Motovun: town walls, old town and a day trip from Bale

Updated October 12, 2026.

Explore Motovun on foot, through the gates to its hilltop square. The walls overlook the Mirna valley, truffle woodland and central Istrian vineyards.

From Gradiziol to the upper square

For a first visit, walk along Gradiziol towards Josef Ressel Square, the lower square beside the town loggia. Pause before the gate for a view across the Mirna valley. Two rings of defensive walls separate the approach from the oldest part of town. The outer passage houses a collection of stone inscriptions and reliefs.

Through the next gate, you reach Andrea Antico Square, beside St Stephen’s Church and the communal palace. The church was built between 1580 and 1614. Its neighbouring 27-metre bell tower dates from the 13th century, when it served as a defensive tower. The church square therefore retains features of the former fortress. On the way down, take Borgo, the street descending the southern side of town, to avoid retracing the whole route.

Motovun stands on a hill 277 metres above sea level. A walk along the walls gives a broader view of the valley and woodland than the narrow streets inside the old town.

Parking, the climb and tickets

Leave your car in a marked car park below the centre. Parking is divided into three zones, with charges varying by zone and season. Kanal is in zone two and Sajmište in zone three. If you are visiting with children or have limited mobility, allow for the climb from the car park as well as the drive from Bale.

A local transport service connects Kanal with Motovun. The 2026 return fare is €4 for adults and €2.50 for children aged 7 to 14. Children under seven and visitors with disabilities travel free. You will still need to walk along sloping stone streets in the upper town, so flat shoes with a good grip are a practical choice.

The “Motovun Impressions” ticket covers the walls, the Pet kula art gallery, the town loggia and the Nova vrata tower. Prices for 2026:

• Adults: €5.
• Children aged 7 to 14: €3.
• Students up to age 25 with a valid student card and pensioners: €3.50.
• Children under seven and visitors with disabilities: free.

Parking and local transport are paid for separately from this visit.

Truffles in the valley, wine below the town

Pedunculate oaks grow in the lowland Motovun Forest beside the Mirna, where truffle hunters search for white truffles. This helps explain the place of Istrian truffles in local cooking. A truffle dish on a menu does not necessarily contain fresh white truffle, which is seasonal.

To follow your walk with Istrian Malvasia and Teran, Tomaz Winery stands at the foot of the town. Its tasting room in Kanal looks towards the family’s vineyards and Motovun. You can divide the outing between the upper town and a tasting below, without driving back up towards the centre.

Distance from Bale: 54 minutes driving (63.1 km)

For: families, first time visitors, history lovers, art lovers, nature lovers, dog owners

Parking: charged

Address: Motovun, Istria, Croatia

What to do: information, architecture, landscape, refreshments, food and drink

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