Autumn travel is continuing to grow. According to Virtuoso, autumn 2026 sales are up 69% year-on-year, and bookings are up 59% globally. September is also becoming a more important month for travel, with sales up 77% and bookings up 55%.
For Istria, it is a season that brings out a different side of the Croatian peninsula. Vineyards and olive groves are being harvested, white truffle season is in full swing, and cooler days make it easier to spend time outdoors and explore the region. For visitors looking beyond the summer season, Istria has plenty to offer.
Truffle season gets underway
From September to December, Istria’s prized white truffle takes centre stage across the region’s culinary scene. The delicacy is found in the forests surrounding the Mirna River valley, between Buje, Buzet and Pazin, where visitors can join expert truffle hunters and their specially trained dogs in search of the elusive ingredient.
The season is celebrated with a series of gastronomic events, including the international Zigante Truffle Days, held every weekend in Livade from 3 October to 1 November, alongside further truffle-focused events in Motovun and Buzet.
For a more immersive experience, local producers including Karlić Tartufi, Prodan Tartufi and Natura Tartufi offer guided truffle hunts followed by tastings and cooking experiences, giving visitors an insight into both the search for the prized fungus and its place within Istrian cuisine.
Wine and olive oil
Autumn marks harvest season across Istria’s vineyards and olive groves, making it one of the most rewarding times to explore the peninsula’s food and wine culture. Visitors can spend an afternoon at estates such as Kozlović or Kabola, tasting indigenous varieties including Malvasia Istarska and Teran, while learning more about the winemaking process from grape to glass. Many wineries pair their tastings with local produce, making them an easy addition to a day spent exploring the Istrian countryside.
Olive oil is just as integral to the season. Around Vodnjan, one of Istria’s best-known olive-growing areas, producers welcome visitors for tastings and harvest-focused events. A highlight is Young Olive Oil Days, taking place from 20 to 22 November, where freshly pressed oils can be sampled alongside regional food and visitors can meet the producers behind them.
Outdoor activities
As summer temperatures begin to ease, autumn is an ideal time to explore Istria on foot or by bike. The Parenzana Trail, which follows the route of a former narrow-gauge railway between Trieste and Poreč, winds through vineyards, hilltop villages and the peninsula’s rural interior, offering one of the most scenic ways to experience the landscape.
The coast remains just as appealing, particularly in September and early October, when warm days can still make swimming possible. Visitors can pair time by the Adriatic with waterfront walks, cycling and visits to historic coastal towns including Rovinj, Poreč and Pula.
Where to stay
Istria’s hotels are an integral part of the experience, with stays that reflect the region’s wine, food and landscape. Roxanich Winery & Design Hotel combines contemporary design with its own winery and surrounding vineyards, while Meneghetti Wine Hotel & Wineryoffers a peaceful base among olive groves and wine country.
On the coast, Pical Resort in Poreč brings the autumn experience closer to the Adriatic, while San Canzian Hotel & Residences offers a countryside setting near Buje.
From truffle hunting and wine tasting to cycling through vineyard-covered landscapes and lingering by the coast, autumn reveals a slower and more seasonal side of Istria — and makes a compelling case for travelling beyond the traditional summer months.
