Motovun
A walled medieval hill town in central Istria, about 270 meters above sea level, reached by a 1,052-step stone staircase.
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Motovun is a hilltop medieval town in Istrian County, central Istria, western Croatia. The town sits about 270 meters above sea level, roughly 20 km from the sea, near Buzet and Pazin. Its Italian name is Montona. Celtic and Illyrian peoples built fortresses on the site before Roman times, and the name is usually taken to mean a town in the hills. Venice took over in 1278, and that period gave the town its Venetian-style architecture.
Two rings of walls surround the old town, with Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance elements in the walls and gates. A stone staircase of 1,052 steps climbs to the top. On the main square, the Church of St. Stephen faces the 12th-century Communal Palace. Below the hill, the Motovun Forest is known for black and white truffles, and vineyards on the slopes produce Teran and Malvazija wines.
Motovun in five
- Rent a car for inland IstriaPublic transport to hill towns is limited, so a rental car from Pula, Rijeka or the coast is the practical way to reach Motovun and its neighbors.Getting around Europe
- Park below and walk upOld hill towns keep traffic out of the center, and Motovun's lanes are steep and narrow. Wear comfortable shoes and allow time for the climb from the parking area.
- Book truffle dinners in autumnThe forest below the town is known for black and white truffles, and menus feature them most in autumn and early winter. Reserve ahead and ask what is in season.
- Plan around the film festivalThe Motovun Film Festival brings crowds to a small town in summer. If your dates overlap, book rooms early or choose a coastal base.
- Pair Motovun with Kvarner or the coastA loop from Rijeka through inland Istria, then back by the Brestova–Porozina ferry to Cres, links hill towns and islands in a few days.Kvarner region
Need to know
- Airport
- Pula (PUY); Rijeka (RJK) and Trieste (Italy) are alternatives
- Getting there
- Car from Poreč, Pula or Rijeka; limited public transport
- Getting around
- On foot in the old town; car for the valley
- Best base
- Motovun for a night; coastal towns for beaches
- Time needed
- A half day or one night
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh9°Low5°Cold, quietJanuaryPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 73 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, quiet
- FebruaryPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh11°Low6°Cold, quietFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 91 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, quiet
- MarchPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh13°Low8°Cool, showersMarchPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 77 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, showers
- AprilPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh16°Low11°Spring, greenAprilPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 81 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, green
- MayRain14 rainy daysHigh20°Low15°Warm, easyMayRain
Good
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 123 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, easy
- JuneClear8 rainy daysHigh26°Low20°Warm, busyJuneClear
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 76 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, busy
- JulyClear9 rainy daysHigh28°Low22°Hot, busyJulyClear
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 67 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, busy
- AugustClear7 rainy daysHigh28°Low22°Hot, busyAugustClear
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 84 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, busy
- SeptemberRain11 rainy daysHigh24°Low18°Mild, harvestSeptemberRain
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 161 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, harvest
- OctoberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh19°Low14°Truffle seasonOctoberPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 126 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Truffle season
- NovemberRain12 rainy daysHigh14°Low10°Truffle, wetNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 145 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Truffle, wet
- DecemberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh11°Low7°Cold, quietDecemberPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 116 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, quiet
Average daily high and low in Motovun, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Motovun
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
9
- Feels like
- 5°
- Humidity
- 61%
- Wind
- 15 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 10%
Motovun
09:48 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today14°8°10%Monday: Cloudy. High 14°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 10%.
- Tue13°8°8%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 13°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 8%.
- Wed13°5°14%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 13°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 14%.
- Thu13°4°3%Thursday: Clear. High 13°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Fri13°3°5%Friday: Cloudy. High 13°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Sat11°4°14%Saturday: Cloudy. High 11°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 14%.
- Sun13°7°26%Sunday: Cloudy. High 13°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 26%.
Updated 07:11 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Every year
- FebRijeka CarnivalRijeka, a day trip
Day trips by train
- Parenzana trailon foot or by bikeA walking and cycling route on the former Trieste–Poreč railway line.
- Rovinjby road to the coastA harbor old town on the Istrian coast.Read the guide
- Porečby road to the coastA coastal town with a UNESCO-listed basilica.Read the guide
Before you go to Motovun
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Rules for Motovun, checked
- Croatia is in the Schengen Area. Check your entry requirements on the Croatian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs site before you fly.
- Non-EU travelers may be fingerprinted and photographed at the border under the EU Entry/Exit System. Check the European Commission EES page.
- Dial 112 for police, ambulance or fire. It is the EU emergency number and works across Croatia.
Plan around Motovun
Islands and bay north of Istria
Read the guideCres IslandReached by ferry from Brestova
Read the guidePorečUNESCO basilica and Blue Flag beaches on the coast
Read the guideRovinjVenetian-style old town on the Istrian coast
Read the guideSloveniaA neighbor to the north for a wider loop
Read the guideGetting around EuropeRental car, fuel and parking basics
Read the guideAll of CroatiaCoast, islands, Zagreb and entry rules
Read the guideMotovun FAQ
Is Motovun worth visiting?
Yes for a walled hill town, valley views and truffle meals, and a half day is enough. Skip it if you want beaches or nightlife, and base on the coast instead.
How do you get to Motovun?
By car from Poreč, Pula or Rijeka, which is the practical way. Public transport is limited, so check timetables if you plan to rely on buses.
When is truffle season in Motovun?
The forest has black and white truffles, and menus feature them most in autumn and early winter. Ask restaurants what is in season on your dates.
Can you stay overnight in Motovun?
Yes, there are small hotels and guesthouses inside and below the old town. A night lets you see the walls and views without day-trip crowds.
What is the Parenzana?
A former narrow-gauge railway between Trieste and Poreč, closed in 1935, now partly a walking and cycling route through inland Istria. Sections pass near Motovun.