CyclingHybrid & E-Bike OptionsSelf Guided

Istrian Wine Roads Self Guided Cycling 2025

Buje - Grožnjan - Oprtalj - Livade - Motovun - Višnjan - Poreč - Bale - Rovinj

There is something magical in Istria, the largest Croatian peninsula, immersed in the blue of the Adriatic. Its green forests, historic hilltop towns, vineyards, olive groves and gentle rivers are a perfect combination of the beauty of nature, history, and culture. When you add to this the seductive tastes of excellent Istrian wines, you just know that this is an area which offers you everything you need. Enjoy an easy bike ride and explore Istria, passing through the hidden medieval towns of Grožnjan, Oprtalj, Motovun, and the former Roman colony of Poreč whose charm will leave you breathless. Passing through a landscape of hills framed by rivers, with forests, vineyards and olive groves, you’ll enjoy every moment. Take a break at the winemakers and taste indigenous wines such as ‘Malvasia’ and ‘Teran’, treat yourself to tasty delicacies and experience all the charms of Istria, this exciting Croatian wine region.

Trip Style: Self Guided Cycling Tour
Start / Finish: Buje Area to Rovinj
Availability: March to November
Departures: Any day of the week (on request)
Total Distance: 142km
Grade: Moderate

This holiday requires cyclist with better level of fitness who are occasional cyclist. Cycling days are longer and higher hills are possible. Daily cycling distance is 35-55km.

Code: F1

Day by day Itinerary

Day 1
Buje Area

Individual arrival in Istria. Info Meeting with the representative at 1900HRS at the hotel reception where you will be provided with the package including hotel vouchers, bicycle with all equipment, maps and a road book. Overnight in Buje area.

Day 2
Buje Area - Grožnjan - Oprtalj - Livade - Motovun

From Buje you will continue towards Grožnjan, a typical Istrian medieval town high on top of a hill along the right coast of the Mirna River. The sites here include the renaissance loggia dating from 1585 and the beautiful St. Vitus and Modesto’s Baroque Church. Pass along its streets, where almost every door leads to art studios or galleries, and windows from every direction echoes the sounds of different music genres, from classical to jazz; you will understand why Grožnjan is known as ‘The Town of Artists’. From Grožnjan you'll ride on quiet Istrian village roads through beautiful settlements and arrive to Oprtalj. Enjoy the unchanged urban medieval styles of building; the narrow streets; the shops; the beautiful Venetian palaces, portals, and covered passages; and particularly the unique view to the Istrian peninsula from the town loggia, according to many the most beautiful of Istria. From Oprtalj you are going downhill, enjoying the view on Mirna River, and eventually arriving in Livade, the truffle centre of Istria; where you can visit the local truffle shop and taste it in various forms. The truffle is an underground malodorous fungus believed to be an aphrodisiac. On the hill in front of the Livade is Motovun, the most famous and attractive Istrian medieval hill-town. Around Livade is the Motovun Forest which stretches along Mirna River Valley, it is especially rich with truffles. Overnight in Motovun. (B)

Cycling distance: 37km
Elevation gain: +693m / -585m

Day 3
Motovun - Višnjan - Tar - Nova Vas - Poreč

This part of the trail goes from inland to the coast. It follows the road to Višnjan where you will pass by an observatory. It’s one of the five most famous observatories in the world. The road continues to the town of Višnjan, which is on a 246m altitude, and from there you will be able to catch a view of the west Istrian coast and the coastal town of Poreč. In the Višnjan surroundings it is possible to visit many wine cellars with wine from the Poreč area, especially Malvasia. 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 Poreč. Overnight in Poreč. (B)

Cycling distance: 40km
Elevation gain: +367m / -614m

Day 4
Poreč - Kanfanar - Bale - Monkodonja - Rovinj

After breakfast, you can choose between taking a car transfer to Kanfanar or reaching it on your own on bike. Kanfanar is a small town above the Lim Valley. From Kanfanar begins the flattest ride in this tour. Passing by Istrian inland villages you will see traditional Istrian tool-houses (kažun). After reaching Bale you can visit the Bembo palace, city square, and museum. Continue to Rovinj and on the way you can visit ‘Palud’ an ornithological reserve where you can cycle around. After village Kokuletovica you can continue to Monkodonja. Monkodonja is a prehistoric hill-town inhabited about 1800-1200 BC during the Bronze Age. After Monkodonja you will reach Rovinj, your goal of this tour, the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’. With its church and bell tower on the hill by the sea, it is recognizable from all sides. Also called ‘Istrian Venice’, the Old Town, which was once an island and then connected with land, is famous for its traditional boat called ‘batana’. Restaurants with fresh fish combined with Malvasia will complete this week's atmosphere. It will fascinate you. Everybody can enjoy Rovinj, its charm and magic. Overnight in Rovinj. (B)

