9-Day Istria 100 by UTMB 69K Race Weekend Trip from Sydney

Arrival and settling in

After landing at Pula Airport, allow roughly 45–60 minutes for luggage, hire-car paperwork and checking the vehicle carefully for existing damage. Drive into central Pula in about 10 minutes; follow signs for the centre and use a paid car park rather than trying to navigate the narrow streets around the old town. Drop bags at your accommodation, then keep the car parked and explore on foot.

Start at Pula Arena, Croatia’s remarkably intact Roman amphitheatre. Allow about an hour to walk the perimeter and visit the interior; in late March, seasonal hours can be shorter than summer hours, so check the official listing on the day, with admission usually around €10–15. From here it is a straightforward 10–15-minute walk through the old town to the Temple of Augustus on the Forum. The temple itself is compact and takes around 30 minutes, but linger in the square for a first feel of Pula’s layered Roman and Venetian history.

Market and dinner

Continue to Pula Market, a few minutes away through the pedestrian centre. The indoor market and surrounding stalls are best visited before late afternoon, when local growers are most likely to have seasonal produce, cheese, cured meats and Istrian olive oil; allow 30–45 minutes. It is a good place to pick up fruit and simple snacks for the race week, though some stalls may close earlier on a Tuesday. Walk back towards the centre for dinner at Furia, where modern Istrian cooking makes an easy first-night meal without requiring another drive. Budget approximately €25–40 per person before drinks, and reserve ahead if possible—especially during the race weekend period. Keep the evening relaxed after the flight, with an early night and a quick check of tomorrow’s drive to Buzet.

Morning

Once you have arrived and checked in, begin in Buzet Old Town, reached by following the signs uphill from the newer town. Allow about 1½ hours to wander the stone lanes, small squares and viewpoints over the Mirna Valley; sturdy shoes are useful on the uneven cobbles. The old centre is quiet in the morning, and some churches and small local businesses may open later or keep seasonal hours, so treat this as a relaxed orientation walk rather than a museum visit. From the old town, drive a few minutes to Aura Distillery for a late-morning tasting of Istrian brandies, jams and truffle products—allow 45 minutes and check the March opening schedule ahead, as tastings are often by appointment. Expect roughly €10–20 per person depending on the tasting selected.

Lunch and Afternoon

Continue by car for around 20 minutes to Kotli, an atmospheric abandoned mill village where the old stone buildings sit beside the river pools. Spend about an hour walking carefully around the mill, bridges and cascades; the pools are seasonal and can be slippery, and swimming is not something to plan on in early April. Return towards Buzet for lunch at Konoba Most, allowing 1½ hours for hearty Istrian cooking such as fuži pasta, local meats and seasonal vegetables. Budget approximately €20–35 per person, and call ahead to confirm the restaurant’s opening that day—spring hours can be limited. After lunch, keep the afternoon deliberately light: hydrate, buy any snacks or breakfast supplies in Buzet, and avoid a long walk before race preparations.

Late Afternoon and Evening

Head to Buzet Sports Hall race area for bib collection and the official logistics check, allowing about an hour. Confirm the start procedure, bag-drop arrangements, aid-station details and any race transport or shuttle times rather than relying solely on the event website. The hall area is easiest to reach by car, but parking may become busier as runners arrive, so follow event signage and leave the vehicle ready for an early race morning. Afterward, return to your accommodation, lay out your kit and have a simple carbohydrate-focused dinner; this is a good evening for an early night rather than another sightseeing stop.

Morning

Drive from Buzet to Hum after breakfast, allowing about 25–30 minutes via local roads. The final approach is narrow and winding, so take it slowly; park in the small area outside the settlement and expect to pay a modest day-parking fee if collected. Spend around an hour inside Hum, wandering its compact stone lanes, fortified entrance and quiet church square. It is best visited early, before tour groups arrive, and most cafés and small shops may not open until mid-morning, so bring water and do not rely on it for a full breakfast.

