How many days do you need in Novigrad?

One day covers the old town, the Lapidarium, a seafood lunch and a sunset walk. Two days allow time for a beach, a winery visit and a trip to Baredine Cave or Poreč.

What are the best things to do in Novigrad?

The main sights are the old town walls, the Church of St Pelagius, the Lapidarium Museum and the Mandrač harbour. Beyond town, popular options are Pinesta Beach, Pervino Winery tastings and Istralandia aquapark.

How much does the Lapidarium Museum in Novigrad cost?

Adult entry is €2, a family ticket is €3, and children under 12 enter free. Hours vary by season and the museum is closed on Sundays, so confirm before visiting.

How far is Novigrad from Pula Airport?

Pula Airport is about 75 km away, roughly one hour by car. Trieste Airport in Italy is about 90 km away.

When is the best time to visit Novigrad?

May, June and September offer warm weather, open venues and fewer visitors. July and August are the warmest and busiest months, with the most expensive parking and the fullest restaurants.

How much does a day in Novigrad cost?

A basic day with parking, a museum ticket and a seafood lunch costs about €50-60 per person. A winery tasting, a cave tour or a day at Istralandia raises the total by €20-40.

Is Novigrad better than Poreč?

Novigrad is smaller, quieter and less commercial, with a more intact old town atmosphere. Poreč has more attractions, including the UNESCO-listed Euphrasian Basilica, and is about 20 km away, so many visitors combine the two.

Novigrad Itinerary 2027: One-Day and Two-Day Plan

01One-Day Itinerary in Novigrad

Novigrad (Cittanova in Italian) sits on a small peninsula on the western coast of Istria. The old town is compact, about 400 m from end to end, and everything in it is reachable on foot. One full day is enough for the town. A second day suits visitors who want beaches, wine and day trips.

Morning: Old Town Walk (9:00-11:30)

Start at the Mandrač, the small harbour on the edge of the old town. It is the best orientation point, with cafés along the quay and the old town gate nearby.

Walk through the gate and follow the narrow lanes toward the tip of the peninsula. Remnants of the medieval walls run along the seafront. The route ends at a shaded park and a waterside promenade.

The main landmark is the Church of St Pelagius (Sv. Pelagije), the former cathedral. It stands on the site of an early Christian church. The adjoining area contains stonework found during excavations.

The parish church's bell tower is a useful navigation point from most spots in town.

Late Morning: Lapidarium Museum (11:30-12:30)

The Lapidarium (Veliki trg 8a) displays stone monuments from Roman times through the early medieval period. The collection comes from around the former cathedral. The building is a modern design completed in 2006.

Adult entry is €2, a family ticket is €3, and children under 12 enter free. Opening hours change by season:

Winter (January-March, October-December): weekday mornings and early afternoon, with limited Saturday hours.
Spring (April to mid-June): 9:00-15:00 on weekdays, shorter on Saturday, closed Sunday.
Summer (mid-June to August): 10:00-13:00 and an evening session from about 19:00 to 21:00 or 22:00, closed Sundays and holidays.

Phone +385 52 726 582 to confirm hours before a winter visit, since weekend openings are sometimes by arrangement only.

The Lapidarium is a better use of 45 minutes than most small-town museums. The €2 ticket makes it one of the cheapest cultural stops in Istria.

Lunch: Seafood in the Old Town (12:30-14:30)

Seafood dominates local menus. Typical dishes are grilled fish, black risotto, scampi buzara and fuži pasta. Mains usually cost €15-30. A whole grilled fish is priced by weight, often €60-90 per kg.

Restaurants worth considering:

Vecchio Mulino: (Mlinska 8): pizza, seafood and Mediterranean dishes. It is one of the more popular places in town.
Konoba Gatto Nero: Italian-influenced konoba with seafood and steaks.
Damir & Ornella: (Zidine 5): a higher-priced seafood restaurant with a strong reputation. Reserve ahead in July and August.
Restaurant Marina: (Svete Antona 38): harbour-side option near the marina.

Insider tip: the daily catch is cheaper and fresher than the printed fish menu. Ask what came in that morning.

Afternoon: Beach or Cycling (14:30-18:00)

The town's beaches are mostly pebble and concrete platforms with clear water. Pinesta, about 3 km from the centre, is the most popular. It has pine shade, playgrounds, sports facilities and beach bars, which makes it the best option for families.

For active visitors, Istria has well-marked cycle routes. The Parenzana trail, a former narrow-gauge railway turned walking and cycling path, passes near Novigrad. A flat ride along the coast toward Poreč covers roughly 20 km one way.

Evening: Sunset on the Peninsula (18:00-21:00)

Return to the seafront promenade at the tip of the old town for sunset. The western exposure gives the best light in the area. Finish with dinner or drinks at the harbour. Evenings in summer are lively but quieter than Poreč or Rovinj.

02Day Two: Wine, Caves and Villages

Wine and Olive Oil Tasting

Novigrad is surrounded by vineyards. The Pervino Winery, about 3 km from town, offers Malvazija and Teran tastings. The Moreno Ivančić winery in Cittanova, 900 m from the centre, also sells olive oil. Tastings with food usually cost €15-40 per person. Book ahead in peak season.

Baredine Cave

Baredine Cave is about 15 km from Novigrad. Guided tours go underground to chambers with stalactites and a small lake. The cave stays cool all year, so bring a light jacket in summer.

Poreč

Poreč lies about 20 km south. Its main sight is the Euphrasian Basilica, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a straightforward half-day trip by car or bike.

Inland Istria

The hill towns of Grožnjan and Motovun are a short drive inland. Višnjan, known for its observatory, is also nearby and has little light pollution. The Mirna valley is known for truffles, and truffle hunting excursions start around €38 per adult.

Istralandia Aquapark

Istralandia is about 7 km from Novigrad. It has six pools and 15 types of slides. A day ticket costs roughly €35-40. It is the strongest option for families with children over 5, especially on hot days.

03Practical Information

How to Get to Novigrad

Pula Airport (PUY): about 75 km, around 1 hour by car.
Trieste Airport (TRS): about 90 km, around 1 hour 15 minutes.
From Poreč: about 20 km, 25 minutes by car.
Public transport: buses run along the coast, but a car gives far more flexibility for day two.

Parking

Parking near the Mandrač fills quickly from July to August. Expect around €2.50 per hour in peak season, with daily maximums around €25. Park farther out and walk in. The old town is small and the walk takes 5-10 minutes.

Best Time to Visit

May, June and September have warm water, open restaurants and fewer crowds. July and August are busiest, with swimming temperatures above 24°C. Many seasonal places close between November and March.

Daily Budget

A day trip with parking, a museum visit and a seafood lunch costs roughly €50-60 per person. Add €20-40 for a winery tasting or a cave tour on day two.

04Is Novigrad Worth a Night?

Yes. Most visitors treat it as a stopover, but the old town is at its best after day-trippers leave in the evening. One overnight stay is the minimum, and two nights work well if the plan includes a winery and Baredine Cave. Choose Novigrad over Poreč if the priority is a quiet, less commercial base.

05Local Tips

Walk the old town before 10:00 or after 18:00 in summer for the best light and the fewest people.
Bring cash for small beach bars and market stalls, though most restaurants accept cards.
Order Malvazija with seafood. It is the standard local white wine.
Book dinner a day ahead in July and August for the top-rated restaurants.
Visit the Lapidarium in the evening session in summer, when the old town is cooler.

Novigrad Itinerary 2027: One-Day and Two-Day Plan

Quick Answer