EXPERIENCE THE HEART OF EUROPE

Bike & Boat Highlights of Istria
(8 days/7 nights, aprx. 139 mi./224 km)

Istria, also referred to as the “green heart of Europe” by the locals, is Croatia’s most famous peninsula and travel destination and its popularity is not without good reason. Together with Islandhopping, you can experience the highlights of Istria from multiple perspectives on this week-long trip; from the maritime perspective on board and on land you explore the beautiful coastlines, the fruitful hinterlands and the fascinating harbor towns such as Pula, Poreč and Rovinj. 

There is so much to discover along the way! Medieval villages, ancient monuments, picturesque wineries and impressive caves are to be discovered along the way. During the guided bike tours, you will learn all about the region from our knowledgeable and friendly guides. 

Back on board the boat local specialties are prepared in in the galley and you can enjoy all the benefits of a mobile accommodation. The floating hotel eliminates the need to pack your bags each day as you travel from one highlight to the next and you have the possibility to enjoy a refreshing swim directly from the boat in the crystal clear waters of the Adriatic Sea. Arriving at the next port, picturesque old towns entice you to take an extended stroll. Vacation pure! What more do you want?

The itinerary of the Istria Highlights tour is the same as the itinerary of the Istria Highlights PLUS tour, making the PLUS tour on board the Deluxe ship a great alternative should you have difficulties finding availability on this trip.

New from 2025: On this trip, we offer you the option of either joining your guides on the cycle tours or completing the cycle routes individually at your own pace using the free RideWithGPS route app for your smartphone as well as GPS tracks and maps.

For more and updated info please visit Islandhopping Bike & Boat istria

1st Day (Fri) Omišalj (Embarkation) – Cres

Individual arrival to Omišalj, a charming pirate’s nest on the island of Krk. If you decide to arrive by car, we can gladly organize a secure parking space for your car for the week. If you are arriving from Zagreb, we can also arrange a transfer for you to the harbor of Omišalj. Check-in on board is possible from around 2pm. Once we have made ourselves comfortable in our cabins, we enjoy the first crossing to Cres. Our destination is the island capital of the same name, where we spend the night. The Venetian-influenced old town of Cres, with its beautiful alleys and many churches, entices you to take an extensive evening stroll.

2nd Day (Sat) Cres – Pula (approx. 17 mi./28 km by bike)

In the morning we enjoy our breakfast on board with a pleasant morning cruise to Pula. In the afternoon we explore some picturesque places in and around Pula. Via Galizana we go to Vodnjan and further through the fishing village Fazana before coming back to Pula where we can take part on an inspiring guided city tour before enjoying our evening exploring the town further at our leisure. The night is spent in Pula. 

3rd Day (Sun) Pula – Vrsar – Poreč (aprx. 25 mi/40 km by bike)

In the morning we enjoy our breakfast on board with another pleasant morning cruise this time to Vrsar. It is in Vrsar that the heartbreaker Casanova is believed to have sought temporary refuge from the husbands of his lovers. From here we cycle along the Limski Canal to Kloštar in the rural hinterland to our destination of Poreč. The town has a lively vibe with its long promenade and shopping streets. A visit to the famous Euphrasius Basilica with its magnificent early Christian mosaics is worth a visit and there is also plenty of time to go for a swim and relax in the afternoon. The night is spent in Porec. 

4th Day (Mon) Poreč – Novigrad (aprx. 36 mi/59 km) 

In the morning we follow the “Parenzana”, an abandoned railroad line, which leads us to the famous artists’ village of Groznjan. The picturesque artists’ village is a medieval jewel in the Istrian hinterland. It awaits us with romantic alleys, flower-filled squares and diverse galleries that have made their home in old natural stone houses. In the afternoon, we bike through rural Istria via Buje to Novigrad, where we can enjoy the evening and spend the night.

5th Day (Tue) Rovinj (aprx. 12 mi/20 km)

In the morning, during breakfast, the boat takes us to Rovinj, the starting point of today’s cycle tour. You leave the town and follow an old railroad line to the Lim Canal. Near the town, the vast green wilderness of the local park is the perfect backdrop for an optional extension to the cycle tour past picturesque bays where you can stop for a refreshing swim. After a pleasant morning on your bikes and on the beach, you return to the ship and in the afternoon, accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, you have plenty of time to discover the secrets of the town of Rovinj, often called the “Pearl of Istria”. 

