The Istrian Peninsula by Electric Bike

Explore the highlights of Istria on this e-bike and boat tour!

Croatia is known for its incredible beaches, historical cities and picturesque islands. On this guided e-bike and boat tour, you'll discover Croatia's largest peninsula and some of its most scenic locations.

Istria, sitting between Kvarner Bay and the Gulf of Triest, is an oasis with over 300 miles of coastline and is home to fascinating harbor towns like Pula and Porec. Cycling inland, you'll find medieval hilltop villages and delightful olive groves and vineyards, evocative of the Italian countryside.

While the terrain undulates, you'll conquer the ascents with ease on electric-assisted bicycles, returning to your comfortable floating hotel each day.

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Highlights

• The amphitheater in Pula
• White truffles of Istria
• The Baredine Cave with its underground lake
• The artists' village of Grožnjan
• Guided cycling excursions on electric bike

Daily program

Day 1: Arrival in Omisalj, cruise to Cres
You'll arrive on the Island of Krk and the charming town of Omisalj. Check-in begins at 2pm, from which point the Andela Lora will cruise to Cres. If you arrive by car, we'd be happy to arrange secure parking for the duration of the tour. If arriving from Zagreb, group transfers are available. Check pricing for more info.

Weather permitting, you may stop for a swim on the way to Cres. In the evening, you can participate in a guided walk through the old town of Cres before settling in for the night.

Day 2: Cres - Ližnjan- Pula (29 miles/47 km)
Enjoy a sailing breakfast this morning while cruising from Cres to Ližnjan. This old fishing village with its small harbor is where you'll get on the bike for your first tour on the Istrian Peninsula. You'll pedal on quiet country roads and through picturesque villages before arriving in Pula, the main town of Istria. You'll have time to explore this amazing city, visiting the Temple of Augustus, the main square and the emblematic Roman Amphitheatre.

Day 3: Pula - Vrsar - Poreč (24 miles/39 km)
The boat will depart Pula early so that you will arrive in Vrsar just after breakfast. The town of Vrsar has preserved its Mediterranean atmosphere, with its narrow stone streets leading into small intimate squares. From Vrsar, your bike tour leads along the Limski Channel inland to Klostar. After a refreshing afternoon break, you continue by bike to Porec. Porec is a vibrant city, and a guided tour in the afternoon will reveal its rich and enchanting history. The 6th-century Euphrasian Basilica, widely known for its beautiful gold mosaics, is well worth a visit!

Day 4: Poreč - Novigrad - Vrsar (40 miles/65 km)
Another sailing breakfast brings you to Novigrad, where you'll begin the day's cycling tour. The hilltop village of Buje awaits, overlooking the vast vineyards and olive groves you have just cycled through. You'll continue pedaling on Croatia's rails to trails, also known as “Parenzana” until arriving in Groznjan. Groznjan is an artist mecca, and you will have time to visit the numerous galleries situated in unique stone houses. You'll get back on the saddle, riding through rural Istria until reaching Vrsar, where the Andela Lora awaits.

Day 5: Rovinj (10 miles/17 km)
Today you're in for a treat! After a short cruise on board, you'll cycle in and around the lovely seaside town of Rovinj. The clear waters of the Adriatic beckon and you'll have plenty of time for a swim before returning to the boat. A guided city tour is offered in the afternoon, allowing you to fully enjoy this town situated on a tiny peninsula.

Day 6: Rovinj - Fazana - Rabac (18 miles/30 km)
Coastal cycling, mainly on quiet paths and through forests, brings you to Fazana. Fazana is a picturesque fishing town, it is often called the pearl of the west coast of Istria. You'll reunite with your boat again to cruise around the southernmost point of the Peninsula to the city of Rabac. This town is quite small but considered the most popular destination for Croatians to vacation. There is a promenade along the sea which is perfect for an after-dinner stroll, and lots of quaint restaurants and cafes to enjoy the local cuisine.

Day 7: Rabac - Omisalj (22 miles/37 km)
The last cycling day begins with a climb from Rabac to Labin. Labin, a hilltop village, offers amazing views over the bay and is a perfect place to drink a coffee before getting back on the bike. A diverse and scenic landscape awaits as you continue pedaling through the Croatian countryside. You'll return to Rabac and board the Andela Lora again to cruise back to the starting point: Omisalj. A lovely evening meal on board allows you to enjoy the company of your new friends once more.

Day 8: Omišalj
Enjoy one last breakfast on board before departing the boat by 9am. Transfers are possible back to the airport.

All distances are approximate. If you do not want to cycle one day, you can skip the bike tour and relax on board while cruising to the next harbor. We reserve the right to make changes to the program if necessary due to weather or other circumstances.

Surface and terrain

This guided tour features cycling up to an altitude of 300 m above sea level with an average daily distance of 23 miles. You'll bike mainly on paved roads, rarely frequented by cars in low season. You may experience unpaved or gravel sections which are kept as short as possible. You are always welcome to push your bike in these instances.

Boats

• Andela Lora

How to get there

Tour start and end

Port in Omišalj

The following group transfers are offered for a fee with advanced reservation (on arrival and departure days only at the indicated times):

Airport of Zagreb (ZAG) - Port of Embarkation
ZAG to Omišalj: 12:15 pm
Zagreb City Center to Omišalj: 11:30 am
Departure times from Omišalj to Zagreb on disembarkation day: 8:00 am. Please make sure, that your return flight does not depart from Zagreb before 12:00 pm!

Airport of Rijeka (RJK) – Port of Embarkation
On request, flight information is required to reserve.

Railway Station Rijeka - Port of Embarkation
Rijeka Station to Omišalj: 9:30 am
Departure times from Omišalj to Rijeka on disembarkation day: 8:00 am (45 minutes approx.)

Tips on getting to and from your tour.

Dates

Prices

Included services

• 7 x nights accommodation in cabin with private bathroom
• 2 x full board and 5 x half board
• English-speaking tour guide
• Guided cycling tours and sightseeing as described in the itinerary
• Maps for the daily cycling tours on board
• Bed linen and towels
• Tourist taxes

Bike rentals

Bikes available to be rented (in advance at the time of booking) include:

• Electrically assisted bike (CUBE, Orbea Optima Asphalt, or similar)*
• 21-speed hybrid touring bike

*More about electrically-assisted bikes >. Please note, the majority if not all participants on this tour will be riding electric bikes. Anyone opting for a regular hybrid bike should be aware of the increased difficulty keeping up with electric bike riders. 

All above bike rentals will be equipped with the following at no additional charge:

• Ortlieb pannier

Additional specifications on the Hybrid touring bikes:

• 21-gear derailleur, Alivio
• Shimano V-brakes
• Comfortable Selle Royal saddles

Please note that the bikes are deliberately not equipped with water bottle holders. There is room in the saddle bag to carry a bottle of water, along with everything else you need for the daily rides.

Bike Protection:
Bike protection can be purchased at the time of booking. You can read more about that HERE. 

Pedals:
The bikes will have flat pedals. If you want to bring your own pedals, please bring your own shoes and also the necessary equipment to change the pedals. The guide on board the boat can assist you in attaching them to your rental bike.

Helmets:
It is required to wear helmets on this tour. In order to guarantee optimum protection, we request that you bring your own helmet and - for your own safety - wear it on all bike tours. A limited number of helmets are available on board to rent, at the time of booking, though it is highly recommended to bring your own helmet.

Tour Company