Why Istria Feels Like Tuscany 50 Years Ago

If you dream of rolling vineyards, stone hilltop villages, and lazy lunches that stretch into the afternoon — but you’re hoping to escape the tourist crowds — it’s time to set your sights on Istria.

Nestled along Croatia’s Adriatic coast, Istria is often called the "Tuscany of Croatia," and for good reason. Visiting feels like stepping back to what Tuscany must have been like 50 years ago: untouched, authentic, and filled with everyday magic.

The Timeless Charm of Hilltop Towns

Wandering through Istrian towns like Motovun, Grožnjan, and Buzet is like flipping through an old storybook. Cobblestone streets curve past ancient stone houses, flower pots overflow from windowsills, and every corner holds a hidden view of rolling green hills and far-off vineyards. Unlike today’s Tuscany, where Instagram crowds can sometimes outnumber locals, these towns in Istria still feel slow, soulful, and genuinely lived in.

Vineyards, Olive Groves, and Truffle Forests

Just like Tuscany, Istria’s countryside is a patchwork of vineyards and olive groves — but here, you might have the place all to yourself. Family-run wineries welcome you in for a personal tasting, often with homemade cheese and olive oil on the side. And if you visit in fall, the scent of fresh truffles fills the air — a local delicacy that Istrians are rightly proud of. Here, hunting for truffles with a local guide and their trusty dog is a way of life, not a tourist show.

Farm-to-Table Food (Before It Was a Trend)

In Istria, "farm-to-table" isn’t a trendy slogan — it’s simply how things have always been done. Menus change with the seasons, meals are slow and hearty, and you’re often eating dishes based on generations-old family recipes. Whether it’s homemade pasta topped with truffle shavings or fresh-caught seafood grilled by the sea, every bite tastes honest, fresh, and impossibly good.

Mediterranean Beauty Without the Crowds

Another thing that sets Istria apart? The coastline. Crystal-clear water, charming fishing villages, and historic ports like Rovinj feel blissfully free of mass tourism (at least for now). You can sip a glass of local Malvasia wine by the water and watch fishermen bring in their daily catch — without fighting for a table.

Warmth You Can Feel

What truly makes Istria feel like Tuscany 50 years ago isn’t just the scenery — it’s the people. There’s an openness, a genuine pride in their land, food, and traditions that welcomes you in immediately. It’s the kind of place where a casual wine tasting turns into a long conversation and a homemade meal, where every interaction feels like being invited into someone’s home.

In a world that’s moving faster than ever, Istria offers something rare: a return to simplicity, beauty, and slow living.It’s not just a trip — it’s a feeling.

And once you experience it, you might just want to keep Istria your little secret.