Current as of: September 9, 2025 - 22:09
Cycling Croatia's Istrian Peninsula Trip Notes
- Ways to Travel: Guided Group
- Destination: Croatia
- Programmes: Cycling
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Activity Level:
4 out of 7 - Moderate & Challenging
- 8 Days: Land Only
- Ages: 16+
- Trip Code: MVI
- Carbon Footprint: 21.2kg CO2e
Trip Overview
Cycle sunlit Istria, where coastal trails and ancient history come alive with your tour leader’s local insight
With a sun-kissed coast and historic towns, the Istrian Peninsula of Croatia holds beauty at every turn. But some views outshine the rest. So, join our expert tour leader to follow the prettiest coastal trails, cycle through vineyards and olive groves, and discover centuries of history, from the Roman amphitheatre of Pula to medieval castles. This is Istria’s beauty on full display and your saddle is the best seat in the house.
At a Glance
- Accommodation: 7 Superior nights (hotels)
- Five days of cycling with full vehicle support
- Group normally 4 to 16, plus leader. Minimum age: 16
Highlights
- Ride Istria’s most beautiful biking routes: sunlit coasts, vineyards and historic towns
- Cycle the Parenzana Trail to discover vineyards, ancient towns and white truffles
- Discover medieval forts on a castle cycling tour
- Sample local wines in the family-run Fiore vineyard on an expert-led tasting session
- Visit Rovinj and Pula, Croatia’s Little Venice and Mini Rome
- End the adventure in historic Pula with a free day to explore
Is This Trip for You?
This trip is classified Road and Activity Level 4 (Moderate & Challenging). For more on our trip gradings, visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip, please contact us.
- Cycling days: Five
- Average daily distance: 25mi (41km) with full vehicle support
- Terrain: Mix of gravel and paved roads
- Standard bikes: Torpado Navigator or Cube Aim SLX
Route: The route is generally rolling but there are a few challenging hills that can be tough in warm weather. At times, we follow roads or tracks with a steep downslope to one side. Certain sections do not have a barrier.
Support: A support vehicle follows us, so it is possible to miss some of these harder sections if you prefer.
Experience: No specific cycling experience is required but you should be comfortable on a bike and have a good level of fitness.
Water safety: This trip includes time by a lake, river or sea, where there may be opportunities to swim. You should always seek local advice before deciding whether to swim. Open-water or wild swim spots should be treated with extreme caution. Information on how to keep yourself safe while swimming is shown here.
Group
Normally six to 16, plus a local tour leader.
Adult min age: 16
Min group size: 6
Max group size: 16
Itinerary
Land Only
- Start City: Poreč
- End City: Pula
Land Only Itinerary
Adventure starts in Poreč
Begin your adventure in Poreč, an ancient Roman town turned glittering seaside resort on the Istrian coast.
As many flights arrive late into Pula Airport, we have a welcome briefing tomorrow morning.
Want more time in Poreč? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative.
Accommodation: Valamar Parentino Hotel (or similar)
Upgrade to a superior or a sea-view room today – speak to your sales representative for more details
Discover vineyards, ancient towns and white truffles on the Parenzana Trail
After breakfast, say bok to your tour leader and fellow travellers, when we gather as a group for the first time for a short briefing to kick off the tour.
Leave the hotel around 10am and transfer (35 minutes) to the small town of Buje, where we have our bike collection and fitting. Ready for our first ride, we cycle a section of the Parenzana Trail, a route that tracks the old Parenzana railway line. Our first section takes us to the ancient city of Grožnjan, past vineyards and olive farms, and mostly on a gravel road.
After a short break, we get back on the bikes and ride on gravel to another ancient city, Završje, which is mostly abandoned, before we continue to the white truffle town of Livade. After refreshments, we transfer (45 minutes) back to our Poreč hotel.
Your tour leader then ensures a big Croatian welcome by arranging a group dinner at a local restaurant.
Route: 20% paved roads, 80% gravel roads
Accommodation: Valamar Parentino Hotel (or similar)
Upgrade to a superior or a sea-view room today – speak to your sales representative for more details
Ride Istria’s northwest coast • Wine tasting at Fiore vineyard
Our bikes are waiting for us in the fishing town of Novigrad, which we reach after a 30-minute transfer.
Back on the saddle, we ride through olive groves, vineyards, coastal cities and villages, to the seaside town of Umag, where we have a 30-minute break for coffee and a spot of sightseeing.
