Trip code: W06SI
Self-guided walking
6 nights,
hotel-to-hotel
Level: 2
Moderate
Flights
available
Navigation App
Istria is famed for its beautiful medieval towns, jewel-like coastline, and magnificent produce. As the largest peninsula in the Adriatic Sea, this multiethnic region is shared between Croatia, Italy, and Slovenia, offering a unique blend of cultures, history, and gastronomy. This walking holiday takes you through stunning landscapes, charming towns, and some of the best culinary experiences the Adriatic has to offer, all at a relaxed pace.
Your journey begins with an overnight stay in Trieste, a lively Italian port city with a rich Austro-Hungarian past. After a good night's rest, a short ferry ride takes you to Muggia, a charming town with Venetian influences and a peaceful harbour setting. As you set off on foot, the trail offers breathtaking views of the Muggia Valley and the distant Julian Alps before crossing into Slovenia. Winding through rolling hills and woodland paths, you'll descend towards Koper, a medieval town where narrow cobbled streets lead to sunlit squares and Venetian palaces. With its seafront cafes and excellent seafood restaurants, it's the perfect place to relax after your first day on the trail.
Crossing into Croatia, the scenery shifts to a landscape of vineyards, olive groves, and forests rich with Istria's famous truffles. In Momjan, a hilltop village renowned for its Muscat of Momjan wine, you'll explore an area that has long been central to Istria's winemaking traditions. The ruins of Momjan Castle stand as a reminder of its Venetian past, while local wineries offer tastings of some of Croatia's most celebrated wines.
As the journey continues through the Mirna Valley, you'll pass through Brtonigla, a town where Istrian and Mediterranean culinary traditions meet. Homemade pasta with truffles, locally pressed olive oil, and cheeses from nearby farms are all part of the local dining experience. The route then leads to Tar, perched on a plateau overlooking the Adriatic. This peaceful village is home to some of the world's finest olive oil producers, a legacy of Istria's centuries-old tradition of olive cultivation. Finally, the journey brings you to Poreč, an ancient town where Roman, Byzantine, and Venetian history blend seamlessly. The UNESCO-listed Euphrasian Basilica, famed for its dazzling 6th-century mosaics, is the highlight of this vibrant coastal town, offering a fitting end to your walking adventure.
To truly soak in the charm of Trieste, we highly recommend arriving a day or two early or extend your stay after the trip. With its grand architecture, historic cafes, and stunning waterfront promenades, it's the perfect place to unwind before your journey begins. Sit in a traditional Viennese-style cafe, take a stroll along the elegant Piazza Unita d'Italia, or simply relax by the Adriatic with a glass of local wine, letting the city's unique blend of Italian and Central European influences set the tone for the adventure ahead.
Welcome to the vibrant city of Trieste, where Italian, Slovenian, and Austrian influences come together in a unique fusion of culture and history. Wander through grand piazzas, admire the grandiose Austro-Hungarian architecture, and soak in the maritime atmosphere of this charming port city. Take a stroll along the Canal Grande, watch the world go by at one of the city's famous cafes, and prepare for the adventure ahead.
You stay at Selected Hotels.
Hotels, Trieste
You will stay in a mixture of HHH and 3 or 4 star hotels. The hotels are chosen for their excellent facilities and proximity to the relevant local sites. All rooms have en suite facilities. You will mainly be staying in villages and towns with most offering some shops and restaurants and an ATM machine nearby.
The journey begins with a morning ferry ride across the bay to Muggia, the last Italian town before the Slovenian border. Its medieval old town, Venetian-style harbour, and winding alleyways make for a picturesque start. From here, the trail leads inland, climbing gently before crossing into Slovenia. Enjoy sweeping views of the Muggia Valley and the Julian Alps as you follow a scenic woodland trail towards the Gulf of Koper.
Along the way, you’ll walk part of the Parenzana, a historic railway route that once connected Trieste to Poreč, now transformed into a peaceful walking and cycling path. As you descend, Slovenia’s coastline unfolds before you, leading into Koper’s car-free old town, a delightful mix of Venetian palaces, grand piazzas, and lively cafés.
You stay at Selected Hotels.
Hotels, Koper
You will stay in a mixture of HHH and 3 or 4 star hotels. The hotels are chosen for their excellent facilities and proximity to the relevant local sites. All rooms have en suite facilities. You will mainly be staying in villages and towns with most offering some shops and restaurants and an ATM machine nearby.
