For families, autumn can be one of the loveliest times to discover the peninsula. And with Pical Resort 5*, Valamar Collection in Poreč as your base, you can combine days of exploring Istria with playtime, great food and those wonderfully slow family moments when nobody has to be anywhere in particular.
A Resort Where Children Have Their Own World
At Pical Resort 5*, the children’s programme goes far beyond a traditional hotel playroom. Families have access to 8,000 m² of indoor and outdoor family facilities, with Maro Clubs, play areas and activities created for different ages.
One of the highlights is PlayLand, a 1,200 m² Play & Learn centre where children can explore imaginative and STEM-inspired activities, creative play areas and interactive experiences. For older children and teenagers, the fun continues in the Gaming Arena, with PlayStation and Nintendo Switch consoles, comfortable gaming spaces and big-screen tournaments.
PlayLand operates during selected periods throughout the year, so it is worth checking the opening dates when planning your autumn break.
Teenagers who prefer to stay active have plenty of options too. They can head outside for basketball, volleyball, football, badminton or adventure minigolf, while cycling and the Pical Tennis Centre offer even more ways to spend an energetic autumn afternoon.
And then there is the pool question – an important one on almost every family holiday. Even when the Adriatic begins to feel a little too fresh for younger swimmers, the resort has a 25-metre heated indoor swimming pool.
That balance is what makes an autumn family holiday here particularly appealing. Younger children can play and explore, teenagers have spaces and activities of their own, and you can spend several hours discovering Istria knowing that plenty of entertainment is waiting when you return.
More Than Playtime: Pical Academies
Pical Academies turn learning into part of the holiday adventure. With expert guidance, children can try new activities, build confidence and discover new skills while having fun. It is a fun way for children to discover a new interest, make friends and return home with more than just holiday memories.
Climbing
A playful challenge for young adventurers, combining movement, concentration and the excitement of reaching new heights. Guided by professional instructors,participants take on climbing walls and a climbing net through engaging challenges and games.
Useful information:
- The academy is suitable for children aged 5
- Available from March to November, Monday to Friday.
- Each session lasts 60 minutes.
- Price: from €20 per person
Stage Dance Academy
Stage Dance Academy invites children and teenagers to explore their love of music, movement and performance. Guided by professional instructors, participants work on choreography, coordination and rhythm while building self-confidence, stage presence and a passion for dance.
Useful information:
- Designed for two age groups: children aged 6–10 and young dancers aged 11–14.
- Groups are kept small, with 2 to 10 participants.
- Available from April to October, Monday to Friday.
- Participants can choose between a single 60-minute group session or a five-session package.
- Group pricing: €80 per person for a single group session; €350 per person for a five-session package.
Aerial Silk Academy
Aerial Silk Academy introduces children to the exciting world of aerial movement and performance, combining artistry with athletic skill. Guided by professional instructors, participants develop strength, flexibility and body control while learning how to move with confidence in the air.
Useful information:
- It is suitable for children aged 7 and above who are curious about aerial arts, movement and performance. Groups are kept small, with up to five participants.
- Available from June to October, Monday to Friday.
- Participants can choose between a single 90-minute group session or a three-session package.
- Group pricing: €70 per person for a single group session; €210 per person for a three-day package.
Art of Fun Academy
Art of Fun Academy invites children to explore their creativity through colour, texture and hands-on artistic play. Guided by skilled instructors, young creators experiment with different materials and techniques in a playful environment.
Useful information:
- It is suitable for children aged 4 and above who enjoy drawing, painting, experimenting and creating. Groups include 3 to 12 children.
- Available year-round on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays.
- Participants can choose between a single 45-minute group session or a two-session package.
- Pricing: €40 per person for a single group session; €70 per person for a two-session package.
Tinker Labs
Tinker Labs invites curious young minds into the exciting world of STEAM, where science, technology, engineering, art and maths come together through play. Through hands-on experiments, creative challenges and practical projects, children can explore, build and invent while developing confidence, problem-solving skills and a love of discovery.
Useful information:
- Designed for two age groups: Tinker Starters for children aged 4–7 and Tinker Explorers for children aged 8–12. Groups include 3 to 10 children.
- Available year-round on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays to Saturdays.
- Participants can join a single 60-minute group session.
- Pricing: €40 per person per session.
All the sessions take place within the Pical Resort academy programme, except climbing, which takes place at Zuno Zone Adventure Park.
Explore Poreč: History, Seaside Walks and Cycling
Poreč‘s old town is an easy choice for a relaxed family afternoon. The essential stop is the UNESCO-listed Euphrasian Basilica, one of Poreč’s most important historic landmarks. Afterwards, leave some time simply to walk. Find a café, let the children choose something sweet and follow the waterfront back towards the resort.
If your family prefers exploring on two wheels, autumn temperatures also make cycling much more inviting. The Bike Center Poreč at Pical Resort 5* offers bike rental and family equipment, while the resort sits at the beginning or end of the famous Parenzana route. There are also family cycling trails around the resort itself, making it possible to turn even a free morning into a small adventure.
Go Truffle Hunting in the Istrian Countryside
If there is one experience that feels made for autumn in Istria, this is it. Drive inland and the scenery changes quickly. The coast gives way to forests, vineyards, villages and hilltop towns such as Motovun and Buzet. This is truffle country, and autumn is particularly special because the peak season for Istrian white truffles runs from September into winter.
If this sounds like your kind of day trip, read our guide to the top reasons why you should go truffle hunting before you set off.
Autumn Adventures the Whole Family Will Love
One of the best things about travelling through Istria with children is that the region does not rely on a single attraction. Instead, you can create a holiday from lots of completely different experiences. One day might mean dinosaurs. Another could involve an aquarium, a medieval castle or an adrenaline park. Pula can turn Roman history into a family adventure, while its aquarium provides an easy introduction to the creatures of the Adriatic. Around Istria, attractions such as Dinopark Funtana and adventure parks add another dimension for families who need something a little more energetic.
For more inspiration, have a look at our guide to the top 5 attractions for kids in Istria in autumn. It is a useful place to start when you want to add a child-approved excursion or two between slower days at Pical Resort.
And If It Rains?
Autumn weather occasionally changes the plan. In Istria, that does not have to change the mood. Pula Aquarium, the Morosini-Grimani Castle in Svetvinčenat, cultural attractions in Pula and even an Istrian cooking class can turn a rainy day into one of the most memorable days of the holiday. We have put together even more ideas in our guide to things to do in Istria on a rainy day, covering everything from aquariums and castles to cooking, olive oil tasting and other indoor experiences.
Back at Pical: Everyone Gets Their Kind of Holiday
After a day of exploration, something is reassuring about returning to a resort where the rest of the evening requires very little organisation. Children can squeeze in another swim or disappear into their favourite play zone. Parents can slow down over dinner, head to the spa or simply enjoy some free time.
Dining is part of the experience too. Pical Resort 5* offers a wide choice of restaurants and bars, while Pical Family Hotel’s all-inclusive programme centres around buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner with an afternoon snack at Quattro Terre.
The wider resort also offers additional culinary experiences, giving parents the option of turning at least one evening into something a little more special.
The Istrian Summer May End. The Holiday Does Not.
Poreč may be famous for summer, but autumn reveals a quieter, yet more adventurous side of Istria. Think bike rides, forest walks, day trips to Motovun or Pula and plenty of indoor fun when the weather changes.
Back at Pical Resort 5*, children have pools, games and activities, while parents can enjoy good food, wellness and a slower holiday rhythm. Ready to discover Istria beyond the summer rush? Plan your autumn family escape at Pical Resort 5*.
