Peristyle Square, the well-preserved Temple of Jupiter, and the Cathedral of St. Domnius, originally Diocletian’s mausoleum. The palace’s impressive cellars, which were featured in Game of Thrones, are another highlight.
Two things to know about visiting Split: first, this is also a popular cruise ship port so you may want to check the schedule in advance. The Old Town in Diocletian’s Palace can get very crowded during the day. Next, if you are staying in Split keep in mind that the Old Town can be loud at night as it has become a bit of a party destination for young Europeans.
Also, since most of the Old Town is pedestrian-only, you are going to have to drag your bag across cobblestones and up stairs to find your accommodations. This was part of the reason why we decided to skip a night in Split and drive up to Zadar instead.
For lunch in Split, I gathered a lot of recommendations including Brasserie on 7, Articok, Corto Maltese, and Uje. We ended up at Uje Olive Oil Bar, which is both an olive oil tasting room and a restaurant. The food was delicious, although the service was a little slow because they were dealing with some cruise ship groups doing tastings at the time. I loved the setting but be sure to pick a shady spot if you eat outside!
Where to stay in Split: If you do decide to stay in Split, Hotel Vestibul Palace is a nice boutique property within the walls of Diocletian’s Palace.
If you only have seven days to spend in Croatia, then it makes sense to stay in Split and then either take a bus back to Dubrovnik or fly out of Split. However, if you have ten days or more for your Croatian vacation, I’d recommend also visiting Zadar and Istria. Since the drive from Split to Istria is five hours, we decided to shorten that a bit by spending one night in Zadar.
From the port in Split, we picked up our bags and then grabbed an Uber to the airport where we picked up our rental car for the duration of the trip. It was about 1.5 hours to Zadar. We considered stopping in Sibenik or Trogir on the way but decided to have a little more time to relax in Zadar instead.
Zadar, which is located further up the Dalmatian Coast, is famous for its rich history, Roman and Venetian ruins, and cool waterfront attractions like the Sea Organ and Sun Salutation. The city is also known for its beautiful sunsets, famously praised by Alfred Hitchcock as “the most beautiful in the world.”
We arrived in time for sunset and headed over to join the crowd gathered at the Sea Organ in the nightly sunset celebration. The Sea Organ is a unique architectural sound installation that uses the movement of the waves to produce haunting, melodic music. It is hard to describe until you hear it! The Sun Salutation is a large solar-powered circle that lights up in colorful patterns at night. As you can imagine, this is a very popular spot to hang out in the evening!
If you eat dinner on the early side (like during sunset), you will have no problem getting a table. Otherwise, I’d suggest making reservations in advance. We walked in and had an excellent (and finally affordable) dinner of pizza and pasta at 4 Kantuna. Someone also recommended Restaurant Bruschetta as another option.
Where to stay in Zadar: Since we were just staying one night in Zadar, we wanted the convenience of staying in the Old Town and we picked the Heritage Hotel Bastion, which is a Relais & Châteaux property. The service was excellent and I greatly appreciate that they offer paid parking as well as a delicious breakfast. However, the room was fairly small and not what I would consider R&C standard. Another option in town that I considered is Art Hotel Kalelarga.
Day 8 – Zadar to Istria
In the morning, you have time to either explore more of Zadar’s historic sites or possibly take a short visit to Krka National Park to see the gorgeous waterfalls before driving up to Istria. Once the capital of the Dalmatian region, Zadar has a long history of Roman, Byzantine, and Venetian rule, all of which are reflected in its architecture and culture. A few of Zadar’s historical highlights include the Roman Forum, built in the 1st century, and the Church of St. Donatus, a massive 9th-century pre-Romanesque church that dominates the old town.
The drive from Zadar to Istria takes about four hours on mostly easy-to-drive highways. You will pass through an endless stream of tunnels through mountains, making you wonder what the drive must have been like before that ingenuity! I also give high praise to the rest stops on Croatian highways. I was impressed with the variety of healthy food, relaxed atmosphere, clean bathrooms, and even a playground.
You can choose to stay in one of the larger towns in Istria, such as Rovinj or Pula, but for our stay, we wanted to splurge on a romantic wine hotel and the Meneghetti Wine Hotel was a highlight of our trip! This large wine estate includes rooms in the original villa, as well as many residences, which have been built like townhouses but to match the original design and aesthetic of the property.
The property includes a winery, two pools, a beach club, two restaurants (one is only open for lunch), a spa, tennis courts, a playground, bikes to rent, and more amenities are coming. The entire resort is so relaxing, with excellent service and a rustic elegance. As you can tell, I was a huge fan and I’ve stayed at some pretty great wine hotels in the past.
Where to stay in Istria: The Meneghetti Wine Hotel & Winery in Bale is a perfect romantic setting to finish up your Croatian vacation. It is a Relais and Chateaux property, as well as a part of the Mr. & Mrs. Smith collection, which means it is possible to book it through Hyatt to earn or use points if you play that game.
Day 9 – Rovinj And/Or Pula
You will want to spend the next couple of days exploring more of Istria. Since we stayed four nights in Istria, we had extra time to take our first day to participate in a wine tasting and olive oil tasting at the Meneghetti Winery and hang out by the pool during the day. In the late afternoon, we drove about 30 minutes north to the town of Rovinj. On the next day, we relaxed at the Meneghetti Beach Club and visited Pula in the early evening.