Continue by car along the short road between Roč and Hum to Glagolitic Alley, a sequence of stone monuments marking the history of Croatia’s Glagolitic script. There is no formal entrance fee or visitor centre; pull into the occasional roadside lay-by carefully and walk only from safe stopping points. Allow about an hour, treating it as a relaxed cultural outing rather than a hike. The route is quiet and rural, but uneven ground and spring mud are possible after rain.

Afternoon

Drive onwards towards Motovun Forest, near Livade, in roughly 35–40 minutes. Choose one of the easy forest paths and keep the walk to around 1–1½ hours—this is a good chance to enjoy the oak woodland and truffle country without tiring your legs before the race. Wear shoes with some grip, and check the weather first, as unmarked tracks can become slippery. In spring, the forest is usually peaceful, but mobile reception can be patchy, so download directions before leaving Hum.

Have a late lunch at Restaurant Zigante in Livade, a specialist address for Istrian truffles. Book ahead and tell them you are preparing for an ultra, as the menu is rich and portions can be substantial; allow roughly €35–60 per person depending on courses and wine. After lunch, drive back to your Buzet accommodation in about 25–30 minutes, with the route through the Mirna Valley offering pleasant views but little reason to rush.

Evening

Keep the evening deliberately quiet at your Buzet accommodation: lay out race clothing and mandatory kit, charge your watch and phone, refill bottles, and hydrate steadily rather than overdrinking. Eat a familiar, carbohydrate-based dinner and avoid experimenting with extra truffle dishes or local spirits tonight. Shops in Buzet generally close early compared with Sydney, so pick up any snacks, electrolyte supplies or breakfast items before returning to your room; aim for an early night after a low-key day.

Morning

Start with a short, low-effort visit to the Buzet Old Town viewpoint, keeping this deliberately easy on the legs. Walk only as far as feels comfortable on the hilltop, allowing about 45 minutes for the valley views and a few photographs rather than attempting a full sightseeing circuit. Wear shoes with a secure grip on the uneven stone, and bring water; this is a final shake-out morning, not a training session. Afterwards, drive towards Istarske Toplice near Livade, following the Mirna Valley roads for roughly 25–30 minutes. The thermal complex is a good place to slow down before race weekend: allow around two hours, but choose gentle soaking and relaxation rather than intense treatments or prolonged heat. Confirm the pool and wellness opening hours in advance, as seasonal schedules can vary, and budget approximately €15–30 depending on the facilities you use.

Afternoon and race briefing

Return to Buzet with plenty of time before the Istria 100 race briefing area—roughly 25–30 minutes from Istarske Toplice, depending on the exact venue and road conditions. Attend the late-afternoon briefing and verify the 69K start location, start time, transport arrangements, mandatory equipment, and aid-station details; this is also the moment to ask about any last-minute course or weather changes. Keep the rest of the afternoon quiet, with feet up at your accommodation and an early, familiar snack rather than experimenting with local food.

Evening

Have an early dinner at Konoba Napoletana in Buzet, allowing about an hour and aiming for a simple carbohydrate-based meal such as pasta, rice or bread with a modest portion of protein. Expect approximately €20–35 per person; reserve or call ahead and mention that you are eating before the race, as dinner service can be compact outside the busiest season. Then return directly to your Buzet accommodation to lay out your race kit, bib and mandatory gear, fill bottles, charge your watch and phone, and set multiple alarms. Keep the evening completely uneventful—shower, prepare breakfast and race-day snacks, and get into bed early even if nerves make sleep imperfect.

Pre-dawn start

Get to the Istria 100 by UTMB® 69K start area in Buzet well before the published start time—ideally 60–75 minutes early. Keep the drive short and simple from your accommodation, and confirm the exact start-zone access and parking instructions in the race briefing, as roads around the town may close or become restricted. Use the toilets immediately, complete your gear check without rushing, and keep warm with an old layer you can discard if permitted. This is not the morning for sightseeing or experimenting with breakfast: stick to familiar food and fluids, then allow a few minutes for a calm warm-up.

