Porec.

Poreč sits on a narrow peninsula on Istria's west coast, following the street grid laid down by the Roman town of Parentium. The Euphrasian Basilica anchors the historic core, its 6th-century apse covered in Byzantine mosaics of gold and blue that have survived largely intact. Venetian-era houses with stone balconies and wooden shutters line the surrounding streets, opening onto small squares and a working marina.

Outside the old walls, the coastline runs through pine groves and rocky coves toward quieter beaches. Istria's inland hills rise close to the shore, planted with vineyards producing Malvazija and Teran, and with olive groves that supply the region's oil. Villages further inland are known for truffle hunting in autumn. Boats based at the marina reach the coastline and nearby islands, and marked paths lead into the countryside for walking and cycling.

Local konobas serve this wine, oil, and fresh seafood alongside other Istrian dishes. Roman foundations still show beneath Venetian townhouses, and the Byzantine mosaics remain inside the basilica, each layer of the town's history visible in a different part of it.