Day-To-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Individual arrival to Muggia
Day 2: Muggia to Piran, 22 mi. (35 km)
Day 3: Portorož to Grožnjan, 19 mi. (31 km)
Day 4: Grožnjan to Motovun, 20 mi. (32 km)
Day 5: Motovun to Poreč, 22.5 mi. (36 km)
Day 6: Poreč to Umag, 26 mi. (42 km)
Day 7: Umag to PIran, 20 mil. (32 km)
Day 8: PIran
*All distances are approximate.
Day 1: Individual arrival to Muggia, region of Trieste
Arrive to your hotel in Muggia settle in and enjoy the Venetian atmosphere of this quaint harbor village. The architecture, dialect, customs, and culinary are all influenced and connected with the republic of Venice. You might want to consider arriving a day early and exploring Trieste before beginning you bike tour. You can take a boat from Muggia to the port of Trieste. Trieste is seaport city with a long and complex history, lying at a crossroads influenced by Latin, Slavic, and Germanic cultures. You will have a tour introduction before you begin your tour.
Day 2: Muggia - Piran, 22 mi. (35 km)
For this day, you begin cycling directly from your hotel. Your rental bikes will be waiting for you at the hotel. Following the Slovenian coast, you cycle in to the charming town of Piran, sitting pretty on the tip of its peninsula. In the middle of the town is Tartini Square with a monument dedicated to the great violinist and composer Giuseppe Tartini, born in Piran in 1692. Adding to the list of worthwhile places to visit is the town hall and the law-courts, the Gothic Venetian mansion, and the cathedral on an eminence, commanding a glorious panorama. You overnight in Piran, one of the most photogenic cities in the Mediterranean. The old town, which is one of the best-preserved historical towns in the Adriatic, is a gem of the Venetian Gothic architecture. It is hard not to fall in love with Piran’s atmospheric winding alleyways, sunsets and seafood restaurants.
Elevation: 253 m
Day 3: Portorož - Grožnjan, 19 mi. (31 km)
Today, you leave the coast and head inland toward the Croatian border. The landscape changes and you experience the thickly forested Istrian hinterland dotted with ancient villages and farms. Grožnjan, known as the city of artists, is an ancient hilltop town and is the day's final destination. Once a dying and decaying town, in 1965 it was declared an artists' colony and was transformed into the enchanting and magical place it is today, The influx of creativity resulted in the fairy tale like atmopshere you will find here. Its history still permeates the present with ancient churches and castles, prehistoric archaeology, magnificent palaces, and many other old buildings, whose past glory have been been recovered through restoration. You will either be transferred to Motovun and the next morning back to Groznjan due to lack of accomodation availability in Grožnjan or overnight in Grožnjan.
Elevation: 323 m
Day 4: Grožnjan to Motovun, 20 mi. (32 km)
In the northern part of Istria, overlooking the Mirna river valley, lies the most famous and attractive Istrian medieval town called Motovun. The captivating hilltop settlement is often used as a typical Istrian interior decoration motif. Situated on a hill rising 270 metres above the sea level, its houses are scattered all around the area.
The 13th century Romanesque Gothic bell tower with a crenulated crown, which stands next to the Parish Church of Saint Stephen from the 17th century, dominates the town’s historic core. Motovun serves as a venue to many events, the most significant being the International Motovun Film Festival that takes place at the end of July and where many world-renowned film artists can be spotted.
The Mirna river flows at the foot of the hill. On the other side of the river is the famous Forest of Motovun with an area of about 10 square kilometres and a patch of 280 hectares that has been placed under special protection. This area is completely different not only from the nearby forests but also from the entire surrounding karst region because of its wildlife as well as the moist soil rich with prized black and white truffles (Tuber magnatum) which grow here in abundance.
Elevation: 239 m
Day 5: Motovun - Poreč, 22.5 mi. (36 km)
Day 4 is all about comfortable cycling along the fields that are rich in fertile red soil, before returning the coast. The final destination is the town of Poreč at the western coast of the Istrian peninsula. The major landmark, the 6th century Euphrasian Basilica in the historic old town, is famous for its gem-studded Byzantine mosaics. In 1997, it was proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The almost 2000 years old town of Poreč is situated around a harbour and protected from the sea by the small island of Saint Nicholas. Ever since the 1970s, the coast of Poreč and that of the neighbouring Rovinj have been the most frequented tourist destinations in Croatia.
Elevation: 315 m
Day 6: Poreč - Umag, 26 mi. (42 km)
Heading north now along the coast, the day's destination is Umag.The old town has the narrow, cobbled streets, so typical of the region and the coastline is full of pretty little bays. Umag is a small town and port on the north-western coast of Istria. A place Croatians say presents ‘Croatia’s gateway to Europe’.
Elevation: 230 m
Day 7: Umag - PIran, 20 mi. (32 km)
On the last day of the cycling tour, the route follows the Croatian coastline as far as the terrain allows. It is worth to make a few stops and enjoy some more beautiful vistas and the easy breeze before crossing the border to Slovenia. The last leg of the journey leads back to Portorož and then Piran, where the tour ends.
Unlike the first visit to Piran on Day 2, there is now enough time left to enjoy the impressive atmosphere of the old town. That would be the right time to enjoy a cup of coffee at the Tartini Square that features a monument dedicated to the great violinist and composer Giuseppe Tartini, who was born in Piran in 1692, and to take a dip in the sea before the dinner.
Day 8: Piran and transfer back to Trieste Central
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This tour is run by Bike Good Place.
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Customer Feedback
Ivette S. 8 months ago
The perfect trip for families with young adult children. We enjoyed the different kind of roads, the food, the sights, every town we stayed at. Our guide Matic was excellent. We are looking forward to a new adventure with Tripsite.
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Larry H. 11 months ago
We were a group of eight old friends and found this trip very enjoyable. The tour organizer, Klemen Stular was very responsive to our questions and preferences, and even worked to adapt the route to accommodate our request to visit a winery! The trails had some loose gravel so it required extra caution (and muscle) on steep hills, but the off-road trails made this particular tour the most special. The equipment was well-maintained, easy to use, and reliable. The tour operator was very conscientious about making certain everything fit the rider. The scenery was glorious and the people warm and welcoming.
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Yael U. 1 year ago
I have traveled 2 times and looking forward to this summer's trip again. I love working with Tripsite staff and enjoyed each experience immensely.
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Yael S. 2 years ago
The trip was beautiful and what I would describe as completely worthwhile work/play.
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knut S. 2 years ago
Most memorable: The local tour operator (Good Places) arranged a lunch and wine tasting at a small winery/restaurant. Excellent food, good wines, tour of the winery, interesting lessons about local wines in Croatia, excellent service and a welcoming atmosphere.
Suggestion: We enjoyed staying in the small hotels with atmosphere and a la carte dinners much more than the big resort hotels serving big buffet dinners. So please look for cosy, smaller hotels with atmosphere.
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Michael E. 2 years ago
Tour route was beautiful, some costal some inland, hotels and food were excellent, I liked the smaller hotels much better than the large one as the small ones were very personal. Local wines were great. Had so much fun that I'm thinking about the next trip.
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