Poreč at a glance
Poreč is a coastal town in Istria. Its main sight is the Euphrasian Basilica. The UNESCO listing dates from 1997 and covers the episcopal complex of the basilica in the historic center. It does not cover the whole town or the beaches.
The complex dates to the 6th century, and UNESCO describes several early Christian building phases. The old town around it keeps a Roman street plan.
A simple plan for one day in Poreč
The order that works best for most visitors.
Morning: the basilica
Go early, before the tour groups, and keep quiet inside. Silence is expected in the basilica. Check the hours below, because the basilica is closed on Sundays and on church holidays.
Midday: the old town grid
The old town keeps the rectangular street pattern of the Roman town. The Decumanus runs from east to west and the Cardo from north to south. If you get lost, follow one of these two directions.
Afternoon: the coast
Spend the late afternoon at the water. The beach section below explains what the tests said in September 2026.
Our picks: Poreč
An evening on the water, or a day trip that includes Poreč.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Day trip to Poreč, Grožnjan and Motovun
Air-conditioned transport with a driver and guide, a tasting of truffle products and walks through all three towns. The Motovun town wall costs €5 and the Euphrasian Basilica €10 extra.
Check availability →
Evening boat trip from Poreč
Two hours by boat with wine and water.
Check availability →Tours from Poreč and around Istria
Boat trips, day trips and guided visits on the Istrian coast, with live prices and availability.
Euphrasian Basilica: tickets in 2026
The regional tourist board lists these rates. Ask at the ticket desk to confirm them on the day of your visit.
| Visitor | Ticket |
|---|---|
| Adult | €10 |
| Pupil or student | €5 |
| Preschool child | Free |
| Group of 10 | 9 pay, 1 goes free |
Hours and rates can change during the year, so keep a margin. If your day is tight, plan to leave the basilica by 17:00.
Opening hours by month
Hours listed for the basilica. Sundays and church holidays are closed.
| Month | Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| January and February | 10:00–16:00 | Closed on Saturdays |
| March | 09:00–16:00 | – |
| April to June | 09:00–18:00 | – |
| July and August | 09:00–21:00 | – |
| September | 09:00–18:00 | – |
| October | 09:00–17:00 | Plan to finish by 17:00 |
| November and December | 09:00–16:00 | Saturdays 09:00–14:00 |
| December 26 to January 6 | 09:00–17:00 | Including Saturdays |
Around Christmas and New Year, check the current timetable before you go.
The old town and its Roman street grid
The streets of the old town form a rectangular grid inherited from the Roman town. The main east-west street is called the Decumanus, and the main north-south street is the Cardo. You can still read this layout on the ground today.
The old town is small enough to cover on foot in a few hours. Combine the basilica with a slow loop through the lanes, and keep your afternoon free for the water.
Beaches and water quality
Do not assume that all beaches around Poreč have the same quality. In the ninth testing round of the Istrian health institute (September 8 to 16, 2026), 219 of 222 measuring points across Istria were rated excellent, two good and one satisfactory. The point rated satisfactory is the one at Plava Laguna, below Hotel Galiot in Poreč. That is a snapshot of one round, not a verdict on the whole season.
Results are published for single samples, and short-term pollution is listed separately. A good score does not exclude a temporary swimming ban, so check current notices on the day. Our beaches page lists twelve places to swim around the peninsula.
The Parenzana, from Trieste to Poreč
The Parenzana was a narrow-gauge railway between Trieste and Poreč. It ran from 1902 to 1935, was 123.1 km long and connected 33 places. Poreč was the end of the line.
Parts of the old route have become walking and cycling trails, with tunnels, viaducts and former stations still in place. This is the length of the historic line, not of a uniform modern bike route. Check the surface and the closures for each section before you set out, and do not assume the whole route suits a road bike or a child trailer.
Neighboring old towns and the Lim channel
Two more old towns lie along this stretch of coast. Novigrad has a harbor called Mandrač, remains of the town wall, the Belveder loggia and a lapidarium. Its bell tower is 44 m high. Vrsar has a medieval street plan on a slope with narrow, winding lanes and some steep steps, so it is not step-free.
Near Vrsar on the west coast lies the Lim channel, a flooded karst valley. The tourist board describes the sea inlet as almost 13 km long. It has been a protected landscape since 1964 and a marine reserve since 1980. See Istria tours for boat trips and day trips on the coast.
Poreč: frequently asked questions
How much does the Euphrasian Basilica cost?
The regional tourist board lists €10 for adults and €5 for pupils and students. Preschool children enter free. For groups, the ninth person is free after nine paying visitors.
Is the whole town a UNESCO site?
No. The listing covers the episcopal complex of the Euphrasian Basilica in the historic center. It does not cover the whole town or the beaches.
When is the basilica closed?
It is closed on Sundays and on church holidays. In January and February it is also closed on Saturdays. Check the current timetable before you go.
Can I talk in the basilica?
Silence is expected inside. Keep your voice low and put your phone on silent.
Are all Poreč beaches rated excellent?
No. In the September 2026 round, the measuring point at Plava Laguna below Hotel Galiot was rated satisfactory. Most points across Istria were rated excellent.
What was the Parenzana?
It was a narrow-gauge railway from Trieste to Poreč, in service from 1902 to 1935. Parts of it are now trails for walking and cycling.