Venice to Trieste and Istria

Day 1: Arrival in Venice
mainland Mestre

Arrive individually at your hotel on the mainland, just across the lagoon from Venice. Mestre offers excellent public transport connections into the historic center, with regular buses and trains just minutes away. Depending on your arrival time, you can take the opportunity for a first visit to Venice, known as La Serenissima, to see its iconic canals, piazzas, and historic palaces before your cycling adventure begins.

Overnight in Mestre

Day 2: Venice mainland/Mestre – Jesolo/Caorle
22 mi / 35 km or 50 mi / 80 km

Today offers two cycling route options. One follows the edge of the Venice lagoon, beginning with a short ride through the city and a ferry to Punta Sabbioni (ticket not included). From there, continue along the Litorale di Cavallino, a narrow strip lined with fishing boats and market stalls, with an optional detour to the lighthouse for panoramic views. This route finishes in Jesolo or Caorle, with chances to swim in the Adriatic along the way. The second option takes you inland along the quiet River Sile, whose calm flow inspired its Latin name silet (“silent”). You’ll pass the medieval Torre Caligo before arriving in Jesolo, and can extend to Caorle if desired.

Overnight in Jesolo/Caorle.

Day 3: Jesolo/Caorle – Concordia Sagittaria/Portogruaro
19 - 22 mi / 30 - 35 km

Cycling along the coast, you’ll pass the last fishermen’s cottages before reaching Caorle, a small seaside town with a colorful historic center. Leaving the coast, you head inland toward the Julian Alps on the horizon. Your destination, Portogruaro, was once a key river port in the Venetian Republic and still features Renaissance and Venetian-style buildings that reflect its past importance.

Overnight in Concordia Sagittaria/Portoguaro.

Day 4: Concordia Sagittaria/Portogruaro – Aquileia/Grado
55 mi / 65 km or 28 mi / 45 km + train (ticket not included & boat transfer (ticket included

Beyond the Adriatic beaches, the route reveals a variety of cultural and natural sights: the remains of former Roman settlements, early Christian churches, and quiet lagoon-side landscapes. From Marano Lagunare, you board a boat that takes you close to Aquileia, once a major city of the Roman Empire. Here, you can explore impressive archaeological excavations in the open-air site as well as collections in two local museums.

You can choose to shorten the day’s ride with a train transfer to Latisana before cycling (ticket not included), or extend the route to approximately 50 miles / 80 km by skipping the boat transfer entirely.

Overnight in Aquileia/Grado.

Day 5: Aquilea/Grado – Trieste
50 mi / 80 km or 25 mi / 40 km + train, ticket not included

Ride through the hinterland toward the Gulf of Trieste, where limestone cliffs plunge into the Adriatic Sea. The scenic coastal road passes through Duino, Sistiana, Miramare, and Barcola. Be sure to visit Miramare Castle, built in the 19th century and surrounded by gardens with over 2,000 plant species. Your day ends in Trieste, a port city with Habsburg-era architecture and a rich mix of Italian, Slovenian, and Austrian influences.

Overnight in Trieste.

Day 6: Trieste – Portorož/Piran
21 mi / 35 km + ferry Trieste-Muggia, ticket not included or 40 mi / 65 km

After a short ferry ride to Muggia (ticket not included), you leave Italy and cycle into Slovenia along dedicated coastal cycle paths. Pass through the seaside towns of Koper (Capodistria) and Izola (Isola d’Istria) before reaching Piran, a historic Venetian-style town, or Portorož, a spa destination on the Slovenian Riviera. An alternative inland route via the Rosandra Valley offers a longer, more challenging ride.

Overnight in Portoroz/Piran.

Day 7: Portorož/Piran – Poreč
43 mi / 70 km

Cycle past the Secovlje Salt Pans, where salt has been harvested for centuries using traditional methods. Cross the border into Croatia and ride through the gently rolling landscapes of Istria, the largest peninsula on the Adriatic. Arrive in Poreč, a vibrant coastal city whose Euphrasian Basilica—a UNESCO World Heritage site—is famed for its early Christian mosaics.

Overnight in Poreč.

Day 8: Departure from Poreč

Individual departure from Poreč or extend your stay to explore more of the Istrian coast, visit nearby islands, or enjoy local food and wine.