Poridge Croatia. Porec, Croatia: details about the ancient city of Istria with photos. Rent a car in Porec
Until the end of World War II, the Istrian peninsula, in the central part of which Porec is located on the coast, belonged to Italy, and the city was called Porenzo. All signs in the city, as well as throughout the peninsula, are still presented in two languages: Italian and Serbo-Croatian. The city is interesting for its history, architecture, and resort areas.
A little history
The founding date of the city is unknown, but during the Roman Empire the settlement was given city status by Octavian Augustus. Already in the 3rd century AD Christianity came to the city.
Porec often changed its rulers. The Slavic population appeared in the city from the 7th century. Each era and belonging to different states was reflected in the architecture of the city.
For more than 500 years, Porec was part of the Venetian Republic until its fall. There is still a sea connection with Venice. In clear weather, while on the coast, you can see the outline of Venice from Porec.
For more than a century, until the end of the First World War, Porec was part of Austria, then passed to Italy.
When civil war broke out in Yugoslavia in the 1990s, Croatia gained independence. But the interethnic conflicts of the end of the last millennium practically did not affect Porec, although the city’s population is multinational and includes Croats, Serbs, Slovenes, Italians, and Albanians.
The beauty of Porec and its attractions
Porec is a unique city with a special culture, cuisine and recreation areas. It is the second city, after Pula, in terms of the number of inhabitants.
Currently, this is one of the favorite holiday destinations for tourists from all over the world, where everyone will find a place to suit their taste and budget.
Old city
And walks around the Old Town, located on a small peninsula, will bring unprecedented pleasure to both adults and children.
These walks usually begin from the Marshal Tito embankment. Not far from the pier there is the City Hall building, which looks more like a palace (built in the early 20th century).
And this is a modern residential building with a wonderful sculpture dedicated to the mother.
And cute shops with traditional products based on olives and lavender...
You'll be amazed by the colorful houses with cute shutters on the windows, cozy street cafes and pizzerias.
Winding, cobblestone-paved, ancient streets lead you into the historical center and its main attractions.
Decumanskaya Street, the main street of the city, has retained its layout since ancient times.
In one of the central squares of the city you will see the charming and relatively young (built in the 18th century) Church of the Madonna of the Angels.
In general, thanks to the change of rulers and more than two thousand years of existence, cultural monuments of a wide variety of styles and trends are represented here.
The most famous are:
- Roman temples;
- Euphrasian Basilica;
- Towers.
The ruins of Roman temples dedicated to Neptune and Mars, and the Great Temple are located next to the central square of the city - Marathor.
Great Temple of Porec
The Great Temple was built at the beginning of the first century AD. e. and is located in the north westward from the square. The ruins of the temple consist of walls and foundations. Once upon a time, the Great Temple attracted pilgrims from all over the Adriatic.
The history of the discovery of the Great Temple is interesting. The territory is privately owned; when the new owner decided to start developing the territory, he discovered the foundation of the temple, and the architectural monument was nationalized. And the owner was paid compensation.
Temples of Neptune and Mars
The ruins of the Temple of Neptune are located to the west of the square and are located in the park. This is one of the largest sanctuaries on the Istrian peninsula, which is distinguished by its special stone pattern and original architectural techniques.
The skeleton of the Temple of Mars also dates back to the first century AD.
Towers of Porec
Porec Towers: North, Pentagonal, Round. The towers were part of the city enclosures in the Middle Ages.
Northern has a round shape. The tower performed defensive and sentinel functions to protect against attacks on land.
Pentagonal tower was part of the city gates; the coat of arms of the Venetian Republic was preserved on it.
The tower is in excellent condition and has an open observation deck on the roof and inside the building, decorated in the spirit of the Middle Ages.
Round Tower is part of the ancient fortress wall with a café - observation deck “Torre Rotonda”, from which the roofs of neighboring houses and the sea are visible.
A narrow, steep stone staircase leads to the observation deck of the cafe-bar.
Order a cup of coffee or a glass of beer and feel the atmosphere of the Middle Ages.
Euphrasian Basilica
I would like to dwell in more detail on one of the most famous and visited attractions by tourists.
Euphrasian Basilica is the pinnacle of architectural creativity of the early Middle Ages (dating back to the 4th century AD) and is an example of Byzantine art.
She is included in the list World Heritage UNESCO.
The temple includes the episcopal residence, bell tower, sacristy and baptismal premises.
You can climb the bell tower.
From there they open beautiful views on Old city with its tiled roofs and picturesque coastline.
The basilica was built on the site of a dilapidated church during the period of the bishopric of Euphrasius, which explains its name, and is dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
The mosaic decoration of the interior of the church is made in the Byzantine style. Each image represents saints, martyrs and scenes from liturgical texts.
In the garden you can see a unique partially preserved floor mosaic from the 5th century.
The basilica is located on the coast and is an active Catholic church.
Beach holidays in Porec
The beaches of Porec extend all the way to the Green Lagoon. All of them are mostly rocky, located in the shade of pine groves. Some are equipped with sunbathing areas and concrete platforms for launching into the water.
The most popular beaches: Pical, Brulo, Porto Busola, as well as the beaches of the Zelena Laguna resort.
What else is interesting in Porec and its surroundings?
For family vacation There are also great options with children. In Porec there is an aquarium, a water park, museums, and caves.
Since the town is small, all its main attractions can be visited in one day. But there are many more in the surrounding area amazing places, for example, the Lima Canal with the most environmentally friendly oysters or the most beautiful cave in Croatia - Beredine.
Culinary features
The cuisine of Porec incorporated variants of the national cuisines of each state that included the Istrian peninsula.
Prosciutto is considered a special and significant dish, which is cooked from pork for a long time with the addition of rosemary, pepper and salt.
The cooking technology is that the meat is hung in the sun in a well-ventilated place by the sea, then the prosciutto must ripen in a dark room. The total preparation time takes at least three years.
When served, it is sliced very thinly and served with green onions, homemade cheese and olives.