Race day

Settle into the Istria 100 by UTMB® 69K at your own pace and treat the first climbs conservatively; the course through northern Istria is more demanding than the distances alone suggest, with steep sections, uneven stone and potentially cool or wet spring conditions. Follow the organiser’s mandatory-kit and aid-station rules, and expect the day to run through most of the daylight hours, depending on your pace and the official cut-off. Your support plan should be deliberately light: keep your phone charged, make sure your accommodation has a key-access arrangement for a late return, and avoid asking anyone to move a car through closed race roads unless the organiser specifically permits it.

Finish and evening recovery

At the Buzet race village, collect your drop bag and any checked belongings, then spend about an hour refuelling, drinking and changing into dry layers before attempting to leave. Arrange a low-stress transfer back to your Buzet accommodation—walking only if it is genuinely close and your legs feel safe; otherwise use the designated pickup arrangement or a pre-booked taxi. Once back, shower, elevate your legs and keep the evening quiet. For dinner, choose a nearby pizzeria or konoba rather than crossing town: pizza, pasta, soup or grilled food should cost roughly €15–30 per person. Check opening hours and reserve or call ahead, since smaller Buzet restaurants may close between services or fill quickly after the race.

Late Morning: Recovery and arrival in Rovinj

After a slow breakfast and a proper post-race check-in, leave Buzet in the late morning for Rovinj, allowing about 1–1¼ hours through central Istria. This is a day to drive conservatively: if your legs are badly depleted, arrange a local taxi or private transfer instead. In Rovinj, leave the car in a paid car park outside the pedestrian old town—Velika Valdibora or Mala Valdibora are practical choices—and walk into the centre with only what you need. Expect roughly €1–2 per hour in the shoulder season, though rates and payment arrangements can change.

Early Afternoon: Old town and Saint Euphemia

Take an unhurried wander through Rovinj Old Town, following the narrow lanes towards the hilltop rather than trying to cover every alley. Allow about 1½ hours, with plenty of stops for coffee or an ice cream; the polished cobbles can be slippery, so supportive shoes are worthwhile after the race. Continue uphill to the Church of Saint Euphemia, whose square is one of the best places in town for harbour views. The church is generally free to enter, while access to the bell tower may involve a small fee and is best skipped if your calves are protesting; opening hours are seasonal, so check locally before climbing.

Late Afternoon and Evening: Forest walk and celebratory dinner

Drive a few minutes south, or walk for around 25–30 minutes if you still feel comfortable, to Punta Corrente Forest Park. Keep this to a gentle, mostly flat one-hour loop along the shoreline, with the option to turn back early at the rocky coves—this is recovery, not another training session. Return to the waterfront for dinner at La Puntulina, where tables sit directly above the sea and the sunset light is particularly good. Reserve ahead, request an outdoor table if weather allows, and budget about €40–70 per person for seafood and drinks. After dinner, take a taxi back to the car park or accommodation if fatigue has set in; Rovinj’s centre is compact, but the final walk can feel longer than expected after a 69K race.

Morning

Leave Rovinj around 08:00–08:30 with the hire car, taking the inland route through Bale before continuing towards Poreč. Bale is a good early stop because it is compact, quiet and most enjoyable before the coastal towns become busy. Park outside the old centre and spend about an hour wandering the stone lanes around Kaštel Soardo-Bembo, the main square and the small artisan shops; many businesses open later in the morning, so treat this as a streets-and-architecture stop rather than planning around cafés. Continue to Poreč afterwards, allowing roughly 25–30 minutes, and use a signed paid car park outside the pedestrianised centre.

Walk into Poreč Old Town along the Roman street grid, following Decumanus towards the waterfront. Allow about 1½ hours for the lanes, small squares and harbour views, then visit the Euphrasian Basilica, the town’s essential sight. Allow around an hour inside for the sixth-century mosaics, courtyard and bell-tower views; typical admission is approximately €10–15, with modestly reduced prices sometimes available, and opening hours can change seasonally or around services, so check the official listing that morning.

