Istrian Cycle Explorer

5.0Based on

Bicycle Self Guided

Carbon neutral

8 daysDuration

Private TourPrivate experience, no group joining

16 peopleMaximum group size

18 - 99 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

Moderate

Involves sustained activity requiring a reasonable level of fitness and endurance.

Starts

Porec, Croatia

Ends

Porec, Croatia

Highlights

Cycling through the beautiful landscapes of Istria

Visiting the fascinating towns of Motovun, Groznjan, Pula, Rovinj and Porec

Learning about the region's cultural heritage

Enjoying sampling the local delicacies

Itinerary

Cycle through the lush landscapes and medieval treasures of Croatia’s largest peninsula with the "Istrian Cycle Explorer" tour. Over eight days, this self-guided bicycle journey starts and ends in Porec, guiding travelers through Kaldanija, Rabac, and centuries-old hill towns like Groznjan and Motovun. The route is thoughtfully crafted to balance nature, history, and culture, taking you past vineyards, olive groves, and vibrant riverscapes. After a rewarding day’s ride, relax in welcoming family-run hotels and sample the region’s celebrated wines. The unique selling point: the freedom to explore Istria’s hidden corners at your own pace, with the comfort of pre-arranged accommodation and the promise of daily discoveries. This tour package is ideal for moderately active travelers who appreciate a blend of scenic cycling and cultural immersion.

day 1 - Arrive Porec

Make your way to Porec and check in at the first hotel (due to availability we occasionally use a hotel in nearby Vrsar). Porec is rich in culture and history and we recommend taking some time to walk through the town this afternoon. You can walk along the old city centre, where you'll find the Roman Forum, magnificent palaces from different historical periods, and to top it all off, the famous Euphrasian Basilica (Euphrasiana). At 7.00pm there will be a welcome briefing where you'll receive your rental bike.

Overnight Porec or Vrsar.

day 2 - Discover Porec by bike, cycle along the coastline to the Buje region (72km/45mi)

Today you begin by cycling along the coastline with its beautiful bays, enjoying the breathtaking Mediterranean landscape with green vineyards and olive groves. Along the trail you will reach Višnjan,with its astronomical observatory, the Mirna river delta, then Novigrad, before arriving in Umag. Umag has a rich historical heritage and each year hosts a unique festival, of the traditional organ (Organum Histriae). Situated on a peninsula, founded in the transitional period from late antiquity into the early middle ages, its historic centre speaks with the spirit of the old Venetian Republic. Continue to the northernmost point of Istria (Savudrija) before finishing the day in the Buje region. Overnight in Volpija or Kaldanija (3 star hotels option) or Brtonigla or Nova Vas (upgrade option).

+724 m/2375ft, -581m/1906ft

Meals:Breakfast

day 3 - Cycle via fascinating towns to Buzet (54km/34mi)

This morning you will cycle to the pretty hilltop town of Groznjan, known as 'the town of artists'. Groznjan is a typical medieval Istrian town overlooking the Mirna river. Take time to stroll through the town to see the St Vitus and Modeto's church and Renaissance loggia and admire the views, before getting back on your bike and continuing to Sterna, named for its large cistern, Oprtalj with its portals and covered passages, and finally Buzet. Buzet is known as the 'city of truffles' as the surrounding forests are some of the best areas in Istria for finding these gourmet delights. Overnight Buzet.

+845m/2772ft, -831m/2726ft

Meals:Breakfast

day 4 - Cycle to Rabac or Labin, pearls of Kvarner Bay (67km/42mi)

After conquering the tough climb to Prodani this morning, the cycle route will lead to one of the most attractive and picturesque medieval towns of Istria, Draguc. Once renowned for its cultivation of silk worms, Draguc today is almost completely abandoned. You may recognise its natural beauty, stone architecture, palaces and old churches, as many movies and TV series have been filmed here. Continue to Pazin, the heart of Istria. In the first written record of the town in 983, Pazin is known as the cultural, commercial and educational centre of the entire central region of Istria. From Pazin you pass through Gracišce, a jewel of the Istrian hinterland, before continuing to Rabac or Labin, both pearls of Kvarner Bay.

+1204m/3949ft, -1069m/3506 ft

Meals:Breakfast

day 5 - Continue through a nature reserve to Pula (53km/33mi)

This morning you'll ride across Raša, which was the first modern mining town in Istria. Along the way you'll find yourself in the beautiful nature reserve of Liburna, full of native animals (including very friendly donkeys!) and a unique ethnological collection of antique tools. You'll end the day in Pula, which just like Rome, is a city built on seven hills and home to a magnificent amphitheatre, dating from the 1st century BCE. Pula has been casting its spell on visitors for centuries, and you're sure to be enchanted too.

Overnight Pula.

+560m/1837 ft, -815m/2673ft

Meals:Breakfast

day 6 - Cycle along the coast towards Rovinj (61km/37mi)

Today's cycle takes you along the coastline towards Rovinj. This morning you will head for the mysterious world of the Bale region. Bale was built along the Via Flava, the ancient Roman road that connected Trieste and Pula. Pass by Svetvincenat, with its grandiose towered citadel and 16th century Venetian style houses. A rare witchcraft trial was held here in the 17th century. You'll finish the day's cycle tour in Rovinj.

+591m/1938ft, -586m/1922 ft

Meals:Breakfast

day 7 - Cycle past a marsh, a fjord, coastline and fishermen villages to Porec (60km/38mi)

Today's cycle has much to pique your interest, including a marsh and a fjord, a spectacular coastline, legends of buried pirate treasure, and an ancient solar observatory. The ride will take you across Kanfanar to the ruins of the medieval town of Dvigrad. After cycling along the coastline you will reach Vrsar, a quaint fishing village that was twice visited by Casanova. From here you'll head back to Porec (or your hotel in Vrsar) for your last overnight stay.

+787m/2581ft, -791m/2594 ft

Meals:Breakfast

day 8 - Trip concludes

The trip concludes this morning with arrangements ending after breakfast.

Meals:Breakfast

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What's Included

Accommodation

7 nights in 3-4 star hotels and guesthouses on a twin share basis with ensuite facilities (option to upgrade to 4* hotels - supplement applies)

Meals

7 breakfasts

Others

Welcome briefingDigital documents with Navigational AppHybrid bike with bike odometer, water bottle holder, saddle bag containing spare tube, tyre lever and tools, hand pump, lock, 1 waterproof side pannier, handlebar phone holder, helmetDaily luggage transfer, 1 bag per person, 20kg maximumTransfers as noted in the itineraryEmergency hotline

What's Excluded

Customer Reviews

Read what other travelers have to say about Istrian Cycle Explorer

5.0

based on 1 review

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