white truffle season in Istria: autumn 2026 festival calendar
October is peak season for the Istrian white truffle. Which weekend to pick, where to taste it and what to order, from Livade and Motovun to Buzet.
In inland Istria, October belongs to the white truffle. The Istria Tourist Board names October as the peak of the season for the Istrian white truffle (*Tuber magnatum Pico*), and this autumn's main truffle events all take place in northern Istria, around the Motovun Forest. If you're heading to Istria in the coming weeks, here's when and where to go.
where truffles grow and why now
Both white and black truffles grow in Istria's so-called truffle triangle between Pazin, Buje and Buzet, with the Mirna river valley and the Motovun Forest as the best-known spots. Truffles grow underground and are found by specially trained dogs. White truffles ripen in autumn, which is why the "Istrian White Truffle Days 2026" programme runs from 5 September to 8 November, with most of the action in October.
what's on until the end of the season
| Date | Place | Event |
|---|---|---|
| Saturdays & Sundays, 3 Oct – 1 Nov | Livade | Zigante Truffle Days |
| 17–18 Oct | Motovun | Teran and Truffle Festival |
| 24–25 Oct | Livade | Tuber (Food) Fest |
| 7–8 Nov | Buzet | Istrian Truffle Festival |
Zigante Truffle Days run on weekends from 10:00 to 19:00 at Livade 7, and according to the official listing entry is free. The organiser promises a truffle market, a wine exhibition, local Istrian products (prosciutto, sausages, cheese, honey, olive oil), cooking workshops and truffle-hunting demonstrations in the forest.
The Teran and Truffle Festival on Andrea Antico Square in Motovun pairs truffles with teran, an old Istrian red grape variety that goes well with cured ham and game.
Tuber (Food) Fest in Livade mixes street food with traditional Istrian cooking, with the focus on truffle dishes, plus workshops and a children's programme.
The Istrian Truffle Festival in Buzet (big tent at Mašimova škuja) closes the season with a truffle exhibition and market, local produce, the "Buzet na pjatu" ("Buzet on a plate") cooking show, live music, a kids' corner and the "Truffle Hunt" race (mountain biking plus trekking).
what to order
Look for fuži and pljukanci (two kinds of hand-made Istrian pasta), njoki (gnocchi) and fritaja (an omelette), all with truffles, and truffles served with meat. Have a glass of teran with it and take your time: autumn lunches in an Istrian *konoba* (a traditional tavern) aren't meant to be rushed.
tips
- Plan around a weekend. Zigante Truffle Days are on Saturdays and Sundays only, and the Motovun, Livade and Buzet festivals last two days each.
- Check the schedule before you set off. The official calendar doesn't list exact hours for the Motovun, Livade and Buzet festivals, so confirm with the local tourist board (contacts are on each event page).
- Don't expect fixed prices. The price of fresh truffles depends on supply and quality, so ask before anything goes on the scale.
- Combine the festival with a day out. Livade sits in the middle of the Motovun Forest, and Motovun, Oprtalj and Buzet are old hill towns in the same area, easy to pair with a festival visit.
- Book your table. On festival weekends it pays to reserve lunch at a konoba in advance.