If you are planning a trip to Croatia, Motovun is definitely worth visiting. This charming hilltop town in Istria is known for its stunning views of the surrounding countryside and its rich history. In addition to exploring the town’s medieval walls and cobblestone streets, visitors can also sample some of the region’s famous truffles and visit local wineries. Whether you’re a history buff, a foodie or simply looking for a picturesque place to relax, Motovun has something for everyone and is well worth the trip.

When we tell others we are full-time travelers, one of the most popular questions people ask is: “Where should I go?” To their disappointment, the answer is: “It depends.” The best destination depends on what you want to do on your trip.

Every city is different and has its pros and cons. We can’t say which city is best or our favorite because we like them all (or, at least, most of them) for very different reasons.

When we start thinking about where we’re going to go next, we consider several factors. Some are given more weight than others, but we want to ensure the destination has what we’re looking for and that there are no disqualifying issues (like weather or crowds).

To help you decide if Motovun is a good choice, we’ve analyzed a list of factors we consider when choosing a destination and answered some frequently asked questions.

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We spent four days in May in Motovun. Usually, I wouldn’t feel I know a town after staying just four days, but with the small size of Motovun, we easily saw everything in town during that time. Based on our experience, we assigned each factor a score from 1 to 5, with one being the worst and five being the best. If the attribute is unavailable or does not apply, we give it a 0.

If you’re asking yourself, “Is Motovun worth visiting?” hopefully, this information will help you make a more informed decision.

Some factors may sway you in one direction or another, depending on your circumstances and interests—for example, the weather. If you like to go to the beach, you may be looking for hot weather in the summer. If you like winter sports, you may be looking for cold weather in the winter. On the other hand, if you want to explore the old town (like us), you may be looking for milder weather in the summer and winter. For this reason, you may need to take your situation into account.

What is Motovun, Croatia weather like?

Hot in the Summer – 3

We were not in Motovun during the summer, but the average highs for June, July, and August were 77℉, 83℉, and 82℉, respectively.

Cold in the Winter – 2

We were not in Motovun during the winter, but the average highs for December, January, and February were 48℉, 46℉, and 48℉, respectively.

Few Tourists in Large Groups – 3

Since Motovun is not accessible by train, it is popular for tour buses. The buses park in the designated area at the base of the town, and everyone walks in together. It is a small village, and tour buses generate large waves of people, but the town never felt crowded.

Few Cruise Ship Passengers – 5

Motovun is a land-locked town in Istria, Croatia, and does not have a cruise ship port.

Few Tourists in Couples or Small Families – 3

There were lots of tourists in, couples, and small families that drove in to spend the day in Motovun. They all parked their cars in the parking lot at the base of the town and walked up the hill to enjoy everything Motovun had to offer. Many couples and families were on day trips, but it still never felt crowded.

Pedestrian-Only Areas – 5

Vehicles are parked at the bottom of the town, with the town roads restricted to very little local traffic. While there are few cars on the streets, the roads are challenging to walk on due to the type and position of the cobbles. It is hard to explain, but Gus, our Frenchie, loves to walk around towns, and you could see he had a few choice words to give whoever selected and put down the cobblestones.

Lines at Attractions – 5

The attractions in Motovun are: soaking in the beautiful views, tasting truffles, tasting local Istrian Brandy, and tasting local Istrian wines. It is a slow, leisurely affair of the senses, simply amazing, with few lines.

Beaches with Calm Water (Kid-Friendly) – 0

There are no beaches in Motovun since it is landlocked.

Beaches with Rough Water – 0

Boating Activities/Kayaking – 0

Rocky Swim Spots – 0

Sunbathing – 2

Motovun is not a sunbathing destination, but a few hotels/Airbnbs provide a sunbathing opportunity.

Wine – 4

Motovun is in the Istrian wine region of Croatia and boasts vineyards all around. Local wine from the wineries is available to taste and buy at shops and restaurants.

Beer – 1

Motovun is not in a beer-production region and is not known for beer.

Specialty Liquor – 5

Motovun is in Istria, which in addition to wine, is known for its flavored liquors. There are many shops where you can taste the different flavors and purchase a bottle.

Specialty Food – 5

The specialty food of Motovun is truffles. Many shops sell summer truffles, black truffles, and white truffles. The restaurants all have dishes with truffles as the star.

Seafood – 1

Sorry, this is not the place to eat seafood.

