Up in Croatia’s northwest corner, atop river valleys and rolling vineyards, there’s an artists’ enclave where culture and tradition are cherished. Creatives have lived in the picturesque town of Groznjan since the mid ‘60s, when a sculptor invited fellow artists to move in and restore the dilapidated buildings. Today, the town is packed with galleries and studios, and it has a lively cultural calendar incorporating arts events and an annual jazz festival. Much of the population here is Italian, and with the Slovenian border also nearby, this is a region shaped by many influences.
To experience its authenticity, base yourself in one of the ancient stone houses that pepper the lush landscape of the Mirna Valley, like this hideaway in a small hamlet on the fringes of Groznjan. Revived from a 150-year-old ruin, it retains much of its original character, with exposed stone walls, timber beams and shuttered windows. There are two double bedrooms, one upstairs, one down, each with a private bathroom, and a lovely country kitchen with an open fireplace for cosy evenings together. Outside, a pool and candlelit pool house gaze out over a Mediterranean scene of herb gardens, fig trees, olive groves and vineyards. While nearby, the Adriatic glistens. It's quite a landscape for inspiring artists.
The Groznjan Hideaway
Istria & Kvarner, Croatia
Highs
- The house is rustic but luxurious: four-poster beds and linen furnishings mingle with ancient beams and exposed stone walls
- The two bedrooms have separate entrances and access to their own bathrooms, making the house ideal for two couples travelling together, or a family with teens wanting privacy
- The boho-style pool house has a big open fireplace and is lit by candles and lanterns for atmospheric alfresco evenings
- This corner of Istria is blissfully authentic, with great wine, Italian-influenced cuisine, arty locals and a calendar of cultural events
Lows
- Not ideal for families with younger kids, as the bedrooms are in separate buildings
- No twin beds
- You need a car to get here, buy groceries and explore the area
Best time to go
Our top tips
This is a fantastic place for cyclists and hikers, with plentiful trails of varying difficulties leading directly from the house. A great route follows the old Parenzana railway line from Trieste to Porec (110km), passing through Groznjan and over viaducts across the Mirna Valley, where you get stunning views across to the Adriatic. Information about routes and local bike hire is included in your guest guide.
- Boutique Villa
- 2 bedrooms
- Self-catering
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Outdoor Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car essential
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Daily Maid Service
- Towels & Bedlinen
Rooms
The Groznjan Hideaway comprises an old stone house and a former stable/barn, which connects to the house via the ground floor. You enter into a cosy farmhouse-style kitchen, where an open staircase leads up to the lounge above, while another leads to the main bedroom. Below, on the basement level of the barn, is the second bedroom, which has its own entrance via a little patio. All of the rooms are a good size, which is uncommon in traditional Istrian houses.
Throughout, the furnishings are sympathetic to the traditional style of the house. Wood, stone and linen feature heavily, and there’s a magnificent fireplace built into the wall of the kitchen (firewood is provided). Both bedrooms have four-poster beds made of oak, and each has a private bathroom. The upper bathroom is next to the bedroom and has a walk-in shower that's quite compact, while the downstairs bathroom is ensuite and comes with more space and a shower over the bath.
The outside space is leafy and secluded. You get two outdoor dining tables, a saltwater pool with sunloungers, and the cutest poolhouse with sofas, a coffee table, a fireplace and lanterns. Vines provide shade, wisteria provides colour, and the surrounding vineyards and leafy hillsides make this is a very peaceful spot for alfresco relaxation.
Features include:
- Air conditioning
- Bluetooth sound system
- Central heating
- Coffee / tea making
- Fireplace
- Hairdryer
- Mosquito net
- Pool towels
- Radio
- Satellite TV
- Terrace/balcony
- Toiletries
- WiFi
Eating
The kitchen is the hub of the house. There’s a gas combi hob, oven, fridge/freezer, dishwasher, Nespresso machine with milk frother, and a Bodum coffee maker. Olive oil and spices are provided. Dine together at the long wooden table, where bench seats are softened by sheepskin throws, and the fire will warm you on chilly evenings, or eat outside and light the charcoal grill.
For food supplies, there’s a small grocery shop a 10-minute drive away in Groznjan, while larger supermarkets, a bakery, butcher and cafes can be found in Buje (15-min drive), plus a good market in Motovun (15-min drive). For eating out, Groznjan has a pizzeria and a great music/jazz bar, while Krasica (10-min drive) has a stunning bar/restaurant called Stara Skola. You'll find lots of other restaurant recommendations in your guest guide.
This region is great for foodies. Olive trees and grapevines cover the hillsides, so expect excellent oils and wines. Browse local markets for seasonal produce, like figs, honey and cheese, then take them back to the house for a picnic in the garden. Or you could seek out a traditional konoba, which is a family-run taverna serving whatever’s fresh that day.
Features include:
- Barbecue
- Basic ingredients provided
- Coffee maker
- Dishwasher
- Food blender
- Fridge
- Full kitchen
- Hob or stove
- Oven
- Toaster
Activities
- Explore arty Groznjan, a tiny hilltop town turned artists’ colony, dotted with galleries and studios
- Taste your way through local wineries. The region is known for crisp Malvasia and robust Teran; many cellars offer informal tastings
- Wander the cobbled streets of Motovun, perched high above the Mirna Valley, with honeyed stone buildings, sweeping views and a languid, olde-worlde feel
- Truffle hunt in the Mirna Valley - this is prime territory for Istria’s prized white truffles; join a local guide and their dogs, then feast on your finds
- Head to the coast for a day trip. Novigrad is the closest beach (16km), while Umag (20km) and Porec (24km) are also nearby
- Cycle or walk through vineyards and olive groves - gentle trails and more challenging routes criss-cross the countryside
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Cycling
- Hiking
- Museums / galleries
- Shopping / markets
- Swimming
- Truffle hunting
- Wine tasting
Kids
The Groznjan Hideaway works well for a relaxed family holiday with older kids. There's a swimming pool set in a walled garden, and beaches are about a 20-minute drive away.
Best for:
Babies (0-1 years), Teens (over 12)
Family friendly accommodation:
The second bedroom is on the lower level and has its own entrance, so it works best for older children who are happy to be more independent, or teens. If you're travelling with one younger child, you could make use of the daybed in the living room on the upper floor of the main house. Note that neither bedroom can be twinned.
Cots Available
Families Should Know:
The pool is unfenced
Distances:
- Airport: 1 hour
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
The Groznjan Hideaway is in a hamlet outside the attractive small town of Groznjan, in the north of the Istrian peninsula, inland from the coast.
By Air:
The most convenient airport is Pula (70km) towards the southern tip of the peninsula, and a wide range of carriers also use Trieste (across the border in Italy; 196km). Rijeka is another airport worth considering (100 km), as is Ljubljana (167km) or Venice (217km).
By Car:
You'll need a car to get here and explore the area. If you need to hire one, see our car rental recommendations.
Airports:
- Pula Airport 70.0 km PUY
- Trieste 96.0 km TRS
Other:
- Beach 20.0 km
- Shops 4.0 km
- Restaurant 2.2 km
Need flights?
We recommend Skyscanner which compares all airlines in one easy step