One of the specialties of Porec cuisine is grilled fish and seafood. Pre-octopus or sharks, or mussels, or shrimp, etc. marinated in lemon juice, vegetable oil and garlic, then quickly grilled so as not to lose their shape.
A characteristic feature of Porec is the presence of pizzerias. They offer a wide variety of Italian-style pizzas with very thin crust and all kinds of toppings.
Among the filling options you can find shrimp, mussels, eel, octopus and any other seafood, as well as a combination of seafood and meat. The size of the pizzas is simply amazing. The smallest pizza is at least 35 centimeters in diameter.
Porec in Croatia is an ancient city and the largest tourist centre Istria is the country's largest peninsula. Porec is located in the lagoon of the same name in the western part of Istria, famous for its mild pleasant climate, rich in vegetation and cleanest beaches. The coastline along the city is very winding and forms many secluded bays, making it great place for relaxation by the sea. Porec is one of the few Mediterranean cities where ancient Roman monuments, temples, medieval fortresses. Most of its attractions are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Business card
In Croatia, Porec is rightfully considered one of the most important tourism centers. This is facilitated by favorable natural conditions, magnificent architecture, rich cultural life, developed infrastructure and good service.
What to see, where to visit
Porec has preserved many attractions from different eras, which form the appearance of the historical part of the city. His " business card» is considered the Euphrasian Basilica, protected by UNESCO. It was erected in the 6th century under Bishop Euphrasia on the site of more old church St. Moor (patron of the city). From the bell tower of the basilica there is a picturesque panoramic view to the city and the sea.
Many of the local ancient buildings were built on the ruins of ancient buildings, and the main city streets - the Roman Decumanus and Cardo Maximus - lead to Marafor Square, where the remains of the ancient forum are located. Not far from the square you can see fragments of the Temple of Neptune and the ruins of the Great Temple of Mars, once the largest on the Adriatic coast. A large number of exhibits from the Roman Empire are available in the city's History Museum.
The former power of Porec's fortifications is evidenced by several towers of the 15th century - Round (or South), Semicircular, Pentagonal. An example of Venetian architecture is the villa of the Polesini family; the Baroque style is represented by the building of the Istrian municipality. In addition, the House of the Two Saints (XV century), the Romanesque House (XIII century), the Church of the Virgin Mary (XVIII century) and many medieval churches outside the historical center of Porec deserve attention.
Beaches
The city coast stretches for almost 65 km. There are many lagoons with emerald water and quiet bays. Those who like a secluded holiday can go by boat to the nearby islands to enjoy the beautiful sea and pristine nature without interference.
The beaches in Porec, as throughout Croatia, are predominantly concrete platforms with specially equipped descents into the water and rocky plateaus. There are also large pebble beaches, and you can also enter the sea from rocks. Many of Porec's beaches are marked " blue flag» UNESCO.
Entertainment and active recreation
Porec has a well-developed resort infrastructure and a variety of recreational opportunities have been created. Tourists can enjoy numerous open-air cafes, restaurants, discos, parks, shops, tennis courts, gyms, bicycle and walking routes, spa centers, rental of sports equipment, water sports, diving clubs, extreme park, race track and much more.
Porec's popularity is contributed by cultural events. Concerts are held here in the summer classical music, jazz evenings, Street Art Festival, Zlatna sopela (folklore festival), the annual exhibition of contemporary art and the Adriaticum exhibition, in September - the medieval festival Giostra.
During the summer season, the Istralandia water park operates in Novigrad, neighboring Porec. The whole family can relax here. The journey will take approximately 20 minutes.
Porec is home to one of the most famous youth clubs in the country, Byblos. During the summer months, young people from Croatia, Italy, Austria and Slovenia come here.
Where to stay
In Croatia, Porec is considered perhaps the most visited resort. Therefore, it has the largest number and variety of hotels in the country. Tourists can choose to stay in hotels of different categories, apart-hotels, campsites, private villas and apartments, located both in quiet areas on the coast and in the city center, closer to entertainment.
One of the youngest countries in Europe. It was there that I decided to go.
Croatia is not yet a popular destination, and you can safely enjoy your vacation without a wild number of tourists. National parks, clean sea, history of the country and many thermal springs- all this makes Croatia attractive to people of completely different age categories. Croatia is a country for those who want to relax both soul and body.
Tours to Croatia are widely represented on the Russian market: beach holiday, medical tours, sightseeing tours, as well as visiting festivals or excursions to cultural sites.
Croatia has an ideal climate, according to doctors, one of the most suitable for Russian citizens among all countries for recreation Mediterranean Sea. The ecology is one of the most impeccable in the world: a beautiful clean sea; magnificent nature – 1185 islands, 7 national parks, mountains and hills, rocky cliffs, picturesque bays and bays, pine trees growing almost from the sea, etc. Rich historical traditions: interesting excursion program. Visa-free entry for Russian citizens. Fatigue-free flight (3 hours from Moscow to Pula airport). Delicious cuisine (plenty of seafood); large selection of excellent wines. Goodwill towards For Russian tourists, safe environment. Excellent opportunities for diving, many sports and fishing.
I had the opportunity to visit the Istrian peninsula, which is not for nothing considered the most favorite place on the Adriatic among our compatriots. Whether you choose a holiday in Porec or a tour to Rovinj, prefer hotels in Umag or want to stay in Pula: in any of these seaside towns you can enjoy excellent service both in the city and in the hotels.
Resorts of Croatia
One of the most beautiful cities, located in a lagoon with a intricately indented coastline. Its streets are never empty or deserted; numerous small cozy open-air cafes are always filled with fun. Porec has a magnificent promenade with wonderful views of fishing boats. Porec is the most visited tourist center in Croatia, thanks to its excellent infrastructure, amazingly beautiful nature and excellent recreational opportunities.
– small beautiful medieval city, located between Rovinj and Porec, directly next to the Bay of Lima. Breathtaking landscapes, crystal clear sea, friendly residents, historical and architectural monuments, pristine nature, wonderful wine and, of course, good hotels, which invite everyone who wants to enjoy a good rest.