Meat – 4

This is a great meat and cheese destination since truffles pair nicely, and the restaurants all serve fantastic steak and cheese dishes with truffles.

Street Food – 1

Street food is not a thing in Motovun. Five, sit-down restaurants showcase cheese, red meat, pasta, local wine, and truffles.

Large Food Market with Restaurants – 0

Motovun does not have a food market.

History – 2

Motovun is a beautiful medieval town, but truffles, wine, and liquors are the stars, and learning the history of the town is a secondary activity.

Architecture – 4

The architecture of Motovun is fantastic. Significantly, the town’s church, St. Stephen’s Church, has a 16th-century Venetian bell tower that overlooks the main square and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside. The church, featuring beautiful frescoes and paintings by Venetian artists, is also worth a visit.

Art – 1

There are some art shops in the town but no art museums.

Museums – 1

I am giving museums a one instead of zero because I may have missed some tiny museums. I was too busy drinking Istrian wine and discovering all the enjoyable ways to eat truffles.

Castles – 0

No castles in Motovun.

Walled-City – 4

The town has excellent gates and city walls.

Palaces – 0

No palaces in Motovun.

Hiking – 4

Motovun does have hiking trails that start at the bottom of the mountain. If hiking is what you want to do, I would say, “What? You don’t want to drink wine and eat truffle cheese? Okay, to each their own.”

For more information on Motovun hiking, check out AllTrails.

Running – 1

Motovun is not made for running. You might be able to put together a run after hiking down from the town, but you will have to climb up and down on a not-run-friendly road.

High – Fashion Stores/Shopping – 1

There are no clothing stores in Motovun.

Nightlife – 2

Motovun does not have bars. It has a handful of restaurants that close early. The town is tranquil at night.

Dog Friendly – 3

Motovun is very dog-friendly, and Gus was welcome everywhere. Funny, though, it was one of Gus’s least favorite places because he didn’t like walking on the cobblestones. He was quick to pee and poo and would turn back to say, “We don’t need to go any further.”

Kid Friendly – 1

Motovun is a food and wine destination with little to offer kids. To me, taking kids to Motovun is like taking kids wine tasting in Napa. You can do it, but unless your kid is the next Gordon Ramsay and has the palate and patience of a thirty-something, I would advise against it.

Experiences

A unique experience is truffle hunting in the Motovun forest. If you would like to hunt for truffles while in Motovun, book the below highly-rated experience!

Great Grocery Stores – 1

There is a tiny corner store inside Motovun. Medium-sized grocery stores are down at the base of the mountain.

English Widely Spoken – 4

English is widely spoken in Motovun.

Outwardly Friendly Locals – 5

Every person we encountered in Motovun was very friendly.

American Tourists – 2

We did not encounter American tourists in Motovun. Most of the tourists were Croatian. I am giving this a two instead of zero because we were there the first week of May, and some American tourists might be there in the summer months. But don’t let the lack of Americans scare you, it’s Croatia, and most people speak excellent English.

Accessible by Train – 0

Motovun is not accessible by train. You will need to rent a car or hire a transfer to get to Motovun. We had a private transfer take us to Motovun from Trieste. For private transfers, check out GetTransfer. For rental cars and price comparisons of international and local brands, check out Discover Cars.

Day Trips by Train – 0

The train does not go to Motovun.

Clean Streets – 4

Motovun streets were clean.

Noise – 5

Motovun is a tiny town that shuts down early and is very quiet. It is a place to sip wine, look at the glorious views, and listen to the birds.

Day Trips to Motovun

If you are staying in Rovinj, Pula, Porec, or Rijeka, and would like to take a day trip to Motovun, book one of these highly-rated day trips!

Food Cost – 4

Motovun does not have quick, cheap food options but a handful of sit-down restaurants. The price for the sit-down restaurants is not low but still very good for what you are getting. There are lower-cost menu items such as pizza.

Accommodation Cost – 4

Motovun has few accommodation options, but the options are not expensive.

Activities Cost – 4

The activities in Motovun are not expensive.

Transportation Cost – 2

The one thing that drives up the cost of a trip to Motovun is transportation costs. You can’t get to Motovun by train, so you must rent a car and drive or hire a private transfer. For private transfers, we recommend GetTransfer. For rental cars and price comparisons of international and local brands, we recommend Discover Cars.