Cycling distance Poreč to Kanfanar: 34km
Elevation gain: +680m / -399m
Cycling distance Kanfanar to Rovinj: 32km
Elevation gain: +180m / -455m

Day 5
Rovinj

Breakfast at the hotel and check out. (B)

Inclusions

  • 4 Nights in selected hotels or similar
  • 4 Breakfasts (B)
  • Info Meeting
  • Information Pack
    Route description (map & road book), vouchers, water bottle & luggage tags
  • Hybrid/Trekking Bike
  • Luggage transport between hotels
  • App with offline navigation with voice guidance, info about the POI’s and restaurant recommendation
  • 24/7 Emergency Number

Exclusions

Optional Extras

  • E-Bike Upgrade $130 per person
  • Gravel Bike Upgrade $90 per person
  • Road Bike Upgrade $165 per person
  • GPS Rental EUR30 per person
  • Clipless Pedals (SPD, SL, KEO) EUR10 per person
  • Rear Bag EUR12 per person
  • Extra Side Pannier EUR10 per person
  • Arrival & departure transfers (available on request)

Not Included

  • Bike insurance
  • Meals other than breakfast daily

Pricing and Accommodation

4 Star Hotels
Departures between
TwinSingle
20 Jun 25 - 19 Sep 25
$2,745$4,670
20 Sep 25 - 15 Nov 25
$2,390$4,115
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Included Accommodation (or similar)

Poreč - BO Hotel Palazzo

Would you like to extend your stay?

Rovinj - Hotel Angelo D’Oro

From $POA

3 Star Hotels
Departures between
TwinSingle
20 Jun 25 - 19 Sep 25
$1,880$2,980
20 Sep 25 - 15 Nov 25
$1,700$2,675
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Included Accommodation (or similar)

Motovun - Villa Borgo

Poreč - Hotel Poreč

Would you like to extend your stay?

Rovinj - Villa Baron Gautsch

From $POA

Important Notes

Hybrid/Trekking Bicycle - Musing Custom Built or similar (Included)

Specifications

Hybrid/trekking bikes are custom built by Musing bike manufacturer and designed for several day touring. All hybrid bikes have adjustable stem and come in 7 different sizes, male and female frame. Hybrid bikes are built from lightweight aluminium and have wide gear range, triple chainring and 9 speed cassette, comfortable Selle Royal Freccia saddle, 28” wheels, fenders, integrated rear rack, dynamo powered lights.

Gears: 3x9 Shimano Alivio, chainring 28-38-48, cassette 11-32
Male frame sizes: 49cm, 52cm, 55cm, 58cm, 61cm
Female frame sizes: 43cm, 48cm, 53cm
Equipment: Cycle computer, water bottle holder, saddle bag containing spare tube, tyre lever and tools, hand pump, lock, map holder, helmet, 1 side pannier waterproof 20L
Available Pedals: Flat pedals, toe cages, SPD pedals

E-Bike - Musing Custom Built or similar (Upgrade Supplement Available)

Specifications

E-bikes are custom built by Musing bike manufacturer and designed for several day touring. All of E-bikes have adjustable stem and come in 3 different sizes, with low entry frame. E-bikes are built from lightweight aluminium, and have wide gear range, single chainring and 10 speed cassette, comfortable Selle Royal Freccia saddle, 28” wheels, front suspension, Shimano hydraulic brakes, fenders, integrated rear rack, dynamo powered lights, drive unit Shimano Steps E6100 (250W), Akku 418Wh (duration in eco mode 100km, power mode 50km).