– a small medieval town that can be called the most romantic city in Croatia. Fairytale architecture, tiled roofs and narrow cobbled streets, a picturesque archipelago of small islands that give the sea coast an amazing view attract travelers from all over the world. For many years the city was known as a seaside health resort, a holiday destination for the elite, and is now a popular tourist destination with many modern hotels and developed infrastructure. Various exhibitions, shows and numerous events are constantly held here.
- most western city Croatia. From Umag to Italian city Trieste is 40 km, the Slovenian capital Ljubljana is 150 km and only 50 nautical miles to Venice. Nature has generously endowed the coast of Umag with beauty and charm. Its rocky beaches azure bays, small ports, comfortable hotels and apartments annually attract thousands of tourists from all over Europe.
is the largest city on the Istrian peninsula. Now it's big sea port and an international tourism center. The Pula Film Festival is held annually. And the tourist complexes of Pula are popular all over the world.
Hotels in Croatia
It is in Istria that there are magnificent hotels known to tourists all over the world and some of the most popular in Europe. First of all, this is “ ” and the island hotel “ ” in Rovinj, “ ” in Porec, “ ” in Umag. The hotels are located in their own luxurious parks and have an impeccable reputation. These hotels will satisfy the requirements of even the most sophisticated tourists. A little more about them.
The hotel is a unique natural place, perhaps the best in all of Croatia. Centuries-old pine trees hanging with their huge paw-like branches over grassy meadows and numerous stone sunbathing terraces, equipped with metal stairs leading directly to the sea, where it is not hot on the hottest days, 2 large pebble beaches. There are 2 children's water slides nearby the hotel.
Hotel-island - located on the island of St. Andrey (another name is Red Island) with picturesque bays and beaches. It is located 15 minutes by boat from the center of Rovinj. Red Island is one of the most environmentally friendly places in Croatia, an amazing place virgin nature with crystal clear sea. The island has a small sand beach. The rest of the beaches are rocky. Red Island is an ideal place for a relaxed family holiday.
The hotel - tourist complex is located directly on the coast, surrounded on all sides by a beautiful forest park with lush Mediterranean vegetation.
The hotel has an excellent location in an ancient forest park and proximity to the center of Rovinj.
Simpler hotels fully correspond to their categories and compare favorably with hotels of a similar category located in Italy, Spain, France... Undoubtedly good are “Laguna Molindrio” 4*, “Maestral” 4*, hotels of the Valamar chain (Austrian chain) and Sol (Spanish chain) , Laguna Mediteran 3*+, Laguna Materada 3* and many others.
Completely renovated, it features modern design and stylish decoration. There is a small promenade between the hotel and the sea. There is a descent into the sea from a platform, and there is also an area with a pebble entrance.
The hotel is located by the sea a short walk from Novigrad. The hotel has comfortable rooms and one of the best pebble beaches in the region.
An affordable hotel for all ages and tastes, with nice, cozy rooms and a beautiful large area. The hotel offers a magnificent view of old part cities.
– one of the most popular hotels with well-groomed flowering grounds and a rocky and pebble beach. The advantage of the hotel is its close location to the historical center of Porec.
The hotels and hotels that are part of the Plava Laguna complex operate on an all-inclusive basis, which is rare for Croatia.
Apartments
Croatia offers a very large selection of apartments to suit every taste. Most of them fully comply with the European standard. The famous Croatian apartment complexes include the following: and many others.
The seaside complex is surrounded by the tranquil natural landscapes of the Plava lagoon in Porec. It is perfect for a summer holiday.
It is part of the Plava Laguna tourist complex and is located on the top of a high hill, which is covered with pine trees and from which an unforgettable view of the Adriatic opens. Stepped arrangement of two-story bungalows.
Croatia can offer a holiday for absolutely every taste. The main thing is to choose the right resort. If Pula and Porec are bustling centers with numerous cafes and lively embankments, Umag, whose symbol can be a tennis racket, is sporty, then Rovinj is a quiet and romantic town with narrow streets, surrounded by small islands.
Price level at resorts
Very attractive.
You can have a good lunch/dinner in a restaurant for 10-15 euros.
Local wines (very good) - from 5 euros per bottle, strong drinks (an exceptional variety of pure moonshine of excellent quality) - from 7 euros per bottle.
Car rental will cost from 30 to 50 euros per day.
Bicycle rental (there are many bike paths throughout the peninsula) – 10 euros per day.
Public transport within the resorts is well developed and costs a penny.
Excursions
There are too many of them to watch in 2 weeks. Therefore, the most important of them are:
- Plitvice Lakes;
- Istra-tour – the cities of Motovun, Groznjan;
- Rovinj;
- Pula;
- Lima Canal;
- Baredine Cave.
The cost of excursions is from 40 to 110 euros.
Croatia is a country that you must visit to enjoy its rare and unique beauty. Considered one of the most environmentally friendly in Europe, Croatia is a real record holder for the number of national parks (there are 7 of them). Many Croatian beaches have a prestigious award - the UNESCO Blue Flag for the standard cleanliness of the coast. Most hotels are surrounded by beautiful pine forests, which contributes to the extraordinary purity of the air.
Croatia has it all: within a radius of 100 km you can see the sea, rocks, lakes, forested hills, ancient cities. Croatia has one of the most beautiful and clean seas– The Adriatic, and in front of this coast there are 1185 islands, islets and sea cliffs. But it is not the quantity, but the beauty of these islands that reminds us that they cannot be forgotten.
People come to Croatia for a thousand reasons. Some want to have a great time here, others want to explore its cultural and historical monuments, others want to relax, swim, enjoy untouched nature... No matter how you plan to spend your vacation, there is every opportunity to realize your desires.
If you want to enjoy this wonderful holiday, short flight, mild climate and good service, then your choice is a tour to Croatia. I will be happy to help you with the selection in the office on Prazhskaya. Manager Saratova Yulia.
Croatia in last years probably the most popular resort for Ukrainians. What Croatia was chosen for sea holiday Germans and Austrians - more than logical - the sea is beautiful, close, not very expensive. By virtue of geographical location- Croatia is stretched along the sea in such a long sausage with islands, it is better to explore it in parts.
We, traveling from
, we decided to look a little only at the Istria region - the most “Italian” and northern region of Slovenia. By the way, the seaside area in Slovenia, where we were before (
,
,
) - this is also Istria. It’s just that Slovenia is not yet so popular among our tourists (and, I think, will not be popularized) that few people know about it.
| All sorts of people walk around here, then the bones disappear! |
Of course, this does not prevent EU citizens from moving across the border using their passports, but non-citizens (Ukrainians and Russians, for example) must have a Croatian visa. Exception: having a multiple Schengen visa with a validity period longer than the planned stay in Croatia. We have such a multivisa. We asked the Slovenians in advance to take into account our desire to relax at sea after traveling through their country, and to give us a “cartoon”. We are approaching the crossing point. Okay, my husband is smart. He prepared his passports in advance. I completely forgot about them. Still, I feel a little nervous. It's one thing to read the rules and know the "theory". Another thing is practice. There are always nuances when crossing the border. In general, a visa is the right to enter a territory. As well as the right of the border guard not to let you into this territory for any compelling reason. We're approaching. We stay at the checkpoint a little longer than the Europeans, check our visas and stamp them. Well, hello Croatia!
In general, I was going to come to Croatia for the first time 12 years ago, when I was still traveling through travel agencies. But, every time, looking in catalogs at the “expensive” hotel fund, dull in architecture, estimating the cost of “eating”, I found myself anywhere but in Croatia - either in Spain, then in Greece, then in Italy. In reality, 800 euros for a “trip a la Sovdep”, even with good service, which doesn’t really interest me, was not very reasonable price for Croatia. Then I learned to use booking services that allow me to relax in the apartments I loved so much, and now, thanks to a trip to Slovenia, 12 years after my first attempt to do this, I enter the territory of Croatia and remember the words: “There is nothing for lovers of cheap holidays to do in Croatia, all - inclusiveness and impeccable service. Lovers of nature, history and architecture should come here.” It's like that!
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| Porec, embankment |
We park not far from the center and the bus stop. Closer to the sea there is a paid parking lot. Further on, for those who like to save money on parking. So we choose it. This is “further” - exactly 100 meters.
First we go out to the embankment, along which we move towards the center.
Porec as a city arose in the 2nd century BC, when the Romans founded the settlement of Castrum here. The location turned out to be convenient - a bay, on one side - an estuary, on the other - the mouth of a river. By the time of the reign of Emperor Octavian, the village had grown to the status of a city and received a new name - Parentum. What remains from the ancient Roman rule in the city is the correct geometric street plan and the foundations of modern (if they can be called modern!) houses))
I saw a similar funny picture in Lucca, where there is a square, the houses around which are built on the ruins of an amphitheater. And in general, it was inherent in the ancients to dismantle the “unnecessary” old, and on the basis of the old, build the “necessary” new.
Some buildings of those times, by the way, have been preserved or have been completely restored, or fragments of them remain, for example, the Roman Forum on Marathor Square.
Only about 8 thousand people live in Porec. But, if you also count the surrounding area, it turns out that the population of Porec will increase in size... right up to 20 thousand. The beaches are, of course, rocky.
The main attraction of the city, however, is the Euphrasian Basilica, which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. It was built in the 6th century, on the site of another one that was located here earlier. christian church, local bishop Euphrasius, in whose honor the temple was named. The Christian history of Porec goes back to ancient times. Back in the 3rd century, Christians lived here under the Romans. The first bishop of Porec, Moor, was tortured to death by them (the Romans), and after that he was declared the patron saint of the city. On the site where Bishop Maurus suffered martyrdom, an early Christian cathedral was built in the 4th century, and in the 6th century, as I already said, the famous basilica. I still don’t understand whether the entrance to the basilica is paid or not. There is a price tag, but the cash register did not work. Maybe I'm just lucky? Or was it a holiday? Don't know. But the basilica is worth seeing inside. It is amazing to see the rich Byzantine mosaics in Croatia.
The patio is quite Mediterranean. Not very luxurious. In many temples in Portugal and Spain, such courtyards are much richer.
And the inside of the cathedral is a little ascetic. Although the mosaic is yes, real Byzantine, defiantly luxurious!
And now - the Venetian “heritage”. So typical recognizable shape windows!
I can’t say that there is anything incredibly stunning about Poreč. It can be seen that it was a simple Venetian town, and then Austro-Hungarian, and then Yugoslav)). there has never been too much money, but people have always cared about inner harmony and beauty.
Of course, everything about narrow streets and black cats attracts me. Why? Don't know. I definitely wouldn’t want to live on such a street. What else to see in Porec? City Museum, Istrian Municipality, Roman remains of the Round, Pentagonal, Northern and Semicircular towers, several temples and Baroque and Gothic palaces.
Of course, it cannot do without the tourism industry (artists, restaurants, souvenirs). Porec is one of the most visited resorts in Istria. Everything is fine with the infrastructure here.
The city has quite a lot of modern objects, harmoniously integrated into the ancient quarters. Well, they absolutely don’t spoil the architecture!
And this palace is not far from the embankment. Did I mention that there are a couple of palaces here that are worthy of attention?
What else can you tell about the city? Yes, of course, you can list a list of restaurants where you should “eat”, you can describe the beaches (I won’t, I didn’t swim here). But I would say a little about memory. Europe suffered greatly from the horrors of World War II. On this trip, as everywhere else, I saw many monuments in honor of those sad events. Porec is no exception. One of the heroes. God, how sad this is!