Riding again, we take a coastal trail to Savudrija Lighthouse, the oldest in Croatia, before pedalling to the village of Soši. Here, we cycle to Fiore, a family-run vineyard that produces fine bottles of Istrian malvasia, for a tasting session of their local wines led by an expert from the winery.
We then transfer back to our hotel for the evening.
Route: 70% paved roads, 30% gravel roads
Accommodation: Valamar Parentino Hotel (or similar)
Upgrade to a superior or a sea-view room today – speak to your sales representative for more details
Ride to Casanova’s Vrsar • Explore abandoned Dvigrad • Finish at Lim Bay
Ride directly from the hotel this morning, cycling along the coast to the pretty fishing village of Vrsar, reputedly a favourite of Giacomo Casanova. After a coffee break, we ride gravel roads through Kontija forest, which is dominated by European hornbeam trees, and local roads past vineyards and olive groves to our next break point, the village of Kloštar.
Refreshed, we ride to the abandoned medieval town of Dvigrad. Explore the castle ruins, before completing the final stretch today at Lim Bay, where we catch our transfer (one hour) back to Poreč.
Route: 50% quiet paved roads, 50% gravel roads
Accommodation: Valamar Parentino Hotel (or similar)
Upgrade to a superior or a sea-view room today – speak to your sales representative for more details
Discover medieval forts on a castle cycling tour
Today is dedicated to exploring medieval castles by bike. Start with a 30-minute transfer to the small town of Kanfanar, where we pick up our bikes. Then set off for Zminj, visiting the castle and medieval frescoes in the church, before continuing past small villages to Savičenta.
Take a short break to see Savičenta Castle, before taking a mix of paved and gravel roads to Bale, where we can see the 16th-century Castle Soardo Bembo (also known as Soardo-Bembo Palace), before catching our transfer to Pula, where we settle into our second hotel and maybe explore a little.
Route: 60% quiet paved roads, 30% gravel roads, 10% forest roads
Accommodation: Park Plaza Histria Pula (or similar)
Upgrade to a superior room today – speak to your sales representative for more details
Discover Croatia’s Little Venice and Mini Rome
Today’s adventure has an Italian flavour, as we cycle from the hotel to Rovinj, often named Little Venice for its tight-packed houses with Venetian shutters – it’s no coincidence, Rovinj was part of the Venetian Republic for 500 years.
After, cycle along the coast to Pula, passing tourist sites and forested parks with a chance to stop for a coffee on the beach. Our route passes the picturesque hamlet of Barbariga, before reaching Fažana, where we take a break. After, we return to Pula, a Little Rome with an ancient amphitheatre and many Roman monuments. After a short sightseeing tour, we return to the hotel.
Route: 40% quiet paved roads, 60% gravel roads
Accommodation: Park Plaza Histria Pula (or similar)
Upgrade to a superior room today – speak to your sales representative for more details
Free day to explore Pula and beyond
Today has been left free for you to relax and enjoy the wonders of Pula. Optional activities include an excursion to Brijuni National Park or a private city tour of Pula with a visit to a local olive producer. Please check the Extra Expenses section for more details.
This evening, the group can gather together for a farewell dinner – a chance to relive some of the adventures we’ve had together (and perhaps start planning the next!).
Accommodation: Park Plaza Histria Pula (or similar)
Upgrade to a superior room today – speak to your sales representative for more details
Adventure ends in Pula
You’ve cycled the most scenic trails in Istria, sipped the local wine with an expert producer, and explored Little Venice and Mini Rome, but now it’s time to begin your return journey home.
Alternatively, if you’d like to extend your adventure, speak to your sales representative to discuss our large range of extension options.
Ascents, descents and distances: All ascents, descents and distances listed in the daily itinerary have been measured by our local partners or tour leaders, in many cases with satellite-based mapping software. However, different GPS measuring devices can give differing results, particularly on winding paths or in mountainous terrain. Measurements stated throughout these Trips Notes are given to help you understand the types of terrain and distances you will encounter. Timings stated will vary depending on the pace of your group.
Accommodation
Superior hotels
We aim to secure locally owned accommodation that is well located, offers good value for money, and plenty of comfort. To help you find your ideal adventure, each trip is given a Comfort Level rating, which indicates the overall standard of accommodation. For more on our ratings, see our Comfort Level guidelines.
Room upgrades are available throughout the itinerary – speak to your sales representative for more details.
