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 famous lakeside town with its island church and clifftop castle. Hike to the castle for alpine views and try the local cream cake by the lake.
Today is one of the scenic highlights of the tour, as you cycle from Lake Bled into the Bohinj Valley — a route that beautifully combines riverside cycling, alpine scenery and the peaceful character of Bohinj.
Leaving Bled behind, the ride first takes you through Bohinjska Bela before joining the valley of the Sava Bohinjka River. The route follows the river upstream, with the landscape gradually opening towards Bohinj. Along the way, you pass the area of Grmečica Waterfall, a pleasant natural stop before reaching Bohinjska Bistrica, the gateway to the Bohinj Valley.
From Bohinjska Bistrica, the main route continues towards Lake Bohinj. This extra section is well worth the effort: the lake lies at the foot of the Julian Alps and offers one of the most memorable settings of the day. After enjoying the lakeside scenery, you return through the Upper Bohinj Valley, passing traditional Bohinj villages, open meadows and mountain views before finishing back in Bohinjska Bistrica.
For a shorter day, you can also finish the ride in Bohinjska Bistrica and check into your hotel there, making this stage easy to adapt according to your pace and energy.
From the Bohinj Valley, climb towards the Jelovica high plateau, leaving the lakes behind for forested hills and wide mountain views. An optional transfer to the top of the Sorica pass is available if you would prefer to shorten the climbing section.
The route then descends towards Sorica and the Selška Valley, passing through the countryside around Železniki. Your destination is Škofja Loka, one of Slovenia’s best-preserved medieval towns. Its old streets, riverside setting and castle above the town make an inviting place to explore after the ride.
A shorter stage takes you from the medieval streets of Škofja Loka towards Slovenia’s capital. Enjoy the transition from the countryside to Ljubljana, with time left in the afternoon to discover the city at your own pace.
Walk through the old town and its elegant squares, visit the castle above the city or settle into a café beside the Ljubljanica River. The compact centre is particularly pleasant in the evening, when the riverside terraces fill with people and there is a wide choice of places for dinner.
Leave Ljubljana and ride out onto the Ljubljansko Barje, the broad marsh plain south of the capital. The pace changes as the city gives way to open fields, waterways and small villages. This varied wetland landscape is home to many bird and plant species, offering a gentler change of pace after the earlier stages.
Along the way, look out for the remains of the railway viaduct at Borovnica and Bistra Castle, home to the Technical Museum of Slovenia. Continue to Vrhnika, where the Ljubljanica River emerges from the surrounding Karst landscape, and settle in for the evening.
Today’s ride leads away from the main tourist routes and into the changing landscape of the Slovenian Karst. The roads climb through quieter countryside towards Postojna, with forests and small settlements giving the stage a different character from the marsh plain.
If you would like a longer day, take the optional detour to Predjama Castle. Built into the mouth of a cave beneath a towering cliff, it is one of Slovenia’s most striking sights. Continue to Postojna for the night, ready to explore more of the region’s underground world.
Before setting off, you can visit Postojna Cave, where an underground train and walking route lead through chambers filled with stalactites and stalagmites. Allow time for the visit if you choose to include it in your day.
Back on the bike, leave Postojna and descend towards the vineyards of the Vipava region. The landscape gradually becomes warmer and more Mediterranean, with stone villages and vine-covered slopes replacing the higher forests. Finish in the Štanjel area, where a guesthouse provides a welcoming base for the evening.
Today you enter the distinctive landscape of the Karst: a world of pale limestone, red earth, vineyards and villages built from the very stone beneath your wheels. Quiet roads and changing views make this a day to enjoy at an unhurried pace.
Ride towards Štanjel, one of the region’s most atmospheric hilltop villages. Its stone houses and narrow lanes invite a short exploration on foot, while the terraced Ferrari Garden offers a peaceful place to pause and take in the countryside.
From here, continue through small Karst villages towards Sežana, the region’s bustling centre. Stop for a coffee, or make time for its botanical garden beside Villa Mirasasso, before following the route to Lipica.
Best known as the historic home of the Lipizzaner horses, Lipica introduces a greener, park-like landscape of pastures and tree-lined avenues. An optional visit to the stud farm offers a closer look at its centuries-old breeding tradition. The final stretch brings you to Divača, where you settle in for another evening in the Karst.
The UNESCO-listed Škocjan Caves offer an optional visit before you leave the Karst. Their vast underground river canyon makes a memorable stop, particularly if you have not visited Postojna Cave earlier in the trip.
The ride then leads towards the Adriatic and the Italian harbour town of Muggia, just south of Trieste. After the changing inland landscapes, arriving by the sea feels like a new chapter of the journey. Explore the small old town, enjoy a gelato by the waterfront or take a boat trip to Trieste if time and the timetable allow.
Follow the Adriatic coast from Muggia towards Slovenia, using stretches of the cycle path along the former railway line. Views over the Gulf of Trieste, coastal towns and changing seaside scenery provide plenty of reasons to pause along the way.
Continue past Portorož towards Piran, a beautifully preserved town of narrow lanes and Venetian architecture. Finish beside the harbour or in Tartini Square, then take a walk around the peninsula to enjoy the sea on three sides.
Today you will cycle past the vast salt-pans of Sečovlje. Aim to arrive early to catch the enchanting morning light. From here, you'll cross the border into Croatia and venture into the heart of Istria, across slightly hilly terrain to the town of Umag. Once a Roman colony, within its town walls and across its gated drawbridge lies a town steeped in history. Take a tour of the medieval center and visit the beautiful city tower.
Once again you cycle across some low hills to Novigrad (Cittanova), another medieval walled town. As well as its rich history, Novigrad is also renowned for its gastronomy, and is listed as one of Istria’s top gourmet destinations. Next stop is Poreč, where you can visit the UNESCO-listed Euphrasian Basilica, a diverse mix of baroque, Gothic and Romanesque buildings.
Today, you're spoiled for choice: you can either take a break from cycling, join a fish picnic boat trip, or simply relax at the beach. If you opt for the cycling adventure, it will take you deep into the heart of Istria, away from the tourists, where you can experience the authentic local life. Relish the moment as you sip a bevanda at a charming village square!
Today you head to Istria’s gem. Rovinj remains one of the last true Mediterranean fishing ports. The high bell tower of the Euphemia Church built on the highest spot of Rovinj is its most noticeable feature, standing proud and dominating the view no matter which direction you approach. You can also cycle to Zlatni rt (also known as Golden Cape), a peninsula, where you’ll find a park in a nature reserve.
The last day on your “expedition“ leads you to Pula on the peninsula’s southwest tip. Visit the Brijuni-islands - twelve smaller and 2 bigger islands; the main island Veli Brijun was used by the Yugoslav statesman Tito as a summer residence. You can also follow in the footsteps of the dinosaurs, as over 200 dinosaur footprints have been found on the island. Pula is the oldest town in Istria and its commercial and cultural center. Enjoy your last day of the tour amongst various antiquities, including the mighty Pula Arena, the only remaining Roman amphitheatre to have four side towers with all three Roman architectural orders entirely preserved.
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:
