Famous for many things, the hillside town of Motovun continues to entice visitors to its coordinates with a pleasant mix of old and new. There are gravestones from the first century, Venetian ramparts from the 14th century surrounding the old town, and a beautiful Venetian Renaissance church. A legendary gentle giant from Motovun represents the Croatian people in a favorite folktale. Surrounding vineyards produce well-crafted local wines. The vineyards are fabulous reasons to climb the hillside to Motovun, but they are eclipsed each July as the annual film festival gathers crowds inside the ancient walls to view creative works by European and American filmmakers. A delightful destination, imagine the Andretti brothers, Mario and Aldo, as young boys racing their hand-built wooden cars through Motovun’s narrow, winding streets.

Top Attractions and Activities in Motovun

• Motovun Old Town – Spectacular medieval hilltop town with cobblestone streets, stone houses, and breathtaking views over the Mirna River valley.

• Motovun City Walls – Walk along the historic defensive walls surrounding the town for some of the most beautiful panoramic views in Istria.

• Church of St. Stephen – The main church in the town square designed by Venetian architect Andrea Palladio.

• Motovun Forest – Famous truffle hunting area in the Mirna River valley where prized white and black truffles are found.

• Motovun Film Festival Location – The hilltop town becomes a unique open-air cinema each summer during the famous Motovun Film Festival.

• Parenzana Trail – Scenic cycling and hiking trail following a former railway through vineyards, tunnels, and hilltop villages.

• Bell Tower of St. Stephen – Climb the bell tower for incredible views across vineyards, forests, and rolling hills.

• Mirna River Valley Viewpoints – Several viewpoints around Motovun provide stunning scenery over Istria’s most famous truffle region.

• Truffle Hunting Experiences – Guided truffle hunting tours in nearby forests followed by tastings of truffle-based dishes.

Top Restaurants in Motovun

• Konoba Mondo – One of the most famous restaurants in Motovun, known for exceptional truffle dishes and homemade pasta.

• Pod Voltom – Cozy restaurant located under stone arches offering traditional Istrian cuisine and local wines.

• Restaurant Zigante – World-famous truffle restaurant located near Motovun in Livade, known for luxury truffle dishes.

• Restaurant Hotel Kaštel – Scenic terrace restaurant with beautiful views of the Mirna valley and refined Mediterranean cuisine.

• Konoba Fakin – Local favorite serving homemade pasta, truffle specialties, and wines from the Fakin winery.

• Montona Gallery & Wine Bar – Stylish wine bar offering local wines, charcuterie, and small plates in a historic setting.

• Caffe Bar Montona – Popular spot for drinks, light bites, and enjoying the atmosphere of the main square.