Below are the hotels we typically use:
Poreč: Valamar Parentino (nights 1-4)
Spend the first four nights in the Valamar, a well-equipped resort that’s very popular with keen cyclists, as it sits right next to the Bike Center Poreč, at the start of the Parenzana Trail. When you’re off the saddle, there’s a range of amenities to keep you busy, including several pools, a paved beach with an infinity pool, and spa facilities.
Pula: Park Plaza Histria Pula (nights 5-7)
Right by the Adriatic, a short walk from a Blue Flag beach, the Park Plaza Histria is a scenic spot to end the adventure. It also has an outdoor saltwater pool with a bar, a wellness centre offering health treatments, and several bars, including a champagne bar and the Yacht Bar & Restaurant, which has a spacious sea-view terrace.
Tailor your trip: Extend your adventure by securing extra hotel nights before or after the main itinerary. Speak to your sales representative to book.
Private rooms: Like most tour operators, we room solo passengers together. If you’d prefer to have a private room, it’s normally possible to do this for a supplement. Speak to your sales representative to book.
Single supplement from CAD 779
Food & Drink
Croatian cuisine is a mix of fine seafood, grilled lamb, pizza, pasta and salads, with influences from central Europe, Italy, and other parts of the Balkans.
Transport
The group is accompanied by a support vehicle throughout.
Weather & Seasonality
Croatia has one of the sunniest climates in Europe, and some regions are well known to be free from rain. Our trips run from March to October, so you should expect some variation in temperature and possibly some rainfall. Temperatures can be high, particularly on the July departures when average temperatures are around 29C (84F). Temperatures in March, April and October are typically cooler.
Joining Instructions
Key information
Start hotel: Valamar Parentino Hotel, Pical 1, 52440, Poreč
Phone: +385 52 465 000
Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time on Day 1, as we have our welcome briefing on the morning of Day 2
Airport: Pula Airport (PUY)
Getting to the start hotel
The start hotel is approximately 45 minutes’ drive from the airport. We provide one group transfer from the airport to the hotel, which you can join at no extra cost, provided you can be at the airport before the transfer leaves. Speak to your sales representative for the transfer times or to arrange a private transfer.
Catching your return flight
There’s one group transfer to the airport, which you can join at no extra cost. Please speak to your sales representative for the time of the transfer. If the group transfer does not suit your flight time, speak to your sales representative to arrange an alternative.
Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.
Location start: Poreč
Location end: Pula
What To Take
Essential Equipment
- Normal daily clothes
- Warmer layers (for the earlier and later departures)
- Sunscreen
- Water bottle
Equipment Hire
Included standard bike
The standard bike for this trip is a Cube Aim SLX or Torpado Navigator.
We will take your height at the time of booking to reserve equipment. If you have a preferred bike size, please request when booking. Please also let us know if you’d like to upgrade to include a water bottle, water bottle holder and/or gel saddle.
E-bike upgrade
Electric bikes are available on this trip, which are Atlas ebikes. Speak to your sales representative for more information and prices.
Bringing your own bike
If you’d prefer to bring your own bike, please advise us at the time of booking and you will receive a discount on the price of the trip. However, you will be responsible for any extra baggage charges; assembling and disassembling your bike; and bringing along spare parts and any tools specific to it. You should also ensure you have adequate insurance to cover loss, damage or theft.
Please note, it is logistically difficult to transport bike boxes on this trip, therefore extra charges might be incurred locally to send them to the end location.
Accessories and clothing
Bringing equipment from home
You’re welcome to bring your own equipment, such as SPD pedals or clipless pedals, your own saddle (excluding the seat post), or gel saddle cover for the hire bikes. Your leader will help you fit these when bikes are distributed.
Helmets
Helmets are mandatory for everyone on our guided cycling trips. You must bring your own as, following best safety practice, they are not available for hire.
Cycling clothing
For this cycling trip we recommend:
- Padded cycling shorts: For destinations with more modest cultures, we also recommend loose ‘over-shorts’ for riding or rest stops
- Eyewear: Either sunglasses or eye protection with clear lenses to protect the eyes while riding
- Cycling gloves: Especially for riding off-road or on rugged surfaces
- Cycling shoes: Cycling is more efficient with stiff-soled shoes. We don’t recommend open-toed shoes or sandals
- Small close-fitting backpack or bum bag (fanny pack): To keep spare clothing or essential items to hand during the ride
- Breathable top or cycling jersey
- Waterproofs and long cycling trousers
Practical Information
Passport
Remember to check the expiration date of your passport if travelling internationally. Many countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after the date of your scheduled return.
