Overlooking the sea from a prominent hill and surrounded by beautiful nature, Vrsar could easily become your next favourite coastal town in Istria, Croatia.

Istria is really one of our favourite destinations in Croatia. Today we would like to present Vrsar to you, a small town located in the north-west part of Istria. The town is situated  on a prominent hill on the coast between Poreč and Rovinj, which makes it a great starting point for exploring both those towns and its surrounding area. Vrsar is smaller than the two, hence more peaceful and relaxing and less crowded, even during the high season.

The old town centre developed on the hill top from where narrow streets with stone houses run down to the shimmering blue Adriatic Sea. The history of Vrsar goes way back to Roman times, when it was an important trade centre. Through turbulent centuries Vrsar had its ups and downs but today this town is as charming as ever and it has established itself as an important tourist centre in Istria with long tradition of wine making, fishing and olive oil production. It also attracted notable visitors in the past – Casanova, famous Italian adventurer and author visited Vrsar twice (breaking a girl's heart or two) and wrote about it in his autobiography.

The town of Vrsar is a real treat for those who like to walk down the old stone streets and spend some relaxing time exploring amazing old Istrian architecture. Its beautiful stone houses built in traditional Mediterranean style with excellent sea view are often available for rent as an apartment or a villa, nicely furnished with all the amenities needed for a great vacation. Accommodation offer in Vrsar is great so it will not be hard to find a clean and modern place to stay.

There are several interesting monuments that are worth the visit in Vrsar, such as the parish church of St. Martin and the church of St. Fosca, or the old Castle, a monumental palace that used to be a summer residence of the Bishops of Poreč. The remains of Roman store-houses and necropolis can also be seen, that stand as a witness of ancient origin of Vrsar. If you are a lover of art then Dušan Džamonja sculpture park is a must-see. Located just outside Vrsar by the road that leads to Funtana and Poreč it overlooks the sea and includes artist's atelier, workshop and the park of sculptures. Džamonja was one of the leading and the most distinguished contemporary sculptors in Croatia with international reputation so be sure to visit this wonderful place.

Cultural attractions are not the only interesting thing about Vrsar. Just a mile or so from Vrsar there is a sports airport, Aeropark Vrsar, that offers many aviatic experiences such as panoramic flights and parachute tandem jumps so if you are looking for an adrenaline adventure, hardly anything can beat this great offer. Nature is also breathtaking and apart from great beaches, one of the main attractions is Lim bay, a 10 km long estuary of the river Pazinčica. The bay is rich in fish and high quality oysters and mussels which you can enjoy at a few restaurants located at the beginning of the bay. It also has another interesting place called Romuald cave that tells the legend of St. Romuald, a Benedictine hermit.

Vrsar is an excellent place to spend relaxing holidays in Istria. It is a picturesque place with a peaceful atmosphere, with great beaches for swimming and sun bathing and beautiful nature that surrounds the town. There are lovely rentals such as an old stone villa or a charming apartment that will make your stay comfortable. Vrsar attractions are many and it is also an excellent starting point for exploring the north-west part of Istria so you will not be disappointed if you pick it as your holiday destination in Croatia.