Dear travelers,
Where We Stayed: Hotel Delfin in Lanterna
One thing that’s important to know is that we didn’t actually stay in Poreč’s old town.
Instead, we booked Hotel Delfin Lanterna, located in Lanterna, about a 15-minute drive north of Poreč.
And honestly? I think that’s one of the reasons this trip felt so different.
The hotel itself is fairly simple but had everything we needed for a relaxing weekend:
- Breakfast included
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Spacious rooms
- Plenty of parking
- Quiet surroundings
One thing to note is that the hotel doesn’t have a direct sea view. However, the real highlight wasn’t the hotel.
It was what was waiting just a few minutes away.
Lanterna Beach: The Place That Completely Won Me Over
If there’s one place from this trip that I’ll remember the most, it’s Lanterna Beach.
I genuinely wasn’t expecting much. But the first time we walked down to the water, I immediately understood why so many people keep coming back here every summer.
The sandy beach sits inside a beautiful bay overlooking Novigrad, creating one of those peaceful Adriatic views that instantly makes you slow down.
A Slow Summer Day at Puro Beach Club
The next morning was probably the day I had been looking forward to the most. I’d been seeing photos of Puro Beach Club everywhere.
Beautiful white sunbeds. A stylish pool. Sea views. Cocktails.
It almost looked too perfect.
Luckily, it lived up to the photos.
Located within the newly opened Pical Hotel, Puro Beach Club feels modern without trying too hard. It’s elegant but still relaxed, making it the kind of place where you can comfortably spend an entire day without ever checking the time.
There are several types of sunbeds available depending on the experience you’re looking for.
A few things to know before you go:
- Reserve your sunbed in advance.
- Prices start from €60 per sunbed.
- During our visit, the amount could be used toward food and drinks.
- Towels are included.
The cocktails were excellent, the food was fresh, and the atmosphere stayed relaxed throughout the afternoon.
One drink becomes two. Lunch somehow turns into sunset.
And suddenly you’ve spent an entire day doing absolutely nothing which is sometimes exactly what a holiday should be.
Before you leave the Pical Hotel, don’t miss its rooftop bar. Honestly, it might have one of the best views in Poreč. With an infinity pool overlooking the Adriatic, stylish seating, and a cocktail menu that’s perfect for a golden hour drink, it’s worth stopping by even if you’re not staying at the hotel.
We ended our visit here with a cocktail in hand, and it felt like the perfect way to wrap up a summer day.
If you’re already spending the day at Puro Beach Club, definitely make time for the rooftop before heading back. It’s one of those spots that makes you want to linger just a little longer.
Lunch at Villa Romana Beach Lounge & Restaurant
Eventually, hunger won. We had lunch at Villa Romana Beach Lounge & Restaurant.
It’s somewhere between a restaurant and a beach lounge.
There are comfortable sofas, tables overlooking the sea, cocktails, and that relaxed atmosphere that makes you want to order dessert even when you’re already full.
This isn’t somewhere you rush through lunch.
It’s somewhere you stay.
Beach Parties at D’Or Beach Club
Every destination has two sides. The peaceful one.
And the one that comes alive after lunch.
For Poreč, that’s D’Or Beach Club.
Compared to Puro, the atmosphere couldn’t be more different.
Weekends here are lively. DJs play throughout the day.
Dancers entertain the crowd. Groups celebrate birthdays.
Champagne bottles appear almost everywhere you look.
If you’re planning to visit, it’s worth reserving your table or sunbeds ahead of time, especially on weekends.
Some of the premium tables operate with bottle service or a minimum spend, so it’s worth checking the details before you go.
If your perfect beach day includes dancing barefoot by the sea, this is definitely the place for you.
Practical Tips for Visiting Poreč
Before you go, here are a few things I’d recommend:
Reserve beach clubs early
Both Puro Beach Club and D’Or Beach Club are especially popular during weekends.
Bring water shoes
Most beaches around Poreč are rocky or pebbled.
Stay a little outside the old town
If your goal is a relaxing beach holiday, Lanterna is a fantastic alternative to staying in the city center.
Mix beach clubs with natural beaches
One of my favorite parts of this weekend was experiencing both.
Is Poreč Worth Visiting?
If you had asked me this question a few months ago, my answer probably wouldn’t have been very enthusiastic.
Now?
I’d happily recommend it.
Not because it suddenly became my favorite Croatian town.
But because I finally experienced the version of Poreč that suits me.
The one with peaceful bays, beach clubs that each have their own personality, long lunches by the sea, and afternoons where the only real decision is whether to swim one more time or order another cocktail.
Sometimes a destination doesn’t need to change.
Sometimes we just need to experience it differently.
And that’s exactly what happened to me in Poreč.
So if you’ve been overlooking this part of Istria like I did for years, maybe it’s time to give it another chance.
Who knows?
It might surprise you too.
Truly yours,
The Creation of Us
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