Things to do in Poreč with kids: a family holiday guide

Child-friendly beaches in Poreč

According to the tourist board, Poreč and its islands have 37 kilometres of coastline. The 2026 Blue Flag list, the international symbol of clean sea and well-kept beaches, includes 16 beaches with the location Poreč-Parenzo, according to the Istria Tourist Board. With children, three things matter most: how you get into the water, whether there is shade and whether lifeguards are on duty.

From Villa Matea, the nearest beach is to the north, about 10 minutes on foot. Our beach guide gives an overview of the beaches around Poreč.

The tourist board lists these beaches, among others, as suitable for families with children:

• Val Parentino Family Beach in Borik: pebbles, paved areas and a lawn that is heavily shaded by pine trees. For children there is a sandbox, a bouncy castle, an inflatable water park and a trampoline, among other things, plus lifeguards and first aid.
• Val Marea Sandy Family Beach: a sandy beach in a cove by the Valamar Collection Marea Suites, with a gentle, sandy entry, a children's playground and a sandbox.
• Hotel Materada Beach (Materada, Špadići): pebbles and rocks, entry over pebbles and steps, a children's playground and lifeguards.
• Town Beach, about one kilometre south of the centre: gentle entry over pebbles, a concrete slipway and steps, a children's playground and a seaside path in the shade of pine trees.

Shade, water shoes, lifeguards: practical tips

A few tips from everyday beach life that make the day easier with children:

• Pack water shoes: on pebble and rock beaches and at entries over stones and steps, they make things more comfortable for children.
• Shade at midday: plan the hottest hours under the pines, under a parasol or in your air-conditioned apartment.
• No need to bring loungers and parasols: according to the tourist board, you can rent them at all four beaches listed above.
• Look out for the lifeguards: at Hotel Materada Beach, according to the tourist board, they are on duty from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. between 15 May and 30 September.
• Check the season: the water park, Dinopark and the cave have their own opening times. Look at the official websites before you go; that is also where you will find prices.

Aquacolors and Dinopark Funtana

The Aquacolors water park is near Poreč. By its own account it has 4 pools and 15 slides on an area of 95,000 square metres, plus dedicated kids' areas such as Crocodile Bay and a Kids Water Playground. The park opens seasonally; current dates are on its website.

At Dinopark Funtana, not far from Poreč, life-size moving dinosaurs stand in a shady karst forest of 85,000 square metres, part of it on an old quarry. There are also family rides and live shows. According to the park, almost all rides, activities and shows are included in the ticket price; food and drinks are not. Dinopark, too, is only open during the season.

A car is handy for trips like these, and parking at the villa is free. How best to reach Poreč is explained in our guide to getting to Poreč.

Baredine Cave: a cool adventure, rain or shine

Baredine Cave is near Nova Vas (Poreč) and can only be visited on a guided tour. According to the operator, the tour takes about 40 minutes: a 300-metre path leads through five chambers down to an underground lake at a depth of 60 metres. Down there it is about 14 degrees, and there are 270 steps in total. The operator therefore recommends suitable clothes and shoes.

Smaller children may go in too, accompanied by their parents. Strollers are not possible; a baby carrier is recommended. On its website the operator describes the olm as the secret resident of the underground, an endemic species of these karst areas. Because the weather hardly matters underground, the cave is a good plan for a rainy day.

The old town and Sveti Nikola island

Poreč old town sits on a peninsula of about 400 by 200 metres, so distances stay short even for little legs. The Pentagonal Tower stands at the start of the main street, the Decumanus. The Euphrasian Basilica, with its mosaics in the apse, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site together with the whole complex since 1997. From the villa it is a 15 to 20-minute walk to the old town.

Near Poreč lies the small island of Sveti Nikola. According to Valamar, which runs the hotel on the island, the boat ride from the pier on the waterfront takes five minutes. On the west side of the island, the Venetians built a 15-metre lighthouse in 1403. It is best to ask about departure times and tickets directly at the harbour. You will find more ideas in our guide to things to do in Poreč.

More ideas for families

The Poreč tourist board lists even more places nearby for a family holiday:

• Sky Fox Adventure Park in an oak forest
• Motodrom Poreč, a go-kart track
• Višnjan Observatory, with special programmes for kids in summer
• Yellow Submarine, a semi-submersible with a glass bottom
• Fish Picnic: a boat trip to Rovinj and the Lim Channel
• Riding centres and numerous playgrounds in town

A holiday apartment in Poreč for your family

Villa Matea stands on a quiet residential street in the north of Poreč. The nearest beach is about 10 minutes away on foot, the old town 15 to 20 minutes. Each of the three apartments has a kitchen, dishwasher, washing machine, air conditioning and free Wi-Fi. With children, that means breakfast and dinner on your own schedule, and swimwear goes straight into the washing machine in the evening.

Larger families, or two families travelling together, can combine two apartments; you can select more than one in the enquiry form. All guests of the house share the garden with its barbecue, and the car stays free of charge in its own space in the enclosed courtyard. If you need something specific for small children, ask your host Zlatko before booking. All details are in the apartments section.

• Dina: 50 m², up to four guests, private terrace and its own entrance
• Matea: 50 m², up to four guests, two balconies and access to the garden
• Veronika: 40 m², up to three guests, two bathrooms