Only ten kilometres from Rovinj, yet a different world: Bale (Valle in Italian) is a compact stone village on a hill whose houses nestle in a circle around the castle. Further inland lies Svetvinčenat with one of Istria's finest Renaissance squares and a mighty castle. Both are ideal for anyone seeking quiet, authentic Istria while staying close to the sea.
At a glance
Region
south-west Istria
Bale – Rovinj
approx. 15 km
Bale – Svetvinčenat
approx. 20 km
Airport
Pula (approx. 30 km)
Best time to visit
May to October
Ideal for
those seeking peace, couples, cyclists, families renting a holiday home
Bale: a village in a circle
Bale's old town is built in a ring around the hill; the outer walls of the houses once formed the town wall. Its centrepiece is the Gothic-Renaissance Soardo-Bembo castle on the main square, next to the parish church with its free-standing bell tower. Concerts take place in the lanes in summer; the village is popular with musicians and artists.
The Bale coast
The municipality includes about 12 km of barely developed coastline with rocky coves, pine woods and the Mon Perin holiday resort. The coves are reached via gravel tracks, many with no facilities at all – bring water, shade and water shoes. Dinosaur bones were found at Cape Kolone.
Svetvinčenat: square and castle
Svetvinčenat (Sanvincenti in Italian) was laid out in the Renaissance around a large rectangular square. One side is occupied by the Morosini-Grimani castle, the others by the Church of the Annunciation, the loggia and an old well. In summer a medieval festival and other festivals take place here; the castle is open to visitors.
Honest verdict
Without a car or bike it's difficult – buses are rare. But if you're looking for a stone house with a pool, evenings on the village square and days at almost empty coves, this is one of the best bases in southern Istria. Rovinj, Pula and the hinterland are each 20–30 minutes away.
