When to Go to Istria: the Best Time for a Villa with a Pool

The most common question before booking is: when is the best time to go to Istria? The short answer is that it depends on what you are looking for. Here is an overview by period. Temperatures are approximate and change from year to year.

April and May: spring and calm

The days are pleasant, but the sea is still cold and an unheated pool is often too cold to swim in. It is a good time for walks, cycling, Istrian cuisine and wild asparagus. If you also want a pool, choose a villa with a heated pool; there are some in our offer. Prices are lower and there are hardly any crowds.

June: before the big crowds

The days are long and warm, the sea is already pleasant for swimming, and the beaches and restaurants are not yet full. June is popular with couples and with families whose children do not yet have school holidays.

July and August: peak season

These are the hottest months, with a sea of roughly 24 to 26 °C and the longest days. This is school-holiday time, so crowds, prices and demand are at their highest. If you want exactly these dates, book early, especially for large villas. A villa with a pool and air conditioning is then the best place to get away from the heat. If the beach is too hot for you, choose a villa inland, where the evenings are a little cooler.

September: many consider it the best month

The sea is still warm, while crowds and heat ease off. Inland, the grape harvest begins and it is time for wine. September is a good choice for couples, groups and anyone who wants warm sea without the crowds.

October and November: truffles and olive oil

The sea cools, but Istria is in full autumn glory: the olive harvest, white truffles, young wine and konobas full of home cooking. For the countryside around Motovun this is the high point of the year. The pool is probably too cold, but villas with a heated pool, sauna or jacuzzi are an excellent choice: some villas have a sauna and some a jacuzzi.

Winter: quiet and a fireplace

Istria in winter is quiet and calm. Some villas have a wood fireplace or a wood stove, and some have central heating. It is a chance for long walks, wine and local specialities without the crowds. Keep in mind that some restaurants and venues are closed out of season.

How to choose your dates

• If swimming in the sea matters most: June to September
• If peace matters most: May, June or September
• If you have school-age children: July and August, booked early
• If food and wine matter most: September to November
• If you want the best prices: out of season, with a heated pool or a sauna

Prices depend on the period, and the easiest way to compare them is to enter your dates in the villa search. If you are not sure which dates suit you, tell us what you expect from your holiday and we will suggest both the dates and the villa.