Touring Bike
£112 for 7 days
Embark on a spectacular cycling journey along the northern Adriatic, riding through three countries—Italy, Slovenia, and Croatia—linked by a shared history under the ancient Republic of Venice. From the Venetian lagoon to Istria’s glittering coastline, you’ll pedal through charming coastal towns, serene countryside, and archaeological gems, discovering traces of Venetian elegance along the way.
Trip Highlights
What to Expect
The first half of the route follows the flat terrain of the Venetian and Friulian plains, making for leisurely days on the bike. The second half introduces some rolling hills, particularly in Slovenia and Croatia, where short climbs reward you with stunning sea views and quiet inland trails. You’ll cycle mainly on quiet country roads, with some busier sections when entering or exiting urban areas, especially around Trieste.
Select the tour you are interested in to view the itinerary.
Begin your journey in Mestre, Venice’s mainland neighbor. Though often overlooked, Mestre is full of charm: stroll through Piazza Ferretto, lined with cafés and overlooked by the medieval Clock Tower, or visit San Giuliano Park with sweeping views across the lagoon.
Ride to Tronchetto Island and board the 1-hour ferry to Lido, followed by a boat to Punta Sabbioni. From here, cycle along the strip of land between the sea and lagoon, passing fishing villages and salt marshes. Optional detour: explore the tranquil hamlets of Lio Piccolo and Mesole. Spend the night in Lido di Jesolo or, if accommodation requires, continue to Caorle via scenic trails and riverside paths - a total of 40 miles if you continue to Caorle.
Leaving the coast behind, cycle quiet backroads through lush farmland and riverscapes. Stop to explore the Roman ruins of Concordia Sagittaria before reaching Portogruaro, a charming town rich in Venetian heritage and known for its Renaissance architecture and historic watermills.
(22 miles today if starting from Caorle)
Ride east through the fertile plains, crossing the Tagliamento River into Friuli Venezia Giulia. Pause in Precenicco and consider a detour to Marano Lagunare for a seafood lunch. Continue to the Roman colony of Aquileia, home to a remarkable basilica with intricate mosaics. Option: visit the star-shaped fortress town of Palmanova.
Option to shorten by train, save 20 km.
Cycle past the Isonzo River nature reserve, then skirt the sea to Monfalcone and Duino, where dramatic cliffs frame the Adriatic. Visit Miramare Castle before reaching Trieste, a captivating city at the crossroads of cultures, crowned by Piazza Unità d’Italia.
Option to shorten the day by train, save 30km.
Ride (or ferry) from Trieste to Muggia, then cross into Slovenia. Pedal along the coast through Koper, Izola, and the protected Strunjan salt pans before reaching the elegant towns of Piran and Portorož. Expect some hills today, but the scenery is more than worth it.
Option to shorten with ferry from Trieste to Muggia, saving 10km.
Leave Slovenia behind and enter Croatia, stopping at the Sečovlje salt pans before tackling two moderate climbs. Continue past olive groves and forested hills to Novigrad and, optionally, Baredine Cave. Arrive in Poreč, where Roman roots and Venetian artistry meet at the UNESCO-listed Euphrasian Basilica.
Your journey ends in Poreč. Ferries to Venice can be arranged upon request. If you have more time, consider extending your stay along the Istrian coast with visits to Rovinj, Vrsar, or Pula.
Transfer Porec-Venice
By Ferry
Note - If the ferry is unavailable, the service will be replaced by a land transfer.
Full names, passport/ID card number, nationality and date of birth need to be provided. Your passport expiry date must be 90 days past your return travel date from Croatia.
By Van
From the hotel in Porec to the hotel in Mestre or to Venice airport. Price and availability on request with an approx cost of €440 up to 4 pax (+40 € supplement for each own bike). Departure time from Porec: at 8:30 am. Journey time: approx. 3,5 hours
Possible van transfers from Porec to Trieste or Pula on request.
We recommend flying to Venice and returning from Venice or Trieste.
£112 for 7 days
£154 for 7 days
£266 for 7 days
£14 for 7 days
Venice, Italy • Istria, Croatia • Porec, Croatia
Getting to Mestre / Venice
By plane: Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) is the main gateway, about 20 minutes from Mestre and 30 minutes from Venice by bus or water taxi. Treviso Airport (TSF) is a secondary low-cost option, about 40 minutes away. Both have wide international connections.
By train: Venezia Mestre is a major interchange on the mainland, with high-speed services from across Italy and beyond. Venezia Santa Lucia is the terminus on the island itself, connected to Mestre in around 10 minutes.
By car: Mestre sits where the A4 (Milan–Trieste) meets the A27 and A57. There is no car access to Venice island — park in Mestre or at the Tronchetto car park on the edge of Venice.
Getting home from Poreč
The tour finishes in Poreč, Croatia. The most common options are a ferry back to Venice (approx 4–5 hours, €90–130 pp, passengers only — no bikes) or a van transfer to Mestre/Venice airport (approx 3.5 hours, price on request). Alternatively, Pula Airport is around 1 hour south, with seasonal connections; Trieste Airport is about 1.5 hours north.
By train: The nearest mainline station is Trieste Centrale, reachable by van transfer from Poreč, with fast onward services across Italy and to Ljubljana/Vienna.
By car: If you drove to Venice at the start, the tour finishes in a different country — a van transfer or ferry back to collect the car is the practical option.
Bikes are not included. You are welcome to bring your own bike or hire one. Please see our bike hire section for details.
Flights are not included. Please refer to the what's included section for full details.
We will confirm your booking within 48 hours of receiving your enquiry. Please wait for confirmation before booking flights or making other travel arrangements.
Most itineraries include cycling on most days, with some rest or shorter days built in. Please check the itinerary for day-by-day details.
The latest you can book is 9 days before departure. This gives us enough time to confirm arrangements and accommodation.
You will receive full travel details, including accommodation, meeting points and local contacts, 3 to 5 weeks before departure.
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Self Guided • 7 nights
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Guided • 7 nights
Leisurely
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