Slovenia & Istria Cycling Tour
New for 2027 — full 16-day Slovenia & Istria journey
The complete Best of Slovenia route — Alps, Ljubljana, Karst & coast
Postojna Cave, Predjama Castle, Lipica and UNESCO Škocjan Caves
Venetian Piran and the Sečovlje salt pans
Medieval Umag, Novigrad, UNESCO Poreč and Rovinj
Grand finale at Pula's Roman arena Departure
Daily departures
Duration
16 Days / 15 Nights
Starting Point
Arrival to Bled
Total Distance
583 km
Activity Level
Medium
From the Julian Alps to the heart of Istria
Slovenia & Istria is a 16-day self-guided cycling journey from Lake Bled to Pula, linking Slovenia's alpine landscapes with the vineyards, stone villages and coastline of Istria in one continuous route.
The tour begins among the lakes and valleys of the Julian Alps, continues through medieval Škofja Loka and Ljubljana, then crosses the Karst to the Adriatic. From Piran, the route follows the Istrian coast and countryside through Umag, Poreč and Rovinj before finishing beside Pula's Roman arena.
Daily stages are designed for recreational cyclists who prefer time for scenery, culture and local food over high-speed riding. Luggage transfers, carefully selected accommodation, digital navigation and local support are arranged throughout the journey.
Itinerary
Arrive in Bled, the best-known lakeside town in the Slovenian Alps. After checking in, take an easy walk around the lake, visit the castle viewpoint or simply enjoy the view towards the island and the Karawanks.
This first day is deliberately unhurried, giving you time to settle in and prepare for the journey from the Alps to Istria.
Leave Bled on quiet lanes through Bohinjska Bela and follow the clear Sava Bohinjka River into the Bohinj Valley. The scenery becomes increasingly alpine as the road approaches Lake Bohinj beneath the peaks of Triglav National Park.
There is time to pause by the lake before continuing through the upper valley to Bohinjska Bistrica. The riding is varied but comfortable, making this a memorable introduction to Slovenia.
Climb gradually from Bohinj towards the forested Jelovica plateau, where traffic disappears and the landscape becomes quieter and more remote. A long descent then leads into the Selška Valley and the traditional villages around Sorica and Železniki.
The stage finishes in medieval Škofja Loka, one of Slovenia’s best-preserved historic towns. Its castle, painted façades and riverside old centre reward an evening walk.
Today’s shorter stage follows country roads from Škofja Loka towards Ljubljana. The easy distance leaves plenty of time for Slovenia’s compact capital rather than turning the day into a race.
Explore the pedestrian old town, cycle or walk beside the Ljubljanica River and climb to the castle for views across the city. The lively riverside cafés make an ideal finish to the day.
Ride south across the flat and open Ljubljansko Barje marshes, an important wetland known for rare birds, meadows and prehistoric pile-dwelling sites. Quiet roads lead past the remains of the Borovnica railway viaduct and towards the former Carthusian monastery at Bistra.
The stage is mostly gentle and provides a relaxing contrast to the alpine days. You finish in Vrhnika at the edge of Slovenia’s Karst landscape.
Leave Vrhnika on rolling back roads through forests and small villages towards Postojna. The terrain rises gradually, but the day remains manageable with regular opportunities to stop.
An optional detour leads to Predjama Castle, dramatically built into a 123-metre cliff. Continue to Postojna, the gateway to one of Europe’s most famous cave systems.
You may begin with a visit to Postojna Cave before riding south into a completely different landscape. Forested limestone country gradually opens towards the vineyards, orchards and stone villages of the Vipava and Karst regions.
The destination is the Štanjel area, known for its hilltop village, narrow lanes and views across the surrounding wine country. The change from inland forest to Mediterranean influence is clear throughout the stage.
Continue across the Karst plateau through villages built from pale local stone. The route passes the Sežana area and reaches Lipica, home of the historic stud farm where the famous white Lipizzaner horses have been bred for centuries.
After Lipica, quiet roads lead to Divača. The dry-stone walls, pine woods and open fields give this stage a character unlike the alpine north.
Before setting off, you can visit the UNESCO-listed Škocjan Caves, where the Reka River disappears into a vast underground canyon. From Divača the route crosses the final part of the Karst and begins its descent towards the Adriatic.