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| Monument to the hero of World War II |
What is the Lima Canal? (aka Lima Fjord and Lima Bay) is part of the 35-kilometer Lima Gorge, which stretches from the sea almost to the middle of the Istrian peninsula! It is about 10 km long, up to 30 m deep. Once upon a time, the Lima Gorge was the border of two provinces of the ancient Roman Empire - Italy and Dalmatia. And it was formed during the Ice Age at the mouth of some long-eroded river. By the way, thanks to the amazing composition of the water (lightly salted), they grow my favorite ))
Lavender in Istria is our everything. Here it is a decoration for gardens/cities/vegetable gardens, ice cream, souvenirs, and an object of art. And yet, here, next to the Lima Canal, we can’t stand it and buy blackberry wine. Believe me, this woman (pictured below) is the god of trade! And her wine is good. I retested everything! I recommend. And wine and woman. I also recommend Porec. While passing through. Rovinj, which I will talk about later, is much more interesting.
Porec in Croatia offers extensive opportunities for people of all ages, including world-class historical and cultural monuments, good restaurants, impressive nightlife, variety of accommodation, decent value for money and, above all, kilometers of coastline: from Porto Bussola in the north to Lagoon Verde in the south.
Porec-Croatia
general information
Porec is a small town on west coast Istria. The city has a long history behind it, dating back to Roman times. This is noticeable even in the typical Roman street layout. The city is symmetrical, with two main intersecting streets - Decumanus Maximus (running from east to west) and Cardo Maximus (from north to south).
The city's episcopal basilica complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and its oldest parts date back to the 4th century, although the basilica itself dates back to the 6th century. The old town is dominated by Venetian-style houses.
Porec is crowded with tourists, especially in August. It is aimed at families, but its nightlife is also interesting enough to satisfy the tastes of young people and partygoers.
There are various structures for relaxation and entertainment to choose from:
- hotels, apartments, campsites;
- good bars for exciting nightlife;
- a wide range of sports activities and water sports;
- historical sites and other attractions.
The city favors tourists with ample parking spaces, pleasant traffic flow (even during periods of heavy traffic) and is known as one of the cleanest cities in Istria (despite the fact that they are all clean).
Porec Where is
Porec is located on the western coast of Istria, 30 km north of Rovinj and 20 km south of Novigrad.
Pula Airport is the closest airport from the Croatian city of Porec. It is a small seasonal airport with several low-cost airlines (Germanwings, Jet2, Norwegian, Ryanair, Vueling) connecting Pula to a dozen European cities.
Most flights to Porec in Croatia occur from May to October. Other airports you may consider when planning a visit to Istria are Trieste, Zagreb, Ljubljana, Venice and Treviso.
Pula Airport is located 50 km from Porec. Transfer services are provided by Brioni Pula and Fils. The cost of a one-way ticket is 150 kuna (very expensive). How a budget option, you can take a transfer from Pula airport to Pula main bus station (30 kuna) and then take a bus to Porec (60 kuna extra). Bus transport has good online booking, where you can also check the bus schedule.
The town of Porec is perfectly located to explore the entire peninsula. You can visit all the attractions of Istria just an hour's drive from Porec.
On the map of Croatia, Porec is visible to the naked eye, and on the online map you can mark every hotel, restaurant or attraction for visiting.
Porec in Croatia Weather
Porec has a pleasant Mediterranean climate. Summers in Porec are warm with low humidity. Winters in Porec are mild and snowfall is rare.
Remains during May, June, July, August and September good weather with pleasant average temperatures.
Most precipitation (monsoon season) occurs in June, August, September and November.
The warmest month is July, and the coolest month is January. November has the highest humidity. If you don't like rain, this month should be avoided. February is the driest month of the year.
The best weather to visit the city of Porec in Croatia is in the summer. Despite the crowds, see all the most the best of the city Porec is possible during this season.
If you don't like the bustle of a summer tourist resort, come after the first three hottest weeks of August. The beginning of autumn is perfect to enjoy the still warm temperatures of the Croatian city of Porec, but with a small number of tourists.
Sights of Porec Attractions
The small town is rich in history and culture. Attractions include Roman temples, medieval city walls and fortresses, and Gothic, Baroque and Romanesque palaces. On the Internet you can find many videos about traveling through the most interesting Croatian attractions of Porec.
Euphrasian Basilica
When thinking about what to see, don’t forget about the main attraction of the Croatian city of Porec.
The Euphrasian Basilica complex consists of:
- churches;
- memorial chapel;
- atrium;
- baptistery;
- bishop's palace.
It dates back to the 6th century and all the main parts are remarkably preserved. The Euphrasian Basilica was the last basilica built in Porec successively from the 4th to the 6th century, and the only one still standing.
The complex has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. The view from the 16th century bell tower is simply amazing.
Marathora Square
In Roman times, this place was the teeming heart of ancient Porec and the center of social life. Today, Marathora Square is a nightlife hub with popular bars, outdoor terraces and live music.
Marathora Square Istria Hall
The building itself has a very interesting story and has been used for various purposes since its construction. Built in the 13th century as a Gothic Franciscan church, it was declared a secular building in 1806. In 1844, the ground floor was converted into a wine cellar, and the first served as the Istrian Parliament building until 1918.
Today the building belongs to the city of Porec and serves as a venue for various cultural events.
Fortress walls and defense towers
Back in the 15th century, when Porec was under Venetian rule, the city was surrounded by fortification walls and even nine defensive towers. Today the city walls, especially well preserved in the western part of the old city, and three towers are still visible. North Tower, or rather its remains, are better visible from the outside of the old city.
The round tower houses the cozy Torre Rotonda bar. The interior is interesting, the tower is well preserved and there is a lovely terrace at the top. This is a nice and relaxing bar and well worth a visit.
The pentagonal tower was built in the 15th century in gothic style and has a relief of the Venetian lion on the façade. The tower is located at the entrance to the old town, right at the beginning of the main street Decumanus. Today it houses an expensive restaurant and if you want to visit the tower you will definitely feel obliged to stop by for a drink.
Fortress walls and defense towers Historical buildings of Porec
The old town has many interesting houses and former family palaces. Walking along the main street of Decumanus, you will definitely pass by the Zuccato Palace, beautiful building with Gothic style windows and Venetian bifora. The house was built in the 15th century and today houses an art gallery.
