We spent a week in August in Poreč, second largest town in Croatian region of Istria. It is a small town (population: 16000) which dats back to the Roman period situated on the nice peninsula.
We came by car using highway all the way up to Poreč and stayed in Pical hotel few kilometers north from the town centre. The best thing about this hotel is its restaurant! Our meals was really tasteful and they made something special for every dinner. Hotel have a nice and big swimming pool which was so loved from our kids and they practiced their swimming skills on and on.
Beach Borik near hotel is a bit crowded but at the back there is a park/forrest with adventure park and mini-golf. We enjoyed playing mini-golf 🙂 and relaxing in several beach bars.
Every evening we took a walk to Old town and right before it we must stop at funfair where our boys must sit behind the wheel of small racing cars (every evening :)).
In the Old town which is full of tourists we enjoyed walking by the sea and visiting shops. We visited Euphrasian basilica which is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage list, earliest parts of basilica dates back to the second half of the 4th century.
The best place for the drink in the Old town was on the top of old tower “Peterokutna kula”, it means ‘five-angled tower’. Not an easiest place to clime to the top – it is a little adventure for the kids, but the view is worth of it.
We was wondering in old town every evening looking for a cafe with live music or a bar with good ice-cream.
Istria is the western part of Croatia and it has its special “flavour” with old towns, beautiful nature and nice climate. It is a great place for family vacation which offers also Water-park, Dinosaur-park and many beautiful small towns and villages in the mainland.
One day we drove to Pula, the biggest town in Istria where we spent few hours walking, shopping and visiting Roman amphitheater (Arena of Pula).
Next trip was a small ship ride to Rovinj. The ship was started in morning from Poreč port and we spent 5-6 hours wondering around beautiful and picturesque Rovinj. Don’t miss to clime some stairs to reach the top of the Rovinj peninsula and see the view from there. At the top you’ll find the Church of St. Euphemia (or Basilica of St. Euphemia) a Baroque church which is dominating the town.
On the way back our ship stopped at “The Pirate Cave” in Limski kanal (The Canal of Lim) where kids enjoyed short pirate break climing to the top of the mast and visiting a small cave.
Third trip was a catamaran ride to Venice, Italy where we spent almost whole day. Needless to say anything about this town.
Our recommendations:
- Aqaurium in Poreč
- Shopping: in the old town
- Excursions: Venice (1 day by ship), Rovinj (1 day by small ship), Pula (1 day with bus/car)
- Drink: many bars in Old Town, try Croatian beers, nice place with great view: “Peterokutna kula”
- Sightseeing: Euphrasian basilica, seafront in Old Town peninsula
- Walking: walk in Old town or take a small train to outskirts of town
- Sunset: seafront with Old town on horizon