Finish in Muggia, a small Venetian harbour town just south of Trieste. Depending on arrival time, relax by the sea or take the passenger boat into central Trieste.
Follow the coastline from Muggia towards Slovenia, using quiet roads and sections of the former Parenzana railway route. The ride links the Venetian towns of Koper and Izola before continuing past vineyards, olive groves and the cliffs of Strunjan.
The final kilometres approach Piran above the Bay of Trieste. Entering its narrow streets and harbour is one of the highlights of the complete journey.
Leave Piran beside the Sečovlje salt pans, where salt is still produced using traditional methods. Cross into Croatia and continue through a Mediterranean landscape of olive trees, vineyards and low rolling hills.
The route leads towards Umag, a compact coastal town with Roman origins and a Venetian old centre. There is time for a swim or a walk along the waterfront after the ride.
Cycle south through the Istrian countryside, with a worthwhile stop in medieval Novigrad, one of the peninsula’s best-known food and wine destinations. Back roads and coastal sections continue past vineyards and small villages.
Finish in Poreč, where the UNESCO-listed Euphrasian Basilica preserves remarkable early Byzantine mosaics. The old town occupies a narrow peninsula surrounded by the Adriatic.
Choose the pace and character of today according to your interests. Ride a circular route into rural Istria, join a local boat excursion or keep the day free for the beach and Poreč’s historic centre.
The flexible day also provides useful recovery before the final stages to Rovinj and Pula. Route information for the cycling option is included with your digital travel documents.
Continue south from Poreč through a mixture of coastal scenery, farmland and traditional Istrian settlements. The route approaches Rovinj from the quieter northern side, with views of its old town rising above the sea.
After checking in, explore the cobbled lanes below the church of St Euphemia or ride out to the wooded Golden Cape nature reserve. Rovinj is widely considered one of the most attractive towns on the Adriatic.
The final cycling stage follows the south-western side of the Istrian peninsula towards Pula. Quiet inland roads and glimpses of the coast lead to the region’s largest town and its exceptionally preserved Roman heritage.
Finish beside Pula’s amphitheatre, one of the best-preserved Roman arenas in the world. If time permits, explore the old centre or take an excursion towards the Brijuni islands.
The tour ends after breakfast in Pula. Continue independently or reserve one of the optional private transfers listed below.
Price
Price per person based on two people sharing:
Date of Day1 sets the trip's season.
(Currency converter)- 15 nights in 3★/4★ hotels & guesthouses, ensuite, bed & breakfast
- Luggage transfer — 1 piece pp, max 23 kg (extra piece €30/trip)
- Local tourist and other taxes
- Backup hotline service throughout the trip
- Digital travel documents: GUIBO navigation app, route description and maps – one download per booking
- Welcome meeting for direct bookings
- Single traveller supplement (single room included): 1,020 € per booking party
- Single-room supplement within a party: 685 € per person, per tour
- Waiver Upgrade — e-bike, gravel, road or mountain bike: 50 € per rented bicycle, per tour
- Waiver Upgrade — standard touring bike: 25 € per rented bicycle, per tour
- Day 3 transfer to the top of the Sorica pass: 30 € per person
- Additional luggage (maximum 23 kg): 30 € per additional piece, per tour
- Printed travel documents (optional; digital travel documents are included): 30 € per booking
- Dossier fee: 20 € per booking
| Location / room | Season A | Season B | Season C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bled Per person in a double room |
105 € | 115 € | 130 € |
| Bled Single room |
200 € | 215 € | 225 € |
| Bohinj Per person in a double room |
115 € | 125 € | 135 € |
| Bohinj Single room |
195 € | 210 € | 225 € |
| Škofja Loka Per person in a double room |
75 € | 80 € | 85 € |
| Škofja Loka Single room |
105 € | 115 € | 120 € |
| Ljubljana Per person in a double room |
100 € | 110 € | 120 € |
| Ljubljana Single room |
160 € | 175 € | 190 € |
| Vrhnika Per person in a double room |
75 € | 80 € | 85 € |
| Vrhnika Single room |
110 € | 115 € | 120 € |
| Postojna Per person in a double room |
80 € | 85 € | 90 € |
| Postojna Single room |
115 € | 125 € | 130 € |
| Štanjel Area Per person in a double room |
80 € | 85 € | 90 € |
| Štanjel Area Single room |
115 € | 125 € | 130 € |
| Divača Per person in a double room |
70 € | 75 € | 80 € |
| Divača Single room |
105 € | 115 € | 120 € |
| Muggia Per person in a double room |
85 € | 95 € | 110 € |
| Muggia Single room |
125 € | 140 € | 155 € |
| Piran Per person in a double room |
125 € | 150 € | 170 € |
| Piran Single room |
190 € | 205 € | 220 € |
| Poreč Per person in a double room |
95 € | 105 € | 115 € |
| Poreč Single room |
135 € | 145 € | 165 € |
| Rovinj Per person in a double room |
105 € | 155 € | 165 € |
| Rovinj Single room |
165 € | 215 € | 245 € |
| Pula Per person in a double room |
95 € | 105 € | 115 € |
| Pula Single room |
145 € | 155 € | 170 € |
- Third adult in a triple room: 10% discount on the third traveller’s base tour price.
