Cycling from Trieste to Pula

ISTRIAN COAST BIKE TOUR - TRIESTE/MUGGIA TO PULA

Cycle on the Istrian Peninsula, starting in the outskirts of the Italian city of Trieste and tracing the west coast down through Slovenia to Croatia’s beaches, towns and nature reserves.
Expect a few undulations and gravel paths along the way as you follow the Adriatic shoreline past ports, vineyards and hills, stopping to sightsee and sleep in historic towns.

Trieste/ Muggia, Izola, Portorož, Koper, Buje, Groznjan, Motovun, Porec, Rovinj, Pula
Duration: 7 Nights/6 Days
Difficulty: Moderate
Type: Self-guided (guided on request)

Dates:
On request.

Location: Trieste (your hotel) transfer to Muggia

What's included?

1 overnight in 3/4* pension in Buje

1 overnight in 3/4* pension/hotel in Motovun

1 overnight in 4* hotel in Poreč

1 overnight in 4* hotel in Rovinj

2 overnights in 4* hotel in Pula

1 lunch in Istrian Tavern in Motovun

1 wine tasting in Pula

bike delivery

technical support

luggage transfer

transfer Trieste to Muggia

GPS, maps

0,75 l water + energy bar

Meals: 6 breakfasts, 1 lunch (truffles), 3 dinners, wine tasting

This tour offers Vegetarian, Vegan, food options on request. Simply let our team know the food option that you prefer.

Extras

6 days bike rental:

MTB/Trekking (included locks, tire repair kit, helmets): 140 Eur
E-MTB (included locks, tire repair kit, helmets): 240 Eur

Overnight in Trieste
Travel insurance is not covered in the tour price. You can organize travel insurance with your preferred insurance company.

Options

Guided tour (on request)
Extra nights in Trieste, Piran, Motovun, Poreč, Rovinj or Pula
Return transfer

Cycling profile

Daily distance in km:
Day 1: 55 km /35 miles
Day 2: 40 km /25 miles
Day 3: 45 km /28 miles
Day 4: 50 km /31 miles
Day 5: 45 km /28 miles
Day 6: 35 km /22 miles
Total distance: 270 km /169 miles

Maximum travelers:20
Minimum travelers: 2

PRICE per person: from 1.200 €

Note: This itinerary is the copyright of Maremonti Istra Ltd.

Itinerary

Day 1:
Trieste/Muggia to Buje along the Parenzana, 55 km / 34 miles

Pick up from the hotel in Trieste and transfer to the tour starting point near Muggia, a coastal settlement on the city’s southern outskirts.
Upon fitting equipment, head along the Parenzana on bike. In the past, the Parenzana was a defunct narrow-gauge railway which connected Trieste with Poreč. Recently, the railway line has been rearranged into a fabulous bicycle track and footpath with beautifully renewed old bridges and tunnels.
Cycle across the Slovenian border to Croatia, following the coastal cycle path through the medieval town and famous resorts of Koper, Isola and the town of Portorož. Continue to the old town of Buje. Accommodation in Buje. Free afternoon for optional activities. We recommend you to explore and examine the history of the old town. Overnight in Buje.

Day 2:
Buje to Motovun via Grožnjan, 40 km / 25 miles

After breakfast, pedal along the Parenzana to head in to Grožnjan, the ”Village of Artists”. Stop for refreshment and short sightseeing. Then bike to Livade – the ‘’Home of Istrian truffles’’. Optional truffle tasting at a truffle shop. The ride continues to Motovun, a town ideally settled on a hill top above the vineyards. Stop for lunch at a local tavern. Great chance to experience the famous Istrian cold dishes and homemade pasta with truffles.
We recommend you to explore the old town. Overnight in Motovun.

Day 3:
Motovun to Poreč along the Parenzana, 45 km / 28 miles

After breakfast, continue along the Parenzana trail for a stunning ride along numerous sparkling vineyards and olive groves to head in to Poreč in the afternoon hours. Accommodation in a 4* Poreč beachfront hotel with a lovely local flair and a chance to experience local life with its authentic flavour. Dinner. We recommend a nice and easy walk along the coastline to the old town of Poreč to experience its UNESCO-listed Euphrasian Basilica and mix of Baroque, Gothic and Romanesque buildings. Yet another great opportunity to taste local specialities such as world’s famous Istrian wine, oil, cheese or prosciutto at the local Wine Bar. Dinner and overnight in Poreč.

