The sweet town of Fazana in Istria is just 10 kilometres north of Pula, and the departure point for boats to the Brijuni Islands National Park. Often described as a “fishing village” (for that’s what it once was mostly known for), Fazana does receive a fair few visitors each year due to those passing through to the Brijuni Islands. But should you visit and stay in this town itself? Yes! Here’s the Visit Croatia for what to see and do in Fazana.
Getting to Fazana
The nearest airport to Fazana is Pula Airport which is only 20 kilometres away from the town. Numerous airlines fly to Pula duirng the summer months – see our Getting to Istria section for details of these.
Should you be travelling to Fazana from elsewhere in Croatia, travel to Pula first. You can then get a local bus – bus line number 21 – from Pula to Fazana, or an Uber/Bolt or taxi to make the short journey.
Events in Fazana
The More na stolu (Sea on the Table) street food festival in June for you to enjoy seafood and fishes dishes, alongside live music.
Every Wednesday evening starting in June and through the summer, Traditional Evenings on Fazana’s Waterfront takes place. Handcrafted goods and traditional gourmet items will be for sale.
“Fazana under the stars” is a series of concerts in July that take place on the harbourfront.
Late July sees a boat regatta take place in the Adriatic just off the coast of Fazana.
What to See and Do in Fazana
Explore the town
Fazana is just the sort of place for wandering around on foot, taking in the brightly-coloured buildings and little streets and alley ways. A stroll along the seaside promenade is also a must!
Beaches
Bathing with a view! The beaches in Fazana have the Brijuni islands as a backdrop, which is certainly atmospheric!
The are two main public beaches in Fazana, one just north of the main port and one just south. The first is a pebble beach with shallow entry into the sea (great for kids!), you can rent loungers and umbrellas here and there’s also an inflatable aquapark…everyone’s favourite beach activity! There’s also a beach bar for light dining and drinks.
The beach south of the port is also a pebble beach but larger and offers slightly more in terms of facilities. Again, you can rent beach furniture here and there are also showers; there’s a small kids’ playground and several beach bars too.
Semi-Submarine Tour
Common in this part of Croatia, a 45-minute tour of the local waters of the Adriatic will delight both little kids and big kids! The Fazana Semi-Submarine (meaning, the top part never gets submerged) offers large windows for viewing sea life – expect to see fish, jellyfish, crabs, sea flora and more.
Day Trips
If you’re in Fazana, you can’t not visit the Brijuni Islands, can you? You can visit the main island of Veliki Brijun on either a guided tour or self-guided tour (and there’s lots to enjoy just wandering around by yourself) and/or the island of Mali Brijun on a guided tour on the weekends. Boats to Veliki Brijun operate year-round, whilst to Mali Brijun they run only during the summer.
Tickets for the Brijuni Islands can be purchased on the Brijuni Islands NP website or at the ticket office in Fazana.
Do take a look at our guide to the Brijuni Islands to find out what to see and do there.
Pula would also be a suitable day trip from Fazana, seeing as it’s only a short hop away!
Adventure
Young thrill-seekers will delight in the Jangalooz Adventure Park, an aerial obstacle course over different levels, the tallest of which is 10 metres in the air! There is also a zipline and trampoline park here; do note that Jangalooz is only open to guests of the Bi Village resort. (See below under Accommodation for more details.)
Eating and Drinking in Fazana
Ristorante Da Nonna is one of the top choices for eating out with a really excellent selection of local dishes, many fish/seafood heavy, of course. Do start your meal with one of their beautifully laid out sharing platters.
Konoba Feral is another restaurant right in the heart of Fazana that serves top quality local specialities. Opt for one of the grilled fish options, or try a pasta dish with typical Istrian noodles – pljukanci or posutice.
If you like your wine, La Bodega is the venue to head for – they have a truly amazing selection. Pair your chosen wine with nibbles or tapas, but do they also have a full menu of dishes that are highly rated.
Pizzeria Bambino is the place for tasty pizzas, but much more besides!
Beach Bar Shark has light bites, cocktail and other drinks and is a great place to relax during the daytime, or for living it up in the evening and early hours.
Accommodation in Fazana
Fazana is home to a handful of pleasant hotels as the four-star Heritage Hotel Chersin, a sweet little place that is in the centre of town and just steps from the beach. Also four-stay, the Hotel Villa Vera is also a few minutes’ walk away from the beach, and features an outdoor pool, fitness centre and restaurant.
The three-star Hotel Marina is indeed right by the marina (there are gorgeous views from some of the rooms!), and is located in a three-hundred-year-old property. The Villetta Phasiana offers comfortable rooms and is also in a central location.
There are plenty of apartments and villas for rent in Fazana and the wider area too. Search for hotel and rental accommodation in the town using the map below:
Do also consider the excellent resort Bi Village on the outskirts of Fazana. With mobile homes, lodges, villas and B&B suites, this large-scale resort offers multiple pools, a full host of sports facilities, a private beach (even a dog beach!), trampoline and adventure parks and a great selection of restaurants and eateries.
Just to the north is another excellent campsite, Camp Pineta. Set in beautiful nature, the campsite offers mobile homes and space for tents.
Don’t forget that there are also a few accommodation options – including hotels – on the Brijuni Islands. The Hotel Neptun right by the main harbour on Veliki Brijun is a top choice, and you can look back at Fazana!
More info
You can find out more about this “charming little town” as the tag line on the Fazana Tourist Board website says.
The Istria Tourist Board website also has a guide to Fazana.