Croatia Istria Wine Roads

Arrival in Buje where you will meet your local guide. Upon arrival to your hotel in Buje, we will provide you with the package including hotel vouchers, bicycle with all equipment, maps and a roadbook. Overnight in Buje, in heart of Istria, a peaceful oasis for relaxation and an ideal starting point for daily exploration of this beautiful area.

This tour starts with an easy downhill ride to the coast on the northernmost point of Istrian peninsula. There is a lighthouse which you can visit, and, according to the legend, was built by Count Metternich as his love nest. Savudrija is one of the oldest lighthouse in the Adriatic, built in 1818. It is also the northernmost Istrian lighthouse. Its building is 36 meters tall and there is a keeper living inside it.

The trail continues south to Umag. A little town with about 45 km of the coastline and interesting hinterland integrates special features of the whole region and might be the best introduction into a different experience of the Mediterranean. Umag's history is extremely interesting: it was founded by a Roman nobleman who decided to make it his summer residence. The glamour and magnificence of the historic times can be seen today in the Venetian houses of the old town. City walls and fortification are partially preserved as well as some renaissance and baroque buildings and churches. Vineyards and olive groves will create an atmosphere of a typical west Istrian landscape. Visit a wine cellar to taste the muscat, a local variety of wine.

Distance : 48m (29mi).

Elevation : 530m.

From the Buje area, you will be cycling through Kršete's picturesque village and arriving to a small town called Brtonigla. It has churches and monasteries from the 15th century. Going further, the trail leads through vineyards and olive groves of the Brtonigla area. Teran wine is very popular and originated from this area.

Across endless vineyards, you'll reach Novigrad where you can visit the olive oil production and taste some of the best oils and essentially taste Istria.Through the Dajla and Karigador villages on the coast, you will eventually ride through Lovrecica, a Venetian bishops coastal village.Following the road through Škrinjari, Babii and Buroli villages, you'll see traditional Istrian houses. A road along a vineyard will take you back to your hotel.

Distance : 50km (31mi).

Elevation : 536m.

From Buje, you will continue towards Groznjan, a typical Istrian medieval town sprout high on top of a hill along the right coast of the river Mirna, renaissance loggia dating from 1585 and the beautiful St. Vitus and Modesto’s baroque church. If you wander in its streets, you will see that almost every door leads to art studios or galleries and windows from every direction echo the sounds of different music genres from classical to jazz. Because of this, Groznjan is known as "the town of artists".

Oprtalj has preserved an urban medieval style of building with narrow streets, shops, beautiful Venetian palaces, doors and covered passages. It also has a particularly unique view of the Istrian peninsula from the town loggia, according to many as the most beautiful of Istria. From Oprtalj, you are riding downhill and can enjoy the view on Mirna river before eventually arriving in Livade, the truffle center of Istria. Be sure to visit a local truffle shop and taste it in various forms. The truffle is a underground malodorous fungus believed to be an aphrodisiac. On the hill in front of the Livade is Motovun, surely the most famous and attractive Istrian medieval hilltown. Around Livade is the Motovun forest which streches along Mirna River valley and is especially rich with truffles. Overnight in Motovun.

Distance : 37km (23mi).

Elevation : 811m.

This part of the trip travels back to the coast. It follows the road to Višnjan where you will pass by an observatory. It is one of the 5 most famous observatories in the world. Višnjan sits at 246m of altitude and from there, you'll be able to catch a view of the west Istrian coast and the coastal town of Porec.

In the surroundings of Višnjan it is possible to visit many wine cellars to try wine from Porec area, especially Malvasia. The tour continues to Tar, a little town on the hill above the sea and to Nova Vas village by the famous cave (which you can visit). After passing a few more villages, the trail reaches Porec.

Distance : 49km (24mi).

Elevation : 400m.

From Porec, the journey starts with the opportunity to visit the most valuable monument in Porec: Euphrasiana, a church build in 6th century. Follow the road until you reach the village of Bacva village. Bacva is the highest point of this stage and there are local restaurants with traditional dishes where you can enjoy tasting local food. It continues to southern villages and comes down to the coast in the town of Vrsar.

With a commanding view of the coast, it was only natural for Vrsar to become a defended fortress. Only parts of the fortification system, built in the 12th century, have been preserved but the fortress-castle was used as summer residence of the Porec bishops. It's well worth a visit. After Vrsar, the route passes through a traditional fishing village, Funtana, and then more touristic villages, Zelena and Plava Laguna, on the doorstep of Porec.

Distance : 45km (28mi).

Elevation : 460m.

After breakfast, you can choose to either be transferred to Kanfanar or reach it on your own. Kanfanar is a small town above the Lim valley. From Kanfanar, the route is the flattest ride of all in this tour. Passing by Istrian inland villages, you will see traditional Istrian tool-houses (kazun). After reaching Bale, you can visit the Bebmbo palace, city square and museum. Continue to Rovinj and on the way you'll see "Palud," an ornithological reserve which you can cycle around. After the village Kokuletovica, you can turn in Monkodonja.

Monkodonja is a prehistoric hill town inhabited from around 1800-1200 BC during the Bronze Age. After Monkodonja, you will reach Rovinj, your goal of this tour and nicknamed the "Pearl of Adriatic". With its church and bell tower on the hill by the sea, it's very recognizable from all sides. Also called the Istrian Venice, Rovinj is an old town which was once an island and then connected with land, and it is famous for its traditional boat called a batana. Restaurants with fresh fish combined with malvasia will complete this week's experience. Everybody can enjoy Rovinj and its charm and magic.

Distance : 66km or 76km (41mi or 47mi).

Elevation : 790m or 890m.

Today is departure day, you can take your time getting started in the morning, have breakfast and depart at your leisure from Rovinj. (Depart on your own). Depending on your wishes, we can arrange additional accommodation or transportation before or after your tour.