Walking along Marathora Square, you will come across a Romanesque house. This building is hard to miss - built in the 13th century, its appearance and style are completely different from all other buildings in Porec. Next to the house there is a 15th century well. Just a few steps away you will see another interesting house– House of two saints.
On Via Decumanus is the Leoni Palace, named after the lion figures on its façade (Palazzo dei Leoni). The windows in the Venetian style are especially good.
Kanonika is located next to the Eurasian Basilica. The building was built in 1251 and today serves as a parish house.
The Baroque Sincic Palace, built in the 18th century, is home to the Porec Heritage Museum. The museum is closed for renovations and an opening date has not yet been set. However, in the lapidary palace every Wednesday throughout the summer, tired tourists can enjoy jazz concerts.
There are many other interesting buildings in Porec: the Bassi Palace on Marafor Square, the Manzini Palace and the Baroque Vergotini Palace. Each of these Croatian attractions in Porec is worthy of at least one photo as a souvenir.
Kanonika Dusan Damonya Sculpture Park
On the main road from Porec to Vrsar there is a sculpture park spread over a meadow with an area of 10 hectares. It features bronze, wooden and concrete giant sculptures by the famous Croatian sculptor Dušan Dzamonj. His work is also shown at MoMa in New York and the Tate Gallery in London.
Baredin Cave
Karst natural monument, located 8 km northeast of the city of Porec, Baredin Cave consists of 5 chambers. The tour lasts 40 minutes and features fascinating stalagmites and stalactites, underwater lakes and the salamander, a pigmented "man fish" endemic to the area.
If you have time and decide to visit the sights of Porec to thoroughly explore this area, be sure to take this excursion.
Car rent
If you don't like traveling in the heat, you'll need a taxi or car to get anywhere in the Croatian city of Porec (no matter where your accommodation is located). The good news is that there is plenty of parking around the beaches of Porec, especially if you decide to swim at Zelena Laguna Resort.
The choice of cars for rent in Croatia (Porec, among others) is varied and reasonable prices. On the territory of almost everyone hotel complex you may be offered to rent a car.
If you prefer to rent a car directly through a local company, contacting local car rental companies will be helpful.
- Vetura is a local car rental company in Istria with offices in all major cities Istria. Head office: Trg J. Rakovca 2, Porec. Contacts: +385 52 434 700, +385 91 206 3070, Office: Green Laguna, Porec. Contacts: +385 52 451 391, + 385 91 483 7000,
- Sixt. Large international company for car rental, has a branch in Porec. Office: Rade Koncara 1, Porec. Contacts: +385 95 438 2416. Opening hours: Mon-Sat: 8:00 – 20:00, Sun: 8:00 – 12:00.
Zelena Laguna Resort Cycling routes
Porec, along with Novigrad, is best place for cyclists throughout Istria. The city of Porec has more than 250 km of marked cycling routes of varying lengths and difficulty levels. There are also places to store bicycles.
Choosing housing
You are offered a varied choice of accommodation, considered the best in all of Istria. Two large Croatian hotel chains, Valamar and Laguna, represent the majority of large hotels, campsites and resorts in the Croatian city of Porec. There are various apartments and villas on offer, as well as several youth hostels located right in the city center.
It is noteworthy that Porec hotels in Croatia offer breakfast and dinner included in the room price. This fact alone can help you save a lot of money. On the other hand, Porec apartments provide a fully equipped kitchen, which means you save on cooking your own meals.
If you decide to stay in hotels in Porec, Valamar hotels look like better hotels The lagoons are famous for their excellent choice of dishes " buffet» good quality, but hotels in Laguna are much cheaper, especially in the summer season.
Valamar Riviera Hotel & Residence
A stylish waterfront hotel, ideal for romantics and those who appreciate the finer things in life. Elegant rooms and suites overlook the waterfront, while personalized service and gourmet cuisine add to the intimate atmosphere. Valamar Riviera Hotel& Residence is known for having the best breakfast in town. It's an ideal starting point to explore the cultural, entertainment and gastronomic delights of the vibrant city.
Prices: from 80 euros for a double room with breakfast.
Valamar Riviera Hotel & Residence Hotel Valamar Isabella
It is part of the Valamar Isabella resort, opened in 2015 on the tiny island of St. Nicholas. The Valamar Isabella Resort consists of a 4-star hotel, villas, studio apartments and a castle.
The island of St. Nikola is just a 5-minute boat ride from the center of Porec. Family hotel has 180 superior and family rooms.
At the hotel you will find:
- open pool heated;
- Children's swimming pool;
- small wellness center with indoor pool;
- buffet restaurant "Izola".
While children take part in popular recreational games and programs under the watchful eye of the team, adults will have plenty of time to themselves: laze on the beach, undergo treatment at the modern wellness center or take part in sports activities.
Prices: from 90 euros per night in a double room with breakfast.
Boutique Hotel Mauro
The 4-star Boutique Hotel Mauro is located on the waterfront in the historical center of Porec. This new hotel, opened in July 2010.
Just a few steps from the Euphrasian Basilica and close to the main square of the city in close proximity to many shops, bars. Hotel Mauro combines a historical exterior with a modern interior and offers free parking and Wi-Fi for hotel guests. The romantic spirit of the Mauro's restaurant is ideal for couples. The menu is rich in local dishes.
Prices: from 89 euros per night for a double room with breakfast.
Boutique Hotel Mauro Grand Hotel Palazzo Porec
The hotel was built in 1910. It was restored in 2009. The building is located on the top of the peninsula, in the Old Town of Porec, surrounded by the sea.
The rooms are comfortable and clean. Superior rooms are higher in price, but much more spacious than classic rooms. The hotel has a small outdoor swimming pool, a wellness center, shops, a restaurant and a popular cafe Del Mar, which serves drinks, cakes and ice cream.
Prices: from 82 euros per night for a double room with breakfast.
