Tourism represents a complex socio-economic phenomenon, manifested today in the multiplicity of selective forms, which include rural tourism as an increasingly popular form of tourism in the international tourism market. This paper analyzes the significance and particularities of rural tourism as a special selective form, as well as the historical development at the national and regional level of the Istrian County. Of particular importance in the context of rural tourism are family agricultural farms as an indispensable segment of this selective form, which significantly contributes to the sustainability of tourism development. Family agricultural farms enrich the tourism offer, contribute to the building of Croatia's image as a tourist destination, increase its competitiveness, the development of which is now being strongly supported by the European Union. The main goal of rural tourism in the Istria County area is to raise the quality of life of the local community and prevent depopulation. Consequently, due to the benefits gained by the local community, further dynamic growth and development of family agricultural farms is expected in the future.