Rainy day ideas around Poreč

Istria gets far more sun than rain, but every holiday can have a grey day. Summer storms usually blow through in an hour or two. In spring and autumn a whole day of rain is more likely. Here is how to make the most of it around Poreč.

Go underground

Baredine Cave, between Poreč and Labinci, is the obvious choice: the guided tour descends about 60 m below ground through five halls to an underground lake, and the temperature stays around 14 °C whatever the weather outside. The tour takes about 40 minutes. It is open daily from April to October and by appointment in winter. Read our Baredine Cave guide.

Culture under a roof

• The Euphrasian Basilica in Poreč old town, with its 6th-century mosaics, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and well worth an hour. See our basilica guide.
• Pazin castle in central Istria houses the Ethnographic Museum of Istria, and the chasm beneath it is spectacular in the rain, when the river is in full flow. See our Pazin guide.
• The Pula Arena has exhibitions on olive growing and wine in its underground passages. See our Pula day trip.
• Aquarium Poreč in the old town has fish and other marine life, plus reptiles and amphibians. It is closed from November to March.

Eat and drink slowly

A rainy afternoon is the perfect excuse for a long lunch in an inland konoba, with homemade pasta, Istrian ham and a jug of local wine. Read what a konoba is before you go. Afterwards, book a tasting with a winemaker or an olive oil producer; many tasting rooms are indoors and welcome visitors on bad-weather days.

Stay in

Sometimes the best plan is not to go anywhere. All three of our villas are built for long days at home:

• Villa Duga has a home cinema, a fireplace and a games room.
• Villa Bina has a fireplace and a games room, and a covered summer kitchen where you can still grill in the rain.
• Villa Cvita Domenica has a games room and a covered terrace with a stone barbecue.

Cook something slow, such as a pot of Istrian maneštra (bean and vegetable soup), and open a bottle of Teran.

When the rain stops

Rain on the coast often clears by late afternoon. That is the moment to walk the seafront in Poreč, or drive up to Motovun to watch the clouds lift off the valley. If the weather looks settled for the next day, our day trip ideas will keep you busy.