If you love exploring historic monuments and beautiful churches in Croatia, you’ll definitely enjoy visiting the UNESCO World Heritage site, the Basilica of Euphrasius. We had the chance to visit this stunning site during our summer stay near Poreč in the Istria province.

The Basilica is located in the pedestrian-friendly narrow streets of the old town, which is small enough to navigate easily. Poreč’s old town is surrounded by water on three sides, making it a delightful place to wander for a few hours. You can soak up the atmosphere, relax in small squares or bars, and indulge in gelato and souvenirs.

The Basilica of Euphrasius is famous for its beautifully decorated dome at the back of the church, adorned with golden mosaics depicting Christ, his apostles, saints, and Bishop Euphrasius, who built the church in the 6th century. The intricate stone arches along the sides of the church, each with unique motifs, are also a highlight. During summer evenings, the Basilica hosts classical concerts. We were lucky to hear a concert pianist rehearsing for an evening performance during our afternoon visit.

Within the Basilica complex, there are courtyards to explore and a bell tower to climb, though we didn’t have time to see them all as my kids were more interested in getting ice cream and heading back to the hotel pool. However, I did manage to check out the remains of the original mosaic floor near the entrance. Although the Basilica’s walls are now quite plain, they likely were once covered with frescos, fragments of which can still be seen.

After exploring the Basilica, take a walk around the perimeter of Poreč’s old town and its back streets. The coastal area of Croatia is known for its mix of rocky swimming spots and luxurious hotels with glossy yachts in the marina. The harbor offers plenty of boat trips, including to the clear waters of the Limski Kanal, an inlet famous for oyster farming where we enjoyed a fantastic seafood meal. On Sundays, there’s a flea market under the trees by the bus station, along with numerous souvenir stands around the harbor.

We thoroughly enjoyed our few days in Istria. There’s something for everyone, whether you’re into history like me or prefer eating gelato and swimming like my kids!