Like its neighbor Rovinj, Poreč (Parenzo in Italian) is located on the west coast of Istria along the Adriatic Sea. It is one of the region’s main tourist destinations in Croatia, especially popular with young partygoers. The old town can easily be explored in one day and fits perfectly into an Istria road trip itinerary.
What are the best things to do in Poreč and where to stay? In this travel guide, I’ll share the must-see attractions in Poreč along with all the information you need to plan your trip.
Visit Poreč: the 10 best things to do
All the main things to see and do in Poreč are located in the old town, built on a peninsula by the Romans in the 2nd century BC. They left behind a city layout based on rectangular blocks, which contrasts with the circular layout of nearby Rovinj. The old town of Poreč is entirely pedestrian, so you’ll need to park in one of the peripheral parking areas.
For those without a car, there are several excursions departing from Poreč that allow you to explore the surrounding area. Popular destinations include the towns of Rovinj and Pula, the Lim Fjord, Vrsar Beach, and dolphin-watching trips.
Euphrasian Basilica
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Euphrasian Basilica is the main monument to visit in Poreč. It is part of a Byzantine-style episcopal complex dating back to the 6th century. In addition to the basilica, the complex includes a sacristy, an octagonal baptistery where early Christians were baptized, a bell tower added in the 16th century, and the bishop’s palace. The basilica’s apse is decorated with stunning Byzantine mosaics, which reminded me of the Church of Saint Saviour in Chora in Istanbul.
You can climb the 300 steps of the bell tower to enjoy a 360° panoramic view over Poreč. On the archaeological site outside, beautiful mosaic floors have been uncovered. To complete your visit, a museum displays religious artifacts and various works of early Christian, Byzantine, and medieval art.
Entrance fee: 50 KN / Opening hours: 9am–8pm (closed on Sundays).
Venetian towers
The old town is home to two former Venetian towers from the 15th century—one round tower now converted into a bar, and a pentagonal one that now serves as a panoramic restaurant. Obviously, neither can be visited unless you plan to eat or have a drink there. It’s a shame these remnants of the past weren’t preserved as they were. Poreč is heavily focused on tourism, with bars, restaurants, and terraces everywhere.
Temple of Neptune
At the far western end of the Poreč peninsula lie the ruins of a 1st-century Roman temple dedicated to Neptune, the god of the sea. Just a heads-up—you might walk right past it without noticing, because there’s not much left. It’s hard to imagine what it once looked like with only a few scattered remains on the ground, including parts of a colonnade and a sarcophagus. I wouldn’t say it’s a must-do in Poreč, but you’ll likely pass by during your visit, so why not stop for a couple of minutes.
The Romanesque House
While wandering through the streets of Poreč, you’ll come across a Romanesque house near Marafor Square. This house, renovated several times, retains its 13th-century architectural base typical of Romanesque residences. The base is built of stone blocks, while the wooden balcony on the top floor was added during a much later renovation. The Romanesque House now houses an art gallery.
Cobbled streets and squares
The best way to visit Poreč is simply to wander through the streets at your own pace. Don’t hesitate to leave the busy streets and explore the smaller alleys to discover charming house façades. The main street is “Decumanus,” which starts at the large square where the Church of Our Lady of the Angels (1746) is located and runs across the old town to Marafor Square. Decumanus is the most touristy street in Poreč, lined with souvenir shops, ice cream parlors, bars, restaurants, and all kinds of stores. Needless to say, I quickly turned off—it’s not really my kind of atmosphere.
Beaches in Poreč
As a city largely geared toward summer tourism, Poreč offers several beaches around the old town where you can enjoy the Adriatic Sea. We didn’t visit the beaches in Poreč—honestly, we weren’t very impressed by the beaches in Istria. To be fair, we live on the French Riviera, so we’re a bit picky when it comes to beaches 🙂
Here are the main beaches in Poreč (note: beaches labeled “FKK” are naturist beaches):
Plava Laguna: a small 250-meter-long beach made up of rocks and concrete, located 4 km south of the old town.
Zelena Laguna: a 500-meter-long pebble beach with concrete areas, located 6 km south of the old town.
Val Maro: probably the most beautiful beach in Poreč and the only one really worth it. Sandy and located on Sveti Nikola Island, just 5 minutes by boat from the town.
Parentino: a large pebble beach 1 km north of the old town, easily accessible on foot. Plenty of sunbeds available for rent.
Boat trip to Lim Fjord, Rovinj and Vrsar
If you’re staying in Poreč while exploring Istria, this trip on a traditional wooden boat will allow you to discover the beautiful west coast of the region. Highlights include the stunning town of Rovinj, the Lim Fjord, and Vrsar Beach. This full-day tour includes lunch on board and a glass of wine while cruising up the Lim Fjord to a pirate cave.
