The location of Porec
The town of Porec is located on the western shores of the Istrian Peninsula. Town used to operate as a fishing village, and the community was established on a small symmetric peninsula in 6 BC. Today, it is a cosy little town with several interesting and entertaining programmes to offer. It is a perfect place for relaxation.
The history of Porec
The area had been inhabited long before the arrival of the Illyrian tribes. The Romans arrived in the 2nd century and established the town today known as Porec. They were granted municipal status in 1250. The longest reign was that of the Republic of Venice. The fall of Venice was followed by the rule of the Austrians and then the town came under French dominion. Porec soon fell under Austrian dominion for a second time; they ruled between 1815 and 1918. During the reign of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Porec was made the capital city of Istria and the seat of both the regional government and the Istrian Parliament.
During this period, the town went through significant social and economic development; tourism also started to flourish. Until the mid-twentieth century, several governments, rulers and states followed one another. From 1991 on, Porec has officially been a part of the Independent State of Croatia.
Climate
There are suitable conditions along the Istrian shores for a carefree boat trip. During this trip, you can admire the lush coastal flora and enjoy the Mediterranean atmosphere rich in sunshine. During the summer months, the winds Bora and Jugo make a pleasant combination. The temperature of the water may even reach 28° Celsius.
The main sights to see in Porec
Euphrasian Basilica
The Euphrasian Basilica is among the best-preserved early Christian complexes and most significant monuments in world history. This wonderful building has been a pride of Porec since the 6th century; it has also been an official UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. The basilica is the venue of one of the oldest summer music festivals, organised every year between July 7th and August 27th.
The Romanesque House
This is a Romanesque family house built on Marafor Square in the 13th century. It is one of the best-preserved houses in Porec. During its long history, the house has been renovated and expanded several times. Despite the numerous amendments, the house successfully preserved its basic Romanesque characteristics.
The Gothic Parisi-Gonan Palace
Fortunately, we can see some antique buildings on Decumanus street still today. The Parisi-Gonan Palace can be found at the 5th, but those on the 10th, 15th and 30th have similar characteristics The magnificent palace was built-in 1474 – the year is carved in the facade.
Zuccato Palace
The palace can be found on the corner of Decumanus Street and Cardo Street and functions as a gallery today. The building has three floors; the first two are built of stone and the third one from brick. The latter is ornamented with architectural details made of stone, for instance, a corner fortification and of course the windows. There is also a Gothic double lancet window on the side facing Decumanus Street. They used a different type of imported stone on the other side which faces Cardo Street. Even though they have preserved the original facade, they haven’t kept the interior arrangement.
The Temple of Neptune
The Temple of Neptune was built-in the 1st century on the former place of the Forum which is now Marafor Square. It was supposedly the largest temple dedicated to the god of the sea. This cannot be confirmed though, as we can only see the remains of the giant temple today.
Beaches in Porec
The beaches in Porec are mostly rocky, so we recommend that you take your beach shoes. Every designated beach has shower cabins, bars and restaurants. We can rent sunshades and lounges and try different watersports. Beaches in Porec are usually not too crowded but are still buzzing with life. Thanks to a large number of pines, we can find many cool and shady spots during hot summer days.
Town beach
The town beach is located 1 km to the south from the centre of Porec. It is a shady and pebbly beach with a boardwalk of the app. 150 metres. There are many recreational opportunities offered in the area. We can choose from several restaurants and bars.
Zelena Laguna
Zelena Laguna can be found 5 kilometres to the south from Porec. It is a giant holiday resort with a coastline that is more than 10 kilometres long. We can find many beaches, hotels, bars, restaurants and two campings here. The beaches are diverse. There is a pebbly beach surrounded by a grassy area on the northern part. We will not find much shade here, but there is a beach volleyball court, a playground and a wakeboard (waterski) park. Parentium Beach, which is located a bit further to the south, is mostly rocky; there are concrete sunbathing platforms and cosy restaurants here.
Those who are looking for active recreation will love the area between Hotel Plavi and the Astra apartment complex. We will find many sports facilities, for instance, a tennis court here; there is also an aqua park. We can rent a jet ski and a speedboat as well. The beach of Delfin is mostly rocky with some very steep parts. There are also natural pebbly beaches surrounded by woods providing a lot of shade. We can rent a jet ski, try the banana boat ride or go parachuting.
Pical beach
Pical beach is located in the north, only 15 minutes from the old city on foot. The beach is very popular among locals. The area was renovated recently. It is a pleasant beach with pebbles and shady parts. There is a playground with a sandpit, pleasant bars and excellent restaurants nearby. We can rent a jet ski and try the banana boat ride or the flyboard.
