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Benussi - a spacious apartment in a medieval house.

Photo gallery for Benussi - a spacious apartment in a medieval house.

Roof top terrace with panoramic views
Bedroom in the loft- sleeps 3
Bedroom
Our apartment outlined in blue
The living room

Reviews

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 590 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Air-conditioning
  • Outdoor space
  • Parking available

Explore the area

View map
Vodnjan, Istria
  • Place, St Blaise's Church
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, Pula Arena
    ‪14 min drive‬
  • Place, Punta Verudela Beach
    ‪21 min drive‬
  • Airport, Pula (PUY)
    ‪14 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 5)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed and 1 Single Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Soap · Towels provided · Bidet · Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Dining area

About this property

Benussi - a spacious apartment in a medieval house.

The Casa Benussi apartment is in a much photographed Venetian Gothic house in prime position on the main square of the medieval town of Vodjnan in Istria. A sweeping circular stone staircase leads to the the apartment on the second floor. The rooms are very spacious and light with great views from all 8 windows! The property has been modernised with attention to the preservation of the original character. Vodnjan is 20 minutes from Pula airport (Ryanair), 2 hours from Rijeka airport and Trieste airport. It is also 20 minutes from Rovinj and 5 minutes from the ferry to Brijuni Islands. The apartment has a shared roof top terrace with spectacular views over the countryside, distant mountains and nearby sea. The local area is excellent for biking, exploring, walking and rock climbing. Nearby Pula has a large Roman amphitheatre, a busy harbour as well as museums, shops and many cultural and sporting activities. Frequent bus service.


Summer event: The town of Vodnjan has an extended programme of events in the summer, particularly in August. Our position is pretty much the equivalent of a 'Royal Box' for such events.

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washing machine
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space
Parking available

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property

About the area

Vodnjan

Located in Vodnjan, this apartment is by the sea. Pula Ferry Terminal and San Tommaso Winery are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those looking for area attractions can visit Labirint Energije and Labirint Moči. Labirint Mudrosti i Znanja and Labirint Osjecaja are also worth visiting. Discover the area's water adventures with scuba diving and waterskiing nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with cycling and mountain biking.
View more Apartments in VodnjanOpens in a new window
Map
Vodnjan, Istria

What's nearby

  • St Blaise's Church - 1 min walk - 0.0 km
  • Pula Arena - 14 min drive - 12.7 km
  • Forum - 15 min drive - 13.1 km
  • Punta Verudela Beach - 21 min drive - 17.3 km
  • Rovinj Harbour - 33 min drive - 31.6 km

Getting around

  • Pula Station - 13 min drive
  • Pula (PUY) - 14 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Beach Bar Kalu - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Lux Beach Club - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Pizzeria Peroj - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Do Beach Bar - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Bambino Fažana - ‬6 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Benussi - a spacious apartment in a medieval house. pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Benussi - a spacious apartment in a medieval house. ?

As of 4 April 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Benussi - a spacious apartment in a medieval house. on 13 June 2025 start from NZ$197, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking at Benussi - a spacious apartment in a medieval house. ?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Benussi - a spacious apartment in a medieval house. ?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Benussi - a spacious apartment in a medieval house. ?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Benussi - a spacious apartment in a medieval house. located?

Situated by the sea, this apartment building is steps from St Blaise's Church and within 9 mi (15 km) of Štinjan Beach and Pula Ferry Terminal. Orthodox Church of St. Nicholas and Archeological Museum are also within 9 miles (15 km).

Reviews

9.4

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 23 out of 31 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 6 out of 31 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 31 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 31 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 31 reviews

6.8/10

Cleanliness

8.0/10

Check-in

8.0/10

Communication

8.8/10

Location

6.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Archival

10/10 Excellent

RwslN3L2SQpug3rniCh+4BS+R+a2GrLbo5Ua65Ov/91q4WTd3AwP1UC+XPTTbX7h2RaisWxJDanBHwUo5vyIjj4ry1fQ6z31w23V R.

