Holidays in Umag, Istria – Perfect Mediterranean Vacation

With its superb beaches, colossal ancient monuments, mind-blowing natural beauty, mouthwatering foods and fun atmosphere Umag is attracting tourists since long. Umag is a coastal city of Istria in Croatia and is famous as Wimbledon-by-the-sea for its annual ATP tennis tournaments held on clay courts. Its population is around13,000 and it boasts of 45 km long amazing coastline. Apart from the beaches, it has a variety of attractions that offer tourists what they expect from a Mediterranean holiday.

Old Town of Umag

The Old Town of Umag is placed on a peninsula and takes you to the medieval era with its narrow streets and Gothic and Renaissance buildings, like the four churches built between the 13^th and the 16^th centuries. The City Museum in the Renaissance Tower is a must-visit for its exhibits of creations from ancient as well as contemporary artists.

Savudrija Lighthouse

Lighthouses are always fascinating with many of them surrounded by mystic legends. Savudrija is such an amazing lighthouse which, though not very isolated, offers a charm and peace. It tells a 200-year old history of the Umag-Savudrija area. Commissioned by Austrian Emperor Franz Josef I and designed by architect Pietro Nobile, it was world’s first lighthouse to give light from gas produced by distilled coal coming from a coal mine in the Labin area, and was first lit in 1818 in presence of the Emperor.

Gallery Marin

Besides a rich history, Umag has also a colorful heritage of art and you realize this when you visit the gallery Marin which has organized numerous exhibitions and cultural functions since its inauguration in 1997, with an emphasis on contemporary art production.  

Oceans and Rivers

The natural boundaries of northwestern Istria are formed by waterways on three sides. The beautiful Umag-Novigrad area is placed between two rivers, Mirna River (the longest river of Istria) on the south and Dragonja River on the north which borders the neighboring Slovenia. And to the west is the third aquatic border, the Adriatic Sea. All these water bodies greatly influence the identity of this region.

Mirna River through which boats could sail deep into the interiors, is today spanned by a number of bridges and has become increasingly enticing for day-trippers, sportspersons and anglers. The underground springs which feed the river are sources of drinking water supply to many households. The river has its own distinct ecosystem and over 200 bird species live here, near Novigrad, where Mirna meets the Adriatic.  And this is the place where the magnificent Motovun Forest thrives on the soil deposited by the river.

Dragonja River and its tributaries feature a number of mills along their banks powered by the force of their water.

The entire area is full of cultivations of olives and vineyards, and almost completely devoid of industries.

Sports

Croatia is a hot-bed for tennis talent. The tiny city of Umag has 60 tennis courts – most with competition standard clay surfaces. July is the month of the 20-year old ATP Croatia Open when the town is packed with celebs, VIPs and tennis stars.

The town abounds in football pitches too and also offers ample Adriatic water sports on its 45-km long Umag Riviera. Plus there is an 18-hole championship golf course and a 70-km bike trail, which rises from 0m to 293m above sea level close to Groznjan. This trail offers extreme peace and despite its steady climb is never lung-bursting.

Porec and Pula

The nearby towns of Porec and Pula are must-visit for their ancient architecture. While in Porec, visit Sveti Nikola Island by a regular boat service and enjoy swimming and sunbathing there, and also visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site – Euphrasian Basilica, famous for its gold mosaics and lovely buildings like Bishop’s Palace and baptistery. Take a walk on the Decumanus – the main street running east-west and the Marafor Square where still two temples of Neptune and Mars can be seen.

Pula takes you to the ancient Roman era through its 1^st century amphitheater – one of the six largest existing Roman arenas in the world. It is the sight of summer film festivals. Also don’t miss the 1^st century AD triumphal arch – the Arch of the Sergii and the coeval temple of Rome and Augustus.

And that’s not all! Umag has much more in its magic sac for you like adventures, Nature, multi-colored flora and fauna and much more!

This article is sponsored by istria-apartments.co.uk/en/umag which offers you the largest catalog of private accommodations in Umag, a rich photo gallery and a lot of other useful information.