Bale's Scenic Viewpoint

Bale, known in Italian as Valle, is a small hilltop town in southern Istria, and its scenic viewpoint is less a single designated lookout than a series of places along the edge of the old town from which the landscape opens out. Bale sits on a low rise in a land of red earth, olive groves, vineyards and meadows, about fifteen kilometres from Rovinj, and from its edges you look over a green and gold countryside that runs to the sea on a clear day. It is not a dramatic panorama of mountains, but a gentle, spacious view, which suits the quiet character of the town.

The best approach is to walk to the outer lanes and squares at the edge of the old centre, where the houses open to terraces and gaps between buildings, and where you see the farmland spreading below. In the late afternoon, the light turns the stone and the fields warm, and the sound of church bells and the smell of grass and herbs carry on the air. On a clear day, the coast is visible on the horizon, and the white towers of Rovinj's church may be seen in the distance. The position of the town on a hill explains its historical role, since the high ground gave a good view of any approaching danger, and the old walls and towers once made use of it.

The town has a distinctive identity, and the butterfly is its symbol, appearing on signs and in decorations, a charming local touch that makes a walk through the lanes feel a little playful. The surroundings are known for good olive oil, cheese and wine, and local producers invite visitors to taste and buy, while cycling and walking routes cross the countryside. Bale also has a pleasant microclimate, with an average of around two and a half thousand hours of sunshine a year, which is why the area is good for outdoor activities for much of the year.

There is a curious natural attraction nearby: fossilised dinosaur footprints, left on the surface of rocks more than a hundred million years ago, can be seen in the area, which adds a very ancient layer to the landscape. The cultural calendar includes summer events with music and theatre in the squares of the old town, and other entries in this guide describe the castle, the market square, the churches and the olive groves.

The viewpoint is free and open at all times. Early evening is the best time, with softer light and cooler air. Wear comfortable shoes for the polished stone of the lanes, and bring a camera. Allow thirty minutes. It suits couples, photographers and anyone who wants a quiet moment in an inland Istrian village.