Hotel Parentium Porec
Renovated in 2012, Parentium Porec quickly became one of the most popular hotels in Porec. The hotel is located on a small peninsula overlooking the sea and marina. This place is truly superb and a bit secluded from the rest of this busy resort.
The hotel has 268 rooms, a spacious lobby, a beautiful outdoor pool and beautiful beaches. It is surrounded by dense pine forest, which serves as a reliable shelter in hot weather summer days. The rooms are elegant and modern.
Be sure to book a room with a balcony to enjoy the stunning views.
Prices: from 105 euros per night for a double room with breakfast.
Hotel Parentium Porec Jadran Residence
The hotel immediately attracts attention due to its budget-friendly nature. It is located in a historical building on the Porec waterfront. The rooms look dated, but each room has a high ceiling and a wonderful view of the sea of the Croatian city of Porec. The popular bar Porec-Epoca is located on the ground floor of the residence.
Prices: from 41 euros per night for a double room with breakfast.
Apartments
Remember to choose what you want to rent carefully. The main advantages of renting apartments in the vicinity of Porec:
- the absence of noise and fuss, which you will definitely experience if you choose an apartment in the center;
- the price is lower compared to the center;
- closer to the beaches and sea.
Camping
Green Lagoon is one of the best campsites in Porec. The closest campsite to the city is 5 km from the center. Its capacity: 3000 people.
Dense forested terrain covers much of the area. There are enough toilets and they are all clean. Along the coast there are many beaches: pebbly and rocky with sunbathing areas and easy access to the sea.
There is a swimming pool, various restaurants, bars, sports facilities and entertainment for children and adults. A wonderful seaside walking and cycling trail.
Green Lagoon Sea and beaches
The shores of the city are washed by the Adriatic Sea. During the summer months, temperatures in the waters of Porec in Croatia can rise to 28 degrees Celsius.
Beach characteristics
From north to south, Porec stretches over more than 10 km of coastline. The beaches here range from rocky, cemented, pebbly to sandy. The variety of options will suit everyone. Sun and sea are still the main reasons to visit Porec.
Between Cervar Porat in the north and Green Lagoon in the south, holidaymakers have a variety of beaches to choose from, from the wild beaches of Porto Bussola to the action-packed beaches of Pical, Brulo and Green Lagoon.
You will meet many tour guides on the beaches. They usually offer day excursions around the Croatian city of Porec, boat trips to the Limfjord or along the Riviera.
Reminder for beach holidaymakers:
- the coast is usually rocky, and in some places it is difficult to get down to the sea: wear sneakers or sandals to protect your feet;
- on all Croatian beaches of Porec designated for recreation there are garbage cans, changing cabins, showers, bars and restaurants, sun loungers and sun umbrellas, opportunities for a variety of activities aquatic species sports: water skiing, catamarans and other attractions;
- in the vicinity of many beaches in the Croatian city of Porec there are small grocery stores and beachwear;
- public toilets are not located on all beaches: despite this, you can visit the toilet in any bar or restaurant nearby, some charge a fee for using the toilets, others allow only bar guests to use the toilets;
- on some beaches there are sellers of donuts and other products made from dough and boiled corn - such food is perfect for a snack;
- Porec beaches in Croatia are generally not crowded.
Beaches of Porec Green Lagoon
Large resort located 5 km south of Porec in Croatia. Green Lagoon consists of many bays, small peninsulas, more than 10 km of coastline, 8 hotels, one residential complex, two campsites, many bars, restaurants and entertainment.
At the entrance to the resort, in front of the Molindrio Hotel, there is a wakeboarding park and a small pebble beach nearby. The latter is used as wakeboarding exit points. There is little shade, but there is a nice grassy area with hammocks, a volleyball court, and a small playground with a sandbox and swings. A bar with a large terrace is the centerpiece of the wakeboarding park. Public toilets are available next to the bar and are available to guests free of charge.
To the south you will find Parentium Beach. He is coastline along the small peninsula on which the Parentium Hotel is located. The coast is rocky, with cemented sunbathing areas, especially on the northern side of the peninsula. The beach is provided for hotel guests. The southwestern part of the peninsula overlooks the central territory of the resort. This part is popular among local residents. The sunbathing area is grassy, there is practically no shade. There are 2 restaurants on the beach.
The central part of the Zelena Laguna resort is the area between the Plavi Hotel and residential complex Astra. The beach is cemented, with no big amount pebbles. For lovers of active recreation, there are many sports facilities available:
- mini golf;
- table tennis;
- tennis courts;
- small inflatable water park;
- rental of motor boats, catamarans;
- bicycles for rent.
The coastal part is narrow, so many buildings are located right on the seashore: restaurants, cafes, shops, including grocery stores. A regular boat departs from here, connecting the resort with the center of Porec. An adult one-way ticket costs 20 kuna, and 10 kuna for a child under 12 years old.
To the south is Delfin Beach. This beach is located in front of the hotel of the same name, the largest hotel in all of Croatia. The hotel is located on a hilly peninsula overlooking the promenade. The coast here is rocky, undisturbed by any buildings except for a few benches and trash bins along the embankment. Some parts of the beach are very steep and few people dare to swim here. Other parts of the beach are made up of coves with tiny natural pebble beaches.
Zelena Laguna The entire peninsula is covered with dense pine forest, which helps to hide in natural shade from the heat. On the southwestern shores of the peninsula are:
- popular beach bar Saint & Sinner;
- small restaurant;
- children playground;
- large sandbox for children;
- water slide;
- Volleyball Court;
- grocery and beachwear stores;
- a stall selling French fries, chicken wings and pancakes.
The beach is rocky, cemented and pebbly in parts. Leisure, offered at Delfin Beach, includes rental of jet skis, motor boats and catamarans, a crazy UFO ride, banana rides, parasailing.
Even further south begins the Zelena Laguna camping site, where sports activities are provided: mini golf, table tennis, bicycle rental, etc. Camping Zelena Laguna and Bijela Uvala offer plenty of swimming and sunbathing areas. In Green Lagoon, among other things, there is a small nudist beach.
