Porec Holidays
"A picturesque rural harbor town dating back to 2000 years of history, filled with Roman, Byzantine and Venetian architecture..."
An ancient Roman town on Croatia’s Istrian Peninsula, it’s stunning coastline attracts visitors from around the world. This vast array of gorgeous beaches that stretch both to the north and south of the town, is perfectly complemented by a vibrant night-time scene and excellent cuisine. Its most famous sites include the Euphrasian Basilica, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is one of the best examples of Byzantine art in the world, along with the spectacular Baredine Cave, famous for its many unique stalactite formations. The region is also famous for its wine and olive oil, with many places offering visitors the opportunity to gain an insight into how the products are made. All of which ensure that Porec has something that will cater to every imaginable taste.
Angela
Croatia Holiday Specialist
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Porec Travel Guide
At A Glance:
Highlights:
Location
Porec is a popular tourist destination in the western part of Croatia’s Istrian Peninsula. It is famous for its old town and the 6th century Basilica, replete with jewel studded Byzantine mosaics. The town is also well-known for the gorgeous beach areas that surround it, with plenty of camping, marinas and watersports also available. The Baredine Cave, which lies around 6 kilometres inland of the town is also famous for its breath-taking stalactite formations. The town is fairly small with a population of around 16,600 people making it a good place to relax and blow off some steam.
Weather
The village enjoys a warm temperate climate throughout the majority of the year, although it does get fairly cold in the middle of winter. The hottest months of the year come in June, July and August, where temperatures regularly average above 20 degrees. The best month for people who want to swim is August, when the sea temperature sits at a warm 26 degrees.
History and Culture
Known as a small fishing village, it was inhabited by a tribe called the Histrians, in around the 6th century BC. Its natural harbour and important strategic location made it an important Roman settlement around 200 BC, with a military fort being constructed there. It became a bishopric in the 3rd century AD and the famous Bishop Mavar, who was martyred in the city, became its patron saint later on. It was invaded by the Slavs in the 7th century, before becoming a member of the Venetian Republic between the thirteenth and late eighteenth century. However, Porec, really came to prominence, between 1815 and 1918 when it became the state capital of the region under Austro-Hungarian rule.
Cuisine
Like much of the Istrian region it is famous for its many culinary delights. Some of its specialities include the Istrian Ham, which is popular around the world and is similar to prosciutto; ‘Fuzi’, a creamy Croatian pasta dish sprinkled with truffle shavings is a must; ‘Manestra’, a bean and potato stew, which is rich and delicious; Cukerancici, is a simple yet delicious cookie; while Istrian olive oil is renowned across the world for its quality. Istrian wine is also famous across Croatia and the wider world, ensuring that a meal in Porec will satisfy your each and every need.
Family Activities
The Porec Aquarium is the ideal place to have an educational and fun day out, where children can learn about the wonderful marine life that inhabits the Adriatic Sea. The Aquacolours waterpark is the perfect place for people of all ages to enjoy some aquatic fun in Porec and contains things like slides and water features. Porec is also home to a large number of excellent beaches, with Pical, Brulo and Porto Busola among the best to be enjoyed on a family holiday.
Tours and Attractions
There is a plethora of different exciting activities available in Porec, foremost of which is the stunning Euphrasian Basilica, which contains some of the best-preserved examples of Byzantine art in the entire world. There are also great options for foodies, with plenty of great wine-tasting options and the chance to sample some of the region’s famous olive oil. Visitors can also make a day trip to the magical city of Venice from the town’s harbour.
Entertainment
There is a range of different social spots for visitors to enjoy, from trendy bars to cosy pubs dotted throughout the town and the coastal area which surrounds it. There are also a large variety of clubs where visitors can, with the Byblos discotheque especially famous.
Porec Holiday Blogs
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