I started my August road trip from Zagreb at 6am, knowing it would be a long but rewarding day. My goal was to explore several historic towns and hidden gems across Istria, each with its own unique atmosphere. Traveling by car gave me the freedom to move quickly between places while still taking the time to photograph and enjoy the details that caught my eye.
The first stop was Boljun, a small hilltop settlement that feels almost untouched by time. Walking through its quiet streets, I was surrounded by stone houses, the remains of medieval fortifications, and panoramic views over the Boljunčica valley and Učka mountain. Photographing Boljun was like stepping into the past, with every angle revealing something worth capturing.
From there, I continued to Vodnjan-Dignano, a town just outside Pula known for its mix of medieval and Venetian heritage. I enjoyed wandering through its winding streets, noticing Gothic and Renaissance details on old stone facades. The surrounding landscape, filled with traditional kažuni (stone shelters), adds to its charm, making Vodnjan a place where rural tradition and urban history meet.
My third stop was Dvigrad, a place I had already visited before. Last time the weather wasn’t on my side, so I wasn’t happy with the photos I brought back. This time, the conditions were much better, and returning gave me another chance to capture the ruins in the way I wanted. Since I have a special love for places like Dvigrad, with their atmosphere of abandoned history, it wasn’t a difficult decision to visit again. Walking among its double walls, towers, and the ruins of St. Sophia’s Basilica felt both familiar and new.
Next on the route was Sveti Lovreč, one of the best-preserved fortified towns in Istria. Surrounded by powerful Venetian walls, it immediately impressed me with its circular shape and historic loggia at the central square. I spent time exploring its churches and admiring fragments of old frescoes. Photographing Sveti Lovreč felt like documenting a town that still carries the echoes of its Venetian military past.
The final stop of the day was Novigrad on the coast. Even though I was already a bit tired from the trip, Novigrad’s old town was worth the effort. Built on a small peninsula, its streets reflect a mix of Roman, Byzantine, Venetian, and Austrian influences. Watching the sun drop lower while photographing the stone houses along the sea was the perfect way to close the trip before heading back to Zagreb.
This one-day road trip was long but incredibly rewarding. Each place had its own character and story, and together they made for a day full of photography and discovery. If you’d like to see more of my photos from Boljun, Vodnjan, Dvigrad, Sveti Lovreč, Novigrad, and many other destinations across Croatia, take a look at the Explore page. For daily updates from my travels, follow me on Instagram at @croatia_captured.