Visa
Croatia
Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Croatia. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.
Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.
• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/europe/croatia
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/croatia
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/croatia/entry-requirements
• USA: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Croatia.html
Vaccinations and Health
Croatia
There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for hepatitis A, hepatitis B, tetanus, rabies and tick-borne encephalitis. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.
Local Time
Croatia's time zone: Europe/Zagreb (UTC +02:00)
Electricity
Croatia's electricity: Plug types C (two round pins, European standard) and F (two round pins) – 230V, 50Hz
Money
Croatia's currency: Euros (EUR)
ATM Availability
ATMs and banks are available throughout the trip. You can use credit cards in most shops and restaurants in Croatia. We suggest you have some cash with you, in some restaurants it is quicker to arrange cash payments and/or card is still not accepted.
Extra Expenses & Spending Money
Allow €35-€45 per day for meals that are not included; this would cover a good-sized lunch and a standard three-course meal in the evening. It is possible to spend a lot more depending on what you choose to eat and drink.
Optional excursions in Pula (Day 7)
- Excursion to Brijuni National Park (minimum two people): Visit the scenic island of Brijuni, taking the tourist train around the island highlights, with a chance to walk in the national park.
- Pula tour with olive producer visit (minimum six people): Explore the highlights of Pula, visiting the Roman amphitheatre, Pula Fortress, the cathedral and Roman monuments. After the walking tour, meet expert olive producers to walk through their olive grove and enjoy a guided tasting and cocktail making.
Tipping
Although optional, a tip for the tour leader at the end of the trip is greatly appreciated. As a guideline, we recommend a contribution of €20-€25 per person for the week. It is also customary to leave a tip for any additional local staff who support your trip – for example, drivers, cooks and hotel staff. This can be handed to your tour leader at the end of the week to distribute accordingly. In total for the tour leader to distribute to all relevant staff, budget approximately €10-€15 per person per week.
Sustainability and Impact
As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.
We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.
This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony through practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.
Important Information
Your Safe Participation
When booking this trip, you should be confident in your ability to participate in all activities described in these Trip Notes. If you have any doubt about your suitability, please call us and ask to speak to one of the experts on this itinerary.
Although our leaders are well trained to deal with different capabilities, if they have any concerns about someone’s ability to safely take part in an activity, or their impact on other people’s enjoyment, we authorise them to take necessary action which, in some circumstances, may involve asking someone to miss that activity.
By booking this trip you agree to our Booking Conditions which clearly state that our leaders have the authority to do this. In these rare instances we will ensure anyone sitting out is safely provided for and offered alternative options where possible. Refunds will not be provided for activities missed and customers may be liable for additional costs incurred.
Seatbelts
All vehicles used by us should be equipped with working seatbelts, except where approved by us based on the vehicle type or journey. Wherever seatbelts are available, we require our customers to use them for their own safety, even where it may not be a legal requirement.
How to Book
Speak to our friendly team of experts to plan your adventure:
- Check availability: our website shows real-time availability or contact our team by phone, email or live chat.
- Hold a space: You can provisionally hold a space to give you time to finalise your travel plans.
- Confirm your booking: Payment of a deposit will complete your booking and secure your place on the trip.
After booking
You will receive a confirmation document and invoice, which includes extra information and guidance about your travel arrangements. Our dedicated Customer Operations team will help you with any pre-travel questions or arrangements and can easily add extensions or extra accommodation to your booking. Final Joining Instructions will usually be sent out two to three weeks prior to departure.
Adding transfers to your booking
If you have arranged your own flights and would like to add transfers to your booking, please provide your arrival and departure details to our Customer Operations team around four to six weeks before departure.
- Where free transfers are included, they are available for any flight but can only be added to your booking once we have received your flight schedule.
- Where group arrival and departure transfers are available, these operate at fixed times. You will need to arrive in time to meet the scheduled transfer. If the timings don’t align with your travel plans, our team can arrange private transfers once they receive your flight schedule.
Trip Note validity
Trip notes may be updated after booking; if any updates significantly impact the inclusions or itinerary you will be advised in writing. A link to the most up-to-date Trip Notes will be sent out with your Final Joining Instructions before departure.
The information in these Trip Notes is given in good faith. All holidays can be subject to unexpected changes, and occasionally it may not be possible to follow the itinerary as planned. In these circumstances we will make the best-possible alternative arrangements that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary.
