The mountain massif of Ucka, also the highest peak in Istria, was proclaimed a nature park, since it is the natural environment of several protected plant and animal species. Special reserves of forest vegetation are Motovun Forest and Kontija Forest, a special marine reserve is the sea and sea bed of Lim Bay, whereas Datule near Barbariga is a special paleontological sight.

Istria also has six forest parks (Zlatni rt, Sijana, Skaraba, Busoler, Kasteja Peninsula and Soline Hill near Vinkuran) and ten protected landscapes - surroundings of Istarske toplice near Buzet, Lim Bay, Pazin-Pisino abyss, Rovinj-Rovigno archipelago and coastal area, area of Gracisce - Pican, area around Labin, Rabac and Prklog Cove, upper and lower Kamenjak with Medulin archipelago and area of Ucka.

There are two botanical nature sights, mostly centuries-old trees, one zoological nature sight - Pincinova Cave, three geomorphologic - Markova Cave, Podbaredine Cave and Vela Draga below Ucka, one geological nature sight - Fantazija Quarry, and six monuments of park architecture.