Buje
A hill town called the sentinel of Istria, looking over vineyards to the sea and the Alps.
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Buje stands on a hill above the vineyards of north-western Istria and was known as the sentinel of Istria for the view from it - on a clear day the sight runs from the Adriatic across the Istrian interior to the Julian Alps behind. The old town is a Venetian core of stone lanes round the church of St Servulus, with the bell tower on the highest point and stretches of the old wall built into the houses. The surrounding district is one of the strongest wine areas in Istria, producing malvazija and teran, and a number of the producers around the town receive visitors by arrangement.
What you actually see
- A view from sea to Alps - the reason for the sentinel name.
- A Venetian stone core - lanes around St Servulus and its tower.
- Wall stretches in the houses - the defences built into later building.
- Malvazija and teran country - the vineyards below the hill.
When to go
May to October, with the harvest in September. Half a day.
Honest expectations
The clear view is not a given - haze closes it for much of the summer. The old town is small and mostly residential. Wine visits need arranging in advance. Parking is below and the walk up is steep.
Nearby
Groznjan is south-east; Umag and the coast are west.
What to pack for Buje
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.