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Porec (Croatia) - the most important sights with photos and descriptions. Detailed information about the city and interesting routes around Porec on the map.

City of Poreč

Porec is a small resort town located in Western Istria in Croatia on the Adriatic coast. Despite its small size, the city boasts two thousand years of history, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, ancient monuments and sights.

Porec is located in Northern Croatia among picturesque nature, blue lagoons and forests. Despite its small size, the city is one of the main tourist centers on the Istrian coast. Porec is a real Adriatic pearl, a tiny seaside town that offers not only excellent service, but also a special, cozy atmosphere: lovely restaurants and coffee shops with traditional and Italian cuisine, shops and souvenir shops, narrow medieval streets and amazing views of the Adriatic Sea with yachts and fishing boats.

Porec is a multinational and multicultural city. Walking around the city you can find traces of Romans, Goths, Franks, Byzantines, Slavs, Venetians, Austrians.

Almost 2000 years ago, the Roman city of Parentium was located on the site of the modern city. Thanks to its favorable location deep in a convenient bay, it quickly grew and became rich. In the 3rd century a Christian community appeared here, and in the 4th century the main attraction of the city was built - the Euphrasian Basilica.

From the 5th century to the 13th century, after the fall of the Roman Empire, the city was constantly changing hands. It was owned by: Lombards Ostrogoths, Franks, Byzantines, Slavs. In the 13th century, Porec became part of the Venetian Republic and remained in its composition for 5 centuries.

In the 18th century, Porec became part of Austria-Hungary. After World War I, the city became part of Italy, and after World War II - Yugoslavia. In 1991, with the disintegration of Yugoslavia, Porec became part of Croatia.

The climate of the city is Mediterranean. Very comfortable with warm dry summers and mild winters. The swimming season lasts from May to October. In summer, a fresh sea breeze often blows from the sea, which does not allow the heat to roam.

View of the bay of Porec from the embankment

Croatia has its own currency - the kuna. Money can be exchanged at exchange offices or withdrawn from a bank card at ATMs (the best option).

Cuisine and traditional dishes

In Porec you can find many cozy restaurants with traditional Istrian and Italian cuisine. Istrian cuisine is a tradition of preparing food using the gifts of the fertile land and sea.

Traditional dishes:

• Istrian beef meat dishes
• Various grilled seafood
• Mussels and oysters
• Dried pork with spices - prosciutto
• Ombolo - pork marinated in wine with garlic and grilled
• Truffles
• Asparagus omelet
• Cod pate
• Soup - warm red wine with olive oil, pepper and baked bread

Beaches

The main reason why tourists go to Porec is the presence of a clean sea and a large number of excellent beaches. The following assessment of the purity of the sea has been developed and applied here: blue means a high quality sea, green means you can swim in the sea, yellow means a moderately polluted sea, it is not recommended to swim, red means a highly polluted sea, it is not recommended to swim.

• The city beach stretches along the southern part of the city. The sea is clean and the service is excellent.
• Valeta Beach - 100 meters long artificial beach
• Borik beach is located in the northern part of Porec overlooking the old town at the very foot of the forest
• Parentium beach near the hotel of the same name - an excellent pebble beach and a very clean sea
• Materada beach North in Sveti Martin bay - equipped city beach in the northern part of Porec
• Brulo is a half-kilometer beach located in a picturesque bay surrounded by centuries-old pine trees
• Doni Shpadici is a city beach in the northern part of the city, a couple of kilometers from the center with a very clean sea. Perfect for young people.

Sights of Porec

The small town of Porec has very interesting sights to offer. The two thousand year history of the city is rooted in the Roman past. The Romans laid the foundation of the city, the layout, and built the first city walls. On the streets of the city you can find interesting historical buildings from the Romanesque and Venetian periods.

The old town of Porec boasts an original old layout of streets. The city walls were built between the 12th and 18th centuries. They repeat the outlines of an ancient Roman fortress and in some places are well preserved.

In the northeastern part of Porec, you can see the ruins of the North Tower, which was built in the 15th century, and fragments of the old city fortifications.

The main street of the historic center, Decamunas, opens onto the Marafor Square, which used to be the site of the Roman Forum. Fragments of it can still be found here. During Roman times, Porec was the largest city in Istria. Temples to Mars and Neptune, which were the largest on the Adriatic coast, were erected at the forum.

At the beginning of Dekamunas street, towards the historic center of the city, there is a Gothic pentagonal tower built in the 15th century as part of the city's fortifications.

An old Romanesque building from the 13th century is located at the intersection of the main street of the historic center and the Marafor Square. Also on Dekamunas street there is an old Gothic house of the 15th century in the Venetian style. And on the street of St. Maura is a 14th century one-story Romanesque house with figurines of two saints.

A round tower of the 15th century has survived on the People's Square, on the terrace of which there is now a cafe.

The Euphrasian Basilica is the main attraction of Porec. An ancient basilica from the 4th century, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which has preserved mosaics from the Byzantine period. The building is a three-aisled church with a high tower, which stands out in the architecture of the city.

Also a rather interesting building is the municipality - a beautiful baroque building that was occupied by a Franciscan church in the 13th century.

For museum lovers, there is a history museum in Porec, which contains collections of the Roman period, paintings, sculptures and historical documents.

Video - the city of Porec

Porec in Croatia offers vast opportunities for people of all ages, including world-class monuments of history and culture, good restaurants, impressive nightlife, a variety of accommodations, decent value for money, and most of all kilometers of coastline: from Porto Bussola to north to Green Lagoon in the south.

Porec-Croatia

general information

Porec is a small town on the western coast of Istria. Behind the city is a long history dating back to Roman times. This can be seen even in typical Roman street layouts. The city is symmetrical, with two main intersecting streets - Decumanus Maximus (east-west) and Cardo Maximus (north-south).

The city's episcopal complex of the basilica is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its oldest parts date back to the 4th century, although the basilica itself is from the 6th century. The old town is dominated by Venetian-style houses.

Porec is crowded with tourists, especially in August. It is intended for families, but its nightlife is also interesting enough to satisfy the tastes of young people and partygoers.
There are various structures for recreation and entertainment to choose from:

• hotels, apartments, campings;
• good bars for exciting nightlife;
• a wide range of sports activities and water sports;
• historical sites and other attractions.

The town favors tourists with ample parking spaces, pleasant traffic flow (even during periods of busy road traffic) and is known as one of the cleanest towns in Istria (despite the fact that they are all clean).

Porec

Where is

Porec is located on the western coast of Istria, 30 km north of Rovinj and 20 km south of Novigrad.
Pula Airport is the closest airport to the Croatian city of Porec. It is a small seasonal airport with several low-cost airlines (Germanwings, Jet2, Norwegian, Ryanair, Vueling) connecting Pula with a dozen European cities.