Leaving Koper behind, the trail winds south through rolling farmland and vineyards before crossing into Croatia, where the Istrian countryside opens up before you. A land of truffles, wine, and olive oil, this region is a feast for the senses.
Your destination is Momjan, a hilltop village once home to a Venetian fortress that overlooked the Dragonja Valley. Today, the ruins of the fortress stand as a reminder of its strategic past, while the surrounding landscape is dotted with vineyards belonging to some of Croatia’s most renowned winemakers. This evening, enjoy the region’s signature Malvasia wine, paired with fresh, locally sourced cuisine.
You stay at Selected Hotels.
Hotels, Momjan
You will stay in a mixture of HHH and 3 or 4 star hotels. The hotels are chosen for their excellent facilities and proximity to the relevant local sites. All rooms have en suite facilities. You will mainly be staying in villages and towns with most offering some shops and restaurants and an ATM machine nearby.
A gentle day’s walk leads you through a patchwork of olive groves, forests, and vineyards, offering a glimpse into traditional Istrian life. As you make your way towards Brtonigla, you’ll pass through quiet countryside where farmers tend to their land, and the scent of wild herbs fills the air.
Brtonigla is a town known for its culinary heritage, combining the best of Mediterranean seafood and rural Istrian specialities. Visit the Church of St. Zenon, explore the town’s peaceful squares, or venture underground into the fascinating Mramornica Cave, one of Istria’s largest and most impressive underground chambers.
You stay at Selected Hotels.
Hotels, Brtonigla
You will stay in a mixture of HHH and 3 or 4 star hotels. The hotels are chosen for their excellent facilities and proximity to the relevant local sites. All rooms have en suite facilities. You will mainly be staying in villages and towns with most offering some shops and restaurants and an ATM machine nearby.
Today’s route takes you through the Mirna Valley, a region famed for its untouched natural beauty. Walking through rolling hills and sleepy villages, you’ll find yourself surrounded by truffle-rich forests and ancient olive groves. The area is home to some of the world’s oldest olive trees, producing oils that have been enjoyed here for centuries.
Your journey leads to Tar, a charming hilltop village with spectacular views of the Adriatic coast. Its traditional stone houses and quiet streets make it the perfect place to relax and absorb the slower pace of Istrian life.
You stay at Selected Hotels.
Hotels, Porec
You will stay in a mixture of HHH and 3 or 4 star hotels. The hotels are chosen for their excellent facilities and proximity to the relevant local sites. All rooms have en suite facilities. You will mainly be staying in villages and towns with most offering some shops and restaurants and an ATM machine nearby.
A short morning transfer takes you to the start of the day’s walk, leading you along the Istrian coastline towards the historic town of Poreč. With the scent of the sea in the air and the gentle sound of waves accompanying you, the route follows quiet coastal paths where the turquoise waters of the Adriatic glisten under the sun.
Approaching Poreč, the town’s iconic Euphrasian Basilica, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, comes into view. Dating back to the 6th century, its stunning mosaics and early Christian architecture make it one of the finest cultural landmarks in Croatia. Celebrate the end of your adventure with a glass of local wine in one of Poreč’s charming old-town squares.
You stay at Selected Hotels.
Hotels, Porec
You will stay in a mixture of HHH and 3 or 4 star hotels. The hotels are chosen for their excellent facilities and proximity to the relevant local sites. All rooms have en suite facilities. You will mainly be staying in villages and towns with most offering some shops and restaurants and an ATM machine nearby.
Your journey through Istria comes to an end, but the memories of its breathtaking landscapes, charming villages, and warm hospitality will stay with you.
These tour prices are based on two people sharing. Single supplement from £211.
We can book your flights, protected by ATOL and ABTA. Please ask at time of enquiry.
If you choose a flight inclusive package with us, you will fly into Venice airport.
We hold an ATOL License and are fully ABTA bonded, so you can book your flights with us in confidence. We can book most airlines and will advise you of your most convenient airport and flight options.
Flight prices vary massively and change quickly. At Headwater we will sell you your flights at the same price you can buy them yourself. We simply add £35 per person to cover your flight protection, to learn more please click here.
Subject to availability and dependent on service provider, please ask at time of enquiry and book early to avoid disappointment.
Self-guided walking
6 nights,
hotel-to-hotel
Level: 2
Moderate
Flights
available
Navigation App
