Cycling around the Istrian peninsula
Join us on unique cycling adventure along the east and west coasts and the inland of Istria. Cycling trails pass through beautiful landscapes dotted with old villages and picturesque towns. Sweep into valleys with rivers and forests, meandering through tunnels over bridges and viaducts, between the vineyards and olive groves of Istria’s top producers. Pass through the medieval towns of Grožnjan and Motovun, situated on hilltops with fantastic views. Take a look at the former Roman colonies of Poreč and Pula while enjoying the richness of local istrian cuisine. HIGHLIGHTS: Cycle through vineyards and olive groves, Visit towns of Motovun, Grožnjan and Rovinj, Learn about the Istrian cultural heritage, Euphrasius basilica in Poreč, Amphitheater in Pula
Cycling adventure along the Istrian peninsula
Join us in an interesting cycling adventure along the Istrian peninsula. Ride along the east and west coasts, and into the Istrian inland. The tracks pass through beautiful landscapes dotted with old villages and picturesque towns. Sweep into glorious valleys with rivers and forests and emerge again onto the slopes of hills, meandering through tunnels, over bridges and viaducts, between the vineyards and olive groves of Istria’s top producers.
Impressive traces of the Roman Empire
On our journey we will passthrough the medieval towns of Grožnjan, Oprtalja and Buzet, situated on hilltops which afford fantastic views. We will also visit the former Roman colonies of Poreč and Pula, which have kept impressive traces of the Roman Empire. Among the charms of culture and the beauty of nature, enjoy the richness of flavors of local Istrian cuisine, excellent Istrian wines and olive oil.
Cycling around the Istrian Peninsula offers the perfect blend of adventure, culture, and relaxation. The stunning natural beauty, combined with rich history and top-notch gastronomy, makes it a cyclist's paradise. If you're looking for challenging routes wanting to explore charming coastal towns, Istria has something to offer everyone.
Discover hidden gems off the beaten path
With well-maintained routes, bike-friendly towns, and the opportunity to discover hidden gems off the beaten path, cycling in Istria is a fulfilling and immersive way to experience the best of Croatia’s most picturesque region. It’s not just about the destination—it’s about the journey through one of the Mediterranean’s most captivating landscapes.
Availability
Self-guided cycling along Istrian peninsula, CLASSIC – 8 days / 7 nights
For the classic tour you’ll mainly stay in small, locally-run, guesthouses and 3 star hotels, which reflect the character of the area.
Self-guided cycling along Istrian peninsula, PREMIUM – 8 days / 7 nights
If you choose a premium tour you will be staying at 4* boutique style hotels.
Itinerary
Arrival in Poreč, Info meeting with Fiore representative at 7pm at the hotel reception area where we will provide you with the package including hotel vouchers, bicycle with all equipment, maps and a road book. Overnight in Poreč/Vrsar.
Accommodation:
CLASSIC HOTELS: Hotel Poreč 3* in Poreč or similar
PREMIUM HOTELS: BO Hotel Palazzo 4*or Martis Forum Heritage Hotel 4* in Poreč or similar
Poreč 3*
Martis Forum Heritage Hotel & Residence
Our cycling tour of Istria will start with a ride from Poreč, the town where you can find material and spiritual evidences of great cultures at every step. Walk along the old city center and you will find there the Roman Forum, magnificent palaces from different historical periods, and to top it all, the famous Euphrasian Basilica (Euphrasiana). Continuing along the trail, you will reach Višnjan, a little place that vaunts an astronomical observatory ranked among the 5 most important observatories in the world.The ride along this trail is particularly pleasant because you are riding along the coastline with beautiful bays where you can enjoy the breathtaking Mediterranean landscape with green vineyards and olive groves. Passing by Mirna river delta and Novigrad you'll arrive to Umag. A town that, apart for its incandescent Riviera, vaunts a rich historical heritage and a unique event – the festival of the traditional organ (Organum Histriae). Situated on a peninsula, founded in the transitional period from late antiquity into the early middle age, with the historic center that loudly speaks with the spirit of the old Venetian Republic. Continuing to northernmost point of istria (Savudrija) and finishing first day in Buje area. Overnight in Buje area.
Accommodation:
CLASSIC HOTELS: Guesthouse La Parenzana 3* in Volpija or Guesthouse Lovac 3* in Kaldanija
PREMIUM HOTELS: Heritage Hotel San Rocco 4* in Brtonigla or San Servolo 4* near Buje or similar
Meals: Breakfast
Distance: 72 km / 45 miles
Elevation gain: +724 m / -581 m, +2375 ft / 1906 ft
Breakfast, apart from enjoying the breath-taking landscape of the terrace - styled vineyards which resemble to an image on the front page of a holiday guide to Tuscany, you can indulge the sensation the area of Buje gives, a real polyphony of fragrances and tastes.
On the way from Buje to Buzet we will ride across Grožnjan – a typical Istrian medieval town sprout high on top of the hill along the right coast of the river Mirna, vaunting its centenary walls, its renaissance loggia dating from 1585 and the beautiful St. Vitus and Modesto’s baroque church. Take your time to explore Grožnjan, known for its art galleries and stunning hilltop views. Enjoy a coffee at a local café. Šterna – a village named after a big local cistern (on local dialect – Šterna) situated on the large plateau intersected by water flows. Oprtalj, with unchanged urban medieval disposition, the narrow streets, the shops, the beautiful Venetian palaces, portals and covered passages, and particularly the unique view to the Istrian peninsula from the town loggia, according to many the most beautiful of Istria. Buzet, known as long as in the Roman times as Pinquentium, today is named as the City of truffles, considering that the surrounding forests along the valley of the river Mirna cover some of the best areas of the entire Istria for the hunting of this divine tuberous. Overnight in Buzet.
Accommodation:
CLASSIC HOTELS: Hotel Vela Vrata 4* in Buzet
PREMIUM HOTELS: Hotel Vela Vrata 4* in Buzet
Meals: Breakfast
Distance: 54 km / 34 miles
Elevation gain: +845 m / -831 m, +2772 ft / -2726 ft
After a steep climb to Prodani the road leads to one of the most attractive and picturesque Istrian medieval towns – Draguć. The place which, until some hundred years ago lived from the cultivation of the silk-worm, today is almost completely abandoned. However, its unforgettable natural position and the exceptional beauty of the stone architecture, the modest palaces, the walls and the old churches, perhaps could seem somehow known. Considering that right here have been recorded numerous national and foreign production movies and TV series, like the movies "The 3 musketeers". Pazin – a true heart of Istria! First written records referring to the city as Castrum Pisinum appeared in 983 and presently, Pazin is known as a commercial, cultural and educational center of entire central Istria. Unique for its spectacular position above the karst abyssal cave, Pazin holds the medieval Castle – Kaštel (today, the Ethnographic Museum of Istria and the Municipal Museum are both in the castle) located on the verge of a 130 meters deep abyss. From Pazin you pass through Gračišće, an absolute pearl of the Istrian hinterland. The entrance into this town can be really enchanting: a magnificent Salomon Mansion made in the combination of gothic and renaissance styles, it makes you think for a moment as if you were lost in some distant corner of Venice. Continue further through Kršan, feudal land property, having obtained its name for the rockiness of the spot and at the same time, was erected on the foundations of an ancient early medieval burg, we arrive in Labin. Overnight in Labin.
Accommodation:
CLASSIC HOTELS: Hotel Peteani 4* in Labin or similar
PREMIUM HOTELS: Hotel Peteani 4* in Labin or similar
Meals: Breakfast
Distance: 67 km / 42 miles
Elevation gain: +1204 m / -1069 m, +3949 ft / -3506 ft
After breakfast we ride across Raša, the first modern mining town in Istria and Barban to Pula. On the way you will find "Liburna", a nature reserve of autochthon animals. Apart from these charming animals, in particular sociable donkeys, you will find here a unique ethnological collection of antique tools. Which city is situated on seven hills, has a magnificent Amphitheater and is not Rome? The answer is - Pula. No, it is not a mistake – you are, indeed, in front of Pula, the largest city in Istria. Pula is an enchantress with thousand appearances which has been casting spell on its visitors for centuries. This day we finish visiting the old city with the Sergius' Triumphal Arch (from the end of the 1st century B.C. and the beginning of the 1st century A.D.) and famous Arena, a Roman amphitheatre (from the 1st century B.C.). Overnight in Pula.
