Istria is beautiful in every season
Istria is one of those places I could return to in any season and still find a completely different reason to stay a little longer. Summer brings the Adriatic, beaches and long evenings outdoors, while spring and autumn are made for exploring hilltop towns, vineyards, truffle country and local restaurants at a slower pace. Even a short break can bring together the coast, countryside, great food and wellness, while Poreč also makes an ideal base for discovering some of the best places to visit in Istria.
48 hours in Istria: active, relaxing and full of flavour
With Pical Resort 5* in Poreč as our base, we set out to see just how much of Istria could fit into 48 hours. In this article, I’ll show you how an autumn short break in Istria can be active, relaxing and full of memorable experiences – from mornings by the sea and local wine to truffle hunting, wellness and great food. Come along and discover just how much the region can offer in only a couple of days.
A slow start in Poreč
After checking into Pical Resort 5*, I quickly realised that it would be much more than just the place where I was staying. With the sea right in front of me and Poreč close by, it felt like the perfect base for everything we had planned across Istria.
Before dinner, I took some time to walk by the sea and get that first glimpse of Poreč. It was an easy way to switch out of travel mode and into holiday mode – no rushing, just the Adriatic, a little fresh air and the feeling that the break had properly begun.
Welcome dinner at Spinnaker
That evening, we headed to Spinnaker restaurant for our welcome dinner, and it felt like the perfect start to our gourmet weekend in Istria. Spinnaker is known for its contemporary Adriatic bistronomy, with a strong focus on fish, seasonal ingredients and techniques such as ageing, complemented by a carefully selected list of Croatian and international wines.
The evening felt even more personal with Ivan Maljevac as our butler, guiding us through dinner and taking care of us throughout. The menu reflected Spinnaker’s modern approach to the Adriatic, with seafood and seasonal flavours at its heart, followed by refined desserts and thoughtfully paired wines.
By the end of the evening, I’d stopped thinking about getting from one place to another and started wondering what the next 48 hours in Istria would bring.
Start by the sea, end among the vineyards
An active morning with the Adriatic in the background
The next morning started slowly with breakfast at More restaurant, but it didn’t stay slow for long. From there, I headed to PURO MOVE at Purobeach for a morning of movement by the sea – first a workout, followed by yoga and breathwork with the Adriatic in the background.
What I liked most was that the morning never felt like it was only about fitness. Once the session was over, there was no need to rush anywhere. I simply stayed at Purobeach, moved from the workout to lunch, found a lounger by the pool and let the rest of the afternoon unfold at its own pace.
A little energy in the morning, then lunch, sunshine, the pool and a few hours by the sea – exactly the kind of balance I want from a short break.
From the coast to the vineyards of Istria around Vižinada
Later that afternoon, I left the coast behind and headed inland for a completely different side of Istria. It didn’t take long for sea views to give way to vineyards, small villages and rolling countryside on the way to Deklić Winery in Vižinada.
This part of inland Istria is especially known for its rich winemaking tradition, with vineyards spreading across the hills around Vižinada and producing some of the region’s most characteristic wines. It is also a perfect setting for experiences such as Wine & Walk, where walking through the countryside becomes a way to discover local wineries, regional flavours and the landscape itself.
The Deklić family’s winemaking story goes back to 1920, when the first Malvasia vines were planted, and today the family cultivates around 25 hectares of vineyards. Their wines include local favourites such as Istrian Malvasia and Teran, alongside Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Yellow Muscat.The winery itself adds another layer to the experience. Its modern cellar stretches across nearly 3,000 m² and is designed for a capacity of up to 300,000 litres of wine, including ageing in wooden barrels, stainless-steel tanks, concrete eggs and amphorae.
At Deklić, the afternoon was all about slowing down again, tasting Istrian wines and getting a little closer to the flavours, landscape and family tradition behind them. It was another reminder of how quickly Istria can change – from the Adriatic coast to vineyard-covered hills in a single afternoon.
By the time I returned to Pical Resort 5*, it felt as though I had experienced two completely different sides of Istria in a single day.
