Porec, the largest tourist centre in Istria and Croatia, is located 60 km from the airport on the west coast of Istria in a 25 km long lagoon of the same name, with a freakishly rugged coastline. The beaches are mostly rocky plateaus and concrete platforms.

The numerous outdoor cafes here are busy throughout the season, and the busy seafront promenade offers wonderful views of the nearby islands, fishing boats and yachts passing by. The old part of town has little squares with centuries-old pine trees and cozy courtyards tucked away in the green. Poreč is one of the few Mediterranean towns with well preserved Roman temples, houses, medieval walls and towers.

How to get there

Poreč itself is a small town, only about 8000 inhabitants, together with the surrounding villages it has a population of 17000. The nearest international airport, Pula, is about 60 km away. One can reach Poreč from the airport, as well as other cities in Croatia, by taxi or by intercity bus. Croatia has good roads that encourage you to drive across the country, but a toll is charged.

Transport in Poreč

Along the boardwalk, from hotels to the town and back, a tourist train makes 3 or 4 stops along the way. The price for a ride is ~10-20 HRK. Opening hours: 09:00 - 22:00.

Late 10 p.m. a water taxi runs from the city centre to the hotels. Rates start from ~50 HRK.

Hotels in Poreč

Poreč is considered one of the most visited tourist destinations in Croatia. The explanation is simple: it is rare to find in one town such a variety of options for all kinds of holidays, and secondly, the tourist infrastructure of the town provides a very high level of services.

Almost all hotels offer not only accommodation and refreshments, but also sightseeing tours, tickets for entertainment events, restaurant reservations, car hire and more. Staff in the hotels will happily answer questions about leisure activities and how to get to nearby attractions.

The first luxury beach hotel, Nautica 5*, opened in 2006 and became one of the most popular hotels in Poreč from the first season. Many hotels cater to active recreation enthusiasts, offering various equipment rentals and the possibility of hiring a qualified instructor. There are also many hotels that cater to families with children, for whom the climate and conditions are ideal. Lovers of romantic getaways will love the Laguna Galijot hotel, one of the most beautiful hotels on the coast. Generally speaking, Poreč has the highest number of hotels in Croatia, so everyone will find something to their liking. In addition, you can rent a private villa or a cozy apartment, either secluded or in the middle of the resort life.

Poreč is a town on the west coast of the Istrian peninsula in Croatia. It has been a tourist destination for over a century. One of the biggest advantages of Poreč is its location – the town is easily accessible from both Zagreb and Trieste, and its well-developed tourist infrastructure makes it possible to find whatever you might need while on vacation. When it comes to accommodation, there are numerous Hotels in Porec to choose from, ranging from budget-friendly options to luxurious five-star resorts. The 4-star Hotel Mediteran Plava Laguna is one of the most popular options in Poreč, thanks to its prime location right on the seafront and its impressive array of facilities and services. Other notable hotels in the town include the Istra Hotel, the Island Hotel Fortuna, and the Valamar Rubin Hotel. If you’re looking for a place to stay in Poreč that offers a bit of everything, the Valamar Riviera Resort is a great option. This large complex features accommodation options of all types, a wide range of on-site facilities, including a spa and wellness centre, several restaurants and bars, and even its own private beach. No matter what type of accommodation you’re looking for, you’re sure to find something to suit your needs in Poreč.

Beaches of Poreč

The coastline of Poreč stretches for about 65 km. There are miles of beautiful lagoons with emerald waters, secluded bays and simply a very beautiful coastline. The beaches are often pebbly, and access to the sea is possible from stones, but most of the time they are concrete with a specially equipped slope to the sea.

Shopping: Shops

There is a small market by the marina where you can buy souvenirs such as lavender pouches, seashells, T-shirts and charming magnets. In the town itself there are many shops selling souvenirs, clothes and food. Wines and olive oils are better bought in the specialist shops (a vast selection, higher prices) or supermarkets (less choice, lower prices). Fruit and vegetables, grown by farmers' tending hands and personally picked in the morning from beds, are sold at the market - it's indescribably delicious.

Entertainment and attractions in Poreč

Many buildings in the old town of Poreč are built on the foundations of Roman structures. You can visit the remains of a Roman forum in Poreč square and the Decumanus street, the former Roman "decumanus", which is the main road leading to this forum.

Poreč's main attraction, the Byzantine Euphraseum Basilica, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This unique place is accessible to the public except during mass hours.

Other attractions include the ancient remains of the North Tower from the 15th century, the Pentagonal Tower, the Round Tower and the Semicircular Tower. Istria Municipality - The building that originally housed the Church of Francis. Marafor Square - the oldest and largest square in the city, with the Temple of Martha and the Great Temple, as well as the Temple of Neptune nearby.

The Roman Forum and the ruins of the temples of Mars and Neptune (1st century A.D.), the Romanesque "Priest and Two Saints' Chambers" and the Gothic and Baroque palaces. St. Nicholas Island with a 19th century Tuscan-style castle turned hotel and a lighthouse that is over 600 years old.

The City Museum has a rich collection of antiquities: stone fragments with Roman writings, a collection of ancient ceramics and sculptures from the early Middle Ages. The numerous Romanesque, Venetian and Gothic buildings are a real gem in the city and attract numerous history and architecture buffs. However, for those who simply like beautiful cities, Poreč is also very interesting.

Cruises along the coast with trips to Pula, the Lim Channel and picnics in nature are available all along the waterfront. About 10 km from the town is the Baredine Cave complex, with its stunning stalactites and guides, which can be visited by bike if desired. The Lim Channel (fjord) is also close by, with a scenic road leading through vineyards and olive groves.

Leisure activities

There are plenty of opportunities for sports enthusiasts. There are sports fields, 165 (!) tennis courts, sports halls and cycling paths. It all looks so attractive and appealing that even people who didn't plan on partaking in any sports activities might want to get involved. If that's the case, there are plenty of sports equipment rentals in town. There are water centres all along the beach: bananas, scooters, parachutes and water skis. You can rent a bike or scooter and explore the surrounding area. There are many cycling and hiking trails for eco-tourists.

Poreč has very many tennis courts, which are of excellent quality and inexpensive. You can also play table tennis or mini golf. And of course there are bars, restaurants, and parties (many have a free shuttle bus to and from the hotel).