Most flights to Porec in Croatia take place from May to October. Other airports that you can consider when planning your visit to Istria are Trieste, Zagreb, Ljubljana, Venice and Treviso.
Pula Airport is located 50 km from Porec. Transfer services are provided by Brioni Pula and Fils. One way ticket costs 150 HRK (very expensive). As a budget option, you can take a transfer from Pula airport to the main bus station of Pula (30 kuna), and then take a bus to Porec (additional 60 kuna). Autotrans has a good online booking, where you can check the bus schedule.

The town of Porec is perfectly located to explore the entire peninsula. You can visit all the sights of Istria just an hour's drive from Porec.

On the map of Croatia, Porec is visible to the naked eye, and on the online map, you can mark every hotel, restaurant or attraction for visiting.

Porec in Croatia

Weather

Porec has a pleasant Mediterranean climate. Summers in Porec are warm with low humidity. Winters in Porec are mild, precipitation in the form of snowfall is rare.

During May, June, July, August and September, the weather is good with pleasant average temperatures.

Most rainfall (rainy season) occurs in June, August, September and November.

The warmest month is July and the coldest month is January. The highest humidity is in November. If you don't like rain, this month should be avoided. February is the driest month of the year.

The best weather to visit the city of Porec in Croatia is in summer. Despite the crowds, you can see all the best of the city of Porec during this season.

If you don't like the hustle and bustle of a summer tourist resort, come after the first three hottest weeks of August. The beginning of autumn is perfect to enjoy the still warm temperatures of the Croatian city of Porec, but already with a small number of tourists.

Sights of Porec

sights

The small town is rich in history and culture. Attractions include Roman temples, medieval city walls and fortresses, Gothic, Baroque and Romanesque palaces. On the Internet, you can find many videos related to travel to the most interesting Croatian sights of Porec.

Euphrasian Basilica

When thinking about what to see, do not forget about the main attraction of the Croatian city of Porec.
The Euphrasian Basilica complex consists of:

• churches;
• memorial chapel;
• atrium;
• baptistery;
• the episcopal palace.

It dates back to the 6th century and all the main parts have been remarkably well preserved. The Euphrasian Basilica was the last basilica built in Porec consecutively from the 4th to the 6th century, and the only one still standing.
The complex has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. The view from the 16th century bell tower is simply amazing.

Marafor Square

In Roman times, this place was the abounding heart of ancient Porec and the center of social life. Today, Marafora Square is the hub of nightlife with popular bars, outdoor terraces and live music.

Marafor Square

Hall of Istria

The building itself has a very interesting history and has been used for various purposes since its construction. Built in the 13th century as a Gothic Franciscan church, it was declared a secular building in 1806. In 1844, the basement was converted into a wine cellar, and the first served as the building of the Istrian parliament until 1918.

Today the building belongs to the city of Poreč and serves as a venue for various cultural events.

Fortress walls and defense towers

Back in the 15th century, when Porec was under Venetian rule, the city was surrounded by walls of fortifications and even nine defensive towers. The city walls, especially well preserved in the western part of the old city, and three towers are still visible today. The North Tower, or rather its remains, are better visible from the outside of the old city.

The round tower houses the cozy Torre Rotonda bar. The interior is interesting, the tower is well preserved and there is a lovely terrace upstairs. This is a pleasant and relaxing bar well worth a visit.

The pentagonal tower was built in the 15th century in the Gothic style and has a Venetian lion relief on the facade. The tower is located at the entrance to the old town, right at the beginning of the main street Decumanus. Today it houses an expensive restaurant and if you want to visit the tower, you will definitely feel obliged to drop in for a drink.

Fortress walls and defense towers

Historical buildings of Porec

The old town has many interesting houses and former family palaces. Walking down the main street of Decumanus, you will surely pass by the Zuccato Palace, a beautiful building with Gothic-style windows and Venetian biphora. The house was built in the 15th century, and today it houses an art gallery.

Walking along Marafor Square, you will come across a Romanesque house. This building is hard to miss - built in the 13th century, its appearance and style are completely different from all other buildings in Porec. There is a 15th century well next to the house. Just a few steps away, you will see another interesting house - the House of Two Saints.

On rue Decumanus, there is the Leoni Palace, named after the lion figures on its façade (Palazzo dei Leoni). Venetian-style windows are especially good.

Kanonika is located next to the Eurasian Basilica. The building was built in 1251 and today serves as a parish house.

The Baroque Sincic Palace, built in the 18th century, is home to the Porec Heritage Museum. The museum is closed for renovations and the opening day has not yet been set. Nevertheless, in the lapidary palace every Wednesday throughout the summer, tired tourists can enjoy jazz concerts.

There are many other interesting buildings in Porec: the Bassi Palace on Marafor Square, the Manzini Palace and the Baroque Vergotini Palace. Each of these Croatian landmarks in Porec is worthy of at least one souvenir photo.

Kanonika

Dusan Damonya Sculpture Park

On the main road from Porec to Vrsar, the Sculpture Park is located, spread over a meadow with an area of ​​10 hectares. It features giant bronze, wood and concrete sculptures by the renowned Croatian sculptor Dusan Dzamon. His work is on display at both MoMa in New York and the Tate Gallery in London.

Baredin cave

A karst natural monument located 8 km northeast of the city of Porec, Baredin Cave consists of 5 chambers. The tour lasts 40 minutes, and you can see enchanting stalagmites and stalactites, underwater lakes and salamander, a pigmented "human fish" endemic to this area.
If you have time and you decide to visit the sights of Porec in order to thoroughly explore this area, be sure to go on this excursion.

Car rent

If you don't like traveling in the heat, you will need a taxi or car to get to anywhere in the Croatian city of Porec (no matter where your accommodation is). The good news is that there are plenty of parking spaces in the vicinity of the beaches of Porec, especially if you decide to swim at Zelena Laguna Resort.
The choice of cars for rent in Croatia (including Poreč) is varied and at affordable prices. On the territory of almost every hotel complex, you can be offered to rent a car.
If you prefer to rent a car directly through a local company, the contacts of the local car rental companies will come in handy.

1. Vetura is a local Istrian car rental company with offices in all major cities in Istria. Head office: Trg J. Rakovca 2, Porec. Contacts: +385 52 434 700, +385 91 206 3070, Office: Zelenaya Laguna, Porec. Contacts: +385 52 451 391, + 385 91 483 7000,
2. Sixt. Large international car rental company with a branch in Porec. Office: Rade Koncara 1, Porec. Contacts: +385 95 438 2416. Working hours: Mon-Sat: 8:00 - 20:00, Sun: from 8:00 to 12:00.

Zelena Laguna Resort

Cycling routes

Porec, along with Novigrad, is the best place for cyclists in all of Istria. There are more than 250 km of marked cycling trails in the city of Porec of various lengths and difficulty levels. There are also places for bicycles.

