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Unique Play of Nature
Apart from the Brijuni Islands, the only national park in Istria, there are six different categories of natural heritage under protection.
The mountain massif of Ucka, also the highest peak in Istria, was proclaimed a nature park, since it is the natural environment of several protected plant and animal species.
Special reserves of botanical-forest vegetation are Motovun Forest and Kontija Forest, a special marine reserve is the sea and sea bed of Lim Bay, whereas Datule near Barbariga is a special paleontological sight.
Istria also has six forest parks - Zlatni rt, Sijana, Skaraba, Busoler, Kasteja Peninsula and Soline Hill near Vinkuran, and nine protected landscapes - surroundings of Istarske toplice near Buzet, Lim Bay, Pazin abyss, Rovinj archipelago and coastal area, area of Gracisce - Pican, area around Labin, Rabac and Prklog Cove, upper and lower Kamenjak with Medulin archipelago and area of Ucka.
There are five botanical nature sights, mostly centuries-old trees, one zoological nature sight - Pincinova Cave, three geomorphologic - Markova Cave, Podbaredine Cave and Vela Draga below Ucka, and one geological nature sight - Fantazija Quarry. Along with the line of cypresses at the Rovinj cemetery, the park in Nedescina is also considered a monument of park architecture.
Natural heritage under protection
Brijuni Islands
 
The Brijuni island group that lies off the southwest coast of Istria in the vicinity of Pula, was once the meeting place of the European and world jet set. As the only national park in Istria, Brijuni with its 14 islands covering an area of 736 square hectares presents a unique play of nature that brings together remarkable animal species and rare and rich flora all at one place. It ranks as one of the loveliest archipelagos in the Mediterranean.
Day by day the long forgotten splendour of the past from the beginning of the 20th century is slowly returning to Brijuni which is once again becoming the elite meeting place of the business world. Each guest knows that on this small, yet unique area there is a chance to enjoy the simple and often forgotten charms of nature – clean air, crystal-clear sea and untouched Mediterranean vegetation.
The islands can be reached by boat departing daily from the nearby fishing village of Fazana. Registration at the reception of the Brijuni National Park is required. Sightseeing tours of the archipelago by boats start as well from the Pula waterfront with longer or shorter stops in the Brijuni Islands waters.
Cape Kamenjak
 
The unusually indented southernmost cape of the Peninsula is equally interesting viewed from land, air or sea. It is one of the last oases of the coastal region that has preserved its original appearance - a mosaic of cultivated fields, pastures and green groves immersed in the deep blue sea. Resembling at first glance scorched land of the southernmost tip of Istria, Cape Kamenjak conceals great secrets of nature.
Lovely coves and beaches, as well as crystal-clear sea make this area a particularly attractive destination. Although camping is not allowed in this area, there are various other opportunities for visitors to enjoy the beauties of Kamenjak. One of the marked Istrian bike tracks passes here, and since it is not demanding, everyone can enjoy the easy ride and magnificent views. Or one can also spend the entire day walking and discovering the beauties of Kamenjak.
This protruding peninsula offers numerous possibilities for summer sports. Due to the extremely strong sea currents that meet here, diving is allowed only for professionals, but always accompanied by experienced and certified divers. Favourable winds offer great possibilities for windsurfing, however one should be careful and first check the weather forecast, because sudden changes of weather conditions, wind and sea currents on the southernmost tip of Istria are nothing unusual at any time of the year.
Palud
 
In Palud cove, 8 kilometres southwest of Rovinj, is the only ornithological park in Istria. Palud is a natural depression in close vicinity to the sea, which because of the inflow of water from the surrounding hills and plateaus, as well as springs on the northern side has turned into a swamp.
In 1906 when there was an Austro-Hungarian military base in Barbariga, a 200-meter-long canal was dug from the swamp to the sea. This was done to increase salinity of the marsh water and so prevent the development of mosquito larvae that were the main transmitters of malaria.
By connecting the sea and swamp Palud gained its new inhabitants such as grey mullet and eel, fish that are found in areas where seawater mixes with freshwater. Older people of the Rovinj area recall seeing even other species of fish in the swamp that came in search of food. The great variety and number of resident and migratory bird species is surely the most important feature of this unique swamp.
Lim Channel
 
Some twenty minutes’ drive north of Rovinj lies a flooded canyon valley - Lim Channel, also known as Lim Bay or Lim Fjord.
Lim Channel is part of the 35 km long Limska draga hollow that stretches almost to the town of Pazin in the very heart of Istria. The channel itself is over 10 km long and surrounded on both sides by steep hills that can reach up to 100 m in height.
Cave Baredine
 
Protected geomorphologic natural monument
Meet the mystical world of nature which has been developing for thousand of years, far away from the light of the day and the human eye. Visit the underworld the Baredine Cave. This cave is a treasure chest of stalagmites and stalactites, underworld sculptures created through time by the patient work of water. Such shapes have been created, some of which are exceptional, such as the 10 meter long and high curtains, a very realistic sculpture of Our Lady, the body of a milkmaid called Milka, the leaning tower of Pizza and snowman the torchbearer-who has become the trade mark of our cave.
In one of the atriums you will pass a crater that is 4m wide and 66 m deep which goes down to the underground lakes. And so through five halls, five galleries of abstract and realistic sculptures, a pleasant 40 minute walk, accompanied by our guide and custodian. The excitement of this adventure is also meeting the animals of the underworld. You will see the human fish and endemic animals that live only in this environment, miniature see-through crabs and insects.
At the cave's entrance there is a museum showcase where pottery of prehistoric man has been exhibited. Our far ancestors would probably leave the pots during the hot, dry, summer day to collect the precious water, drop by drop.
Pazin Cave
 
Some hundred metres beneath the largest and best preserved medieval castle in Istria, the largest Istrian karst river Pazin?ica disappears into the crater of this most striking example of karst evolution in Istria and the surrounding area.
This cave is an attraction that leaves a strong impression on every visitor - from Dante and Jules Verne to everybody else who has had the chance to see this unique work of natural forces. The cave has recently been opened to public.
Ucka Nature Park
 
Located in one of the northernmost spots of the Mediterranean area, Mount U?ka visually dominates the Istrian peninsula and the Bay of Kvarner. The Nature Park covers an area of 160 km2.
To experience one of the most stunning panoramas in this part of Europe, climb the highest peak of U?ka - Vojak (1401 m). Its stone tower offers a breathtaking 360-degree-panorama of the Istrian peninsula, northern Adriatic islands, mountains in the Gorski kotar region, and all the way to Venice and the Alps.
U?ka is the only place in the world where you can take a photograph of the U?ka (Tommasini) bellflower, and one of the last European sites where you can watch griffon vultures or golden eagles. Apart enjoying good vibrations, here you can also taste sweet local dishes made of chestnuts, asparagus and other specialities of the healthy traditional cuisine.
U?ka Nature Park includes two educational trails (the Plas that passes over the top ridge of Mount U?ka, and the 2-km-kong Vela draga) and the Slap hiking path.
Motovun Forest and Istarske toplice
 
Indigenous alluvial hardwood forest. A very valuable region with respect to natural science, economics (truffles), cultural history (St. Mark’s Forest) and tourist.
Motovun Forest stretches along the valley of the River Mirna and is the best-known site for finding truffles, subterranean fungi, which are claimed to have aphrodisiac qualities. It is the habitat of the largest and most prized of all truffles – the white truffle. The Istrian white truffle is known for its unique taste and exquisite aroma owing to specific local climatic conditions.
Nearby are the thermal springs of Istarske toplice, a spa rich in healing spring waters.
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