Poreč (Parenzo) and its shores are one of the most famous and the most visited tourist regions along the Adriatic Coast. The city of Poreč is situated on the western coast of Istria, a peninsula that for the most part belongs to the Republic of Croatia. Today, with its surrounding region, it has about 17,000 residents. During the summer it hosts more than 70,000 tourists.

The small peninsula where the heart of the old city is situated has been inhabited for more than 6,000 years. Two thousand years ago, after conquering the native Histri, the oldest inhabitants of the region, the Romans established a colony called Parentium. During the city’s stormy past, it was ruled by Byzantium, the Venetian Republic, Napoleons France, Austrian-Hungarian Monarchy, Italy and Yugoslavia.

The old city itself is a cultural monument. The sacral complex, the Euphrasiana, stands out with its 6th century basilica and the diocese. The mosaic that decorates the interior and the church facade belongs to the most beautifully preserved works of the Byzantine art.

Along with cultural qualities, Poreč is adorned by natural beauty, with flowery, green landscapes. Oak trees and pine groves reach the very shores of the sea, and small peninsulas and bays alternate along the coast. The sea is clean. The bathing season lasts from May until October. Tourist complex are among the best equipped and cared for on the Adriatic shore.

Poreč lies in an agricultural region, where olive oil and wine are not only highly praised but also a part of cultural tradition. The Roman historian Casiodor wrote that the Patricians in Parenzo lived the lives of Goods. The same beauty of life and leisure is still present in Poreč.