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Croatia: Highlights of Istria | Plus

Premium Experience the higher levels of comfort, smaller groups and extra’s.
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Experience the Heart of Europe

Difficulty
  • Level 1: easy tours, very flat terrain
  • Level 2: quite easy tours, mostly flat terrain
  • Level 3: requires a higher level of exertion, medium hilly terrain
  • Level 4: for experienced cyclists, hilly terrain with climbs
Difficulty level 3
Difficulty level 3
Duration of the tour.
time
8 days
Guidance
  • Guided cycling: A tour leader will guide you during the cycling days
  • Independent cycling: No tour leader, the ships’ crew does daily briefing, independent cycling
guidance
Guided cycling

The largest peninsula in Croatia offers an incredible backdrop for our e-bike tour Istria Highlights Plus. Situated between the Kvarner Bay and the Gulf of Triest, Istria is an oasis of superlatives. The 500m long coastline offers countless picture perfect beaches and fascinating historical harbor towns such as Pula, Porec and Rovinj. The fertile hinterlands in contrast, are characterized by their medieval hilltop villages and colorful vineyards and the silver-green olive groves. Much like the landscapes typical for Tuscany. In addition, Istria is graced with over 2300 hours of sun […]

From €1959 p.p.

Mainland of Istria

Historical harbor towns

233 km / 145 miles

Motoryacht with max. 29 passengers

Monday to Friday
Amsterdam: 08:30 to 22:00
New York: 6:00AM to 7:00PM
+31 20 72 35 400 NL
+1 203 814 1249 USA
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Croatia: Highlights of Istria | Plus

About this tour

The largest peninsula in Croatia offers an incredible backdrop for our e-bike tour Istria Highlights Plus. Situated between the Kvarner Bay and the Gulf of Triest, Istria is an oasis of superlatives. The 500m long coastline offers countless picture perfect beaches and fascinating historical harbor towns such as Pula, Porec and Rovinj. The fertile hinterlands in contrast, are characterized by their medieval hilltop villages and colorful vineyards and the silver-green olive groves. Much like the landscapes typical for Tuscany.

In addition, Istria is graced with over 2300 hours of sun each year, assuring with great certainty that your visit will be a sunny one. The region has also made itself a name for its culinary delights: home to some of the world’s best truffles, olive oil and wine. Discover the vast diversity of this delightful region on board your deluxe ship, your floating accommodation for the week, and a reliable e-bike as your means of transport on land.

The itinerary of the Istria Highlights PLUS tour is the same as the itinerary of the Istria Highlights tour, making them both great alternatives to each other should you have difficulties finding availability on this trip.

E-Bike Tour
The riding pace is determined by the cyclists on e-bikes. Guests who are taking part on this tour on a gravel bike should have the necessary physical condition to keep up with this pace. The day-tours (12 mi./20 km to 43 mi./70 km and 656 ft./200 m to 3280 ft./1000 m of elevation gain) will take us through hilly terrain and will be mainly on asphalt roads. Thank you for your understanding.

The ship – Your sailing hotel
In between cycling excursions, you cruise along with the ship, which travels to a new destination every day. You will sleep and have breakfast and 1 or 2 warm meals on board. Depending on the program, this will be lunch or dinner. The other meal is ashore (not included). It’s possible to spend a day on board if you like. There are rental E-bikes on board.

Day to day program

All distances are “approximate distances” of recommended bike tours.

The tour details are barring changes, a.o. as a result of nautical, technical or meteorological reasons. We reserve the right to make changes to the planned itinerary due to changing wind and weather conditions as well as organizational requirements. If necessary the tour will be operated in reverse.

Day 1: 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. If the weather is good, we stop for a swim in a beautiful bay and you can take a dip in the Adriatic Sea. 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.

