When one arrives at the pretty and historic town of Pazin, they will find a peaceful and unpretentious place. It is not, perhaps, the first choice for some when it comes to holiday destinations as it does not boast endless attractions and is not the most glamorous place in the world. However, those looking for an authentic Istrian experience, people who enjoy being a little off the beaten path, those who want to avoid overly touristy destinations, and anyone looking for a perfect base from which to explore the wider region will find that a villa in Pazin is an ideal option for a perfect getaway in Istria.
The administrative capital and known as the, “heart of Istria,” Pazin is visually captivating and has been capturing the hearts and imaginations of those who visit or hear of the place for some time. In fact, Pazin is a great example of the so-called, "Green Istria", the area inland, away from the famous coast, where the region is lush and dramatic and ripe for exploration and adventure. This part of Istria is known for craggy mountains, forests, valleys, rivers, and caves. It is a place to enjoy all sorts of outdoor pursuits from zip-lining to hiking, mountain-biking to exploring caves.
Pazin’s own chasm, a gigantic pit with sheer rocks looming over the Pazincica river 130m below, is a striking thing to behold and so impressive that it inspired Dante’s descent into hell in his famous Commedia after a visit. It was made famous, though, by Jules Verne’s novel Mathias Sandorf, which was set in the apparently bottomless cave despite Verne having never actually seen it himself.
The town itself, set above this astounding natural wonder and amongst the lush beauty of the surrounding forests and mountains, is also a delight in its own right. It is home to two castles, beautiful churches, some interesting little museums, an excellent foodie gem of shop selling local products called Taste Istria, a zip-line over the gorge, nearby wineries available for tours and tastings, a wonderful town fair on the first Tuesday of each month, a variety of brilliant hiking and biking trails and routes throughout the gorgeous countryside that surrounds, and much more besides.
As noted, however, if you decide to book one of our vacation rentals in Pazin, you not only get access to this lovely part of Istria but you get a great base from which to explore the rest of the region. By car, many of the famously lovely beaches and charming coastal towns of Istria are less than an hour away. There are also buses, trains, and roads that easily connect Pazin to almost any Istrian destination you can imagine for easy access. Trains from the pretty little Pazin station will take you directly to Zagreb, Pula, Buzet, and Ljubljana and there are buses to Pula, Rovinj, Porec, Motovun, and many other destinations. Do note, though, that these services are far less frequent at the weekend. If you go the car rental route, meanwhile, you will be able to reach almost all of the key destinations and attractions throughout Istria easily whenever you want during your holiday in Pazin.
So, whether you’re looking to take things slow and enjoy what this pretty and sleepy town itself has to offer or you want a great base for discovering all of Istria, a villa in Pazin means that you can have the best of both worlds. For those dreaming of a getaway in Croatia and a vacation in Istria, in particular, who have been considering different destinations, few are as unforgettable and utterly charming as Pazin!