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Located near historic Pula, Vodnjan is a beautiful and quaint town in Istria with winding narrow cobbled streets, colourful street art, Italianate buildings and Gothic, Venetian Renaissance and Baroque streets. Explore its historic churches and enjoy the friendly cafes and restaurants that serve traditional Istrian dishes. Offering all the charm you'd expect from a holiday in Croatia, Vodnjan is a sleepy town. Half Croatian and half Italian, with a pleasant atmosphere that has not changed for centuries. Enjoy a villa holiday in Vodnjan and you can experience authentic Istrian life and meet the friendly locals who refer to themselves as Bumbari meaning bumblebees.
Things to do in Vodnjan
Best explored on foot, Vodnjan has plenty of fascinating sights and you will soon feel yourself falling in love with the place. Here you will find the main square with its charming cafes and the red facade of Bradamante Palace, which is a centre for the Italian community.
Explore the Apoteka, a modern art space housed in an old pharmacy, enjoy traditional Istrian fare in the many restaurants and cafes, and look out for the original street lamps as Vodhjan was the first town in Istrian to get electric lighting.
If you want to get out of the town and see more of this beautiful country, you are perfectly located to travel to nearby Rovinj, Pula and Fazana, and the natural beauty of Lim Bay is close by. Our family villas in Vodnjan are the ideal place to base yourselves for exploring the local region.
History and culture in Vodnjan
The lovely region of Istria was originally populated by the Roman Histri tribe. According to the legend, Vodnjan developed out of the association of seven villas which were part of the colonial goods of Pula-Pola. It has a long and fascinating history having been controlled by the Venetian Empire, as well as Italy for much of the 20th century. Today 15% of the population speak Italian as their first language and it is known by the Italians who live here as Digano.
Family holidays in Vodnjan
Children may be fascinated by the imposing Baroque 18th-century Church of St Blaise, not because of its 62-metre tall bell tower, but the mummified bodies of the saints inside. The clothed bodies of St Leon Bembo, St Ivan John Olini and St Nicoloza Bursa, as well as assorted parts of three other saints, lie enclosed in glass and provide a macabre distraction which children are fascinated by.
If the macabre is not to your taste, why not follow the trail to see the city's colourful street murals? There are 40 in total which were created for the Boombarstick Art Festival in 2013. Having your own private villa in Croatia serves as the perfect base to explore further afield. There is also the excellent water park, Istralandia, close by which is fun for all the family and children of all ages.
If you simply a fancy a day of peace and quiet, relax at one of our villas with a private pool, soaking up the warm sunshine.
Adventurous activities in Vodnjan
If you have a yearn to be more active and enjoy a little adventure, the countryside in and around Vodnjan is stunning and there are biking and hiking trails that will give you a lovely view of the region. There are also opportunities to go horse riding and see traditional village life off the beaten track. You can also take a boat trip and sail from Rovinj to St Mark's Square in elegant Venice, an incredibly memorable journey that is well worth it. If you find yourselves needing a breather after all the fun filled days out, relax in your villa with private pool, before dining on your secluded terrace.
Romance in Vodnjan
Vodnjan is a quiet peaceful town and has a charm that lends itself to a memorable romantic villa holiday whether it's your honeymoon or a trip just for the two of you. Why not explore the old town in a carriage pulled by working donkeys? You can visit Stancija Bursic and enjoy traditional prosciutto and olive oil tastings, spend romantic evenings in one of the many restaurants and try Vin de Rose, the strong dessert wine. Alternatively, relax on Golden Bay with its lovely beach, which is ideal for sunbathing and enjoying a picnic, knowing your Istrian villa waits for your return.
All Villas in Vodnjan
Vodnjan, Istria
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