A small hilltop town in central Istria, known as the region's truffle capital. Local restaurants serve traditional dishes with fresh truffles year-round.
Perched 150 meters above the Mirna Valley in northern Istria, Buzet welcomes visitors with medieval streets and white truffles that rank among the world's most valuable. Walk through stone buildings dating to the 1500s, stop at cafes overlooking the valley below, or head into the woods with local hunters and their dogs to search for truffles. In September, the town square transforms during the Subotina festival, where locals cook a giant truffle omelet and celebrate in traditional dress.
Getting to Buzet
Buzet sits 50 kilometers from major cities like Rijeka, Poreč, and Trieste. You can drive to the town through the Požane-Sočerga border crossing from Slovenia, which sees less traffic than other checkpoints. Regular buses connect Buzet with Rijeka, Pula, and Zagreb, while trains stop at the station 4 kilometers north of town.
Walking the Medieval Streets
Enter the old town through the 16th-century Large Gate to discover streets lined with Renaissance-era buildings. Look for stone coats of arms marking the former homes of Venetian captains. Inside the 1611 Church of St. George, you'll find intricate baroque altars and frescoes. Walk along the town walls for sweeping views of the Mirna River valley and the forests where locals hunt for truffles.
Finding Truffles in Buzet
Book a truffle hunting experience with local guides and their trained dogs in the Mirna River woods. Black truffles grow from January to September, while the rare white truffles emerge from September to January. Tours typically last 3-4 hours and end with tastings of truffle-infused cheese and salami, paired with local Malvazija wine at family-run tasting rooms.
Celebrating at Subotina Festival
During the second week of September, the Subotina festival kicks off truffle season. Watch as local cooks prepare a massive truffle omelet using 2,000 eggs and 10 kilograms of truffles in a 2.5-meter pan. The streets fill with dancers and musicians in traditional Istrian dress, while food stalls sell regional dishes like fuži pasta and local wines.
Exploring Villages Near Buzet
Drive 5 kilometers to Roč, where you can walk among Roman and Renaissance buildings inside 15th-century walls. Continue along the Glagolitic Alley to Hum, home to a medieval church with 12th-century frescoes. Stop at konobas (taverns) serving homemade pasta and locally produced wine. The route features stone monuments marking the history of the Glagolitic alphabet, created by monks Cyril and Methodius.
