Istria in spring: asparagus, wine fairs and quiet beaches

Spring comes early to Istria. By March the first wild asparagus is pushing up along the dry-stone walls, in April the fruit trees blossom and the hills turn bright green, and by May the cafés put their tables back out on the squares. For anyone who loves food, wine, walking or cycling, it may be the best season of all.

The weather

Month	Average sea temperature	What it is like
March	10 °C	Cool mornings, mild sunny afternoons, some rain
April	13 °C	Fresh and green; changeable, often warm
May	18 °C	Warm days, cool evenings; summer is near

Sea temperatures are long-term averages for Poreč from seatemperature.org. The sea is still cool for swimming until late May or June, so the sunny side of a private pool is a big advantage in spring.

What to eat

• Wild asparagus (šparoge), picked by locals from March to May and cooked into the classic fritaja omelette. Read our guide to wild asparagus season.
• Young cheeses, lamb and the first green vegetables at the market.
• Strawberries and cherries from May.

Wine in May

May is the start of the wine year in Istria:

• Vinistra, the regional wine fair, has been held in Poreč since 1994, usually in May.
• It is followed by an open wine cellars day, when many wineries welcome visitors to taste and buy.

Read more in our guide to Istrian wine.

Easter

Easter is an important family holiday in Croatia. You will see painted eggs, special Easter breads and processions in some towns. Shops and services may close or keep short hours on Easter Sunday and Monday, so plan your shopping.

Things to do

• Cycle the Parenzana, the old railway trail through the hills. See our Parenzana guide.
• Ride or walk the country lanes around Poreč and Labinci: cycling around Poreč.
• Visit the hill towns without summer crowds: Motovun, Grožnjan, Hum.
• See the sights in comfort: Pula’s Arena, Rovinj and the Euphrasian Basilica are far less busy than in summer.

What to keep in mind

• Some places open late. Many beach bars and seasonal restaurants open from Easter or May.
• Pack layers. Evenings and mornings can be cool, and spring showers are common.
• Opening hours of sights are often shorter than in summer; check before you go.

Villa stays in spring

Outside June to August, our villas can be booked for 6 nights or more with any arrival day, and prices are lower than in summer. Villa Duga and Villa Bina have fireplaces for cool evenings, and all three villas have covered terraces for lunches outside. See the villas and send us your dates.