Day 2: Cres – Pula | Pula roundtour (approx. 17 mi./28 km)

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. After the bike tour you can take part on an inspiring guided city tour before enjoying our evening exploring

Day 3: Pula – Vrsar – Poreč (approx. 26 mi./42 km)

In the morning we enjoy our breakfast on board with another pleasant morning cruise, this time to Vsar. It’s 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 the destination of today, 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 also worthwhile. There is also plenty of time to go for a swim and relax in the afternoon. The night is spent in Poreč.

Day 4: Poreč – Novigrad ( approx. 41 mi./66 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.

Day 5: Novigrad – Rovinj | Rovinj, roundtour (10 mi./16 km)

In the morning the ship takes us to Rovinj during breakfast, the starting point of today’s bike tour. Close to the town, the sprawling green wilderness of the local park is the perfect setting for a bike ride past picture perfect bays where we can stop for a refreshing swim. After a pleasant morning on our bikes and at the beach, we return back to the ship and there is plenty of time to explore the city in the afternoon. In the evening a guided city tour reveals the secrets of the town before spending the night there.

Day 6: Rovinj – Fažana – Rabac (aprx. 22 mi./37 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. Afterwards, we continue to Pula, where our ship will take us on a longer crossing 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.

Day 7: Rabac – Njivice – Omišalj (aprx. 27 mi./44 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 ship 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.

Day 8: Omisalj (Disembarkation)

After breakfast disembarkation until 9 am and individual trip home.

Good to know
  • 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. Should it be the case for example that the harbors on the above mentioned tour sequence are overcrowded, the tour will be operated in reverse.
  • Language aboard Due to our international audience all tours are conducted bilingually, in English and German.
  • LEVEL 3 /5: Cycling tours through hilly terrain with longer ascents of up to approximately 250 meters. All tours, including the elevation gains, can be mastered more easily with electronic assistance. Suitable for cyclists who ride regularly and can confidently navigate varying surface conditions.
    • Distance: 28 – 44 km per day
    • Total elevation: 200 – 600 meters of elevation per day
    • Road conditions: 70% paved roads, 30% on unpaved roads and forest paths.
    • Traffic: Traffic is to be expected in and around the coastal towns of Pula and Rovinj.
    • Infrastructure: There are only a few designated bike paths in Istria, so the bike tours take place on public roads, preferably on quiet side streets.
  • Relevant for all levels: Safe cycling skills and familiarity with road traffic are prerequisites for taking part in our tours. Anyone renting an e-bike should already have experience and be confident in handling e-bikes, as these bikes are significantly heavier and faster than conventional bikes.
  • Individual cycling
    This tour is primarily a guided group tour. Upon consultation with your tour guides, the possibility to cycle on your own along recommended, suitable routes, may present itself. You are free to set aside a half or full day to swim or spend on board the boat, instead of taking a planned bike tour.
  • Guided group pace: On our e-bike tour programs, the riding pace is determined by the cyclists on e-bikes. Guests who are taking part on these tours on a gravel bike should have the necessary physical condition to keep up with this pace. 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 with a good physical condition and previous bicycle tour experience and a minimum age of 10 are able to master the cycle tours with their own strength. Please note that the minimum height for a rental e-bike is 1.50 m (4.9 ft.). Follow-me bikes, bike seats and bike Bungees can also be hired for accompanying children. Our reservation experts are happy to provide you with more detailed information on request. It is mandaorty for all participants on our tours to wear a bicycle helmet.
  • Catering The on-board chef is a member of the crew and prepares the breakfast and one or two warm meals a day.  Catering starts with the dinner on the arrival day and ends with the breakfast on the departure day. The catering consists of 2 x full board and 5 x half board.
  • Our ships Please do not forget that the ship is your hotel as well as a machine, which has to be maintained and operated – day and night. A certain level of noise is therefore inevitable.

Prices & availability

To view the availability of this tour and/or book online please click on the button below. A new screen will open.

On selected departures, you will receive a discount of 200 euro per person. The discount is only valid for new bookings and cannot be combined with other discounts. In the calendar, discount dates are highlighted in orange.


