Highlights

Muggia and Trieste (Italy): Start your journey in the historic port town of Muggia, just outside Trieste. Both locations offer a charming introduction to the Adriatic coastline, with Trieste's rich history as part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Slovenian Coast: You'll cycle through scenic towns like Koper, Izola, and the Venetian-influenced Piran, known for its narrow streets, Venetian architecture, and coastal charm. Don’t miss the picturesque Tartini Square in Piran and the nearby resort town of Portorož.
Croatian Istria: Crossing into Croatia, explore the heart of the Istrian Peninsula, visiting towns like Umag and Poreč, both rich in medieval history. In Poreč, the UNESCO-listed Euphrasian Basilica is a must-see.

Cycling Parenzana Trail

Short Trips

from 595 EUR

Departure

daily from March 29 to October 11, 2025

Duration

5 days / 4 nights

Starting Point

Muggia

Total Distance

116 km

Activity Level

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Three countries cycling weekend break trip!

Starting in the beautiful outskirts of Trieste, a former Habsburg seaport town, this tour is ideal for those who love sun, sea, and history. Under the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Trieste thrived as a bustling and prosperous port—the fourth largest in the empire—traces of which can still be seen today in its main square and narrow streets. After exploring this historic city, you'll cycle southward, leaving Italy behind as you pass through Slovenia and into Croatia. The sunny Istrian Peninsula awaits, offering a variety of charming fishing villages, hilltop towns, sparkling vineyards, and fertile valleys. Immerse yourself in the vibrant beauty of this richly contrasting landscape.

As a pre-trip, How about our Emerald Tour from Ljubljana to Piran!

Itinerary

Day 1: ARRIVAL IN MUGGIA

Your day trip starts in the charming town of Muggia, just south of Trieste. After checking in unwind with a delicious gelato in the town's historic center or relax on one of its inviting beaches. If you arrive early, consider a quick bus or boat trip into Trieste, a vibrant Italian city renowned for its rich history, cosmopolitan vibe, and captivating atmosphere. (Accommodation in 4* hotel.)

Day 2: MUGGIA - PIRAN (↔ 35 km, ↑ 230 m, ↓ 240 m)

After covering a few kilometers in Italy, you'll cross the border into Slovenia. Your morning ride will follow the coastal cycle path, leading you through the charming port town of Koper and onward to the picturesque Venetian villages of Izola and Strunjan. Wander through their narrow streets and explore the historic churches. Continue your journey to Portorož, a luxurious spa town on the Slovenian Riviera. Finally, arrive in Piran and enjoy a coffee in Tartini Square, surrounded by stunning Venetian architecture. (Accommodation in 4* hotel.)

Day 3: PIRAN - UMAG (↔ 38 km, ↑ 250 m, ↓ 250 m)

Today you will cycle past the vast salt pans of Sečovlje. Get there early enough to catch the beautiful morning light. From here you head across the border to Croatia and into the heart of Istria, across a slightly hilly terrain to the village of Umag. Once a Roman colony, within its town walls and across its gated drawbridge lies a town steeped in history. Take a tour through the medieval center and visit the beautiful city tower. (Accommodation in 4* hotel.)

Day 4: UMAG - POREČ (↔ 43 km, ↑ 340 m, ↓ 340 m)

Once again you cycle across some low hills to Novigrad (Cittanova), another medieval walled town. As well as its rich history, Novigrad is also renowned for its gastronomy, and is listed as one of Istria’s top gourmet destinations. Next stop is Poreč, where you can visit the UNESCO listed Euphrasian Basilica, a diverse mix of baroque, Gothic and Romanesque buildings. (Accommodation in 3* hotel.)

Day 5: DEPARTURE

After breakfast your tour ends or you can prolong your stay.

Price

Price per person based on two people sharing:

Season A: 29.3. to 2.5. and 5.10. to 11.10.2025: 595 EUR
Season B: 3.5. to 25.7.2025 and 13.9. to 4.10.2025: 695 EUR
Season C: 26.7. to 12.9.2025: 765 EUR

Date of Day 1 sets the trip's season.

