Things to do in Poreč – 10 attractions and experiences in Istria

Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated: August 2026 | What is there to see and do in Poreč, Croatia? The popular holiday resort on the west coast of Istria combines sun and swimming with a historic city center, cozy alleys, boating and Istrian cuisine. Here you can visit the UNESCO-listed Euphrasian Basilica, follow streets with roots in Roman times and enjoy the Adriatic Sea.

Porec in Croatia

We visited Poreč by camper van and discovered a city that has much more to offer than beaches and holiday life. We strolled through the old town, explored historical environments and the harbor and had a memorable dinner with Istrian truffles. Here you will find our best tips for sights and experiences in Poreč.

Things to see and do in Porec

Poreč is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Istria, but the city has much more to offer than just sun and water. The historic city centre is home to traces of Roman, medieval and Venetian times, while the Adriatic Sea is always nearby. Here are our top tips for things to see and do in Poreč.

1. Stroll through the old town of Poreč

The old town of Poreč is located on a small peninsula jutting out into the Adriatic Sea. Here you can stroll among stone houses, cobbled streets, small squares, shops and restaurants – and at the same time discover traces of the city's long history.

What is special about Poreč is that the ancient city plan is still recognizable. The two most important Roman streets, the Decumanus and the Cardo Maximus, have influenced the street network to this day. This means that even a simple walk through the city center becomes a small history lesson.

2. Visit the Euphrasian Basilica

The Euphrasian Basilica is Poreč's most important historical attraction and has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1997. The church complex dates back to early Christianity, while the current basilica was mainly built in the 6th century on the initiative of Bishop Euphrasius.

Most famous are the magnificent Byzantine mosaics in the apse, but the complex encompasses more than just the church itself. It includes an atrium, baptistery, and bishop's palace. This is an attraction we would definitely prioritize when visiting Poreč.

3. Discover Marafortorget

At the far end of the peninsula, Trg Marafor, or Marafor Square, is located roughly on the same site as the city's Roman Forum, an important center of public life in ancient times.

The area still contains remains of Roman temples, although it takes a little imagination to imagine what the site looked like around 2,000 years ago. The square and surrounding area are also a pleasant part of the old town to explore on foot.

4. Stroll along the Decumanus

Decumanus is the most important street in the old town and follows the same route as one of the main streets in the Roman city. Today it is lined with shops, restaurants and cafes, but also with several interesting historical buildings.

As you stroll here, you can look out for beautiful palaces and facades from later eras. It is precisely this mix that is so typical of Poreč – the Roman structure remains, but the city has been built on and changed over many centuries.

5. Stroll along the harbor and see Poreč from the sea side

Poreč is a coastal town and it is almost impossible to explore the city center without sooner or later ending up down by the water. Along the quays, both private boats and excursion boats are moored, and it is nice to just stroll and enjoy the view.

Continuing around the peninsula, you’ll get great views of the Adriatic Sea and the island of Sveti Nikola off the coast. It’s also a great area to sit on an outdoor terrace – or simply grab an ice cream and watch the boating life.

6. Eat Istrian food and truffles

Istria is an exciting food region, known for, among other things, truffles, olive oil, wine, air-dried ham and fish and seafood. In Poreč there are plenty of restaurants where you can try both traditional Istrian flavors and more modern variations.

When we visited Poreč we had dinner at a restaurant Sveti Nikola and decided to go all-in on truffles. We started with a creamy mushroom and truffle soup and continued with beef fillet with foie gras, truffles and pine nuts.

Finally, we went for the ”chef’s choice”, with tastings of different desserts. We can say that we were very satisfied with the visit – both with the food and the nice view over the sea!

7. Sunbathe and swim in Poreč

Poreč is also a classic seaside resort and along the coast there are many opportunities to take a dip in the clear waters of the Adriatic Sea. The beaches consist mainly of pebbles, rocks and landscaped bathing areas, rather than soft sandy beaches.

Many of the larger holiday resorts and campsites are located directly by the sea and have their own swimming areas. It is therefore ideal to combine a few hours among the historic sights of the old town with the rest of the day by the water.

8. Take a boat trip from Poreč

If you want to experience more of the Istrian coast, you can join a boat trip from the port of Poreč. During the tourist season, there are various excursions to choose from, from shorter trips along the coast to longer day trips.

Coming out onto the Adriatic Sea also gives you a different perspective on Poreč. From the water, you can see the historic city center on the peninsula and get great views of the Istrian coast.

9. Visit the island of Sveti Nikola

Just outside the old town lies the small island of Sveti Nikola, which protects Poreč's harbor from the open sea. The island is green and lush and has long been a part of the town's holiday life.

During the season, you can get to the island by boat. There are swimming facilities and holiday resorts here, and above all, you get nice views back towards the old town of Poreč. It can be a nice break if you are staying in the city for several days.

10. Take a trip to the Baredine Cave

If you want to leave the coast for a while, you can take a trip to the Baredine Cave, Jama-Cave Baredine, located in the countryside just outside Poreč. Here a completely different side of Istria awaits underground.

The cave is filled with stalactites and stalagmites that have formed over a very long time. One special inhabitant is the olm, or Proteus anguinus, an unusual amphibian that lives in underground karst waters in this part of Europe. The cave is visited on guided tours.

Poreč – a city with a long history

Poreč has a history that goes back more than 2,000 years. The area was inhabited even before the arrival of the Romans, but it was during the Roman era that the foundations of the city we see today were laid. The Roman city was called Parentium, and the old street network can still be recognized in the historic center of Poreč today. For example, the main street Decumanus follows more or less the same route as in antiquity, while today's Marafor Square is located where the Roman Forum once stood.

After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, a long history under various rulers followed. Poreč came to belong to the Byzantine Empire, and it was during the 6th century that Bishop Euphrasius had the basilica built, which is today the city's main historical attraction. The Euphrasian Basilica with its magnificent mosaics is an unusually well-preserved example of early Byzantine art and architecture and has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1997.

For several hundred years, Poreč was later ruled by the Republic of Venice, which left a clear mark on the city's architecture and culture. This was followed by periods under Habsburg and Italian rule, before Poreč became part of Yugoslavia after World War II. Since Croatia's independence in 1991, the city has belonged to Croatia.

It is all these historical layers that make Poreč so interesting to discover. Behind today's holiday life, outdoor cafes and small shops lies a city where Roman streets, early Christian mosaics and Venetian buildings tell the story of more than two millennia of history.

Poreč by motorhome

We stayed with our camper at the huge campsite Bijela Uvala. We have begun to realize that campsites in Istria are often very large. This campsite has around 2,000 sites, including cabins, as well as several restaurants, shops and cabins.

We had a great view of the water from our camper. The only downside to the campsite was that it wasn't within walking distance of town. Instead, we had to walk to a nearby hotel and hop on a "tourist train" that wound between all the tourist hotels on the way to the center. It worked out great and we got a little sightseeing on the way.

See more in the neighbourhood

There is so much to see and experience in Croatia! Here are some suggestions for some amazing places, not too far from Poreč:

• Hum
• Rovinj
• Vrsar