6th Day (Wed) Rovinj – Fažana – Rabac (aprx. 20 mi/32 km)

Our morning bike ride takes us near the coast, mostly on natural forest paths to Fažana, with its quaint little harbor and promenade lined with colorful houses. We board the boat and enjoy a cruise along the coast to Rabac. Here, located on a picturesque bay on the east coast of Istria, we can enjoy gorgeous white pebble beaches, crystal clear waters and a beautiful harbor. Not to be missed is an evening cocktail in a local bar.

7th Day (Thu) Rabac – Njivice – Omišalj (aprx. 26 mi/43 km)

In the early morning, we cross to the island of Krk, where a final cycling stage awaits us. The route will lead us from Njivice to Omišalj. The largest island in Croatia and home of the delicious Zlahtina white wine impresses with its diverse landscapes. Don’t miss the opportunity to cover yourself in the mineral rich mud in the bay of Soline – it will not only leave you looking ten years younger, but also makes for a wonderful holiday memory! Back in the harbor of Omišalj, our boat awaits us with a delicious last evening meal on board which can be spent in great cheer in the company of the fellow travelers, crew and guides.

8th Day (Fri) Omisalj (Disembarkation)

After breakfast disembarkation until 9 am and individual trip home or extended stay in Croatia.

Itinerary changes
We reserve the right to make changes to the planned itinerary due to changing wind and weather conditions as well as organizational requirements.

Requirements Bike Level 1 – 2

Easy to medium cycle tours through hilly terrain for island hoppers with a good basic level of fitness (20 – 60 km and 200 – 1000 m elevation gain per day). Many of the roads used are asphalted. However, 30% of the route is also on forest and gravel paths. This tour is primarily designed as a guided group tour. After prior consultation with our tour guides and selection of a suitable route, nothing stands in the way of individual cycling. During the daily program briefings, your tour guides will explain everything you need to know about the next day’s stage. If you prefer to cycle alone rather than with a group, you can cycle the tours independently and at your own pace. For orientation, we provide you with access to the free RideWithGPS route app for your smartphone, a detailed cycle map and GPS tracks. Your guides cycle the same route as you. They are therefore close by and can be contacted by phone in case of emergencies, problems or questions. Instead of a bike tour, you can also opt for a half or full day of swimming on the boat.

Group riding pace: 

On our regular cycling tours, the cyclists on regular bicycles determine the pace. We ask guests who have reserved an e-bike to be mindful of this and to acknowledge that the regular cyclists need time to rest and take longer to climb the hills. We thank you for your understanding.

Requirement to wear a helmet

Helmets are mandatory on our bike tours. It is advised to bring your own, well fitted, helmet with you as our rental helmet numbers are limited (reservation required).

Children

We believe that only children in a good physical condition and with a minimum age of 10 and previous bicycle tour experience are able to master the cycle tours on their own strength. Please note that the minimum height for a rental bike is 1.20 m (4 ft.) for hybrid bicycles and 1.50 m (4.5 ft.) for e-bikes. There is a helmet duty for all children up to age 16 in Croatia. When travelling with children, we recommend our Multi-Adventure Tours in Greece and Croatia which are specifically curated for families and offer family-friendly pricing.

Catering

The on-board chef is a member of the crew and prepares the breakfast and one or two warm meals a day. The catering consists of 2 x full board and 5 x half board. Catering starts with the dinner on the arrival day and ends with the breakfast on the departure day.

Language

Due to our international audience all Islandhopping tours are conducted bilingually, in English and German.

Comfort Ship Linda (shower/toilet in each cabin)

At 31 x 6 m the Linda is a sleek wooden motor sailor built in 1955 and fully refurbished in 2006. She hosts 14 friendly guest cabins each with own shower and WC. The spacious and tastefully furnished salon with its wooden tables and cushioned benches provides a welcoming atmosphere. The large rooftop sundeck is laid out with padded sunning mats offering you a great space to switch off and relax in.

The captain and his united crew are eager to welcome you on board for a recuperative vacation. The crew, who have been working together for many years, takes care of their guests touchingly and is looking forward to preparing an unforgettable holiday for you.

For more detailed information about the Linda please visit: https://www.inselhuepfen.com/en/linda/

If you would like to book this trip directly, please follow this booking link:

Direct booking of the Bike & Boat Tour Istria

If you have any questions about this trip before booking, please contact us by email at:
info@islandhopping.com