Brulo Beach
Located just 2 km from the center of Porec, Brulo Beach is located directly below the Diamant, Kristal and Rubin hotels. Thick Pine forest covers the entire area, creating a wonderful shady area. The beach is rocky with cemented areas for sunbathing. In the central part of Brulo Beach there is a small natural pool with shallow water for small children, a playground and a huge sandbox.
There are many bars and restaurants near the hotels. There are no public toilets, but you can visit the toilets of nearby bars and restaurants.
Brulo Beach offers many sports facilities: tennis courts, table tennis, mini golf and entertainment for children - trampoline, inflatable water park.
Brulo is a great beach with lots to do, natural shade and a wide selection of bars and restaurants. It is located near the city, so it can be filled with a large number of vacationers.
Brulo Beach City Beach
There is a city beach next to Brulo Beach. This beach is similar to Brulo, although it is less crowded. There is a children's playground near the beach.
St. Nicholas Island
A small island just 5 minutes drive from the center of Porec. St. Nicholas Island doesn't have any top-notch beaches as such, but it has always been popular for swimming, especially among the locals.
The sea here, especially in the west, is very deep. You can plunge into it to the very top. On east coast small island, opposite the Valamar Isabella Hotel, there is a cemented beach with a sandy sunbathing area. There is a tiny artificial pebble beach next to it. The rest of the coast is rocky, with cemented sunbathing areas.
You can easily reach this island by small boat from the Porec waterfront. The ticket costs 40 kuna per person for a round trip. The price is low due to the fact that the hotel company on the island is trying to limit the number of regular guests.
St. Nicholas Island Pical Beach
This is the first beach in the northern part of Porec. It is located below the Zagreb and Pical hotels, a 15-minute walk from the Old Town. This beach is very popular among locals. It is within walking distance of Porec's neighborhoods, so it is the most convenient beach if you live in the city or are staying there for a while.
The beach was restored 2 years ago, with improvements: new sunbathing areas, improved promenade.
Vacationers are provided with a beautiful pebble beach, a children's playground with a sandbox, car rental, bars and restaurants. On this beach there is one of the popular night bars in Porec - Tequila Bar. This bar is Porec's summer hot spot with live music and a truly wonderful atmosphere.
The Porec Jet-Ski Center is located at the far end of this beach, bordering Spadici Beach. The center offers ski rentals, a crazy UFO ride, banana rides, and go-kart riding. In the vicinity of the hotel there is a restaurant called Hrast with a stunning seaside terrace and really good cuisine.
Eat tourist train, connecting Porec with Pikal beach (it reaches Spajdik). The ticket price is 10 kuna per person, and the trip duration is 10 minutes.
Spadici Beach
Continuing along the coast, starting at Pical Beach, you will reach Spadici Beach. It is located below the Valamar Pinia Hotel and Residence. The beach is cement, with a wide grass surface for sunbathing. This beach is often crowded with hotel guests, and locals are rare here. There are no shady areas.
There are several restaurants and cafes on the beach and along the main road just behind the beach. Showers and changing rooms are available to guests.
Spadici Beach Materada Beach
Located in the same area, right next to Spadici beach. No shady areas. There are many sports and entertainment facilities, restaurants, bars, grocery stores, showers, and locker rooms.
At the far end of this beach you will find the private campsite Materada and then the Laguna Materada hotel.
Wild beaches
In Croatia, wild beaches mean beaches without infrastructure (no toilets, changing rooms, water sports, bars or restaurants).
In Porec, wild beaches start from Materada beach and all the way to Cervar Porat. The entire area remains untouched and uninhabited, with the exception of the Ulica campsite (for nudists), which is located halfway between Materada and Cervar Porat.
The most popular part of the area is Porto Busola, a peninsula and bay where locals love to picnic by the sea. The spot is so popular among locals that some wake up at 4am to secure a secluded spot on the beach.
Money and ATMs
The Croatian currency is the Kuna, although you can pay for some things in euros: meals in restaurants, accommodation, gasoline.
The exchange rate is around 7.6 CZK to 1 Euro. You can exchange money in many places in Porec: in exchange offices, banks, hotels.
ATMs are located everywhere: next to each bank, in popular places in the city and in many hotels.
ATMs are easy to use thanks to their multilingual controls.
Landscapes of Porec Shopping
There are plenty of grocery stores in Porec, Croatia; tourists have a wide selection of supermarkets for shopping. Almost all supermarkets in Porec are located along Mate Vlasica street, and each of them has a large parking lot. There are 2 Croatian supermarket chains Konzum and Plodine, as well as large European chains - Lidl and Kaufland. Billa is the only supermarket located in the city center, next to the bus station. The prices at the Lidl supermarket are much lower compared to the prices of other supermarkets in the Croatian city of Porec.
The best butcher in the city is Arman, who has a shop in the green part of the market. The best fish shops are Ancora on Gaspara Kalcica 10 and Batana on P. Kandlera 13. Both shops offer to clean the fish you buy, grill it or fry it, if desired.
There are 3 pharmacies in Porec. One is located in the main square, another is just a few meters from Via Pietro Candler, and the third is next to the hospital. Pharmacies are open from Monday to Saturday, and on Sunday and holidays are closing.
Two shops in the Croatian city of Porec sell equipment for camping and other outdoor activities - Parens at the main entrance to Porec and Meridijen in the industrial area of Porec.
Clothing stores are small boutiques located in the old town of Porec. Among them you can find Sisley, Benetton and St. Oliver, but no high-end brands.
Holidays in Porec Porec is a small town in Istria in the middle of a vast resort region. This place is always full of tourists and most of the hotels are on the beach outside the city. Keep in mind that the beaches are rocky and not sandy, but given how beautiful the sea is in the Croatian city of Porec, every traveler will want to visit it.
Porec offers a variety of things to try while on holiday here, from water sports, car sports and cycling to olive oil sampling and wine tasting.
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