Easter in Istria

Wow! This apartment has been expertly and sympathetically renovated to provide a superb, spacious and bright holiday accommodation. It is set in the heart of the little town of Vodjnan and is within easy reach of anywhere in Istria. A hire car is a must to appreciate this beautiful, unspoilt corner of Europe. All the amenities in the apartment were clean and of good quality and the owners communicated well via email beforehand. Eating out is good value (we are a family of 5) and plentiful. I would not hesitate in recommending this apartment...it is truly wonderful!
Verified

2/10 Terrible

Marco M.

Disliked: Cleanliness, listing accuracy

Leider so verschmutzt, dass wir unseren Urlaub nicht genießen konnten!

Bettwäsche blutig und nicht frisch bezogen Geschirr im Schrank total verschmutzt mit Essensreste Alles verstaubt Boden nicht gereinigt Dachterssse vermüllt und mit Vogelkod bedeckt...gar nicht so wie auf dem Bild Es wäre eine schöne Wohnung, würde man auf sie schauen......SCHADE
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Stefan M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Hervorragende Unterkunft in einem wenig touristischem Ort

Sehr geräumiges Appartement mit großen Zimmern über 2 Stockwerke in einem historischen Haus direkt am Hauptplatz des Ortes. Die Einrichtung ist sehr geschmackvoll, keine übliche Ferienwohnungausstattung, sondern sehr persönlich meubliert. Alle wichtigen Haushaltsgegenstände sind vorhanden und funktionieren. Da alle Fenster zum Marktplatz zeigen, nimmt man automatisch am Geschehen des Ortes teil. Bis die letzten Gäste die Bars verlassen haben, ist es bereits nach 01:00 Uhr und die spielenden Kinder sind mit ihren Rollern auch bis elf unterwegs. Wir haben wegen dieser Geräuschkulisse die Fenster immer extra weit aufgemacht. Im Ort gibt es sehr wenige Geschäfte und keinen einzigen Laden für Touristen. Alles ist auf die Einheimischen abgestimmt. Ein sehr schöner alter Ort ohne Touristenflair. Die Wohnung passt wunderbar dazu.
Stayed 13 nights in Jul 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Bernhard M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Tolles Appartement in authentischer Kleinstadt

Schöne und sehr geschmackvolle Altbauwohnung. Vodnjan ist eine gemütliche und authentische istrische Kleinstadt mit sehr netten Menschen. Wir haben uns sehr wohl gefühlt und wollen wieder kommen.
Verified

6/10 Okay

Nina L.

Gorgeous location offering insight into local town

This location, right over a cafe on the main square, facing a Venetian-style Renaissance building, can’t be beat. Out every window is a picture postcard view. That said, the property feels as though you are staying in an extra room at a friend’s house that is sometimes used for storage: in the master bedroom a vacuum cleaner was left out next to the sofa, an extra mattress was leaning against the wall behind that same sofa. A mop in a bucket was left inside the foyer by the front door and a collection of a half a dozen used sponges were left on the bathroom window sill with the green plastic netting over the window peeling off. Houseflies and mosquitos were bothersome at night as no other windows have screens. Several lightbulbs were burnt out. The loft bedroom over the living room would be handy for kids but it does have an open staircase. Access to the apartment is up a stone circular staircase. While basic, the apartment does allow one to enjoy the rhythms of a small village, especially wonderful after six pm when it seemed that the only folks in town were local. The local property manager, Gordana, was helpful and even brought us a bottle of olive oil from her favorite producer. The two restaurants in town are very good and for fish, the coastal town of Fažana, with several restaurants, is only a ten minute drive away.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2018
Verified

8/10 Good

Sabine B.

schöne, großzügige Wohnung

Wir haben uns in der Wohnung sehr wohl gefühlt. Es war alles vorhanden was man braucht, sauber und sehr zentral gelegen. Insgesamt schon ein wenig älter aber trotzdem sind unsere Erwartungen erfüllt worden. Einziger Nachteil: die Wohnung befindet sich oberhalb einer Bar in der reger Betrieb herrscht, v. a. am Wochenende und von daher war es am Abend oft laut, bei geschlossenen Fenstern ok
Stayed 11 nights in Sep 2018
Verified

8/10 Good

Georg B.