Choice of housing

You are offered a varied choice of accommodation, considered the best in the whole of Istria. Two large Croatian hotel chains, Valamar and Laguna, represent most of the large hotels, campgrounds and resorts in the Croatian city of Porec. Various apartments and villas are offered, several youth hostels located right in the city center.

It is noteworthy that hotels in Porec in Croatia offer breakfast and dinner included in the room rate. This fact alone can help you save a lot of money. On the other hand, Poreč apartments provide a fully equipped kitchen, which means savings on preparing your own meals.

If you decide to stay in hotels in Porec, Valamar hotels look better than Laguna hotels and are famous for their excellent selection of good quality buffet dishes, but hotels in Laguna are much cheaper, especially during the summer season.

Valamar Riviera Hotel & Residence

A stylish waterfront hotel ideal for romantics and those seeking the finest in life. Elegant rooms and suites overlook the waterfront, and personalized service and fine dining add to the cozy atmosphere. Valamar Riviera Hotel & Residence is renowned for the best breakfast in town. It is the ideal starting point for exploring the cultural, entertainment and gastronomic delights of the vibrant city.
Prices: from 80 euros for a double room with breakfast.

Valamar Riviera Hotel & Residence

Valamar Isabella Hotel

It is part of the Valamar Isabella resort, opened in 2015 on the tiny island of St. Nicholas. The Valamar Isabella Resort consists of a 4-star hotel, villas, studio apartments and a castle.

The island of St. Nikola is just a 5-minute boat ride from the center of Porec. The family hotel has 180 superior and family rooms.

In the hotel you will find:

• heated outdoor pool;
• Children's swimming pool;
• a small wellness center with an indoor pool;
• Isola buffet restaurant.

While children take part in popular entertainment games and programs under the watchful eye of the team, adults will have plenty of time for themselves: soak up the beach, undergo treatment in a modern wellness center, or take part in sports activities.
Prices: from 90 euros per night in a double room with breakfast.

Mauro Boutique Hotel

The 4-star boutique hotel Mauro is located on the waterfront in the historic center of Porec. This is a brand new hotel opened in July 2010.
Just a few steps from the Euphrasian Basilica and close to the main square of the city in close proximity to many shops, bars. Hotel Mauro combines a historic exterior with a modern interior and offers free parking and Wi-Fi for hotel guests. The romantic spirit in the Mauro's restaurant is ideal for couples. The menu is rich in local specialties.
Prices: from 89 euros per night for a double room with breakfast.

Mauro Boutique Hotel

Grand Hotel Palazzo Porec

The hotel was built in 1910. It was renovated in 2009. The building is located on the top of the peninsula, in the Old Town of Porec, surrounded by the sea.
The rooms are comfortable and clean. Superior rooms are more expensive, but much more spacious than the classic ones. The hotel has a small outdoor pool, wellness center, shops, restaurant and the popular Del Mar Café serving drinks, cakes and ice cream.
Prices: from 82 euros per night for a double room with breakfast.

Parentium Porec Hotel

Renovated in 2012, the Parentium Porec has quickly become one of the most popular hotels in Porec. The hotel is located on a small peninsula overlooking the sea and the marina. This place is truly superb and a bit secluded from the rest of this busy resort.
The hotel has 268 rooms, a spacious lobby, a lovely outdoor pool and beautiful beaches. It is surrounded by a dense pine forest that provides a safe hiding place on hot summer days. The rooms are elegant and modern.
Be sure to book your room with a balcony to enjoy the stunning views.
Prices: from 105 euros per night for a double room with breakfast.

Parentium Porec Hotel

Jadran Residence

The hotel immediately attracts attention with its budget. It is located in a historic building on the Porec waterfront. The rooms look outdated, but each room has a high ceiling and a wonderful view of the sea in the Croatian town of Porec. The popular Porec-Epoca bar is located on the first floor of the residence.
Prices: from 41 euros per night for a double room with breakfast.

Apartments

Remember, you should carefully choose what you want to rent. The main advantages of renting apartments in the vicinity of Porec:

• lack of hustle and bustle, which you will definitely feel when choosing an apartment in the center;
• the price is lower compared to the center;
• closer to the beaches and the sea.

Camping

Zelena Laguna is one of the best campsites in Porec. The closest camping to the city - 5 km from the center. Its capacity is 3,000 people.
Dense, flattering terrain covers most of the territory. There are enough toilets and they are all clean. There are many beaches along the coast, pebbly and rocky with sunbathing areas and easy access to the sea.
There is a swimming pool, various restaurants, bars, sports facilities and entertainment for children and adults. Wonderful sea walking and cycling trail.

Green Lagoon

Sea and beaches

The shores of the city are washed by the Adriatic Sea. During the summer months, the temperature in the waters of Porec in Croatia can rise up to 28 degrees Celsius.

Characteristics of the beaches

From north to south, Porec stretches for more than 10 km of coastline. The beaches here range from rocky, cemented, pebble to sandy. The variety of options will suit everyone. The sun and the sea are still the main reasons for visiting Porec.

Between Cervar Porat in the north and Zelena Laguna in the south, vacationers have a variety of beaches to choose from, from the wild beaches of Porto Bussola to the rich beaches of Pikal, Brulo and Zelena Laguna.

There are many tour guides on the beaches. They usually offer day trips in the Croatian city of Porec, boat trips to the Limfjord or along the Riviera.

Memo for beach vacationers:

• the coast is usually rocky, and in some places it is difficult to go down to the sea: wear sneakers or sandals to protect your feet;
• all dedicated Croatian beaches of Porec have trash cans, changing cabins, showers, bars and restaurants, sun loungers and parasols, opportunities to engage in a variety of water sports: water skiing, catamarans and other attractions;
• in the vicinity of many beaches of the Croatian city of Porec, small grocery stores and beachwear are open;
• public toilets are not located on all beaches: despite this, you can use the toilet in any bar or restaurant nearby, some charge a fee for using the toilets, others allow only bar guests to access the toilets;
• on some beaches there are sellers of donuts and other products made from dough and boiled corn - such food is perfect for a snack;
• the beaches of Porec in Croatia are generally not crowded.

Beaches of Poreč

Green lagoon

Large resort located 5 km south of Porec in Croatia. Green Lagoon consists of many bays, small peninsulas, more than 10 km of coastline, 8 hotels, one residential complex, two campgrounds, many bars, restaurants and entertainment.

At the entrance to the resort, in front of the Molindrio Hotel, there is a wakeboarding park and a small pebble beach nearby. The latter is used as exit points for wakeboarding. There is little shade here, but there is a nice grassy area with hammocks, a volleyball court, a small playground with a sandpit and a swing. The bar with a large terrace is the centerpiece of the wakeboarding park. Public toilets are available next to the bar and are provided to guests free of charge.

