Motovun by Car: Istria’s Hilltop Medieval Town — Parking, Roads and What to Expect

Motovun sits on a 277-metre hill in the Mirna River valley, one of Istria’s most recognisable medieval settlements. The town is entirely pedestrianised inside the walls, which means your car stops at the base and your legs do the rest. For travellers renting a car in Croatia, Motovun makes an excellent half-day trip from Pula, Rovinj or Opatija — but the approach road and parking situation catch some visitors off guard. This guide covers what you need to know before you drive there.

Getting to Motovun by Car

Motovun lies roughly in the centre of the Istrian peninsula, well connected by paved roads from every direction.

• From Pula: 55 km north via the B8/E751, then follow signs for Buzet and Motovun. Allow 50–60 minutes.
• From Rovinj: 40 km northeast via Žminj and Kanfanar. The route is narrower but scenic. Allow 45–55 minutes.
• From Opatija or Rijeka: 60–70 km south via the A8 motorway (Kanfanar exit), then 15 km of local road. Allow 1 hour 10 minutes.
• From Poreč: 25 km east via the B8. Allow 30–35 minutes.

The final approach is the part that gets attention. After leaving the main road, you climb roughly 3 km of switchback road that is paved but steep and narrow in places. Two cars can pass, but not comfortably. If you meet a bus or delivery van, one of you will need to reverse. First gear and a calm approach are your friends here.

Parking at Motovun

There is no parking inside the town walls. Visitors have three options:

Lower car park (at the base of the hill)

The main visitor car park sits at the bottom of the access road, roughly 400 metres below the old town. This is where most rental cars end up. Parking is paid during the summer season (roughly June–September) and free outside those months. During truffle season in September and October, the lower lot fills by mid-morning on weekends. Arrive before 10:00 or after 16:00 for the easiest spot.

Upper car park (closer to the gate)

A smaller lot exists roughly halfway up, near the town gate. It has fewer spaces and is intended for guests of the few hotels inside the walls and for drivers with limited mobility. Even if you find a space here, the remaining walk is still uphill and on cobblestones. In summer, this lot is often reserved for permit holders.

Street parking on the approach road

Some visitors park on the verge of the switchback road when the lower lot is full. This is technically possible but not recommended — the road is narrow, visibility is limited, and the local police do patrol and issue fines during peak season. Use the designated lot whenever possible.

From the lower car park, the walk up takes 10–15 minutes on a gravel and stone path. The climb is steady but not extreme. Wear decent footwear — the surface is uneven and can be slippery after rain. If you prefer not to walk, a small electric shuttle sometimes runs from the lower lot to the town gate during peak season, but it is not guaranteed. Do not count on it.

Road Conditions and Driving Tips

The roads leading to Motovun are fully paved and well maintained, but they are not motorway standard.

• Width: The final 3 km are narrow with no hard shoulder. Overtaking is not practical.
• Gradient: Sections exceed 10 per cent. A manual transmission car needs first gear. An automatic will handle it fine.
• Surface: Paved asphalt, but patches can be rough after winter. Watch for potholes in spring.
• Signage: Clear brown tourist signs point the way from the B8 and from the Kanfanar motorway exit.
• Lighting: None on the approach road. If visiting for an evening event, bring a torch for the walk back to your car.

A compact or mid-size car is perfectly adequate for the approach. A large SUV or estate car will make the narrow switchbacks more stressful, especially if you meet oncoming traffic. There is no advantage to a larger vehicle once you park — you are walking from that point.

What to Do in Motovun

The town is small — you can walk the walls and explore the main square in under an hour. Highlights include:

• The town walls and ramparts: Walk the circuit for panoramic views over the Mirna valley, the vineyards, and on clear days, the Adriatic coast.
• Motovun Forest: The oak woods below the town are famous for white truffles. Truffle-hunting tours run from October through December and can be booked in the town square.
• St. Stephen’s Church: The 17th-century bell tower dominates the skyline and is visible from kilometres away.
• Film festival: The Motovun Film Festival takes place each July, screening independent films in outdoor venues around the town. If you visit during the festival, parking demand triples and accommodation inside the walls books out months ahead.
• Local producers: Several family wineries and olive oil makers operate in the surrounding hills. Tastings are usually by appointment and make a natural extension to your visit.

Nearby Day Trips by Car

Motovun sits at the heart of central Istria, making it easy to combine with other stops in a single day:

• Grožnjan (15 km north): Another hilltop town known for artists’ studios and summer music workshops. The road is narrower than Motovun’s but scenic.
• Buzet (12 km northeast): The “city of truffles” with a compact old town and several truffle-themed restaurants.
• Pazin (20 km southeast): Home to the dramatic Pazin Cave and the Castle of Pazin, said to have inspired Jules Verne.
• Višnjan (18 km southwest): A quiet village with an astronomical observatory and some of Istria’s better-known olive oils.
• Lim Fjord (25 km west): A 10-km drowned valley with steep green walls. Several seafood restaurants line the shore. The road from Motovun passes through Kanfanar and is straightforward.

Practical Tips for Your Visit

• Best time to visit: Spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October) offer the best light for photography, fewer tour buses, and comfortable temperatures for the climb. July and August are hot and crowded — arrive early.
• Footwear: Cobblestones inside the walls are polished smooth and can be slippery. Leave the flip-flops in the car.
• Cash: Some smaller producers and the summer parking attendant prefer cash. Most restaurants accept cards.
• Toilet facilities: Public toilets are limited. The cafes and restaurants inside the walls generally allow customer use.
• Dogs: The walk from the car park is dog-friendly, but the cobbled streets inside the walls are steep and can be hard on older dogs.

When to Rent a Car for Motovun

Public transport to Motovun is limited. There is no train station nearby, and bus connections from Pula or Rovinvj run infrequently and drop you at the base of the hill — you still face the climb. A rental car is the practical choice for anyone basing themselves in Pula, Rovinj, Poreč or Opatija who wants to explore the interior of Istria at their own pace. If you are flying into Rijeka Airport, Motovun is a natural first or last stop on an Istrian road trip before heading south to the coast.

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