Prices & information

Included in this tour
  • 8-day-trip on a motorized yacht with a crew
  • 7 nights in a twin cabin below deck with shower/toilet
  • 2 x full board and 5 x half board
  • English-speaking tour guide
  • Guided cycling tours and sightseeing as described in itinerary
  • Guided tours in Pula and Rovinj
  • Bed linen and towels
  • Daily cabin cleaning
  • Overview-maps for the daily tours on board
Excluded from this tour
  • Transfer to Omisalj
  • Tourist taxes and Basic-drink-package (drinking water, tea and filter coffee): 80 euro/person. For children up to age 16: 40 euro/person (to be paid to the captain)
  • Rental E-Bike or gravel bike (optional)
  • Rental bicycle helmet (optional)
  • Entrance fees & excursions
  • Meals and beverages ashore
  • Parking fee
  • Other transfers
  • Drinks on board (tally sheet; to be paid to the captain)
  • Personal (travel) insurances
  • Tips for tour-guides and crew (at your discretion)
  • SGR Insolvency protection
SGR Insolvency protection (mandatory consumer contribution SGR insolvency protection guarantee scheme: € 5 per person - will be specified separately on the booking confirmation)
E-Bikes/Gravel bike

E-Bikes: High-quality pedelec, powered mainly by a Bosch motor capable of covering long distances, and characterized by their light weight and great components. Alternative drive systems may also be used. Standard components of our e-bikes in varying frame sizes include, 28 inch hollow chamber rims with puncture-proof touring tires, high-quality derailleur gears and break systems, a carrier and a sturdy bike stand, touring saddle as well as mudguards and a pannier rack. We offer a trapeze frame for all guests up to 1.79 m, and a diamond frame for people taller than 1.80 m.

The gravel bikes can be ridden over a variety of terrain. These bikes run perfectly on smooth asphalt surfaces as well as on gravel trails. The Orbea Terra H (or similar model) is the ideal all-terrain road bike. The ‘H’ stands for ‘hydro’ and indicates the extensive versatility of the bike. The aluminium frame allows for an upright seating position, as required for non-asphalted roads. Orbea calls this “all-road geometry”. The Terra H has a carbon fork, which allows tire widths up to 40 mm, flat mounted disc brakes, and 12 mm thru axles. A Shimano Tiagra transmission completes the bike’s components. The bike is fast, light, robust, extremely versatile, and is exceptional to handle.

Bringing private bikes & exclusion of private e-bikes

The tour which you have booked requires an e-bike in top technical condition. Islandhopping can offer you high quality, fully serviced rental bikes perfect for the terrain of this tour.

We do not allow you to bring your own e-bike due to the safety regulations on ship as well as ensuring the safety of our employees. If you would like to ride an e-bike, please rent one from our inventory.

We do not advise bringing your own tour or hybrid bike, as the guided group pace is oriented towards the e-bike riders. If you want to ride your own bike on the trip, we recommend bringing a sporty bike that meets the technical requirements to keep pace with the higher speed of the e-bikes. In addition, your bike will need to have good tires (ex. Gravel Bike or Cyclocross Bike). Furthermore, you should ensure you have the required level of physical fitness. Before traveling, please check the condition of brakes, gears and tires as well bringing repair kits and essential spare parts (e.g. inner tube). Your bike must be in top technical condition. Please keep in mind that transporting your own bicycle will result in relatively high additional costs (particularly when flying) and the risk of transport damages is high.