Gut

Geräumig, wenig Handtücher, nicht 100% sauber in Bezug auf Geschirr. Gute Urlaubsatmosphäre, stimmig eingerichtet; gute Straßenverbindung zum Meer; das Local Vodjanska ist empfehlenswert vor Ort.
Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2018
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Cornelia H.

Sehr schönes Appartment

Wir haben uns sehr wohl gefühlt. Schöne große Räume; Zentral gelegen. Perfekt für Leute die gerne nicht nur am Stand liegen wollen. Ideal, da etwas abseits der Touristenströme...
Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2018
Verified

8/10 Good

sabine k.

Individuelle Unterbringung fernab der Touristenzentren

Sehr schönes, modern eingerichtetes und gut ausgestattetes Appartment in altem typisch istrischem Haus, zentral gelegen am Marktplatz im wunderschönen Vodnjan. Nette Betreuung vor Ort. Schöne Dachterrasse mit abendlichem Sonnenuntergangs feeling.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2018
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Tessa C.

Lovely apartment and very friendly staff at the cafe below.

We will definitely come back for another visit.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2017
Archival

8/10 Good

Susie B.

Beautiful apartment , lovely location.

Lovely holiday in this interesting town.
Stayed 14 nights in Jul 2017
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Tessa Clowney

Escape from other tourists!

If you want to escape the tourists and yet stay in a lovely apartment which looks on to the medieval square this is Benussi. Vodnjan is full of undiscovered historical treasures. The locals are very friendly and the pace of life is relaxed. Yet within 20 minutes you can be where all the action is in Rovinj or Pula. And the beach is 5 minutes by car if you want to have a dip in the clear waters of the Adriatic.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2017
Archival

8/10 Good

elisabeth s.

Wonderful stay inVodjnan !

We enjoyed very much our stay in the charming village of Vodjnan. The Benussi appartment is very well located, overlooking the main square which is beautiful. It was an opportunity for us to feel the croatian atmosphere of a typical village. It is well decorated and comfortable, the parent's bedroom is quite large and very pleasant. Staying in Vodjnan is perfect to discover the South of Istria : Pula is not far and you can find so many beautiful beaches. We will keep very nice memories of our stay there!
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Clare C.

Beautiful apartment in an idyllic old town

This was our 4th visit to Vodnjan and it won’t be our last. Each time we have stayed in Tessa’s apartments in the town square – twice in Castello and twice in Benussi. Both apartments are very clean, stylish and well appointed. The beds are very comfortable and both bath and beach towels provided. Both apartments share access to a roof terrace with fantastic views – perfect for enjoying a G&T before going out. Vodnjan is an excellent base from which to explore the whole of Istria by car. We have holidayed in Croatia many times over the last 10 years but this is our favourite part of the country. We love watching the world go by in Vodnjan and the slower pace of life there. It is a beautiful old town, with a very relaxed atmosphere and few tourists – perfect for a peaceful, romantic getaway! Benussi is the more spacious apartment with the best views over the town square. However, both apartments make for a comfortable and pleasant stay and renting both apartments would be a great option for a larger group. This year we were lucky enough to be there for some of the Vodnjan summer festival and were able to watch a couple of music concerts from the living room windows of Benussi. It really was just like being in a royal box! The staff in the cafe bar (Arka) below the apartment are very friendly, as are the locals in the apartment below. Arka is perfect for an evening drink and we always buy our morning coffee from there – much better than making your own. There is a good (Konzum) supermarket close by and a smaller shop in the square (selling most things). In Vodnjan there is also a fruit and vegetable and fish market and an excellent Pizza take-away. There are also two good restaurants; Girotondo which specialises in pizza and pasta and Vodnjanka which has a lovely roof terrace and serves excellent local specialities including beef with truffle sauce which is fantastic. Tessa has always been extremely helpful and is a good source of information. She always responds to emails promptly and efficiently.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Martin R.

Prachtige woning in het hart van Vodnjan

Twee weken zijn wij in Benussi geweest. Prachtig appartement met voorzieningen zoals airco in alle ruimtes, kookvoorziening, koelkast, wasmachine, droger, afwasmachine, strijkplank. Ook sanitair was uitstekend. Gelegen in Vodnjan met lieve buren en aardige mensen. Terras vonden wel wat klein en moest gedeeld met het andere appartement. Maar ook vanwege het mooie weer en de prachtige stranden 5 km. verderop, hebben we daar geen gebruik van gemaakt. Bij onduidelijkheid wie we konden aanspreken toen we het linnengoed niet direct konden vinden, was de eigenaar goed bereikbaar en regelde de voorziening gelijk. Helemaal top dus!
Archival

10/10 Excellent

N C.

great week

We stayed in Benussi for one week in August. The air conditioning was vital as the weather was scorching! The apartment had everything we needed for our family of 4. The beds were particularly comfy and the roof terrace was beautiful in the evenings. The wifi was well used for posting photos on instagram! Car parking was not a problem in the car park about 5 minutes from the house. The local beach at Fazane is rocky but the water is warm and there are lots of large inflatables for children around the ages of 8 to 14 or so. Ice creams are 60 pence each so we had rather a lot of them... One comment for Tessa, perhaps you could update the kitchen photo on the website as the photo is not of the kitchen in the apartment. The kitchen is well stocked and had everything we needed but there isn't an oven.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Nina P.

A gorgeous relaxing stay, in a very authentic town

We had a wonderful stay in your apartment, it was perfect! We found Istria to be full of food, culture and history and loved every minute of it! The bikes were great - although cycling in 37 degree heat was not so nice! There are many bike tracks throughout Istria which are great for exploring more of the countryside. We had everything we needed- thank you for such a great stay!
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Selina T.

Spacious apartment in a wonderful old building

We chose Casa Benussi as a base to explore Istria and it was ideal for that. Vodnjan is a lovely old town with very few tourists and the apartment has a fantastic view over the main town square, and you can watch children playing in the square and people meeting for a drink or coffee. The apartment was very clean and well equipped with air conditioning and a sound system. Beach towels as well as bath towels were thoughtfully provided. We used the two bicycles available with the apartment only on two occasions but very much enjoyed our rides outside the town and it was good to find helmets and a pump with the bicycles. We also enjoyed having a drink in the evening on the roof terrace, listening to the swifts and house martins in their evening flights, although it took some courage on the first attempt to find the terrace, exploring through the dim light of the unimproved attic of the building to find the stairs up to the terrace. However we had no problem finding our way into the centre of Vodnjan or locating the car park where we could leave the car following the map provided by Tessa. There is a good Konzum supermarket on the edge of town although getting into its car park took us three attempts because the underground car park was under repair. We particularly liked eating in the Vodnjanka restaurant and also having a fantastic pizza from the take away nearby. We would certainly recommend the apartment and if visiting it is worth the drive to Porec to visit the 6th century basilica there, although of course the amphitheatre in Pula mustn't be missed either.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

A lovely apartment in ideal location

It was just starting to rain when we arrived in Vodnajan. (It was nice and sunny the rest of the week). We had not realised until the week before we went that there is no parking at the apartment and the town car park is a few minutes walk away so we trudged through the cobbled streets with our suitcases trundling over the cobbles. We later learned that we could have dropped off outside the apartment as there is a route through. We met Matija who showed us around the apartment. I was slightly disappointed at first as the kitchen on the photograph is not the kitchen that is in the apartment. The kitchen in the apartment does not have an oven. One of the reasons I chose the apartment is that I like to cook myself due to food intolerances. However this did not spoil our stay an I managed with the hob and microwave and lovely pizzas from the restaurant at the end of the road. My parents aged 83 were with us and the stone staircase leading to the apartment was easily manageable by them (They are fitter than me I think!). The steps leading up to the roof terrace were a bit more of a challenge to them and they only attempted it once. The views from the roof terrace are astounding. The town square can be quite noisy on an evening and early morning. This was not a problem to my parents who were in the main bedroom but could be heard more from the loft bedroom. I didn't mind as we were happy to be up early. We also had a couple of thunderstorms through the night which was a bit scary in the loft bedroom! The towns water supply was cut off for 2 days and it was quite exciting to join the locals at the portable water tank which came into the square twice a day. Also the neighbours in the flat below have a well in the garden and provided water for us to flush the toilet! The neighbours were so friendly and helpful, such a lovely couple...I had a tear in my eye when I said bye on our last day (and again now typing this!). The apartment is an ideal location for visiting the area, Pula, Rovinj, Medulin, Fazana and Brijuni Islands are all well worth a visit. The apartment has a lot of character and it was easy to transport yourself back to medieval times :). The first day, no parking, no oven, climbing the stairs with our cases I thought "I am not sure about this!" By the end of the week I did not want to leave and I am so very pleased I chose Benussi for our holiday apartment . Lots of happy memories to treasure. I recommend Benussi for a holiday apartment.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Dan G.

Fantastic place!

Benussi was a great choice for us! Vodnjan is a great location for exploring Istria. The apartment is very well appointed and has a very comfortable and modern feel, even as it preserves the classic character of the building. The rooftop deck is amazing! We had breakfast up here every morning and finished each day with a candle-lit glass of wine overlooking the church tower. Fantastic! Tessa (owner) was extremely helpful and gave us great tips for shopping and exploring the area. The check-in/check-out procedures were easy and the parking was close by. We highly recommend this apartment and Tessa for her hospitality.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Margaretha A.

Schön und bequem

Eine sehr geräumige und gut ausgestattete Wohnung. Alles ist sauber und gepflegt. Von großer Vorteil im Sommer ist die Klima-Anlage die die Wohnung gut kühlt. Am Wochenende im Sommer word einiges auf dem Platz organisiert, was man von der Wohnung aus gut beobachten kann.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Fam. T.

Great apartment for a perfect holiday

We had a fantastic stay in this spacious, clean and stylish apartment! Provided with everything you need. Vodnjan is a lovely little old town and a great base to explore the rest of Istria. Recommended!
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Michelle C.

Wonderful flat for exploring Istria

My mom and I stayed at this lovely flat right on the main square of Vodnjan, one of Istria's many medieval towns. I would highly recommend Benussi for anyone planning to spend several days in Istria as you can easily make this your homebase and do daytrips around the region (Pula is only 10 mins away and the Slovenian border is ~ 1 hour). The owners are wonderful and made for a very seamless rental process. The flat has undergone significant renovation and provides for all the modern amenities you might need (including free wifi), so the pictures are true to form. As an added bonus, the local village's fabulous gourmet restaurant called Vodnjanka is within walking distance.
Archival

8/10 Good

Lovely Spot!

We had a fantastic stay in this stunning apartment looking over the square. It was the perfect place to look out into the hub of this little village and get a taste of Istrian life. We even watched a wedding procession with squash boxes! It's a great base to explore the rest of Istria. The apartment is fully equipped and had everything we needed. Spent most evenings on the roof terrace overlooking the city. Vodnjan conveniently located a short distant from Pula airport.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Perfect location for a holiday

We really enjoyed our stay in this amazing apartment, it was presented even better than the photos. Tastefully furnished with flair, provided with everything you could possibly want, even comfortable beds!The outlook was pleasant, giving us front row seats watching the locals conduct their daily life in the main village square, though at night it could be noisy if you wanted the windows open. We had the best of both worlds, lazy days in the apartment, exploring the village, and Istria sightseeing. Vodnjan was a perfect base to visit Istria, driving was easy and there are lots of interesting day trips.

About the host

Hosted by Tessa C (Irene B)

Host profile image
I am an Australian living in Scotland. I am now retired and have time to be an artist and enjoy spending time in Istria and France. I have 5 granddaughters. The oldest is 5!

Why they chose this property

My late husband and I fell in love with this property and its location. We got to know some of the local residents who are very friendly. Vodnjan is an undiscovered gem with a very interesting history.

Languages:

English, French, Dutch
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