To the south you will find the Parentium beach. It represents the coastline along the small peninsula on which the Parentium Hotel is located. The coast is rocky with cemented areas for sunbathing, especially on the northern side of the peninsula. A beach is provided for hotel guests. The southwestern part of the peninsula opens onto the central territory of the resort. This part is popular with locals. The sunbathing area is grassy, ​​there is practically no shadow. There are 2 restaurants on the beach.

The heart of Zelena Laguna Resort is the area between the Plavi Hotel and the Astra residential complex. The beach is cemented, with few pebbles. For lovers of active recreation, a lot of sports facilities are provided:

• mini golf;
• table tennis;
• tennis courts;
• small inflatable water park;
• rental of motor boats, catamarans;
• bike rental.

The coastal part is narrow, because many buildings are located right on the seashore: restaurants, cafes, shops, including grocery ones. A regular boat departs from here, connecting the resort with the center of Porec. One way adult ticket costs 20 kuna, and 10 kuna for a child under 12 years old.

In the south is the Delfin beach. This beach is located in front of the hotel of the same name, the largest hotel in the whole of Croatia. The hotel is located on a hilly peninsula overlooking the promenade. The coast is rocky, untouched by any buildings, except for a few benches and dustbins along the promenade. Some parts of the beach are very steep and few people dare to swim here. Other parts of the beach are made up of coves with tiny natural pebble beaches.

Zelena laguna

The entire peninsula is covered with dense pine forest, which helps to hide in the natural shade from the heat. On the southwestern shores of the peninsula there are:

• the popular beach bar Saint & Sinner;
• a small restaurant;
• children playground;
• large sandbox for children;
• water slide;
• Volleyball Court;
• grocery and beachwear shops;
• stall with French fries, chicken wings and pancakes.

The beach is rocky, cemented and pebble in parts. The activities offered at Delfin Beach include jet skis, motor boats and catamarans rentals, crazy UFO rides, banana rides, parasailing.

Camping Zelena Laguna begins even further south, where sports activities are provided: mini golf, table tennis, bike rental and more. Camping Zelena Laguna and Bijela Uvala offer many swimming and sunbathing areas. In the Green Lagoon, among other things, there is a small nudist beach.

Brulo beach

Located just 2 km from the center of Porec, Brulo Beach is right below the Diamant, Kristal and Rubin hotels. A dense pine forest covers the entire area, creating a wonderful shady area. The beach is rocky with cemented sunbathing areas. In the central part of Brulo beach there is a small natural pool with shallow water for small children, a playground and a huge sandpit.

There are many bars and restaurants near the hotels. There are no public toilets, but you can visit the toilets of nearby bars and restaurants.

Brulo Beach offers many sports facilities: tennis courts, table tennis, mini golf and entertainment for children - a trampoline, an inflatable water park.

Brulo is a great beach with lots of activities, natural shady surroundings and a wide selection of bars and restaurants. It is located near the city, so it can be filled with a large number of tourists.

Brulo beach

City Beach

Near the beach of Brulo is the city. This beach is similar to Brulo, although less crowded. There is a playground next to the beach.

St. Nicholas Island

A small island just 5 minutes drive from the center of Porec. There are no first-class beaches on the island of St. Nicholas per se, but it has always been popular for swimming, especially with the locals.

The sea here, especially in the west, is very deep. You can plunge into it to the very top. On east coast A small island opposite Valamar Isabella is a cemented beach with a sunbathing area covered in sand. There is a tiny artificial pebble beach next to it. The rest of the coast is rocky with cemented sunbathing areas.

You can easily reach this island by a small boat from the Poreč promenade. The ticket costs 40 kn per person for a round trip. The price is low due to the fact that the hotel company on the island is trying to limit the number of regular guests.

St. Nicholas Island

Pikal beach

This is the first beach in the northern part of Porec. It is located below the Zagreb and Pical Hotels, a 15-minute walk from the Old Town. This beach is very popular with the locals. It is within walking distance from the districts of Porec, so it is the most convenient beach if you live in the city or stay there for some time.

The beach was renovated 2 years ago, with improvements: new sunbathing areas, an improved promenade.

Vacationers are provided with a beautiful pebble beach, a playground with a sandpit, car rental, bars and restaurants. On this beach there is one of the most popular night bars in Porec - Tequila Bar. This bar is the summer hotspot of Porec with live music and a truly wonderful atmosphere.

The Porec Jet-Ski Center is located at the far end of this beach, bordering Spadici Beach. The center offers ski rental, a crazy UFO ride, banana rides, go-karting. In the vicinity of the hotel there is the Hrast restaurant with a stunning seafront terrace and really good food.

There is a tourist train connecting Porec with Pikal beach (it reaches Spaydik). The ticket price is 10 kuna per person, and the trip duration is 10 minutes.

Spadici beach

Continuing along the coast, starting at Pikal Beach, you will arrive at Spadici Beach. It is below the Valamar Pinia Hotel and Residence. The beach is cement, with a wide grassy surface for sunbathing. This beach is often crowded with hotel guests and locals are rare. There are no shady areas.

There are several restaurants and cafes on the beach, as well as along the main road, right behind the beach. Showers and changing rooms are at the guests' disposal.

Spadici beach

Materada beach

Located in the same area, right next to Spadici beach. No shady area. There are many sports and entertainment facilities, restaurants, bars, grocery stores, showers, changing rooms.
At the far end of this beach you will find the private camping Materada and further on the Laguna Materada Hotel.

Wild beaches

In Croatia, wild beaches means beaches without infrastructure (no toilets, changing rooms, water sports, bars and restaurants).

In Porec, wild beaches start from Materada Beach and all the way to Servar Porat. The entire area remains untouched and uninhabited, with the exception of Ulic's campsite (for nudists), which is halfway between Materada and Servar Porat.

The most popular part of the area is Porto Buzola, a peninsula and bay where locals love to have picnics by the sea. The place is so popular with locals that some wake up at 4am to secure a secluded spot on the beach.

Money and ATMs

Croatian currency is Kuna, although you can pay for some things in euros: food in restaurants, accommodation, gasoline.

The exchange rate is around 7.6 CZK for 1 euro. You can exchange money in many places in Porec: exchange offices, banks, hotels.

ATM machines are located everywhere: next to every bank, in popular locations in the city and in many hotels.

ATMs are easy to operate thanks to their multilingual management.

Landscapes of Poreč

Shopping

There are plenty of grocery stores in Porec Croatia; tourists are presented with a wide selection of supermarkets for shopping. Almost all supermarkets in Porec are located along Mate Vlasica street, and each of them has a large parking lot. There are 2 Croatian supermarket chains Konzum and Plodine, as well as large European chains - Lidl and Kaufland. Billa is the only supermarket located in the city center next to the bus station. The prices in the Lidl supermarket are much lower compared to the prices of other supermarkets in the Croatian city of Porec.