However, if you are only staying three nights and don’t mind a busy day, I’d suggest visiting the southern town of Pula in the morning, returning to your hotel for afternoon relaxation, and then heading into Rovinj in the late afternoon.
Pula is about 40 minutes south of Bale and is most known for the Pula Arena, one of the best-preserved Roman amphitheaters in the world. Built in the 1st century AD, it once hosted gladiator fights and is still used for concerts and events. If you park at the large parking lot just outside of town, it is only a 5-10 minute walk to the Arena. It is well worth the visit to see this well-preserved Roman architecture.
In the old town, you can also visit the Temple of Augustus, dedicated to the first Roman emperor, and walk through the Arch of the Sergii, a beautifully preserved Roman triumphal arch. For lunch, I’d suggest getting a pizza at Pizzeria Amore near the Temple of Augustus.
Rovinj is one of the most popular towns in Istria, with a charming old town, narrow cobblestone streets, and pastel-colored houses that stand at the edge of the Adriatic Sea. Paid parking lots are available near the harbor as the Old Town is pedestrian-only. The town center is a maze of quaint alleys filled with galleries, cafes, and shops. Make sure to leave your heels at home and plan on climbing some hills during your visit!
One of the top sites in Rovinj is the Church of St. Euphemia, a towering Baroque-style church that dominates the skyline. You can climb the bell tower for panoramic views of the town and nearby islands. Fourteen small islands make up the Rovinj Archipelago, making this another ideal location for a boat excursion.
You don’t need more than a couple of hours to explore Rovinj and enjoy a nice meal or cocktail. And, because it is such a wonderful spot to watch the sunset, visiting in the afternoon and evening makes the most sense. However, you may want to stay a little longer to take a sunset and dolphin-watching boat tour.
In town, there are some cute cocktail bars nestled into the rocks, including Mediterraneo and Valentino. You will also find many casual restaurants lining the harbor. However, if you want the best views, I’d recommend making reservations in advance. We had a prime sunset reservation at Puntulina and we were not disappointed with the view or the food! (Although you can tell the staff is a bit stressed trying to turn tables pretty quickly.)
Day 10 – Motovon and Grožnjan
On your last day in Istria, head to the mountain towns for some wine and truffle tasting! This is the area of Istria that reminds me most of Italy, especially the Piemonte region. You will see hillsides covered with vineyards and medieval walled cities perched on mountaintops.
Motovun is one of Istria’s most picturesque villages, with its well-preserved city walls and cobbled streets. The town is surrounded by the Motovun Forest, which is famous for its truffles (black in the summer and the more elusive white in the fall.) You can even go truffle hunting but since we did that in Italy and it wasn’t yet white truffle season, we opted to just enjoy eating our truffles (as we had throughout the trip!).
To visit Motovun, you will need to park in the large pay lot at the bottom of the hill. There is a small parking area about halfway up, but it is very limited and when we visited they weren’t even allowing cars to drive up to see if there was any availability. It is a steep climb up. You can either walk up the road, which winds up the hill at a steady but steep climb or go up the stairs for a heart-pumping workout. It takes about 15 minutes if you are a fast walker. I know it sounds hard but if you are able, getting to the top is worth the effort and you will be rewarded with panoramic views of the Mirna River Valley and the rolling Istrian countryside.
For the best views, you can pay to walk the Motovun City Walls. The best way to reward yourself for climbing to Motovun is with a delicious truffle-based dish at one of the local restaurants. We made a reservation at Konobo Mondo, which has also been visited by Anthony Bourdain. I had a truffle and egg dish and my husband enjoyed the truffle risotto. Both were delicious and shockingly the meal was one of the cheapest (that wasn’t pizza) on our trip.
Many shops in town sell truffle-based products if you want to bring anything home. Just keep in mind that you can’t bring fresh truffles or cheeses back to the USA without declaring them so you may want to stick with the minced and jarred truffles or truffle-flavored packaged products.
After exploring the town, I would recommend stopping at Vina Tomaz in the lower town. This winery has a beautiful new tasting room and some of the best wines that we tried during our stay.
If you have time to squeeze in one more town, I’d suggest the quieter, artist town of Grožnjan. This medieval gem is a haven for creativity, attracting painters, sculptors, and musicians from all over the world. Its narrow, cobbled streets are lined with charming stone houses, art studios, and galleries. You only need an hour to walk through town and you can find metered parking along the narrow road leading into town.
Departure Day
Depending on your flight time, you may need to spend your last night in Zagreb instead of driving the three hours in the morning. While it is just as long to drive to Venice, the one-way car rental drop-off fee for Italy is exorbitant so it is better to fly out of Zagreb (even if you need to hop a cheap flight back down to Dubrovnik instead of booking a multi-city flight.)
Zagreb is Croatia’s capital and if you have time, you may want to spend a day or two exploring. We will have to save that for a future trip (maybe when we visit Slovenia.)
You will not be disappointed in choosing Croatia for a romantic vacation with your significant other!
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Tamara Gruber is an award-winning travel writer and the founder of Your Time to Fly. With more than a decade of professional writing experience across two travel publications and hundreds of destination guides, she specializes in crafting practical, detailed itineraries that help travelers explore the world with confidence. Her work reflects years of on-the-ground research across the globe. Tamara is a member of SATW and serves on the Board of Directors of the Family Travel Association.