Spadici Beach
Spadici Beach is located right next to Pical Beach. This area is always full of tourists. It is a large concrete beach with grassy sunbathing spots and only a little natural shade. We will find all kinds of services nearby including bars and restaurants.
Brulo beach
This beach can be found 2 kilometres from the centre of Porec. It is mostly rocky with a concrete sunbathing platform. The area is surrounded by a lot of cypress trees, oaks and pines. Kids can enjoy a small playground, a trampoline and an aqua park, while adults can play tennis or minigolf.
Val Maro Family Beach, Sveti Nikola Island
This is the only sandy beach on the island. It has crystal clear waters and a Blue Flag certificate. They offer sunshades and lounges, and there is also an amazing restaurant nearby. It is a perfect choice for families with small children.
Rent a boat in Porec
The Istrian Peninsula is a perfect starting point from where we can explore the colourful, buzzing towns located along the shores of the Adriatic Sea. Besides the opportunity to walk around the former fishing villages in Croatia, you can also easily get to the wonderful Italian cities. The port of Porec is located in a well-protected bay directly next to the centre. It can accommodate up to 120 boats with a draft of 3.5 metres. Information about sailing in Poreč.
Marina Nautica port of Novigrad
There are berths for 365 boats overall with a maximum length of 50 metres. The port in Novigrad is world-class, and there is also a 4-star hotel here where we can require maintenance for our boat and charge our batteries as well in the form of relaxing wellness.
ACI Marina Umag
The depth of water here is around 5 metres, and they offer the app. 480 berths for ships of all sizes. They can even accept 40-metre-long mega yachts. The port is clean, the staff is friendly and the restaurant is excellent. There is also free Wi-Fi, a charging station and a currency exchanger.
Marina of Vrsar
Vrsar is located in a bay perfectly protected by the surrounding islands. It is among the ports in the best condition on the northern shores of Istria. The port, which has 14-metre-deep waters, can accept 200 boats with a length up to 40 metres.
ACI Marina Pula
The port of Pula can be found in a giant natural bay. They have 200 berths for mega yachts as long as 40 metres. It is perfectly equipped. They have laundry, ATM and currency exchange. There is also a petrol station nearby, and we can rent a car, too. Information about sailing in Pula, or yachtcharter in Pula
ACI Marina Rovinj
It is a modern and cosy port with a wonderful view. Thanks to a 20-million-Euro investment, it is among the largest ports in Croatia. Everything is clean and in very good condition. They have excellent healthcare services. The port is divided into two parts. One of them is reserved for transit vessels, and the other was established for yachts stationing there during the whole year. 416 ships with a maximum length of 50 metres are allowed altogether. Information about rent a boat in Rovinj
Porec is an ideal place for a one-week-long holiday. There are plenty of things to explore. The town has dozens of sights to see, historic monuments, excellent beaches and restaurants with delicious food to offer. Beside the opportunity to relax, the cultural experience is also guaranteed. Find yacht routes in Istria or choose another rent a boat in Istria.
More information about Porec
Rent a boat in Porec, and cruise around Porec
Day 1. Poreč – Novigrad 13.19 km (8.20 mi) Day 2. Novigrad – Umag 16.00 km (9.94 mi), Day 3. Umag – Trieste 35.96 km (22.35 mi) Day 4. Trieste – Monfalcone 24.64 km (15.31 mi) Day 5. Monfalcone – Riserva Naturale Regionale della Foce dell’Isonzo Isola della Cona – Lignano Sabbiadoro 11.17 km (6.94 mi) – 35.80 km (22.25 mi) Day 6. Lignano Sabbiadoro – Venice 81.32 km (50.53 mi) Day 7. Venice – Saint Nicolas Island – Porec 104.91 km (65.19 mi). 
Day 1. Porec – Venice 105.75 km (65.71 mi), Day 2. Venice – Chioggia 23.86 km (14.83 mi), Day 3. Chioggia – Parco Regionale Veneto del Delta del Po – Ravenna 24.61 km (15.29 mi) – 80.49 km (50.02 mi), Day 4. Ravenna – Rimini 51.03 km (31.71 mi), Day 5. Rimini – Pula 135.44 km (84.16 mi), Day 6. Pula – Rovinj 30.79 km (19.13 mi), Day 7. Rovinj – Lim Fjord – Porec 7.14 km (4.43 mi) – 13.18 km (8.19 mi),

Read more about Porec sailing, or Istria sailing itineraries.