From the Istrian forest to ESPA at Pical
Into the forest in search of Istria’s most famous ingredient
The next morning took me away from the coast again, this time into the Istrian countryside for a truffle hunting experience at Karlić Tartufi.
Rather than simply sitting down to taste truffles, I first got to see where the whole story begins. We headed into the forest, following the trained dogs as they searched through the undergrowth, while learning more about how truffles are found and why they are such an important part of Istrian gastronomy.
There was something especially memorable about experiencing it this way – walking through the woods, watching the dogs work and then finally tasting the ingredient we had just been searching for.
By this point, less than two days into the trip, I had already moved from the Adriatic coast to vineyards and now deep into the Istrian forest. It made me realise just how much variety can fit into a short break here, especially when so many different experiences are within easy reach of Poreč.
An afternoon of wellness at ESPA at Pical
After a morning spent out in the Istrian countryside, I was more than ready to slow things down. Back at Pical Resort 5*, the afternoon was reserved for ESPA at Pical – and this time, there was nowhere else I needed to be.
The wellness area stretches across 1,300 m², with a thermal area, 8 saunas, treatment rooms and an indoor pool, so it feels less like an extra hotel facility and more like a destination of its own. I started with some time to simply unwind before moving into a treatment and later joining the Aufguss ritual, where heat, essential oils and guided sauna techniques turn a traditional sauna session into a much more immersive experience.
It also made me see Pical Resort 5* in a different light – as a place that feels just as right for an autumn escape as it does for a summer weekend by the sea. Even when the weather is no longer about spending the whole day on the beach, there is still plenty to do. Head to the gym for a workout, join a fitness session, swim a few laps or retreat to the spa to recharge and take a few hours completely for yourself.
One last taste of Istria at Parenzana restaurant
For the final evening, I was happy to slow things down properly and settle in for dinner at Parenzana restaurant at Pical Suites. The restaurant takes inspiration from the historic Parenzana route, bringing together flavours from Croatia, Italy and Slovenia through local ingredients, regional touches, live cooking stations, a curated wine list and elegant desserts.
It felt like a fitting final dinner after two days of moving through Istria – a chance to sit down, take my time and experience the region once more, this time through food.
So, can 48 hours in Istria really feel like a holiday?
By the end of the trip, it was hard to believe how much had fitted into such a short time. During two days, I had worked out by the Adriatic, spent a slow afternoon by the pool, tasted local wine among the vineyards, followed truffle dogs through the Istrian forest, switched off for a few hours at the spa and ended my days around the table with some very memorable food.
And perhaps that is what I liked most about a short break in Istria. I never really had to choose between being active and slowing down, between the coast and the countryside, or between good food and time to simply do nothing.
With Pical Resort 5* as my base, I had the sea right on my doorstep and inland Istria close enough to explore between breakfast and dinner. For a two- or three-night escape, that balance makes Poreč an easy place to experience a lot without ever feeling rushed.
A few days away really can feel like much more. And if you have a little extra time, spending a full day in Poreč is well worth it too, with its seaside promenade, historic old town and plenty of places to stop for coffee, lunch or an evening drink.
What I’d book before my 48 hours in Istria
Two days took me from the coast to the vineyards and deep into the forest, and still, I left with the feeling that I’d only scratched the surface. Next time, I’ll give myself a few extra days to explore the rest of Istria.
A little planning goes a long way on a short break. The distances in Istria are short, but it’s worth booking key experiences and restaurants in advance so you can make the most of your time without feeling rushed.
I’d book a special offer for Pical Resort 5* with limited availability. The resort is open year-round and makes a great base for exploring both Poreč and inland Istria.
Restaurants & Experiences
- You can reserve restaurants and experiences in advance through the Experience Concierge, either online, by phone on +385 (0)52 407 032 or once you arrive at the resort.
This includes dining reservations as well as experiences such as truffle hunting at Karlić Tartufi and wine tasting at Deklić Winery.
Book your wellness treatment
Treatments at ESPA at Pical Wellness & Spa can be reserved in advance by email at espaatpical@valamar.com or by phone on +385 52 407 061.
This way, the essentials are booked, but there is still enough room to keep the rest of the 48 hours relaxed and spontaneous.
