Croatia · DAY TRIPS IN ISTRIA
The 6 best day trips in Istria you can book right now, with what each costs, how long it runs and who it suits. Number one is top for a reason; start there.
Cruise from Poreč to Rovinj for coastal views, a fresh fish lunch, free time in Rovinj, and a seasonal stop at Vrsar or Limski Kanal.
“The guys on the boat were great - Rovinj was lovely especially the rickety steps in the bell tower - well worth doing the trip.”
Explore Bale, Rovinj, and Poreč from Pula or Medulin with an Istrian lunch, Roman sights, hotel pickup, and an English-speaking guide.
“The actual trip was great, excellent guide and sights. Lunch was tasty but heavy stodgy food is not good in 33 degrees! Booking experience shocking - given different times, then told the trio didn’t exist - when the name of it had changed!”
Review of the full-day Lake Bled trip from Istria, with Bled Castle, a pletna boat ride, guide commentary, costs, timing, and practical tips.
“The day trip was great, although I would not use Viatour again to book the excursions. It’s better to book these trips directly with the company who actually run the tour. I was asked to go at a meeting point, 30-60 minutes before the pick up time and they gave me the wrong address for the meet up point which made the whole thing very stressful. However, the company running the tour were great, our guide was very knowledgeable and helpful. Lake Bled is beautiful, it rained a lot on the day we went with some sunny bits and we made the best of it. The original cream cake that…”
Kayak Croatia’s peaceful Lim Bay, explore oyster farms, swim from a rocky beach, and enjoy a small-group trip from Poreč.
“We had a wonderful excursion today kayaking on the Limfjord in Croatia. It was a small group of only four people, which made it very personal. Our guide, Illya, was friendly and shared interesting facts about nature, wildlife, and the oyster farms. He even brought some snacks for us, like watermelon and cookies, which we really appreciated during our swim stop. Later, he generously treated us to fresh oysters, which was not part of the tour but very kind of him. What made this trip truly special was kayaking itself: unlike the many boat tours that stay further out, we explored the back part of the Limfjord all the way…”
Explore Rovinj, Pula’s Roman amphitheatre, and a farm lunch on an 8-hour guided day trip from Poreč.
“Pula was nice, but was rushed. Amphitheatre time was limited, and only given 15mins free time. Not enough. By the time visited toilet, you had to leave for next part of tour. Shame as would have been good to explore it more. Was expecting gladiator tour - but this didn’t happen. Just a young lad charging €5 for a picture (not worth it). Pula city had about 40mins free time, enough to get an ice cream and work to centre and turn around. Meal was 40min journey from Pula - was nice food. Seemed to be a deal with family farm as 4 different tour groups there. Trip into Rovinj,…”
Review of a private Istria day trip from Pula, with hill towns, Roman and Venetian sights, local food, private transport, and flexible planning.
“Our guide was so knowledgeable about the colliseum and the whole town of Pula. He then took us Porec and showed us around there. He was prompt with the pick up and informed us also about the olive production in Croatia and many interesting facts about olive oil. Lunch of pig from the spit was absolutely delicious and succulent.”
Water, stone, table and trail — the best of each.