Dolphin watching cruise
Join a sunset cruise on a traditional wooden boat to see dolphins in their natural habitat (2-hour duration). A welcome drink is included as you sail along the Istrian coast, enjoying panoramic views of Poreč and Rovinj.
The captain will use his knowledge to locate the dolphins and give you the best possible view of these playful animals. However, if you’re unlucky and don’t see any dolphins, you’ll be offered a second cruise free of charge.
Excursion to Pula and Rovinj
This excursion along the Istrian peninsula coast will take you to Pula (home to one of the largest Roman amphitheaters in the world) and Rovinj, two of the most beautiful towns in Istria. Departure is directly from your hotel in Poreč, with a minibus pickup at 9am and return at 3pm.
Excursion to Krk
On this excursion from Poreč, you’ll explore on foot the fortified historic center of Krk (pronounced “Keurk”), the golden island of Croatia.
Departure is directly from your hotel, with a shuttle picking you up at 9am for a 2-hour minibus ride to Krk Island. You’ll discover the old town and its main points of interest, including the Cathedral of the Assumption and its two churches, Frankopan Castle, St. Margaret and St. Quirinus, and the Tower Square. Krk is surrounded by beautiful beaches as well as wooded landscapes, vineyards, and olive groves.
Where to Stay in Poreč
If you’re staying in Poreč for just one night, it’s best to choose accommodation in the heart of the old town to be close to the main sights and nightlife spots. For an Istria road trip, staying on the outskirts is more convenient, especially for parking. Be sure to book well in advance if you’re visiting during the summer season (especially July and August), as Poreč is a very popular destination.
Accommodation in Poreč old town
- 56 € : Valamar Riviera Hotel & Residence, offers fully equipped apartments on the picturesque Poreč promenade. It features a private beach on Sveti Nikola Island, directly opposite, with a free shuttle.
- 68 € : KALA Main Square, located 600 meters from the Euphrasian Basilica, this 40 m² apartment is fully equipped, including a washing machine (not always available in rentals). Free parking on site.
- 90 € : NEWPremium Suite Šinjorina, ideally located 200 meters from the main square, this superb modern apartment is fully equipped for cooking during your stay. Free public parking nearby.
- 110 € : Apartment POREČ SEAVIEW, located in the heart of Poreč near the beach, this 54 m² apartment features a terrace with sea view, a fully equipped kitchen, and a washing machine. Free public parking on site.
- 113 € : BO Hotel Palazzo, a beautiful seafront hotel built in 1910 for the wealthy bourgeoisie on the Poreč peninsula. It offers modern rooms, some with sea views. Breakfast included, plus a pool and jacuzzi. Private parking €10/day.
Staying around Poreč
- 40 € : Apartman Alberta, located less than 2 km from the old town, this charming 35 m² apartment with a ground-floor terrace offers excellent value for money. Ideal for a long stay or a self-drive tour of Istria.
- 70 € : Apartments Niko, a lovely ground-floor apartment with a large terrace and garden with jacuzzi. Fully furnished with a spacious bathroom, located 2.4 km from the beach.
- 78 € : Apartment Alex, located 100 m from the beach and easily accessible on foot, this 25 m² apartment has everything needed for a long stay (terrace, barbecue, washing machine, fully equipped kitchen, etc.).
Tips and travel guide for visiting Poreč
How to get to Poreč
The nearest airport to Poreč is in Pula, on the southwest coast of Istria. You can find the best deals on flights using this comparison tool. I use it every time I need to book flights.
The Istria region is easy to explore by public transport, with many buses to Poreč from major cities such as Pula, Rovinj, Rijeka, and Zagreb.
You’ll likely visit Poreč during a road trip in Croatia. To rent a car locally, I recommend using the AutoEurope comparison platform, which offers rates up to 25% cheaper.
Parking in Poreč
You’ll find several parking areas on the eastern edge of the peninsula along Somogy Street. Payment (cash or card) is made at automated machines upon exit. Since we visited in September and it wasn’t too crowded, we were able to park closer to the old town on Končara Street, which has quite a few parking spaces. The downside is that you have to pay in advance and estimate how long you’ll stay.
How long to stay in Poreč
The old town can be visited quickly. Apart from the Euphrasian Basilica, there isn’t a huge amount to see or do beyond enjoying the atmosphere, grabbing a drink, or having an ice cream. When we visited in September, it wasn’t very crowded, but in peak summer it’s far from a peaceful stroll.
We explored it in half a day during an afternoon trip from Rovinj. Plan for a maximum of one day to visit Poreč, and spend the rest of your stay exploring Rovinj and the hilltop villages of Istria.
You know now the best things to do in Poreč. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment on the blog.