Day 4:
Poreč – Rovinj via Lim Bay, 50 km / 31 miles

After breakfast, pedal along the coastline into the Blue Lagoon and then into the Green Lagoon with stunning views of the open sea and the islands of the archipelago. Stop in the town of Vrsar for refreshment in the harbour. The ride continues along gravel roads just above the Lim Bay which reaches 11 km from the sea into the mainland. It is well known and famous for its steep slopes and turquoise water. Then bike on narrow roads and trails among sparkling vineyards to reach Rovinj, one of the last true romantic Mediterranean towns with its narrow streets, unique and authentic houses and a rich variety of charming art galleries, taverns, cafés and souvenir shops. Accommodation in a 4* beachfront hotel. We recommend a lunch in the historic part of the town and sightseeing of Rovinj’s famous landmarks in the afternoon and evening hours, a lovely walk along the coastline to the historic part of the town, a visit to the St. Euphemia’s Basilica with an iconic bell tower standing high above the town and, if your legs are not too tired, it is certainly worth climbing up for the view, as well as walk down the fully pedestrian Carrera Street. Overnight in Rovinj.

Day 5:
Rovinj – Pula via Fažana, 45 km / 28 miles

Breakfast. Head along gravel roads through green forests and vineyards. Passing next to Palud, the special ornithological reserve. The first stop at Fažana, a small fishing village and a picturesque port, and a departure point for ferries to the Brijuni Islands National Park. Due to its beautiful parks, pine forests, an enchanting promenade with a rich variety of lovely and charming restaurants and beach bars, Fažana attracts a great number of tourists throughout the whole year. The final stage leads you to the city of Pula on Istria’s southwest tip. The peninsula’s oldest town, it is a lovely place to finish with its historic buildings and the only remaining spectacular Roman amphitheatre to have four side towers with all three Roman architectural styles preserved, which is the symbol of the city. Enjoy enchanting ride through 3.000 years’ old historic traditions intertwined with contemporary trends.

After a ride through Pula we suggest lunch in the old part of the city. Accommodation in a 4* hotel and leisure time until dinner. We recommend to visit the Pula Aquarium, situated within the 130 years’ old fort “Verudela”, once part of the powerful defence complex “Fortress Pula” built during the rule of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy. The historic fort is inhabited with over 250 species of marine and freshwater fish, reptiles and amphibians. After dinner, take a public transport or a taxi and head to the Pula city centre or just stay around, enjoy and relax at the hotel facilities and its surrounding area. Dinner and overnight in Pula.

Day 6:
Pula to Kamenjak Cape, 35 km / 22 miles

After breakfast, pedal to the Kamenjak Cape Nature Park, the southest Istrian tip. Kamenjak is a small peninsula of 9.5 km in length and 1.5 km in width with its deeply indented coastline. The waters are nowhere more bluish green and crystal clean than in this locality. The rocky beaches alternate with sandy coves offering amazing views while cycling. Stop at the cape for a drink in the famous Safari Bar. Ride to a local vinery for wine tasting. Famous quality Istrian wines are served with authentic Istrian cold dishes like prosciutto ham, cheese and sausages. Return to the hotel in Pula and enjoy your free time for optional activities. We recommend an easy relaxing walk along the coastline. Dinner and overnight in Pula.

Day 7:
Pula

Breakfast. Programme end.

Details

Departure point
Pick up from your hotel in Trieste and transfer from Trieste to Muggia. Cycling start in Muggia.

Payment Methods
The standard payment term is a deposit payment of 30% through Pay Pall, bank transfer or credit card (offline payment by MasterCard or visa)
The remaining balance should be settled 30 days prior the departure date through bank transfer or credit card (offline payment by MasterCard or visa).

Payment by bank transfer:
Beneficiary: Maremonti Istra d.o.o., 52100 Pula – Croatia
Bank: Raiffeisenbank Austria, Petrinjska 59, Zagreb, Croatia
IBAN: HR2224840081102426002
SWIFT: RZBHHR2X

Conversion Statement
All payments will be effected in currency Euro. When charging your credit card, the same amount is converted into your local currency according to the exchange rate of credit card associations. As a result of this conversion there is a possibility of a slight difference from the original price stated in our web site.