Istria Coastal Tour

Say hello to Trieste / Muggia! Get to know the town by walking along the promenade or visiting the incredible Mariamare Castle. Take a cappuccino break on the beautiful Piazza Unità d’Italia in the heart of the town. If you’re staying in Muggia, you can take a transport boat to the city centre.

If you weren’t staying there the night before, you can pay a quick visit to Muggia before hopping over the border so Slovenia. Once in Slovenia you will cycle along a bike path along the coast and pass another lovely port town, Koper, before heading onto the gorgeous Venetian villages of Izola and Piran. Wander through the slim alleyways and enjoy their churches. In Piran, you can take a coffee break in Tartini Square surrounded by beautiful Venetian buildings. Your stop for the night will be Portorôz, a wealthy spa town on the Slovenian Riviera.

On this day you will have incredible views as you cycle past the salt flats on Sečovlje, it’s best to arrive here bright and early to catch the gorgeous dawn light. Next it’s time to hop into Croatia and into Istria, you’ll be heading for the village of Umag over some hills. This village was a Roman colony, you feel as if you are stepping back in time with its town walls and gated drawbridge. Embrace this history by strolling through the medieval centre and visiting the beautiful city tower.

On this day you will also cross over some more hilly terrain on the way to Novigrad (Cittanova), which is also a medieval walled town. Novigrad boats an interesting history and an amazing food scene, it is noted as one of the top gourmet locations in Istria. Up next you will stop in Poreč, here there is a UNESCO Euphrasian Basilicia not worth missing as well as buildings with a mix of baroque, gothic, and Romanesque style.

The world is your oyster today! Take a boat trip on a fish picnic boat or take a trip to the Limksi-channel. You can also visit the fjord-alike Limksi-channel, which is a National Park nature reserve where mussel and oyster farming takes place. You could also opt for a relaxing day by the sea, or in the countryside of Porec.

Today you will go to Rovinj, a real highlight of Istria. It is one of the last true Mediterranean fishing ports and is home to the Euphemia Church which hosts a large bell tower. This church is also built on the highest spot of town, so it is visible from everywher. There will also be the option to cycle to Zlatnirt, aka the Golden Cape, which is a peninsula hosting is a nature reserve.

The last leg of your adventure will take you to Pula which lies on the southwest point of the peninsula. Head out to the Brijuni Islands, which consists of 12 littler islands and 2 larger islands. The main island is Veli Brijun which was resided in the summer by Yugoslav statesman “Tito”. Also discover the land where dinosaurs once roamed, more than 200 dinosaur footprints have been discovered here. The oldest town of Istria is Pula and is the commercial and cultural hub. Enjoy the relics on your last day such as the Pula Arena, which is the only Roman amphitheatre that still has four side towers and all three Roman architectural orders completely preserved.

Have one last breakfast and then either set off home or extend your trip.