Lunch and afternoon

Have lunch at Konoba Aba, a traditional old-town restaurant where dishes such as fuži pasta, local truffles, grilled fish and seasonal vegetables suit the Istrian setting. Reserve or arrive early, particularly in April when opening days can vary, and expect about €25–40 per person for a substantial meal with a drink. After lunch, keep the afternoon unhurried: browse the nearby lanes and waterfront rather than adding another major attraction, as Poreč Old Town is best enjoyed at walking pace.

Evening

Return to the Poreč waterfront for a relaxed harbour promenade walk of about an hour. The stretch around Riva and the small marina is pleasant for watching the light change over the water, and you can stop at a seafront café for coffee or a drink—roughly €2–5 for coffee, more for cocktails. Sunset is generally around 19:40 in early April; allow extra time to reach your accommodation and confirm its parking arrangements, since central Poreč streets are restricted to cars and spaces closest to the old town are paid.

Morning: Return to Pula and Kamenjak Nature Park

Leave Poreč around 08:30–09:00 for Pula, allowing roughly 1–1¼ hours on the A9/Istrian Y. Once back in Pula, drop your luggage and return the hire car to your accommodation if that is where you are staying; however, keep it until after Kamenjak Nature Park, as public transport to the peninsula is awkward. Continue south to Premantura, then follow the park road towards the southern tip. In early April, access is generally quieter and may be free or subject to a seasonal entrance arrangement, but check the park’s current rules before setting out. Spend about two hours on an easy coastal walk around the rocky tracks and viewpoints—wear proper shoes, as the limestone is uneven and exposed to wind, and bring water because facilities can be limited outside summer.

Lunch at Safari Bar

Stay within Kamenjak Nature Park for a relaxed lunch at Safari Bar, the famously eccentric open-air spot hidden among the trees near the southern end of the peninsula. Its rope bridges, hand-built decorations and rustic seating are part of the appeal, but opening days and hours are seasonal, so verify that it is operating in April before relying on it. Allow around an hour for a drink and light meal, budgeting approximately €10–20 per person. If it is closed, have a simple seafood lunch back in Premantura rather than adding a detour; this is meant to remain an easy final travel day.

Afternoon and evening in Pula

Return to Pula and head for the Verudela Peninsula, where a gentle one-hour shoreline walk gives you one last taste of the Adriatic without the steep streets of the old centre. Follow the paths around the resort and rocky coves, stopping wherever the sea views appeal; late afternoon is especially pleasant, though bring a light layer in the spring breeze. For your final dinner, make your way to Kantina Restaurant in central Pula for contemporary Istrian cooking, with local seafood, seasonal produce and regional wines. Reserve ahead if possible, particularly for an evening service, and expect around €25–45 per person. Before settling in, confirm tomorrow’s airport timing and fuel or vehicle-return requirements if the hire car has not already been handed back.

Morning

Keep your final morning simple and allow plenty of margin at Pula Airport. Before leaving your accommodation, check the hire car for luggage, fuel level and any new marks, then follow the airport signs from central Pula—the drive is usually around 10 minutes, but allow closer to 20–25 minutes in case of city traffic. Return the car in the designated rental area, photograph the vehicle and fuel gauge, and keep the return receipt until you have landed in Sydney. For an international departure, aim to arrive about two hours before take-off; the terminal is compact, but rental-car return, bag drop and security can take longer during busy morning periods.

Before Boarding

Once checked in, settle at the Pula Airport café for a final Croatian coffee and a light snack. Allow roughly 30 minutes here, choosing something easy to carry if boarding is called promptly—pastries, a sandwich and bottled water are more practical than a full meal. Prices are typically higher than in town, so expect around €4–8 for coffee and a snack. Keep your passport and boarding pass readily accessible, and check the departure screens rather than relying only on the original gate information, as smaller airports can change boarding arrangements close to departure.