(Currency converter)

Price includes:
•    four nights accommodation in hotels 3*/4* in a two bedded ensuite facilities room, on basis of bed & breakfast
•    luggage transfer between hotels, one piece max 23 kg / 50 lb per person. Every additional piece 40 EUR per trip, payable on the spot
• tour description and maps in GUIBO application electronic form. One download per room.
• welcome meeting and bike handover
•    local tourist and other taxes
•    backup service (hotline) during the trip

Optional extras:
•   single travelers season A: 295 EUR; season B: 335 EUR; season C 385 EUR. Applies when a person travels alone. Includes single room supplement.
•   single room season A: 195 EUR; season B: 235 EUR; season C 285 EUR. Applies when a person is traveling together with other persons in a party.
•   standard touring bike rental 75 EUR. Bikes have 27 gears. Included are: one pannier per bike, helmet. One repair set per pair of bikes – includes: one long lock, one spare inner tube, one set of Allen keys, tire levers and a basic puncture patch set. Every additional rental day: 30 EUR per bike. Bike rental period starts 9:00 of day 2 of the tour and ends at 18:00 of day 4.
•   electric bike rental 150 EUR. Every additional day 50 EUR.
•   printed information package in English or German, including route notes and detailed maps, delivered upon arrival - 30 EUR.

Additional nights:
• 4* Hotel in Muggia 75 EUR low season, 85 EUR high season, per person per night in a standard double room, B&B. Single room 130 EUR
• 4* Hotel in Piran old town 95 EUR low season, 100 EUR high season per person per night in a standard double room, B&B. Single room 170 EUR
• 3* Hotel in Poreč 90 EUR per person per night in a standard double room, B&B. Single room 135 EUR

Discounts:
• third adult person in a double room on auxiliary bed: 10% discount. This discount only applies to third person only (not all persons in the party).

Not included: lunches, dinners, entrance fees, saunas and massages in hotels

Route Profile

Total length: 116 km

Way-type: 50% regional country roads, street 25% (town approach sections), 25% cycleways

Surface: 90% asphalt and paved, 10% unpaved

Difficulty: medium - for those who, for example complete daily trip to the market by bike in nice weather and consider cycling should be fun but not training. Gentle hills or stretches on gravel paths do not cause you any difficulties. Average daily elevation gains does between 100 and 500 meters.

Accommodation

Helia supports responsible travel. On our trips as priority, we therefore use small, authentic hotels and guesthouses with character operated by locals or their families. Here you can find the list of standard accommodation we primarily use on the trip. The actual hotels may differ from this list, depending on time of booking and rooms availability.

Day 1: 4* Hotel Marina San Rocco in Muggia

Day 2: 4* Hotel Piran in Piran

Day 3: 4* Hotel Umag Plava Laguna in Umag

Day 4: 3* Hotel Poreč in Poreč

Travel & Transfer Options

Starting point of this trip is Muggia, outskirts of Trieste, NE Italy.

Getting there...

By car: over the Tauern motorway to Villach and over the border crossing Arnoldstein to Udine and Trieste. From Venice – Via A4 motorway exit Aquilea. Parking in covered garage is possible at first hotel, costs 20 EUR per night. The night of hotel stay is free of charge.

By train: Venice Santa Lucia or Venice Mestre railway station to Trieste Centrale or over Salzburg and Villach to Trieste. Then take a taxi to Muggia, 5 kms away.

By plane: regular (Alitalia, Lufthansa) and low-cost flights to Ronchi Legionari (Ryanair, Air Dolomiti) airport or Pula airport. Good connections with airport shuttle from Ronchi Legionari airport to Trieste / Muggia.

.... and away (ending point is Poreč / Croatia)

By plane: closest airport is Trieste, 50 km NW (served by Ryanair from many origins). We can best arrange you a transfer, please ask us for a favorable price. Next is Ljubljana (LJU). You can return to Ljubljana by bus, train or our transfer, please ask us for a favorable price.

By train: Koper railway station is 60 km from Poreč. Trains leave from here to Ljubljana. If you wish to travel onward to Rijeka (Croatia) you need to change in Pivka, however, only a few trains cross the border! There are no train connections to Italy, you'll need to travel first to Trieste.

By boat: there are ferries operating from Poreč to Venice in summer.

By car: if your car is in Ljubljana, you can return there via our transfer.

Available local transfers:

Ljubljana Airport to Muggia: 1–3 persons: 210 EUR, 4–8 persons: 240 EUR

Ljubljana City to Muggia: 1–3 persons: 190 EUR, 4–8 persons: 220 EUR

Trieste Airport to Muggia: 1–3 persons: 160 EUR, 4–8 persons: 190 EUR

Poreč to Muggia: 1–3 persons: 240 EUR, 4–8 persons: 280 EUR

Poreč to Trieste Airport: 1–3 persons: 280 EUR, 4–8 persons: 380 EUR

Poreč to Ljubljana Airport: 1–3 persons: 310 EUR, 4–8 persons: 390 EUR

All prices per transfer, one way. Price includes transport of bikes.