Brijuni National Park: a half-day trip from Poreč

Off the south-west coast of Istria lies a group of low, green islands that were once a holiday resort for the Austro-Hungarian elite and later the private summer retreat of Yugoslav president Josip Broz Tito. Today the Brijuni islands are a national park, and the main island is open to visitors on organised tours. It makes a memorable half-day trip from Poreč.

The islands

Brijuni is an archipelago of 14 islands and islets. Visitors go to the largest, Veliki Brijun, where you will find parkland, meadows with deer, a small safari park, the hotels and a village by the harbour.

Getting there

1. Drive to Fažana, a fishing village on the coast just north of Pula, about an hour from Poreč via the Istrian Y motorway.
2. Park and walk to the national park office on the waterfront.
3. Take the park boat to Veliki Brijun. The crossing is short, about 15 minutes.

Tickets include the boat and the guided tour. In summer, buy them in advance on the park’s official website and arrive early: boats can be full in July and August. Private boat excursions also sail around the islands from Fažana and Pula, but most do not land on Veliki Brijun.

What you see on the tour

A tourist train with a guide takes you around the island, with stops to walk:

• The safari park, home to animals given to Tito by world leaders, as well as their descendants.
• Roman remains, including a large Roman villa complex by the sea.
• A Byzantine castrum, the ruins of a fortified settlement, and early Christian churches.
• Dinosaur footprints in the rocks by the shore.
• Tito’s legacy: an exhibition on Tito’s years on the islands, with photographs of famous guests.

You will also see deer and mouflon grazing under the trees, and peacocks around the harbour.

Prices and practical tips

• Tickets: in 2026 adult tickets were listed at €40, children aged 7 to 18 at €15, and children under 7 free. Prices change by season, so check before you go.
• Time: allow at least half a day.
• Best time: morning or late afternoon in summer, when it is cooler.
• Bring: water, sun cream and a hat. Shade is good, but the train is open-sided.
• Dogs: allowed with a ticket.

Combining Brijuni with Pula

Pula is 15 minutes from Fažana. Visit the Roman Arena in the morning and Brijuni in the afternoon, or the other way round. See our Pula day trip.

From the villas

Fažana is about an hour’s drive from Villa Duga, Villa Bina and Villa Cvita Domenica. It is day 6 of our one-week Istria itinerary.