Being a digital nomad in Central Istria, Croatia

We recently visited the stunning region of Central Istria in Croatia and were hosted by the Central Istria Tourism Board to discover the best of the region and how easy it is to be a digital nomad there.

I’ve been a digital nomad for five years, have visited dozens of countries in that time and lived in four of them. One of those countries was Croatia, where I lived for a year and a half on the Croatian Digital Nomad Visa.

While I lived in Split for most of that time, It’s been incredible to see how much of Croatia is set up for Digital Nomads.

Central Istria is particular is impressive because while it does not have the same volume of mass tourism that is seen in Dubrovnik, Split or other Croatian coastal cities, this underrated part of the country is all about slow, sustainable living, balancing work with outdoor activities, great food and warm, welcoming culture.

Lush rolling green hills covered in trees and small vineyards

Istria

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Why is Central Istria suited to digital nomads?

As a self-employed digital nomad, I chose this path because I needed a better work-life balance. If I can’t have a good balance between work and enjoying life then as far as I’m concerned, I’ve failed in my goals of being a business owner and digital nomad!

What instantly invites me to Central Istria is how easy it is to achieve that work life balance.

The pace of life is slower here, no one is rushing, no one is burned out, overworked or letting life pass them by. This is a region of slow living, enjoying the outdoors and fresh air, revelling in the amazing food and wine that the region produces, enjoying the miles of hiking and biking trails, speaking to your neighbours and having a feeling of community, because that’s what’s important here in Central Istria.

I love my lifestyle, but it can be hard to integrate into a community when yourself or others are moving on so frequently, or big hubs like Split are so tourism focused that it’s hard to meet people who are staying longer.

Central Istria has a strong sense of identity and community and that community was nothing but warm and welcoming during our stay. We even had two people from our group start making serious enquiries about moving there because of our trip - that’s how welcoming and impactful the lifestyle is in Central Istria!

If you are a digital nomad that values outdoor activities, time spent outside and if you enjoy biking, hiking or any other outdoor adventure activities, Central Istria is perfectly suited to you because all of this is literally on your doorstep - the nature in the region is stunning and perfectly explored via outdoor activities like this.

Helena sitting on the edge of a cliff next to a waterfall with a small body of water below

Zarecki Krov Waterfall

Helena in a white jacket sitting on a stone wall with many green rolling hills and small villages dotted behind her

Istria viewpoint

 

How is Central Istria set up for digital nomads?

On a practical level, because the region is not as dependent on seasonal tourism like Dubrovnik or Split, there is accommodation available year-round and the prices do not fluctuate seasonally like it does in those mass tourism destinations. Meaning you can get a great rate for long term stays, especially for 1-3 month stays in the region.

Also I was incredibly surprised by the quality of internet connection! Being a digital nomad means that internet connectivity is essential and we even stayed in a pretty rural eco-village setting called Banki Istrian Green Village and the internet was perfect - super fast, never dropped out, was great for calls and they even had a small co-working space set up on site.

Helena in a pink shirt sitting at a wooden table in a winery giving a presentation

Digital nomad talk Istria

 

What can digital nomads do in Central Istria?

Okay so what are the best things to do in Central Istria for digital nomads?

In just a week we went ziplining on the Pazin zipline, we went hiking along some of the region's 800km of hiking trails. We went off-roading in a Landrover Defender. We went wine tasting at two wineries and learnt about local spirit production at a local family-run distillery.

We visited countless konobas and ate some of the most authentic food and drank incredible wine, most of which was produced just a short distance away.

We experienced the coworking and event spaces at locations across the region, including two of the best named working/event spaces I’ve ever come across - the House of Sausage and the House of Proscuitto (the region is famous for its cured meats, in case you didn’t know!)

You can discover charming, authentic villages and towns like Gračišće, Tinjan, Pazin and so many more!

You can go further afield and take day trips to the coast with destinations like Pula and Rovinj just a short drive away.

Helena in yellow standing next to a white Land Rover Defender 110 in a green field

Offroading Istria

Helena ziplining across a gorge with many green trees below and a town in the distance

Pazin Zipline

A wooden table with 4 glasses of white wine placed in a row

Domaine Koquelicot Wine

 

Where is the best place to stay in Istria for digital nomads?

The beauty of Central Istria is the hyper local communities and I would be tempted to stay in one of the charming villages or small towns such as Gračišće or Tinjan.

If you prefer a bigger town with all amenities though, Pazin is perfectly set up with accommodation, shops, supermarkets, restaurants, cafes, bars, working spaces and plenty to do.

We stayed at Banki Green Village which is like luxury glamping, although this is probably not a long term place to stay if you’re looking for a month or more, I do think this is a great location if you have a vehicle and are planning to be in the area for a week or two.

The town of Pazin with its castle on the edge of a gorge

Pazin

A large two level white and wood glamping tent with a wooden deck and large seating area surrounded by trees

Banki Green Village Istria

 

Tips for Digital Nomads staying in Istria

  • If you have a car, that really is the best way to explore the region and experience those incredible, charming and authentic towns and villages

  • If you don’t have a car, hire a bike (bike hire in Pazin) and explore the regions cycling trails, there are so many and this region really is an outdoor adventurers paradise

  • Look for longer term accommodation options, anywhere longer that 2 weeks is likely to have a better price the longer you stay

  • Although Istria isn’t as seasonal as other parts of Croatia, you will find better deals and often a nicer experience if you travel in the shoulder seasons or low seasons (October to May in Istria)

  • Ask for an internet speed check before you book your stay

Helena in a white jacket walking down a wet cobbled stree with many old stone shops lining each side of the road.

Grozjan, Istria

 

Are there any resources, meetups or groups for digital nomads in Istria?

I find Facebook groups to be the best source of information from locals and expats.

  1. Check out expats in Istria for more on the region.

  2. Make sure to keep an eye out on Meetups.com for local events and meet ups

  3. Use the Central Istria Tourism Board website to find local events

  4. Airbnb, NomadStays and NomadList are all great resources for finding long term stays and getting more advice about the region

 

Summary: Being a Digital Nomad in Central Istria

While Central Istria might not be the first region that comes to mind when you think about digital nomad destinations, I think the pace of life is much more suited to digital nomads rather than mass tourism destinations.