Holidays to Fazana

Fazana’s waterfront has a buzz as locals sip coffee on the way to work and visitors plan visits to Brijuni National Park, just a short 15-minute boat ride away. There are also organised boat excursions and water taxis.

Beneath the palms and pine trees, don’t miss the Sculptors Promenade” on the waterfront. Designed by local artists using stone and metal (with a blue fish being the star of the show of course), this permanent exhibition was erected during 2006-2008 showing the relationship between the silvery blue fish and their relationship with the sea and people.

During a stay, visitors may see old black and white photos of former Yugoslavia’s leader “Tito” who spent six months a year at his official residence on the Brijuni islands. It was from Fazana that he escorted and travelled with his many famous guests including Queen Elizabeth “of UK, Sophia Loren and her husbands, world leaders including President Nasser, Fidel Castro and many more.

There are restaurants, bars, shops, banks along the waterfront and in the charming tiny narrow streets.

There is a lovely sparkling white pebble beach to one side of the centre and other pebble beaches to the south side. Some locals say that Fazana may only have a couple of beach bars but they are some of the best beach bars in the country.

There is a small market with stalls selling beachwear and souvenirs and a local fresh market a few streets back which is usually open from 0600-10. Unusually for a beachside spot, there is a large public car park (close to the beachwear market stalls).

Ulysses Festival is an amazing arts festival with a twist. It takes place on either Veliki or Mali Brijun Island, evenings in August and the ticket price includes return boat trip.

Remember this phrase: “Fazana’s Small Pilchard Fishing Academy”, you might never have heard that term on a holiday!

Did you know?

• Some of Istria’s bestselling oil which wins international awards comes from the area just inland of Fazana, around Vodnjan and Valbandon. Really good, tasting excursions can be arranged at the hotel reception
• Visitors can join in many of the sardine-pilchard relating workshops
• Almost every restaurant in Fazana has daily fresh blue fish offer caught by the locals
• The old centre of Fazana is car-free, totally pedestrianised
• Well-known spots in Istria such as Rovinj and Porec are under an hour away. Famous Pula under 15 minutes (local bus) and the Lim Fjord around 25 minutes’ drive
• Visitors can visit the Brijuni islands either including an organised trip on arrival with English speaking guide or do it completely independently