10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN POREC, CROATIA

Coming to Porec and wondering what to do there? Here are the 10 best things to do in Porec from a Croatian local!

Istria is a very popular part of Croatia that attracts lots of visitors, and Porec is one of the most popular towns in the region. It’s especially known for its hotels and resorts, so if you’re looking for a relaxing holiday, it might be the perfect place for you. If you want to see what you can do there beyond just enjoying your hotel, keep reading!

BEST THINGS TO DO IN POREC

EXPLORE THE OLD TOWN

Like in most Croatian towns, the Old Town is the most interesting and most beautiful part you need to visit. Porec’s old town is full of historic landmarks, Roman ruins, and charming old buildings. The main promenade, Decumanus Street, is lined with cafés, boutique shops, and great local restaurants. There’s plenty to do, but make sure you visit the main sights, wander through the small streets, and enjoy a nice sunset by the waterfront!

VISIT THE EUPHRASIAN BASILICA

A visit to the Euphrasian Basilica is something you can’t skip because it’s the highlight of any trip to Porec. This UNESCO-listed church is known for its beautiful Byzantine mosaics, with gold details and intricate scenes. Besides the church, you can also explore the baptistery and climb the bell tower for amazing views over the red rooftops and the Adriatic Sea. The entrance to the whole complex is €10, and it’s absolutely worth it!

SEE THE ROMAN RUINS

Porec has a rich Roman history, and you’ll see it all around the Old Town. There are ancient temples (don’t miss the Neptune Temple!), old defensive walls, and even the layout of the original Roman town. The ruins aren’t as big or well preserved as the ones in Pula, but they add a lot of character and history to Porec, so they’re definitely worth checking out.

VISIT ZELENA LAGUNA

If you’re looking for some peace and nature, you should spend a morning or afternoon in Zelena Laguna. It’s only about 8 minutes from Porec by car, and depending on where you’re staying, you might be even closer (there are plenty of hotels there!). You’ll be surrounded by pine forests and clear water, so you’ll be in the perfect place for swimming, cycling, or water sports. You can come here to enjoy the sea or just take a walk and relax in nature.

GO TO THE BEACH

Porec has a few beautiful beaches, mostly rocky and pebbly. Many of the best ones are in or near Zelena Laguna that I mentioned earlier. Two popular options are Parentino Beach and Plava Laguna Beach because the water is very clear and they have good facilities. While I wouldn’t say Porec, or Istria in general, has the best beaches in Croatia, you should still go for a swim, and these are great spots to do it!

HAVE FUN AT AQUACOLORS WATER PARK

While I haven’t been myself, I’ve heard so many good things about Aquacolors Water Park. It’s one of the largest water parks in the region, with lots of slides, wave pools, and lazy rivers for all ages. It’s a great option if you’re traveling with family, or if you just want a fun break from sightseeing. Tickets start at around €20 for children and just under €30 for adults, which is quite reasonable for a place where you can easily spend the whole day. You can also check out Istralandia Water Park, which is a bit further away!

EXPLORE BRIJUNI NATIONAL PARK

While you do need to drive a bit to get there, I can’t recommend Brijuni National Park enough. A day trip to Brijuni NP shows you a completely different side of Istria. The park is actually a group of islands with beautiful nature, clear sea, archaeological sites, and even a safari park. Ferries leave from Fazana, so you’ll need to drive about 45 minutes to get there, and the ferry is included in the ticket. Once you’re on the island, you can cycle, rent a golf cart, swim, explore, and even see animals. This is a must-do in Istria, don’t skip it!

DO A BOAT TOUR 

Seeing Porec from the water is one of the best ways to appreciate it, and I have two tours to recommend.

The first is an easy evening cruise where you go out to look for dolphins. You’ll get a beautiful view of Porec, and then an even more incredible experience when you spot wild dolphins feeding in the evening. We recently spoke with the tour organiser, and he told us guests have seen dolphins every evening for the past two weeks, which almost guarantees you’ll see them if you go.

The other tour is a bit more adventurous and takes you to Lim Fjord, Rovinj, and Vrsar. It’s perfect if you don’t have a car and can’t do these day trips on your own, since you can visit them all in one tour. The tours are linked below and are quite affordable, so I’d definitely recommend them!

VISIT ROVINJ

If you want to spend more time in Rovinj, a day trip is the perfect way to see it in more detail. Rovinj is often considered one of the most picturesque towns in Croatia, and I’d personally put it in my top 3 prettiest Croatian towns, just after Dubrovnik and Korcula. The pastel-coloured houses, narrow cobbled streets, and hilltop church overlooking the sea make Rovinj incredibly photogenic, and you’ll absolutely love it there. It’s the perfect place to get lost in the alleys, enjoy fresh seafood, and take in the romantic atmosphere before heading back to Porec. Here are the best things to do in Rovinj while you’re there!

EXPLORE THE REST OF ISTRIA

While Porec is lovely, don’t just stay there! The Istrian peninsula is full of hilltop villages, vineyards, and scenic countryside. I absolutely love towns like Motovun and Groznjan. They’re small historic towns that offer amazing views and a slower pace of life. You can also stop at local wineries and restaurants to try regional products like wine, truffles, olive oil, and more. That way, you’ll get a real experience of Istria, not just Porec!

WHERE TO STAY IN POREC

Porec is actually a very popular hotel and resort destination, so you won’t have any problem finding a place to stay there. Some hotels are right in the city centre, but I’d actually recommend staying a bit outside Porec in areas like Zelena Laguna and similar spots.

We recently spent time at Hotel Molindrio, which was okay, but I wouldn’t strongly recommend it. I have a whole review on it! Some other options are:

• Valamar Riviera Hotel & Residence
• Boutique Hotel Mauro
• Hotel Parentium Plava Laguna
• Hotel Park Plava Laguna
• Valamar Parentino Hotel
• Pical Resort, Valamar Collection

CONCLUSION: THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN POREC

Porec has plenty of interesting things to do, but the main ones I have to mention are the Old Town and the Euphrasian Basilica. After that, don’t miss Zelena Laguna, and make sure you also explore the rest of Istria, especially Brijuni National Park and Rovinj!