The best butcher in town is Arman with a shop in the green part of the market. The best fish shops are: Ancora at Gaspara Kalcica 10 and Batana at P. Kandlera 13. Both shops offer to clean the fish you buy, grill or fry, as you wish.

There are 3 pharmacies in Porec. One is in the main square, the other is just a few meters from Pietro Candler Street, and the third is next to the hospital. Pharmacies are open Monday through Saturday and close on Sunday and public holidays.

Two shops in the Croatian town of Porec sell equipment for camping and other outdoor activities - Parens at the main entrance to Porec and Meridijen in the industrial area of ​​Porec.
Clothing stores are small boutiques located in the old town of Porec. Among them are Sisley, Benetton and St. Oliver, but no high-end brands.

Holidays in Porec

Porec is a small town in Istria in the middle of a vast region of resorts. This place is always full of tourists, and most of the hotels are located on the beach outside the city. Keep in mind that the beaches are rocky, not sandy, but considering how beautiful the sea is in the Croatian city of Porec, every traveler will want to visit it.

Porec offers many things to try while on vacation here, from water sports, car and cycling sports to olive oil sampling and wine tasting.

Porec is a city located in the very “heart” of the western coast of Istria. Porec is a city of rich culture, tourism, sports and entertainment, in which the spirit of the old days conveys an unforgettable mosaic of sensations.
The largest tourist center of Croatia is located 60 km from the airport, in a picturesque 25 km long bay with a beautifully indented coastline. The lively promenade is ideal for walking, offering wonderful views of fishing boats, neighboring islands and drifting snow-white yachts. The old part of the city is attractive with squares with century-old pines and cozy courtyards immersed in greenery.
The most famous sights of the resort are the remains of two Roman temples, the Ephrasian Cathedral with a unique Byzantine mosaic, erected in the 6th century and listed as a cultural heritage under the protection of UNESCO, the Museum of Local Lore, located in a baroque palace, as well as the ruins of defensive towers - Round, Pentagonal and North -east.
Today Porec is an attractive tourist resort, where great importance is attached to a high level of service, comfortable accommodation facilities, a variety of entertainment events, and a wide range of tourist programs.

What to visit?

Summer in Porec 2016

In summer Porec, cultural life is always in full swing. Exhibitions, concerts, popular festivals and championships are held here.

Open Air Festival
Throughout the summer (9.06 — 10.09) Porec hosts the Open Air festival. More than 100 enchanting performances await guests and residents of the city: jazz and R&B concerts, open-air performances and movie premieres, DJ sets and street dances.

Jazz in the Lapidarium
Throughout the summer, every Wednesday, a traditional jazz festival will be held in the cultural and historical complex of the city - Lapidarium. Real virtuosos of classical and modern jazz will perform for the audience. You will hear compositions performed in a wide variety of styles: from swing and blues to funk and ethno-jazz.

International Beach Volleyball Tournament POREC MAJOR
From June 28 to July 3, an international beach volleyball tournament will be held in Porec, in which athletes from around the world will compete for the continental cup.

Exhibition of Contemporary Art (Annals of Porec)
The most famous contemporary art exhibition in Croatia will take place in early August in Porec. In the parliament building ("sabornitsa"), more precisely in one of its galleries, expositions dedicated to different, but always interesting topics are exhibited.

Street art festival
In August, Stary Porec will turn into an open-air festival, where professional and emerging artists will entertain the audience heartily. Comedy sketches, magicians' performances, torch dances and much more await you.

Concerts at the Euphrasian Basilica
Traditionally, every year in Porec, in the Euphrasian Basilica, chamber music concerts are held. Neither the beauty of the music nor the splendor of the old building will leave you indifferent. The temple was built in the 6th century and is the only surviving monument of the early Christian era in Porec. The Euphrasian Basilica is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Joestra Historical Festival
The Jostra historical festival is one of the most important cultural events in Croatia. It traditionally takes place in September and lasts for several days. At this time, Porec turns into a medieval city with cheerful fairs, spectacular knightly tournaments and open-air feasts where wine flows like a river.

Dolphin Marine Festival
In early September, the Dolphin Marine Festival will take place in Porec, in which all swimming lovers, from young to old, will take part. Equip yourself with fins, masks, water mattresses and set off on your sea adventure!

Croatia is now very popular with tourists. It allows you to get excellent service during your vacation at a reasonable price, while enjoying the sights at the same time. Poreč is a major Croatian center. It is located in the west of the Istrian peninsula in a huge lagoon, 25 km long. The resort is famous for its artfully indented coastline with rocky plateaus and concrete platforms.

History of Porec

More than two thousand years ago, Illyrian tribes established their settlements in these territories. The ancient Romans erected the Parentium fortress here, and there were luxurious villas right on the coast. For this reason, tourists to Porec are attracted not only by the mild climate and golden beaches, but also by the remains of Roman cities in the Mediterranean. Here you can see not only houses and churches, but also round towers, fortress walls.

Porec is famous for the Basilica of St. Euphrasius. They strive to see the unique Byzantine mosaics of the sixth century. The city has been awarded UNESCO heritage status.

Interestingly, the status of the city of Poreč was given during the reign of Octavian Augustus more than two thousand years ago. Its growth and economic well-being have been facilitated by the convenient location of the port. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, its rulers changed many times. It was ruled by the Ostrogoths, Lombards, Byzantines, Franks, Slavs. Porec was sued to become part of an independent Croatia after the breakup of Yugoslavia in 1991.

How to get to Porec: transport in the city and beyond

The resort called Porec is small, with about 8 thousand inhabitants. Another 9 thousand live in adjacent villages. It is convenient to get here by plane, landing at the international airport of Pula, then covering 60 km by taxi or intercity bus flight. It should be borne in mind that although Croatia is famous for the quality of its roads, travel on them is paid.

There is also transport in Porec itself. For the convenience of tourists, a road train constantly runs along the entire embankment. During the journey, he makes 3-4 stops. Such a train operates from 9:00 to 22:00. After the end of its work, a water taxi begins to run, which runs in the evenings from the city center to hotels.

For convenience, you can rent a car in Croatia.

Attractions in Porec

Rest on the beach is very cool, Croatia has the best possible way to such leisure. As a rule, this is what people come to Porec for. But why not make your trip interesting and informative? Local attractions also have a rich cultural program. You should definitely visit such places:

• Old city

Many modern buildings in Porec were built on foundations built by the ancient Romans. In this part of the city, there are many palaces from the Venetian era and other historical buildings.