- Child discount: 30% according to the published age rule for this tour.
Entrance fees, lunches, dinners, additional transfers, not mentioned in tour program.
Route Profile
583 km
5,036 m
5,538 m
Accommodation
Carefully selected 3-star and 4-star hotels and guesthouses, with ensuite rooms and breakfast. The exact accommodation may vary according to availability while the published comfort level is maintained.
- Day 1: 3★/4★ hotel in Bled
- Day 2: 4★ hotel in Bohinj
- Day 3: 3★ hotel in Škofja Loka
- Day 4: 4★ hotel in Ljubljana
- Day 5: 4★ hotel in Vrhnika
- Day 6: 4★ hotel in Postojna
- Day 7: 3★/4★ guesthouse in Štanjel Area
- Day 8: 3★ hotel in Divača
- Day 9: 4★ hotel in Muggia
- Day 10: 4★ hotel in Piran
- Day 11: 4★ hotel in Piran
- Day 12: 3★ hotel in Poreč
- Day 13: 3★ hotel in Poreč
- Day 14: 4★ hotel in Rovinj
- Day 15: 3★ hotel in Pula
Travel Options & Local Transfer
Starting point of this trip is Bled in NW Slovenia.
Getting to Bled
By plane: closest airport is Ljubljana (LJU). Several airlines serve it. From the airport you can travel to Bled by bus (change once, takes about two hours) or book our transfer: Ljubljana Airport to Bled (faster – 20 min) – please check here below.
By bus: Flixbus lines stop at Lake Bled.
By train: Bled has two railway stations: Lesce-Bled station on the Villach – Ljubljana mainline, 4 km away from town center, need to take a bus or call us, we’ll give you a lift for free. The other is station Bled-Jezero on the Jesenice – Nova Gorica sideline, only a few trains a day.
By car: take exit Lesce on the A1 motorway Ljubljana – Jesenice, Karavanke. Please consult us about parking options.
Back from Piran
By plane: Trieste airport (TST) or Ljubljana (LJU). Several airlines serve them. You can book our transfer: Piran to Ljubljana Downtown or Ljubljana Airport – please check here below.
By train: Koper railway station is 18 km away from Piran. Trains leave from here to Ljubljana. If you wish to travel onward to Rijeka (Croatia) you need to change in Pivka, however, only a few trains cross the border! There are no train connections to Italy, you’ll need to first travel to Trieste.
By boat: there are boats operating from Piran to Venice and to Trieste and ferries from Poreč to Venice.
By car: if your car is in Bled, you can return there by bus or train. Our transfer is available – please check here below.
Available Transfers
1-3 persons: 210 €
4-8 persons: 250 €
1-3 persons: 20 €
4-8 persons: 30 €
1-3 persons: 90 €
4-8 persons: 125 €
1-3 persons: 125 €
4-8 persons: 165 €
1-3 persons: 385 €
4-8 persons: 435 €
1-3 persons: 435 €
4-8 persons: 495 €
1-3 persons: 180 €
4-8 persons: 200 €
1-3 persons: 460 €
4-8 persons: 500 €
1-3 persons: 360 €
4-8 persons: 420 €
1-3 persons: 395 €
4-8 persons: 435 €
All prices per transfer, one way. Price includes transport of bikes.
Rental Bikes
Helia bikes are available in different sizes and unisex frame model:
