Poreč
Save20 hand-picked places in 7 lists. Tick the categories you want to see on the map.
Only have a day? See a ready-made day plan ↓10 places on the map
Top 10
- 1
UNESCO-listed 6th-century basilica with dazzling Byzantine gold mosaics.
- Tip: Go early
- Tip: Dress code
1 tip
- Ticket includes bell tower and atrium
📷 Photos
- 2
Climbable bell tower with views over the red roofs and the sea.
- Tip: Late afternoon
2 tips
- Included in the basilica ticket
- Narrow wooden stairs
📷 Photos
- 3
The Roman main street, still the old town's polished stone spine.
- Tip: Go early
2 tips
- Lined with shops and gelato
- Look for Gothic palace facades
📷 Photos
- 4
Ancient Roman forum square with ruins of the temples of Neptune and Mars.
- Tip: Sunset
3 tips
- Free to wander the ruins
- Nice at sunset
- Cafés around the square
📷 Photos
- 5
15th-century defensive tower with a rooftop café terrace.
- Tip: Sunset
3 tips
- Buy a drink to enjoy the rooftop
- Great at sunset
- Steep stairs inside
📷 Photos
- 6
Gothic tower marking the old town gate at the start of the Decumanus.
3 tips
- Classic starting point for a walk
- Look for the Venetian lion
- Free to view outside
📷 Photos
- 7
Seafront promenade wrapping the old town peninsula with harbour views.
- Tip: Sunset
- Tip: At night
3 tips
- Evening stroll with sunset views
- Taxi boats leave from here
- Lots of cafés
📷 Photos
- 8
Pine-covered island facing the old town with rocky beaches.
3 tips
- Boats run every 30 min from the Riva
- Bring water shoes
- Great view back to town
📷 Photos
- 9
Show cave with stalactites and underground lakes, 6 km inland.
3 tips
- Guided tour about 40 min
- Steady 14°C, bring a layer
- Open roughly April to October
📷 Photos
- 10
Fjord-like sea inlet famous for oysters and mussels, south of Poreč.
3 tips
- Boat trips leave from Poreč
- Try fresh oysters at the end of the bay
- Viewpoint on the road above
📷 Photos
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Before you go: Poreč tips
Transportation
- Take the bus around Istria: Buses link Porec with Pula, Rovinj, Rijeka and Trieste; the bus station is a short walk from the old town.
- Use boat taxis to Sveti Nikola: Small boats run from the harbour to the island of Sveti Nikola, just across from the old town.
- Cycle the Parenzana: The old Parenzana railway is now a cycling and walking trail that starts near Porec and heads inland through Istrian hill towns.
Security
- Watch for pickpockets in summer: The Decumanus and harbour promenade get crowded on summer evenings; keep valuables close.
- Wear water shoes: Rocky beaches around Porec can have sea urchins; water shoes protect your feet.
- Respect sea and wind: The bura wind can whip up waves quickly; check conditions before kayaking or boating.
Saving
- Visit in shoulder season: May, June and September bring lower prices and warm seas without the August crowds.
- Eat at a konoba inland: Family konobas in villages around Porec serve Istrian dishes at fairer prices than the harbour restaurants.
- Swim at free public beaches: Rocky beaches along the promenade south of the old town are free; sunbeds are optional.
Weather/Clothing
- Expect hot dry summers: July and August are hot and sunny; bring sunscreen, a hat and light clothes.
- Pack layers in spring and autumn: Evenings cool down and rain showers are possible.
- Bundle up in winter: The bura brings cold, windy days; many hotels close off-season.
Cultural
- See the Euphrasian Basilica: This UNESCO-listed 6th-century basilica has dazzling Byzantine mosaics.
- Taste Istrian food: Try fuzi pasta with truffles, prsut ham and Malvazija white wine.
- Walk the Decumanus: The main Roman street still runs through the old town, lined with Gothic and Venetian houses.
Local Hacks
- Visit Baredine Cave: This limestone cave a short drive inland has guided tours of its stalactites.
- Climb the Basilica bell tower: The view over the old town's red roofs and the sea is worth it.
- Day trip to Motovun: The hilltop town inland is famous for truffles and views over the Mirna valley.
1-day itineraries in Poreč
Only have a day? Each one keeps you in one area, from morning to late afternoon, with lunch nearby.