10 things to do in Hum Croatia: The world's smallest town

Hum is one of the most charming towns I’ve ever visited, and that’s why I keep coming back. Get all the insider tips to Hum Croatia here.

Have you ever heard of Hum?

If not, let me introduce you to the world’s smallest town with only 52 residents (as of 2021).

Despite its tiny size, Hum has a rich history, beautiful scenery, and small details to keep you engaged for half a day.

In this post, I’ll share everything I know about Hum and give you tips on how to plan your visit.

Let’s dig in.

This post contains referral links for products I love. Adventurous Miriam earns a small commission at no extra cost to you if you purchase through my links. I appreciate your support ♡ Learn more

Hum croatia

Hum is the smallest town in the world

Yes, you read that right.

With 52 inhabitants and a size of 100×30 m in length and width, Hum Croatia is the smallest town in the world.

Now, you probably know lots of places that are much smaller, right? We all do.

So, what exactly makes Hum run off with the title as the smallest?

Hum is considered a town because it has its own local government and council. This governing body allows it to hold the status of a town, making it the smallest town in the world.

Every year, the town council elects a new mayor in town. It takes place atThe Mayor’s table (a stone table) in the loggia next to the church.

History of Hum

Hum’s history takes us back to the early medieval age. It first made an appearance in documents from the 12th century, where it was referred to as Cholm.

Interestingly, the town was completely walled in back then, built on top of an earlier fort.

All the homes were built within the walls. And here’s what’s really cool about Hum – from its inception till now, almost nothing has been built outside these walls.

This makes Hum a unique example of a town that’s developed entirely within the confines of its medieval walls. It’s a rare sight.

In the 16th century, they added a watch tower, a bell, and a town loggia, beefing up the town’s defences.

Despite all the changes over the centuries, Hum has kept its original character.

The legend of Hum

Legend has it that Istria was created by giants who collected stones and constructed towns atop the picturesque green hills.

The story goes that Hum was built accidentally. As the tale tells it, while the giants were busy building cities along the Mirna River valley, they found themselves running short on stones.

So, they decided to create this miniature town with what they had left. And that’s how Hum was born.

Where is Hum?

Hum is located in the heart of Istria, a region in northwest Croatia known for its hilltop towns, delicious truffles, and breathtaking views.

The nearest town to Hum is Roc, which is only a few kilometres away.

How to get to Hum

You can only get to Hum with an organised day tour or a car. There’s no public transportation.

I’ll go through your two options below:

Organised day tour

Only a few tours to Hum are available, and they take off from Zagreb, Rijeka and Novigrad.

Day tour from Zagreb to Hum, Motovun and Pula (⭐ 4.5/5) Book here
Day tour from Rijeka to Hum (⭐ 5/5) Book here
Day tour from Novigrad to Hum and Motovun with truffle hunting. Book here.

Rental car

If you’re not joining a day tour, you’ll need a rental car.

That’s how I’ve always visited, and the town is easy to find. Once we got to Hum, we parked outside the town gate and walked around town from there.

Best Car Rental Company:

DISCOVER CARS

When booking your car rental online, I recommend Discover Cars. They compare prices at car rental agencies all over the country to get you the best deal.

BOOK WITH DISCOVER CARS

Where to stay in Hum

Jasmina Apartment (⭐ 9.9) A spacious apartment with an extremely pleasant ambience and very friendly hosts. The high rating says it all. Check availability here.

10 things to do in Hum

If you’re visiting by car, I recommend arriving early (before 11 am) so you can have lunch here. Here are the top things to do in Hum when you get there:

1. Wander the only two streets in town

Hum has two main streets, but don’t let that fool you. There’s a lot to look at, from flowers to art decorations and a few stores.

Take a stroll through the two streets and notice all the small details that make Hum so charming.

2. Visit the church of the Assumption of Mary

The Parish Church of the Assumption of Mary is a historical gem. Built in 1802 by local master Juraj Gržinić, it stands on the site of an earlier church.

With its classical facade, it’s a key part of Hum’s cultural heritage and adds a unique charm to this smallest town in the world.

You’ll find the Baroque church at the town’s entrance, right next to the bell tower.

3. Taste Biska (mistletoe schnaps)

Hum is known for three things: for being the smallest town in the world, for the Glagolitic alphabet (more on that in a minute) and for its Biska.

Biska is a kind of brandy made from white mistletoe, grape marc, and a few other herbs. The recipe? Well, it’s been around for about 2,000 years.