Gears: 1x10 Shimano Deore, chainring 38, cassette 11-32
Frame sizes: 48cm (S), 52cm (M), 56cm (L), 58cm (XL)
Equipment: Cycle computer, water bottle holder, saddle bag containing spare tube, tyre lever and tools, hand pump, lock, map holder, helmet, 1 side pannier waterproof 20L
Available Pedals: Flat pedals, toe cages, SPD pedals

Road Bike - Carbon or similar (Upgrade Supplement Available)

Specifications

The Wilier GTR Team Endurance 105 is a quick and comfortable ride, striking a good balance between a traditional-style race bike and a relaxed-geometry sportive machine. The carbon frame and fork are also impressively light and stiff. To make sure it performs flawlessly under shifting on the hills, Shimano's 11 speed 105 shifters and derailleurs are used. With its compact crank and wide-spaced cassette, the bike will take you up hills and mountains and get back you down with confidence.

Gears: 2x11 Shimano 105, chainring 34-50T, cassette 11-30T
Frame sizes: 155-169cm (S), 170-177cm (M), 174-182cm (L), 179-187cm (XL)
Equipment: Cycle computer, 2 water bottle holders, saddle bag containing spare tube, tyre lever and tools, hand pump, lock, helmet
Available Pedals: Flat pedals, toe cages, SPD pedals

E-Trekking Bike – Haibike Trekking 9 Low / Trekking Cross 9 Low (Upgrade Supplement Available)

Specifications

E-Trekking Bike – Haibike Trekking 9 Low / Trekking Cross 9 Low is built from lightweight aluminium and have a wide gear range: single chainring and 11-speed cassette, comfortable saddle, 27.5-inch wheels, Continental tyres (62-584), front suspension SR Suntour 100mm travel, hydraulic disc brakes, SKS mudguards, integrated rear rack, LED lights, and drive unit. Equipped with the compact Bosch Performance CX Gen 4 motor, it makes those hard climbs easier and encourages you to extend your ride time. Drive unit: Bosch Performance CX Gen 4, 85Nm Bosch Powertube battery (55-155 km range).

Gears: Shimano Deore 11 speed, chainring 40T, cassette 11-51T
Frame sizes:  M-52cm (160-175 cm), L56cm (175-188 cm), XL-58 cm (185-200 cm)
Equipment: Cycle computer, water bottle holders, saddle bag containing spare tube, tyre lever and tools, hand pump, lock, helmet
Available Pedals: Flat pedals, toe cages, SPD pedals

E-Trekking Bike - Giant Explore E+3 (Upgrade Supplement Available)

Specifications

E-Trekking Bike - Giant Explore E+3 is built from lightweight aluminium and have a wide gear range: single chainring and 10-speed cassette, comfortable Selle Royal Freccia saddle, 28-inch wheels, Giant Crosscut gravel tyres (700x45), front suspension (63mm travel), Tektro hydraulic brakes, fenders, integrated rear rack, dynamo-powered lights, and drive unit. With modern e-bike technology, it features a SyncDrive Core motor system that makes those hard climbs easier and encourages you to extend your ride time. Drive unit: Giant SyncDrive Core, Akku Giant Energypak 500 Wh, side release (55-155 km range).

Gears: Shimano Alivio M3100 9 speed, chainring 36T, cassette 11-36T
Frame sizes: M-52cm, L-56cm, XL-58 cm
Equipment: Cycle odometer, water bottle holders, saddle bag containing spare tube, tyre lever and tools, hand pump, lock, helmet
Available Pedals: Flat pedals, toe cages, SPD pedals

Gravel bike Giant Revol 0/1 (Upgrade Supplement Available)

Specifications

The lightweight ALUXX-quality aluminium frame with a lightweight Advanced-Grade carbon fork will win you over, whether you're just starting out or have been cycling for a while. Since control is key, the Giant OverDrive steerer tube provides solid and precise steering, while the compliant D-Fuse handlebar offers a smooth riding experience, and the D-Fuse seatpost absorbs vibrations for comfort and stability on bumpy roads. A mix of hard-wearing GRX600 and 810 components gives you superior shifting and braking performance, even in bad weather and on poor surfaces. Finally, a wheelset specifically designed for use in all weather and unpredictable terrain, fitted with 38c tyres and tubeless tyres.

Gears: 2x11 GRX
Brakes: Hydraulic disk brakes
Frame sizes: S, M, ML, L, XL
Equipment: Cycle computer, water bottle holders, saddle bag containing spare tube, tyre lever and tools, hand pump, lock, helmet
Available Pedals: Flat pedals, toe cages, SPD pedals

Extras and Add Ons

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