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Porec with a wheelchair

Ask this member a question. mymsman Wheelchair pusher
15 May 2007
5.0 of 5 stars based on 5 votes
Places to go around Porec for the less mobile
  • Explore locations featured in this Traveler List: Porec, Pula, Rovinj, Groznjan, Venice
  • Category: Perfect week or more
  • Traveler type: Sightseeing, Never been before, Repeat visitors
  • Appeals to: Couples/romantics, Honeymooners, Seniors, Budget travellers , Tourists
  • Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall
  • Tags: Wheelchair, disabled
1. Hotel Fortuna
Fortuna Island Hotel, Porec, Istria
Check Rates ABS:HotelCheckRates-d310439?src=GoListDetail&fromServlet=GoListDetail&Action=QC_Button
Ave price: $172
A great hotel
We had a great holiday in Porec at the beginning of May.

We had not booked the sea view room but were given one anyway and then because we had the wheelchair the management upgraded us to a triple room with separate living room so we really lucked out. :)

Access to the island on the normal boat 'Riviera' with chair is no problem, a small step up or down depending on tide but on the weekend they used a smaller boat 'Regata' which was much of a challenge - several steps down into the boat.

The ramp up to the hotel is quite steep but manageable as it the path around the island (easiest anti-clockwise). On the mainland Porec is easy to get around and the path to Zelena Laguna is accessible all the way (8+ km) but we couldn't get on to the boat back.

In the hotel the only problem was that we needed to remove the foot rests from the chair to get in the lift. Access to the Hotel pool is only via a light of about 10 steps.

Hotel staff are friendly and helpful.
2. Porec Old Town
Porec Old Town, Porec, Istria
The old town of Porec is pretty easy to get around in a wheelchair.
The cobbles in the main street, Decamanus, are relatively smooth with a few bumpier patches.

The Basilica has a steep ramp down one flight of steps but no ramps on shorter flights of steps, it would only take a carpenter an hour to make the whole place easily accessible!

South of the town there are 8km of wheelchair accessible paths to Zelena Laguna but don't be misled (as we were) by the cycle path/noddy train heading up the hill - the footpath stays at sea level.
3. Pula
Pula, Istria
Pula airport does not have an ambulift so you need to face the stairs either under own power or carried in chair ;-(
4. The Arena in Pula
The Arena in Pula, Pula, Istria
The Roman amphitheater is wheelchair accessible, just ask at the ticket office and they will open a side gate. It should also be possible to get a chair in to the exhibition under the arena but we didn't bother. We found a parking space right by the entrance.

Pula old town has no grout between the cobbles which makes for a very rough surface.
5. Rovinj
Rovinj, Istria
Rovinj old town is built on a deceptively steep hill with quite rough cobbled streets.
My wife made it to the church at the top walking behind her wheelchair.
6. Groznjan
Groznjan, Croatia
Groznjan is a pretty hill top village that is home to an artists colony and there are a load of studios with some very nice items reasonably priced. It is visited by coach tours but none was is town while we were there which was pleasant.

The cobbled surface was very rough so it was lucky my wife could get around on foot using the chair for support.

We passed Motovun on the way which is another dramatic hilltop town but we didn't stop.
7. Venice
Venice
It is about 30 years since my wife and I had been to Venice when no wheelchair was needed. Venice is not a wheelchair friendly city! It may be flat but all of those canal bridges with steps :(

And the crowds were incredible - St Marks was almost solid with people.
Supposedly there is a wheelchair ramp into the church through the exit but we couldn't get a guard to open it for us so gave up.

The Vaporreto water buses are easy to get on and are free for disabled and only 1€ for carer so a great way to get around but very crowded
Explore locations featured in this Traveler List: Porec, Pula, Rovinj, Groznjan, Venice