This ancient mix was first made by Celtic druids who lived on the Istrian peninsula.

They even wrote the recipe in Glagolitic script – that’s how the people of Hum found it. And they’ve been making Biska the same way ever since.

The folks running Hum’s only tavern (Humska Konoba) were handed down this recipe from a vicar who knew his herbs.

So, while most people just hang up mistletoe for Christmas, Croatians here in Hum use it to make brandy. You can taste it at the konoba.

4. Stop by Raboš Wine Bar

Raboš Wine Bar is located in the heart of Hum.

It’s the perfect place to enjoy a glass of Istrian wine while you take in the tranquil atmosphere of Hum.

5. Shop at Aura Shop Hum

On one of the two streets in town, you’ll find Aura Shop.

This shop offers an eclectic mix of souvenirs, local products, and traditional Istrian crafts.

6. Enjoy the view

The view from Hum is amazing.

Trees, green hills and lush nature. There’s a nice viewpoint at the entrance to town, and the view from Humska konoba isn’t too shabby, either!

7. Eat and drink at Humska konoba

Humska konoba is the only tavern in town and it’s been in business since 1976.

The menu?

Pure local goodness. It’s packed with the best of Istrian food.

You’ve got truffles and homemade pasta – a classic combo. Then there’s the delicious ravioli and hearty meat dishes. And let’s not forget about the local wine.

So good!

8. Visit Viale Glagolitico

Hum is famous for Glagolitism, an old Slavic writing style.

You’ll find this ancient writing in the town. The Glagolitic alphabet was created in the 9th century by a monk named Ćiril and was used up until the 19th century.

There are no numbers in this alphabet – instead, they used special signs with dots or lines to represent numbers. And it’s not all the same either – there are two types of Glagolitic writing. One has round letters and the other one, only used in Croatia, uses sharp, angled letters.

You can follow the Glagolitico road to Roc and find sculptures of the alphabet on the way.

9. Go truffle hunting

If you’re visiting in the winter months, you have a chance to hunt for white truffles around Hum. You can go truffle hunting for black truffle all year round.

If you’re a truffle lover like yours truly, it’s a unique experience that’s often followed by a 3-course truffle meal! Yuuum!

🐶 Nearby truffle hunting tours:

Truffle hunting in Motovun. Check rates here
Truffle hunting in Buzet with 3-course meal. Check rates here.

10. Hum cemetery

Tucked within the cemetery lies Hum’s oldest and most distinguished building – the Church of St. Jerome.

This petite church is from the 12th century and houses frescoes from that era.

The cemetery is located on a small hill overlooking the town.

Where to next?

After visiting Hum, take a short detour to the neighboring towns of Roč, Buzet, or Motovun.

Here, you can explore more charming hilltop towns, go wine tasting and enjoy the views!

Roč

Roč has this quiet charm about it – think old buildings, peaceful streets, and some lovely views. It’s a hidden gem, so you can take your time, explore at your own pace.

The town’s restaurant, Rocka konoba, has the best truffle dish in Istria, and the owner is so nice and welcoming.

Buzet

Buzet is known as Istria’s truffle capital, so it’s a must-visit for truffle lovers.

Buzet is also larger than the other hilltop towns so you can find a gas station, supermarket and more here.

Motovun

Oh, I love Motovun, especially in the morning. It’s perched on a hilltop with the best view over the area.

The town itself is pretty charming – think medieval architecture, cobblestone streets, and old-world charm.

Plus, it’s known for its annual film festival, so if you’re into movies, you’ll love it here. Not to mention, the local food and wine are top-notch.

Read next: 15 magical things to do in Motovun

FAQ about Hum

Is Hum Croatia worth visiting?

Absolutely! Hum is a unique town for several reasons and although it’s small, you’ll find medieval charm, cute houses, amazing food and beautiful views here.

How big is Hum?

Hum Croatia is known as the smallest town in the world and is quite tiny indeed.

The town measures just 100 meters by 30 meters, roughly equivalent to a small city block.

What is Hum famous for?

Hum is famous for three things:

1. It’s the smallest town in the world
2. Biska (mistletoe schnaps)
3. Glagolitism, an old writing style from the 9th century

Why is Hum the smallest town in the world?

Hum in Croatia is considered a town because it has its own local government and council, despite its small population of around 52 people.

This governing body allows it to hold the status of a town, which makes it the smallest town in the world.