Croatia · 12 Sep 2026
Epic Rides
Buje / Istra
If you had only one day for Istria, where would you go?
We would go to Buje. By bike.
54 km
Distance
990 m
Elevation
50%
Off-Road
The Route
The Dossier
Buje is neither the largest nor the best-known town in Istria.
But it has what is increasingly rare to find — authenticity.
Hills, olive groves, wine, food, roads, forests and the sea.
Everything we love about Istria.
Epic Rides
Distance
54 km
Elevation
990 m
Off-Road
50%
Epic Rides — Short
Distance
39.9 km
Elevation
640 m
Off-Road
47%
The Buje area is full of beautiful roads, paths and trails. The only problem is — it's impossible to cover them all in one day.
So we chose what cannot be missed.
Parenzana and Grožnjan. Forest paths along the border. The abandoned village of Vrnjak. Momjan. Viewpoints toward the sea, Učka and Trieste. Long gravel descents and climbs just enough to remember them.
Fifty kilometres that will show you why people keep coming back to Istria.
The Atmosphere
Feel the Epic Rides
The Registry
Secure Your Place
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Registrations are closed.
The Field
Gallery
Epic Rides Partners
Destination Partners
Official Suppliers
The Destination
Buje
Everything that makes Istria — Istria
In an imaginary book titled "Why I Love Croatia", Istria would probably have one of the largest and most interesting chapters. Because "Krasna zemljo, Istro mila", as Istrians affectionately call it, manages to combine things that are hard to combine at first glance. Sea and forests. Towns and villages. Tradition and modern life. Excellent wines, olive oils, gastronomy, nature and history.
So let's imagine a simple situation. A friend who has never been to Istria asks you to show them as much as possible of what makes Istria special in just one day. Where would you take them?
Very likely right here. To Buje and the Buje area. An area that brings together almost everything people love about this part of Croatia on a relatively small space. Towns on hilltops. Vineyards and olive groves. Forests and fields. Stone villages full of life, but also those slowly being reclaimed by nature. Restaurants, taverns and osterias that take food and wine equally seriously. And the sea that is always somewhere nearby, even when you can't see it.
Buje is not the largest town in Istria. It's not the best known either. But that's exactly why it has something that is increasingly rare to find. A sense of authenticity.
Here, life still follows the rhythm of the seasons. The grape harvest. The olive harvest. The smell of earth after rain. Long summer evenings and views that stretch across the hills all the way to the sea.
Maybe that's exactly why the Buje area is one of the best places to explore by bike. Large enough to surprise you from kilometre to kilometre. Small enough to feel at home.
Accommodation
Recommended accommodation
Bella & Stella rooms
Accommodation in the very heart of Buje, on the main square. Rated 8.9/10 based on 137 reviews. Offers air-conditioned rooms with private bathroom, a family restaurant serving Croatian cuisine, a bar and a buffet breakfast with gluten-free options. Ideal for those who want to be right at the centre of the action.
L'Abbraccio della Quercia - Suites
Boutique accommodation in a peaceful setting between Buje and the sea. Rated 9.6/10 (exceptional) based on 111 reviews. Rooms with air conditioning, private bathroom, garden and terrace. Very good breakfast with local produce. Perfect for relaxing before and after the ride.
Winery Cuj Bed & Breakfast
Elegant 4-star B&B with its own winery in Vilanija, about 18 km from the start in Buje. Rated 9.8/10 (exceptional) based on 183 reviews. Comfortable air-conditioned rooms with garden views, terrace, sauna and hot tub. Exceptional breakfast with local produce. A top option for the full Istrian experience.
Sobe Sole
Family guesthouse in Juričani, about 15 km from the start in Buje, with a traditional restaurant (Mediterranean, seafood and Croatian cuisine). Rated 9.4/10 based on 190 reviews. Rooms with balcony or terrace, buffet breakfast with local specialities, free parking and bicycle storage.
Apartments Smile — Apt Francesca
Guest favourite listing (4.79/5, 52 reviews) in picturesque Grožnjan, about 15 km from the start in Buje. Ground-floor apartment with access to a large garden and a covered outdoor terrace with dining area. Cyclists have bike storage available overnight. Superhost Goran — guests highlight the exceptional hospitality.
Cozy studio in the heart of Buje
Studio apartment in the very heart of medieval hilltop Buje (4.66/5, 98 reviews). Traditional Istrian stone style, air conditioning, fully equipped kitchen, WiFi and self check-in. Located by the Parenzana cycling route — ideal for exploring the Buje area on two wheels.
Apartment Rosa Istria
A homestay in nature between Buje and Grožnjan, surrounded by a garden and terrace with mountain views. Rated 9.9/10 (exceptional) based on 18 reviews — guests highlight the host's exceptional hospitality and the peaceful setting in nature. Air-conditioned rooms with private bathroom, free WiFi and a fully equipped kitchen. Free on-site parking. A perfect escape into Istrian nature, yet close to the Epic Rides start.
Apartment sia
A spacious, recently renovated apartment with two bedrooms and two bathrooms, with a terrace and balcony overlooking the garden. Offers air conditioning, free WiFi, a fully equipped kitchen, washing machine, fireplace and free bicycles for exploring the surroundings. A quiet location in Plovanija, a perfect base for Epic Rides Buje.
Rooms Konoba Pjero
A guesthouse with a traditional konoba (tavern) and a seasonal outdoor pool, set in the quiet hamlet of Kremenje near Buje. Rated 9.0/10 (wonderful) based on 160 reviews — guests especially praise the pool, the homemade food at the konoba and the friendly staff. Air-conditioned family rooms with private bathroom, free WiFi and free parking. Bicycle storage available. Ideal for relaxing with Istrian cuisine before and after the ride.
Everything that makes Istria — Istria.
Buje is one of the best places to experience it.