Motovun is a charming hilltop town in the heart of Istria, Croatia, known for its stunning views, rich history, and delicious truffles. There are many reasons to visit Motovun, including the following:

1. The stunning scenery: Located on top of a hill, Motovun offers breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside and the Mirna River valley.

2. The interesting history: Motovun has a long and storied past, with traces of Roman, Venetian, and Austro-Hungarian influence still visible in its architecture and culture.

3. The truffles: Motovun is famous for its black and white truffles, which can be found in local restaurants and markets.

4. The cultural events: Throughout the year, Motovun hosts several cultural events, such as film festivals, art exhibitions, and music concerts.

Overall, Motovun offers visitors a unique blend of natural beauty, unique history, and cultural vibrancy, making it a must-visit destination in Croatia.

For the best experience, we recommend staying in the Old Town of Motovun. The castle marker on the map below is the center of the Old Town. 

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Motovun is less expensive than other popular Croatian destinations. Accommodations are very reasonably priced, the local wine is excellent and a great value, and the food is high-class. We spent $120 for our dinner which included the two most expensive truffled-steak dishes, a truffled-charcuterie board appetizer, two bottles of wine (yes, we drink a lot of wine), and one dessert. We feel that we got a lot for what we paid, the service was impeccable, and the view from our table was five-star.

Motovun is a town located in the Istrian region of Croatia and is known for its rich history, stunning architecture, and beautiful natural surroundings. One of the most famous landmarks in Motovun is its medieval walls, which offer panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. The town is also known for its truffles, which are a prized delicacy in the region and can be found in local restaurants and markets. Additionally, the town hosts the annual Motovun Film Festival that attracts filmmakers and movie enthusiasts from around the world. Overall, Motovun is a charming and picturesque town with plenty to offer visitors who are interested in history, culture, and natural beauty.

Whether or not the town of Motovun is pretty is debatable. However, the views from Motovun are undeniably beautiful. The terrace and walls offer stunning panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. Moreover, the sprawling forest with village lights dotting the valley floor as night falls is a wonder to be seen!

You can explore Motovun’s hilltop town, walk the wall, explore all the truffle shops, taste the brandy, and enjoy a meal with truffles and local wine in one day. For a list of the best things to see and a suggested walking tour, check out our article “8 Best Things to See in Motovun.”

If you have a little more time, Motovun is surrounded by other small mountain villages such as Hum, Buje, and Groznjan. Buzet’s history dates back to the Middle Ages, making it an interesting spot to explore. Also, Groznjan is a town of winding streets and a must-visit for art fans. A few days in Motovun may be worthwhile as there are many hidden gems waiting to be discovered.

Motovun is located in the Istria region of Croatia. The area is also called the Istrian Peninsula.

Motovun is a hilltop town that does not have a train station. You can get to Motovun by car or bus.

Motovun is a popular day-trip destination from the seaside Istrian towns of Rovinj, Pula, or Porec. If you don’t want to rent a car or hire a private transfer, take a day tour from Rovinj, Pula, or Porec. See the above highly-rated day tour options.

If going with a group is not your thing, or you plan to stay overnight in Motovun, renting a car or taking a private transfer are great options. We took private transfers all over Istria and had excellent experiences.

For private transfers, we recommend GetTransfer. For rental cars and price comparisons of international and local brands, we recommend Discover Cars.

Motovun is extremely safe. It is a hilltop town and everyone there is either a tourist or working in the tourism industry. 

Yes, renting a car and driving around Istria and the rest of Croatia is extremely safe and easy. 

The time of the year with good weather and fewer crowds is often referred to as the shoulder season. The shoulder season in Motovun is March, April, October, and November. For many, this is the best time of the year to visit.

No, speaking the local Croatian language is not needed to visit Motovun. A very large percentage of locals speak English.

Your Motovun packing list should include sunscreen, shoes good for walking cobblestones, and stretchy pants to accommodate wine-drinking and cheese-eating.

Do you need cellular data during your trip and don’t want to pay for roaming? We use eSIMs from Airalo during our travel and highly recommend them. They are cheap, easy to set up, and allow you to leave your primary sim card in your phone (so you don’t lose it). Click below for more info.

Motovun is a hilltop town in northwestern Croatia. It is a 1hr 15min drive south of Trieste, Italy, a 1hr 15min drive west of Rijeka, Croatia, a 1hr drive northeast of Rovinj, Croatia, a 3hr drive east of Venice, Italy, and a 3hr drive west of Zagreb, Croatia.