Additional options & information - 2026
  • Rental E-bike: € 252 per week
  • Rental gravel bicycle: € 200 per week
  • Insurance against theft and damage of the rental e-bike/gravel bike: €28 /week (not insured: grossly negligent damages)
  • A Safe parking space: Motor cycle: on request /week, car until 6 m of length: on request/week, vehicle above 6 m of length: v /week (to be paid on-site to the tour guide)
  • Transfer from/to Rijeka airport (on embarkation and disembarkation days only): price on request
  • Collective transfers between Zagreb and Omisalj on day of embarkation/disembarkation only (11:30 am from Zagreb Center or 12:15 pm from Zagreb Airport / return transfer from Omišalj to Zagreb Airport starts at 8 am: prices on request (reservation required two weeks in advance, booking incl. complete transmission of flight details)
  • Exclusive transfer: on request

 

Weight Limit of Bicycles Brought on Board Please be aware, that we have a weight limit of 22 kg (48.5 lb), if you bring your own bicycle on board of one of our boats. This limit is important to protect the health of our guides/crew members, then they have to lift the bikes on board. It is not possible to bring your own E-Bike on board. If we consider it necessary, we will check the weight on site. If the weight limit is exceeded, we reserve the right to refuse taking the bike on board.

Participants
Minimum: 14
Maximum: 36+

Discounts

On selected departures, you will receive a discount of 200 euro per person. The discount is only valid for new bookings and cannot be combined with other discounts. In the calendar, discount dates are highlighted in orange.

Loyalty discount

Explore our Loyalty Discount!

After your tour, you’ll receive an exclusive discount code:

  • You get 3% on your second tour with us.
  • From the third tour onwards, you will receive a 5% discount.
  • Enjoy savings on any of our upcoming trips.

 

Check your post-tour email for details. You can combine this discount with other promotions for additional savings. Join us again for another adventure by boat and bike!

Discover more

Pedal past rocky shorelines, UNESCO treasures like Dubrovnik and Split, and hidden bays perfect for a refreshing swim, and discover more tours in Croatia.



Reviews

based on 10 reviews on
9 Sep 2025

Marie Day

We had an amazing experience. The Austrian peninsula was beautiful. We had excellent guides. They made a cyclist out of a bike rider

Reply from Boat Bike Tours 23 Sep 2025

Thank you for your kind words. We're glad to hear you enjoyed the surroundings and that the guides made your experience so positive. We hope to welcome you on board again in the future. Kind regards, Boat Bike Tours

6 Jun 2025

Anne Loxton

Everything was great! The boat was nice and comfortable and the staff was fantastic, especially Jessica who made sure we all ate and drank well! The food was good and creative. Our guides, Kristofer and Dominik were super – fun, knowledgeable and professional. They did a great job of accommodating everyone and sharing their knowledge of the area. The biking was fun but the ebikes were a must as it is “undulating” as Kristofer likes to say! We weren’t sure that we would like the ebikes, but they are excellent. Overall a fantastic, fun week!!

Reply from Boat Bike Tours 18 Jun 2025

Thank you for your kind words! It’s great to hear that Jessica, Kristofer, and Dominik made your week fantastic and fun, and that you enjoyed the boat, food, and e-bikes. We're glad the e-bikes worked well for you. We look forward to welcoming you on board again for your next adventure. Kind regards, Boat Bike Tours

4 Jun 2025

Charly Bicker

The tour was close to perfect. What annoys me are your mails afterwards. I receveid 3 identical mails with your rating. It did one, received you discount reference. This did not stop you, to send more. In addition, your discount offer is a bad joke. It is valid 30 days after I filled in your rating. Do you really exspect people booking a new trip within 30 days. And if I would like to book my 2026 tour: there isn’t any info available anyway

Reply from Boat Bike Tours 13 Jun 2025

Thank you for your feedback and for sharing your concerns. Due to a technical error, you unfortunately received multiple survey emails. Our apologies for this inconvenience — we are working to prevent this from happening again. If you would like to use your discount for a future booking, feel free to contact me at romy@boatbiketours.com.

3 Jun 2025

Alla Subach

good organizing not that great arrival information


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Available ships for this tour

Deluxe

Elegant and upscale

  Andela Lora Croatia

Sea access

Deck chairs

Cosy lounge area

Several sun decks

max. 34 passengers
17 cabins
2 tours available with this ship

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Croatia highlights Istria Croatia: Highlights of Istria | Plus

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