• Euphrasian Basilica

This complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a three-nave temple that has an atrium and an octagonal baptistery. During the reign of Bishop Maurus in the 4th century, a church was built here, and later, in 539, while the bishop of Euphrasia was being watched, a modern basilica was also erected. Ancient Byzantine mosaics are of particular value here.

• Decuman street

It was once the main road of the city, the Roman "decumanus", leading to the forum. Today it is hard to believe that Croatia was such an important place for the Romans.

• City fortifications

Croatia has a rich history, rulers throughout the country, and in Porec in particular, changed very often. The need for defense was constant, so strong fortifications were erected. This system was used for a long time, and fragments of fortifications have survived to this day. The most interesting are the Pentagonal, Round and Semicircular towers. They were built between 1447 and 1475.

• Pentagonal tower

The central street Decumanus begins with it. The tower stands at the entrance to the historic district of Porec. It belongs to the Gothic of the 15th century. The facade is decorated with a Venetian lion. The tower was separated from the city gates only in the 19th century after the French invasion.

• North tower

It is convenient to walk while visiting the historic city center: just walk a little to the northeast. It was built in the 15th century, but it has been perfectly preserved to this day.

• Temple of Neptune

Located on the northwest side of Marafor Square. It is quite ancient, so only partially the facade of the building and fragments of the walls have come down to us. It is located right in a beautiful park, which makes visiting this Croatian attraction especially comfortable.

• House of Two Saints

Beautiful house in the Romanesque style. The facade of the building is decorated with two statues of saints. Against its background, quite interesting memorable shots are obtained.

• Marafor Square

The largest and oldest square in the entire city. Directly on it are the Temple of Mars and the Great Temple (previously it was the most impressive in the entire Adriatic in terms of size). To the west of it there is also the Temple of Neptune, famous among tourists in Croatia.

• Romanesque house

From the name it is clear that the building is made in the Romanesque style. It has an external staircase and a wooden balcony, which were restored in 1930.

• Istrian municipality

Previously, this building housed the Church of St. Francis, dating back to the 13th century. Four centuries later, the facade was restored to match the then fashionable trends in the Baroque style. The municipality to this day fulfills its direct purpose: once the parliament of Istria gathered in it, now it serves as a meeting place for the District Parliament.

• Round towers

They are located not far from the People's Square. The sights are perfectly preserved, because they were built in the 15th century. The objects are open for free visits by tourists who come to Porec.

• Museum of the History of Porec

In Croatia, they are very careful about their history. The city history museum is located right in the palace, built in the 18th century. The building belongs to the Baroque style. The ground floor is occupied by an exposition of stone fragments of Roman sacred writings. A collection of ancient ceramics is also presented to the attention of visitors. The second floor is occupied by exhibits of portrait painting and household items of the famous families Kopar and Karli. The museum also houses a collection of sculptures from the early Middle Ages. Lovers of historical details will delight the local library with its selection of old documents.

Shopping in Porec

Of course, Croatia has its own unique flavor. To make the trip memorable, when traveling, it is customary to buy something as a keepsake. The small market near the Marina is an ideal place to shop for souvenirs. Here you can buy T-shirts and magnets with symbols, bags filled with lavender and much more. Porec is filled with many shops with food, clothing and souvenirs for every taste.

They are trying to bring olive oil and wine from Croatia. These products are best purchased from specialized stores. The prices there are slightly higher than in the markets, but the goods are certified, original, and the range is simply off scale. Supermarkets also have wine and oil, but the choice is scarce, although the pricing policy is sparing. Local farmers bring fruits and vegetables to the markets - there they are always fresh and very tasty.

Hotel selection

In Croatia, Porec is one of the most visited cities. This can be explained quite simply:

• Rest can be diversified different kinds leisure;
• In addition to spending time on the beach, you can visit famous sights;
• The level of services in the tourism infrastructure is very high.

In most local hotels, you can order not only accommodation and meals, but also an interesting excursion program not only around the city, but throughout Croatia. The service of buying tickets for the most interesting events, renting a car or reserving a table in one of the restaurants in Porec is available on site. The staff is knowledgeable and friendly, so you can ask the hotel staff how to organize your leisure time and how to get to the main attractions.

The most popular hotel on the coast is Nautica (Croatia). This is a five-star hotel, opened in 2006, which immediately won the first place among tourists. Also in this corner of Croatia there are hotels focused on the active rest of their guests. You can rent any equipment right on the spot and hire an instructor. There are also hotels designed for family vacation where you can safely spend time with children of different ages.

Very often people go to Porec in search of romance. Croatia, and this resort in particular, is suitable for a honeymoon or a trip for two. In this case, the Laguna Galijot is ideal - it is one of the most beautiful on the coast. Here you can breathe in the sea air deeply and enjoy walks along the night beach.

Porec, like Croatia as a whole, will appeal to any tourist. Travel can be turned into a vivid, unforgettable memory. Leisure can be so diverse that everyone will find something unique and close in spirit here. Particularly pleased with the level of comfort and infrastructure of this European resort.

Most of the modern city until recently was a suburb: if you look at the map, it seems as if the area of ​​the Old Town of Porec is a heart, from which streets go in different directions, along which settlements with houses grow here and there. Life, as before, is in full swing in the center. Therefore, a trip to Porec should start from here.

The old town is located on a peninsula. When I was vacationing here, I often had a desire to be a local resident for a while. Old Porec is a miniature, brightly colored houses, some kind of calmness, a gentle sea with ships, sunsets and sunrises intoxicating with beauty. Many people come here for the sake of relaxing on the beach and a pleasant picture on the horizon, but already on the spot it becomes clear that even the soul relaxes here. You walk with your eyes wide open, you relax with all your gut and leave the city with a smile and the undoubted decision to return again.

I love to study the history of the places I find myself in. Few people write about Porech, and those that do are often mistaken, so once I had to try pretty hard to put together all the pieces of stories about the city. But I do not regret it at all - it seems to me that the knowledge of some interesting facts and historical cases transforms the city in the eyes of a traveler.

The old town of Porec emerged on the site of a settlement that appeared here several millennia ago - then the Sahara had just begun to turn into a desert. And knowing only this fact, otherwise you feel the space of this tiny city, standing in the middle of its pretty European houses. There are also a bunch of palms and pines here - a very strange combination.

History of the Old Town of Porec

Parentium, Parenzo or Porec - the city has many names. He passed from one ruler to another, and each called him in his own way. A distinctive feature that has determined the history of Porec is its special strategic advantages. The old town is located on a protruding peninsula with a comfortable quiet bay, protected from the southwest by the island of St. Nicholas.

The very first settlements appeared here about 6,000 years ago. At that moment, hieroglyphs for writing were just beginning to be used in Egypt, and here the life of several nationalities was already developing.

It will take centuries until the Romans reach the settlement, turning it into a special type of military settlement - kastrum. The excellent geographical location and active participation of the Romans in the fate of the castrum led to its expansion and growth of influence. Emperor Augustus, having founded the Roman Empire, begins to actively build Roman colonial cities and the Old Town of Porec becomes one of them: city fortifications, some buildings, temples and a square, some of which have survived to this day. If you look at the modern city center from above, you can see that the structure of the streets, typical of the Roman castrum, has been preserved in the Old Town of Porec to this day.

The emerging colony city was awarded by the Emperor Augustus with the name "Parentium". At the same time, being at a relatively far distance from the center of the Roman Empire, the Parentium is turning into one of the cities where a huge Christian community was hiding from the persecution of the authorities. But later the Christians were executed by the emperor Diocletian. Having retired, he moved to the vicinity of Parentium: he built himself a palace on the shores of the Adriatic, which eventually turned into a city.

After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, Porec passed first to the Ostrogoths, then to Byzantium. Bishop Euphrasius is heading here. On the site of an old church destroyed by the Ostrogoths, he is building a basilica, which will go down in history as one of the oldest monuments of Byzantine art.

Euphrasius himself is an ambiguous figure. In Croatia, he is revered as a saint, although little is known about him: it is only certain that he was never a member of friendly relations with the Pope, who in his letters called him a "schismatic" and "the greatest traitor to the church."

Some people think that Porec is a "Slavic" city. But the Slavs are first mentioned at the end of the 6th century, when they come to Istria and begin to plunder local cities. At the same time, Istria, together with Porec, became part of the Frankish state. The governor Ivan is sent here to keep the entire region under control. Together with him, new families of Slavs moved here, occupying lands and forming their communities. There is a major conflict of interest between the local population and the Slavs, and Ivan, wanting to avoid open clashes, is forced to evict some of the Slavs outside the cities of Istria.

With the collapse of the Frankish state, independent communes were formed, and Porec became one of them. It grows - people are actively settling around the fortifications of the Old City. For three hundred years Porec has existed as an independent city until it becomes the first Istrian city to become part of the Venetian Republic.

But having lost its independence, Porec also fell into a whirlpool of wars that it waged. On the other hand, the support of Venice led to the fact that by the 15th century trade and crafts were actively developing in the city, luxurious palaces of wealthy Venetians and local residents appeared - Zukato, Parisi-Gonan and others. The highest lighthouse in the Adriatic rises on the island of St. Nicholas. Porec will remain a part of the Venetian Republic for more than five hundred years (this is noticeable in architecture, isn't it?).

The 16th century will be the century of wars and epidemics: at some point, only 30 residents will remain in the city. Porec will be rebuilt for almost a century and a half, largely thanks to refugees from Crete. Then Napoleon's troops will come here, and after Napoleon, the city will be captured. It was at this moment that Porec turned into a tourist destination - the first guidebooks for foreign tourists were published.

In 1861, Istria regains its independence, and in Porec, in the former Franciscan church of the 13th century, the Istrian parliament begins to sit. The city is becoming stronger, richer and attracting interest from Italy and Croatia itself (when I asked the locals who they think they were, most said they were Istrians, not Croats). In Istria itself, at that time, modernization was in full swing, symbolized by the appearance of the Porech-Trst railway line known as Parenzana. Not many photos of this line have survived:

The development of infrastructure in the city, active trade, the sea contributed to the appearance of the first hotels, and Istria became a favorite summer destination. These photos help to assess how chic the city was at the beginning of the last century:

After the First World War, Porec passed from Austria to Italy: the city began to decline, and Parenzana was closed. During the Second World War, Poreč was bombed more than once, the fortifications and buildings of the Old Town were seriously damaged, the Franciscan monastery was destroyed.

After 1947, under the terms of the Paris Peace Treaty, Istria, and with it Porec, became part of Yugoslavia as part of Croatia. The city is emptying: up to 90% of its inhabitants move to Italy. And Yugoslavia begins industrialization, opening the first factories and tourist resorts.

Decades later, in 1991, Croatia seceded from Yugoslavia, declaring its independence. Together with it, the city of Porec, which is now part of independent Croatia, is seceding from Yugoslavia (but as I already wrote above, the locals prefer to consider themselves primarily Istrians, not Croats).

Top 10 sights of the Old Town of Porec

The old town of Porec is a foundation of ancient Roman buildings, temples and the remains of a Roman forum that organically coexist with Gothic palaces and Baroque buildings, buried in tiny squares.

Marafor Square (Trg Marafor)

The legendary old square of Poreč. It is an old Roman forum where public events and a popular market were once held. Today it is difficult to imagine how everything fit here - the area is tiny, all filled with tables of cafes and restaurants.

If you look under your feet, you can see that the square is as if woven from intersecting streets - beautiful geometry from old cobblestones. In fact, Piazza Marafor is a special atmosphere, an Italian spirit. This is what the famous Croatian singer-chanson singer Mirko Cetinski sings about in the song of the same name.

Please note: many people confuse Marafor Square and Freedom Square. Marafor is a tiny old square located closer to the sea.

Freedom Square (Trg Slobode) is closer to the mainland, it is paved with new tiles. Don't get lost!

I advise you to plan your route in advance and keep a map handy. The old town is small, but it's easy to get lost in it (which happens more often than it seems).

Roman ruins or Temple of Neptune or Temple of Mars (Veliki hram)

Also known as the Great Temple. These are the ruins of the oldest sanctuary in Poreč, located next to Marafor. Once it was the largest antique building in honor of the ancient Roman gods in Istria, measuring 30 by 15 meters. The building appeared at a time when the Roman castrum began to turn into an urban settlement, but, unfortunately, today only a few notable ruins remain on this site.

In the city's official guidebooks, these ruins are called differently. There are versions that this is a temple to Jupiter, because the style of the building speaks about it. Someone says that since the Parentium was by the sea, the building was traditionally erected in honor of Neptune. There is a version that there are two structures here, but about a hundred years ago everything looked something like this and was considered a temple of Mars:

Life hack: I traveled on my own and decided that since Porec is small, you can do without a guide. And therefore the secret of the old ancient temple is unknown to me. But the tourist organization of the city advises tourists who have a complete knowledge base about the city on a par with the best historians.

Medieval fortifications of the Old Town (Srednjovjekovni bedemi)

They appeared in the 12th century. Situated around the Old Town, they defended it from attacks until the 19th century.

Walking along them, pay attention to the surviving towers. The best preserved is the Round Tower (Okrugla kula), where you can climb to view the panorama of the city. Inside there is an excellent one with a cool shade: many tourists drop in here in the second half, when the apple has nowhere to fall.

I was in the morning, until noon, when you can still have a quiet coffee in a half-empty cafe with a beautiful sea view. The tower itself appeared here in 1473, and two years later the Semicircular or North Tower (Sjeverna kula) was erected. But the oldest is the Pentagonal Tower (Peterokutna kula).

Built in 1447. This tower, like others within the Old City, was created by the Venetians as a defense against the attacks of the Ottoman Empire.

Euphrasian Basilica (Eufrazijeva bazilika)

Built in the 6th century by Bishop Euphrasius in the image of the Italian basilica. It is known among art historians for its chic mosaics, lace capitals and marble inlays as one of the oldest monuments of Byzantine art. At first, there was an old chapel on this site dedicated to Saint Maurus, the patron saint of the city.

Saint Moor of Parental was the first bishop of Porec and one of the martyrs who suffered during the persecution of Christians under Diocletian. Then a church appeared on the site of the chapel, badly damaged during the raids of the Goths. Euphrasius erected a new basilica in its place, dedicating it to the Most Holy Theotokos. The construction lasted for 10 long years. Later in the 15th century, services were stopped in the basilica: the building was badly damaged during one of the earthquakes. Only three centuries later, the basilica was restored, adding a little baroque style. We do not see these details, since in the 20th century, during the next reconstruction, it was pleasant to remove them as distorting the historical appearance.

The golden mosaic of the basilica deserves a separate story. It is made by Byzantine craftsmen and is the oldest depiction of the Virgin Mary in the world. Above the triumphal arch, Christ is depicted with a book, next to him are the apostles. Below are medallions with the image of the Lamb and portraits of the martyr. Above the apse is the Virgin Mary with a baby in her arms. To her left, after the angel, stands Saint Moor with the crown of a martyr. His relics rest in this basilica, guarding the city. Bishop Euphrasius himself follows Moor. It is easy to recognize him - he holds a miniature of the basilica in his hands.

The floor mosaic in the garden is much older and is a legacy of the previous church.

It depicts a fish, which became one of the most famous symbols of early Christianity.

The architectural complex includes: a bell tower (where you can climb to view the city from a bird's eye view), the bishop's residence, a baptistery and a sacristy. The Euphrasian Basilica, as a unique example of Byzantine art, was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1997.

Istrian municipality (Istarska sabornica)

Amazing building located next to the park and the Euphrasian Basilica. It stands out with baroque details in the design.

Look closely, and in its back you will recognize the outlines of some medieval temple: in the 13th century, this building housed a Franciscan church. Later, the Istrian parliament began to hold meetings here.

Please note that it is located next to Marafor (and not on Freedom Square, as many think):

Today it is the city hall, where cultural events and meetings of the District Parliament take place.

Zukato Palace

Situated among the houses surrounding Trg Matije Gupca square, next to Cardo Maximus street. Striking for its mixture of Baroque and Gothic styles.

House of Two Saints (Kuća dva sveca)

Small one-storey house on Sv. Maura street, built in the 14-15th century.

On the side, it is decorated with two statues, after which the locals called the house.

Romanesque house (Romanička kuća)

Among other buildings on Marafor Square, it stands out for its wooden balcony. This is one of the oldest buildings in the city, built in the 13th century.

It is assumed that the penultimate time of the building was renovated in the 18th century, at the same time a wooden balcony was added. It was formerly part of a single complex that was destroyed by bombing during the Second World War.

Street Decumanus (Ulica Dekumanus)

The main street of the old town, along with Cardo Maximus, has retained its historical appearance. Today, hundreds of tourists stroll here: along the street there are main attractions, cafes and souvenir shops.

Should you be confused by the fact that faded paint falls off on the facades of buildings (where it still remains), and local residents hang out their washed clothes over the street? Try to think of it as part of the atmosphere of the city.

I was sorry to see all this: an incredible city, a magnet for tourists, in which you need to invest and in whose way you need to work. Perhaps something will change in the future. On the other hand, it is pleasant to sit in the evening on the embankment, when neighboring cafes lay soft pillows on the old stone steps, and drink aromatic coffee.

Church of the Madonna of Angels (Crkva Gospe od Anđela)

Located next to Freedom Square. It is often confused with the Istrian municipality. It is a late baroque monument.

Next to the church, in the photo on the left, there is a sculpture by the famous Croatian contemporary sculptor Perusko Bogdanic.

His works are exhibited in Europe, and some sculptures are in the collections of almost any Croatian art museum.

• The historical past of the Old Town gave a double name to the modern city... The city received the name "Porec" only in 1947, when it was already part of Yugoslavia. Previously, it was called Parenzo (which many are accustomed to). Both names are used officially today. Therefore, for some people, the Old Town of Porec is the same as the Old Town of Parenzo.

• About 15% of locals speak Italian... And according to unofficial data, all residents speak Italian at the initial level - the countries are very close, which is why the local population mixes languages. So don't be surprised if you notice that someone near you speaks a mixture of Italian and Croatian.

• Porec old town- one of the rare surviving examples of the layout of an ancient city where the streets intersect at right angles, with equal rectangular blocks measuring 100x40 meters and squares, and the main streets are perpendicular to each other. Straight streets are oriented to the cardinal points. This city layout is called the Hippodamus system. Manhattan was rebuilt on a similar principle a century and a half ago.

• If you are a foodie and do not tolerate the summer heat, go in Porec at the beginning of autumn - this is the best time for those who like to eat deliciously... Wines, rich harvests, fresh oysters, truffles - mmm! And tickets and accommodation are cheaper. It's cool in the Old Town in the summer, but when I passed here at the end of September, I realized how much I was missing. Most of the good restaurants and cafes are located in the Old Town.
• There is a cat town in the Old Town (Mačkograd) is a shelter for stray cats, which is looked after by Zeljko Hanzek. Several dozen cats and kittens live here. Locals say that this courtyard was abandoned after the Yugoslav wars. Here cats began to gather, and Zeljko decided to take care of them. People raise money by helping Zeljko buy food and pay for veterinarians. And kitties are always glad to have guests.

Finding a place is not easy: it is located on Eufrazijeva ulica Street, opposite building 55.

How to get to the Old Town of Porec

From the bus station of the city of Porec, you can walk in a few minutes:

From the port of the city of Porec to the center to go about the same.

By the way, there is a marina nearby, from where the catamaran ship goes to Venice (Prince of Venice). I did not travel, for this I needed another visa. But to Venice there is only 90 km or 2 hours by sea. It costs about 70 EUR. You can buy tickets directly at the pier or.

Activities in the Old Town

• Annual festival "Klapa"(early July, Freedom Square (Trg slobode)). Performances by the best Croatian bands performing traditional folk and popular music with choral singing. Like that:

It reminds me more of ordinary choral singing, but in Croatia there are a lot of such groups, even more competitions and concerts. If in neighboring Serbia they like trumpeters, then there is polyphonic singing.

• Annual street theater festival