Start of this bicycle tour is Trieste, the former Habsburg seaport seated at the foothills of the karst. During the Roman Empire Trieste became a busy and rich port. After a few kilometers you leave Italy and cycle to Croatia and on to Istria. This sunny peninsula in the Mediterranean Sea is characterized by little picturesque fisher villages, small towns on the karst hills, vineyards and valleys. Let yourself surprise you from the charms of a landscape rich in contrasts and the various colors of Istria.
Day 1: Arrival in Trieste
Individual arrival at the first hotel in Trieste.
Day 2: Trieste > Piran/Portoroz, ~35 or 65 km
After a few kilometers you say goodbye to Italy. In Slovenia you cycle mostly on cycling paths through famous bathing resorts like Koper (Capodistria) and Izola (Isola d’Istria) to Piran (Pirano) or Portorož (Portorose), a spa town on the Slovenian Riviera. The longer version leads through ‘Val Rosandra’ in the back country.
Day 3: Piran/Portoroz > Umag/Novigrad, ~35-60 km
You pass the salt gardens of Secovlje, where they produce sea salt on huge areas through natural evaporation, and you cycle over the border to Croatia, travelling through the Croatian part of Istria, the biggest peninsula of the Adria, slightly hilly to Umag, which historic centre was built on the relics of a Roman colony. Umag is well-known also for the ATP tournament - „Croatia Open“, held every year. Enjoy a sightseeing tour in the evening through the medieval town with its narrow alleys and the beautiful city tower.
Day 4: Umag/Novigrad > Porec, ~20-40 km
From Umag you cycle - slightly hilly - to Novigrad or Cittanova. This medieval town surrounded by a battlement wall is seated on the water mouth of Mirna. Then you cycle to Porec, the most important coastal city on Istria’s west coast. We suggest visiting the Euphrasian Basilica, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
Day 5: Around Porec, ~35 km
You have the choice: either you visit by boat the Brijuni-islands or the Limski-channel, you enjoy your day off by the sea or visit the country land of Porec. The Brijuni-islands are twelve smaller and 2 bigger islands; the main island Veli Brijun was used by the Yugoslav statesman Tito as summer residence. Today the islands are National Park and only Veli Brijun can be visited by the public. Going by boat to the fjord-alike Limski-channel you might be lucky and see some dolphins. The Limski-channel is National Park nature reserve and on the coast you find mussels and oyster farming.
Day 6: Porec > Rovinj, ~55 km
Have a last view over the picturesque seaport on Istria’s west coast before you leave to Rovinj. Rovinj is surrounded in the west and the south west by the Adriatic Sea. Afar the high bell tower of the Euphemia Church built on the highest spot of Rovinj, greats you. Go ahead, if you would like to cycle to Zlatnirt (also known as Golden Cape), a peninsula, where you find a park in a nature reserve.
Day 7: Rovinj > Pula, ~45-55 km
The last day on your ‘expedition’ in Istria leads you to Pula on Istria’s south west point. Pula is the oldest town of Istria and its commercial and cultural center. Enjoy your last day of the tour amongst various antiquities and the mighty Roman amphitheater in the center of Pula.
Day 8: Departure
Individual departure or extension of your stay.