Accommodation:
CLASSIC HOTELS: Hotel Amfiteatar 3* or Galija 3* in Pula or similar
PREMIUM HOTELS: Hotel Park Plaza Histria 4* or Milan 4* in Pula or similar
Meals: Breakfast
Distance: 53 km / 33 miles
Elevation gain: +560 / -815 m, +1837 ft / -2673 ft
After breakfast our ride take us along the coastline towards Rovinj. Svetvinčenat, with its grandiose Morosini-Grimani citadel with towers, parish church, municipal loggia and a line of 16th century houses of the Renaissance and a town cistern - šterna in the middle, Savičenta really belongs to a range of the most attractive Venetian creations of that period effected in this region which held one of the rare witchcraft trials in Istria during 17th century.You will head for the mysterious world of Bale region, proud for its glorious Soardo-Bembo Castle of the Gothic and Renaissance period and the parish church of St. Julian. Bale had been developed from the ancient Roman castrum (military fortification) along Via Flava, the ancient Roman road that used to connect Trieste and Pula. Finally you will reach Rovinj, the "Pearl of Adriatic“. Known for its picturesque old town and vibrant harbor. With narrow cobblestone streets, colorful Venetian-style buildings, and a bustling waterfront, Rovinj exudes a unique blend of history and Mediterranean charm. The town’s centerpiece is the Church of St. Euphemia, which offers stunning views from its bell tower. Rovinj is also famous for its lively arts scene, delicious seafood restaurants, and beautiful beaches. The nearby islands and nature parks provide opportunities for outdoor activities, making Rovinj a popular destination for both relaxation and adventure. Overnight in Rovinj.
Accommodation:
CLASSIC HOTELS: Hotel Villa Lili 4* or Baron Gautsch 3* in Rovinj or similar
PREMIUM HOTELS: Hotel Angelo d’Oro 4* or The Melegran 4* in Rovinj or similar
Meals: Breakfast
Distance: 61 km / 37 miles
Elevation gain: +591 m / -586 m, +1938 ft / -1922 ft
A marsh, rare birds, a cursed city, buried pirate treasure, a fjord, a cave with a primitive man and hermit, an ancient solar observatory - all this you will find during today biking. Our bike ride will take us across Kanfanar to the ruins of the medieval town of Dvigrad. Just to stir your imagination - you are now in an area where many legends and mysteries based on historical events still live on: that of Dvigrad devastated by the plague because of an ancient curse, of the buried treasure of Captain Morgan's pirates near the village named after him (Mrgani), of the cave where the remains of the primitive man were found and where, as legend has it, St Romuald used to live as a hermit in the Middle Ages. After riding through small villages you will reach Vrsar, a romantic fishermen village where the famous Casanova came back even two times. Your cycling adventure around the Istrian peninsula tour finishes in Poreč where you will spend the last night. Overnight in Poreč.
Accommodation:
CLASSIC HOTELS: Hotel Poreč 3* in Poreč or similar
PREMIUM HOTELS: BO Hotel Palazzo 4*or Martis Forum Heritage Hotel 4* in Poreč or similar
Meals: Breakfast
Distance: 60 km / 38 miles
Elevation gain: +787 m / -791 m, +2581 ft / -2594 ft
Departure after breakfast.
Accommodation: -
Meals: Breakfast included
Map
Here you can find tracks and accommodation.
Conditions
Price includes
- orientation meeting with Fiore representative
- 2 x overnights in Poreč
- 1 x overnight in Buje area
- 1 x overnight in Buzet
- 1 x overnight in Labin
- 1 x overnight in Pula
- 1 x overnight in Rovinj
- 7 x breakfasts
- Information package including detailed route description (map and road book), hotel vouchers, water bottle and luggage tags
- luggage transport between accommodations
- Use of Fiore App – offline navigation with voice guidance, info about the POI’s and restaurant recommendation
Not included in price
- travel and bike insurance
- arrival and departure from Istria
- transfer from airport to hotel and re-tour (can be organized)
- lunches, dinners and drinks
- bike rentals with equipment
