Fuente beach, Funtana: relaxing at the spring of friendship (Istria)

Fuente beach near Funtana is a relatively quiet spot for a good day on the sand. The beach bar of the same name beckons you to relax. Relaxing ‘at the spring of friendship’, as they put it.

Funtana in Istria

Funtana lies between well-known, popular coastal towns like Poreč and Vrsar in Croatian Istria. Which means tourists passing through sometimes leave it, quite literally, to one side.

Anyone who knows Croatia will not fall over in astonishment at the beauty of Fuente beach. Because this place does not entirely steal the show. Even so, you can happily spend a morning or an afternoon there:

• First because it seems fairly quiet and oasis-like compared with the towns mentioned above.
• The sea itself also looks a little calmer. Fuente is a pebble bay; the bottom slopes gently.

The Adriatic does not come across as wild and deep here as it does at some rocky beaches. Which makes the swimming rather more pleasant. You do always have to pay attention at the coast, of course.

Fuente Beach Bar

City marketers the world over go all out with their own takes on the big white ‘Hollywood’ letters. The Fuente beach bar comes with slightly smaller blue ones.

This modern bar has a trendy, welcoming character, with tempting snacks and appealing drinks. The mood feels easy-going, which really applies to the whole region.

From tourism clichés to a lovely atmosphere

Walking further along the coast you soon see one of those photogenic and, really, typically touristy swings. Funtana is emblazoned above the seat, of course. The blue letters almost disappear against the equally blue sky.

More striking is the text on the seat itself: na izvorima prijateljstva. Here you relax ‘at the spring of friendship’.

Big ‘city letters’, a trendy beach bar and a swing with a slogan: a collection of tourism clichés. Yet the lovely atmosphere makes up for much of it, as do the green surroundings.

Funtana, named after a natural spring, lends itself to good, relaxed moments. We would not advise a detour especially for it. But do take the time if it is on your route.