by Janis / 0 comments - Orginally published:4th December 2017
Byzantine traces…
During our two-night stay in the ancient city of Rovinj, along Croatia’s Adriatic shoreline, we ventured a little further north along the coastline to the historic town of Poreč.
Poreč is also located within the charming region of Istria and lies in a perfect spot along the Istrian peninsula. During our little adventure to Poreč, we also decided to head south and visit the picturesque city of Pula.
Poreč is around 22 miles (36km) north of Rovinj; ensure you tour the back roads through Istria to Poreč and experience some lovely scenery.
So far, our Croatian road trip has so far included a stay at the Plitvice Lakes NP, then onto the delightful cities of Zadar, Trogir, Dubrovnik, Split and Rovinj.
Are you considering a Croatian adventure? Take a look at our itinerary for our Croatian road trip and discover 6 UNESCO World Heritage sites.
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Where is Porec?
How to get to Porec
- By Plane
There are various airports to choose from in Croatia; browse through Booking.com for departures from your local airport. Pre-book your hire car from Rental Cars, and your adventure begins.
- By Car
If you’re heading from the UK by car, jump on Le Shuttle or a Brittany Ferry and venture off to Croatia under your own steam. Check out our Road Trip checklist for handy advice.
A stroll around Poreč marina
With Venice on your doorstepWhen we left Rovinj, it was raining, so we were extremely relieved that it had eventually stopped upon our arrival in Poreč.
Poreč was a little busier than I had expected, although, in hindsight, I shouldn’t have been surprised as this pretty town is steeped in centuries of fascinating history.
A harbour view of Poreč
I love waterfront towns, and Poreč is even more special as the ancient streets flow effortlessly into the charming, colourful marina.
From within this lovely marina, you can actually hop aboard a direct ferry and enjoy the calming 3-hour journey over to the magnificent floating city of Venice.
Across the bay photo
We wandered around Poreč harbour front soaking up the relaxed atmosphere and appreciating the enchanting view over the Adriatic Sea. The small island of Sveti Nikola is nestled in the bay of Poreč and almost protecting it.
If you've yet to discover the delights of Croatia you're in for a treat. While planning our road trip, I used the DK Eyewitness books. I find them extremely informative, easy to follow and the pictures and maps tempt you into discovering more.
We used a previous version of this book to plan our north to south Croatian road trip, now you can grab the revised copy.
Poreč’s lovely white cobble lanes
A city full of charismaWe amble into the Old Town of Poreč and once again stroll on the shiny, well-trodden cobbles, which, for me, have now become synonymous with Croatia.
The intriguing lanes welcome you in, and you want to head off further to discover the delights around each hidden turn.
Cobbled lanes
Taking a stroll
The charming city of Poreč has a fascinating history and is almost 2,000 years old. Evidence of Roman occupation remains in Poreč, especially around the Roman square, Marafor. Within this lovely square are two temples, one of which was built around the first century AD and dedicated to the Roman god Neptune.
A doorway in Poreč
Venetian influences
During Emperor Augusta's reign in the 1st century BC, Poreč officially became a city and part of a Roman colony.
Classic architecture
The ancient Old Town of Poreč has some incredible architecture, from the refined to the not-so-refined. The melting pot of architectural styles provides Poreč with adorable rustic charm.
The round tower
A balcony view
The perfect way to discover Poreč is just to head off and get lost. It’s so satisfying wending your way amongst the intriguing lanes, not knowing where you will pop out. Poreč is a reasonably small peninsular, so you’ll easily spot somewhere familiar.
Temple of Neptune
Stroll along the promenadeStrolling around the historic city of Poreč, you will find magnificent reminders of its ancient and captivating past, which included the Romans and the Venetians.
The Great Temple of Neptune
As we wander towards the furthest western point of the peninsular, we find the ruins of the Great Temple of Neptune. These ancient ruins in Poreč Old Town would have once overlooked the far-reaching vista of the Adriatic Sea.
There is such a strong influence of Venetian architecture wherever you wander in Poreč.
A view along the shoreline
We continue to explore Poreč’s rustic lanes and alleyways, weaving our way towards the northern shoreline. To our delight, we pop out to see the Adriatic Sea open up before us.
We stroll along the north promenade of Poreč and appreciate the beautiful views across the bay.
Visiting Croatia
For further advice on visiting Croatia, head to the official tourism website Croatia – Full of Life.
Visiting the UNESCO Basilica
Surviving centuries of timeOur visit to Poreč was only for a few hours; however, we ensured that we allowed enough time to visit the magnificent and tour the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Euphrasian Basilica and the group of religious monuments that make up the complex.
Entrance to the Basilica
The Euphrasian Basilica, or the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption of Mary, is the third church to be built on this site. The first was erected in the second half of the 4th century.
Inside the chapel of the Euphrasian Basilica
The Euphrasian Basilica has mostly retained its original shape, other than earthquakes and fires that caused structural issues in the past. Understandably, restoration has taken place over the years; however, the centuries of history and detail are incredible.
The Euphrasian Basilica in Poreč
Looking at the bell tower of the Euphrasian Basilica
The ancient Basilica that you can visit today was built in the 6th century, from 553, during Bishop Euphrasius's reign. The cathedral's unique architecture and intricate gold mosaic detail are stunning.
The mosaics in the garden of the Euphrasian Basilica
Incredibly, a floor mosaic from the 4th century, which initially formed part of a large Roman house, is preserved within the church garden of the present-day Basilica.
The courtyard of the Euphrasian Basilica
Understandably, restoration has occured over the years; however, the centuries of history and detail are astonishing. Take a slow wander around to admire the full extent of the complex and appreciate the charming Byzantine architecture.
Looking up into the bell tower
Within the complex walls, you can explore the Basilica, the colonnaded atrium, and the 6th-century octagonal baptistery. In addition, there are ruins of the 6th-century Archbishop's Palace
The view from the bell tower
Also, ensure you climb the 16th-century Bell Tower; believe the climb is worth it; the views across the rooftops of Poreč are stunning.
Returning to Rovinj
Our last stopAs we head back along Poreč’s palm tree lined Riva, the sun begins to appear, and we amble past welcoming bars and cafés that overlook the azure bay.
The harbour at Rovinj
We loved our visit to Poreč; however, we had gained quite a soft spot for the historic city of Rovinj. So, we headed back across the countryside to Rovinj and explored more of its charm and culture. We also enjoyed the sunset across the bay. It was a lovely way to end our tour of Croatia.
Where we stayed in nearby Rovinj
Apartments Martina City Centre
Our accommodation for the two nights we were in Rovinj was at the “Apartments Martina City Centre”.
The apartment was very spacious, and the location was extremely central and just a short stroll to the harbour and Old Town. The owners were unbelievably helpful and friendly and couldn't do enough for us.
One of the main reasons we chose this apartment was for the private parking, which was fantastic. We have a larger car, and once in the gate, there is plenty of room to manoeuvre.
Convenient for a day trip to nearby Poreč.
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