Visiting Motovun, Croatia: Top Sights on Foot

Perched above central Istria, Motovun is a compact medieval town known for its stone walls, narrow lanes, and sweeping views over vineyards, woodland, and rolling countryside. Its hilltop setting creates an atmosphere far removed from Croatia’s busy coastal resorts, while local shops highlight the region’s truffles, olive oil and wines. Neywo offers a free audio guide for Motovun with one narrated place, available in 11 languages, so you can explore the town at your own pace.

Motovun Film Festival

The Motovun Film Festival is an annual celebration of independent cinema that transforms the town’s medieval streets into an open‑air cinema. First launched in either 1998 or 1999, the festival runs for five or six days from late July into early August. Although it began without a competitive programme, awards have been added over the years while the focus has remained on discovering and showcasing small‑scale productions from around the world. After 2023 the festival moved to a new venue at Petehovac in Gorski Kotar, but its origins and ongoing story are still tied to Motovun’s historic atmosphere.

Other highlights in Motovun

Walking through the old town reveals layers of medieval architecture, from fortified gates to ancient buildings that line the narrow lanes. The main square offers a panoramic outlook over the Mirna Valley, and the steep climb to the hilltop is rewarded with some of the best inland Istrian scenery. Along the approach to the centre, specialty shops sell fresh truffles, olive oil and regional wines, while restaurants serve dishes such as truffle‑based pasta that reflect the surrounding landscape. Although the town is generally peaceful, its cultural life includes events beyond the film festival, giving visitors a taste of local traditions.

Explore Motovun with Neywo

Neywo’s free audio guide lets you discover Motovun’s narrated place as you reach it, with the story playing automatically at your own pace—no group, no schedule. While the platform does not currently list any guided walks, bus or bike routes for Motovun, the single audio stop provides insight into the town’s heritage and setting. The guide is available in 11 languages, making it easy to follow along whether you are strolling the medieval lanes or enjoying the view from the hilltop. To start exploring, simply download the Neywo app, select Motovun, and let the narration begin as you arrive at each point of interest.