October the 19th, 2025 – The massive 200 million euro tourism investment in Poreč, the much anticipated Pical resort, is quickly gaining traction and promises to alter this Istrian city’s tourism potential forever.
As Jutarnji list writes, Tourism Minister Tonči Glavina recently visited the construction site of the luxurious future Pical Resort 5* in Poreč, an investment worth 200 million euros being implemented by Valamar Riviera. It is the largest project in Croatian tourism and one of the key examples of the transformation of the country’s various destinations towards sustainable, fair and year-round tourism.
Accompanied by Valamar CEO Željko Kukurin, the minister was briefed on the dynamics of the ongoing works and plans for completing this enormous project, which is scheduled to open in spring 2026.
The 200 million euro tourism investment in the Pical 5* hotel in Poreč brings a luxurious offer of 514 accommodation units, 3,000 square metres of indoor and outdoor family facilities, 11 restaurants and 10 bars with dine-around service, as well as the largest congress centre in all of Istria with a capacity of 1,200 participants.
Special attention has been paid to the collaboration with renowned chefs – the Harry’s Piccolo Poreč restaurant, created in collaboration with Italian chefs Matteo Metullio and Davide De Prà. Their coveted restaurant in Trieste just across the Adriatic in neighbouring Italy has two Michelin stars, and it will open in the very heart of the future hotel. The resort’s enviable fine dining offer will be complemented by Miramare by Fratelli Cerea, a concept of the famous Da Vittorio restaurant with three Michelin stars on the island of Sv. Nikola, and the long-awaited bistro JAZ by Ana Roš on the old Poreč waterfront.
The future resort will also house the first ESPA spa centre in all of Croatia, a luxurious wellness concept on an area spanning an impressive 1,300 square metres in total. In accordance with the stringent principles of sustainability, the hotel will also give priority to local food, ingredient and beverage producers, all with the goal of at least 80 percent of the ingredients coming from local production only.
This 200 million euro tourism investment in beautiful Poreč has otherwise been designed as an open space that integrates into the city, rather than closing in on itself. It is further enriched with promenades, bike paths, beaches, and recreational and sports facilities available to both locals and tourists throughout the entire year. An outdoor Olympic-sized 50-metre swimming pool with three swimming lanes and a view of the old town of Poreč is also being built on the site, also available to residents, children and athletes from local clubs. In addition to that, the hotel will also boast a 25-metre indoor pool, also open for training sessions by members of the Poreč City Sports Association.
This gigantic tourism project brings together a large number of Croatian construction and design companies, and according to the investors’ announcements, it will open thousands of new opportunities for small businesses across the Istrian Peninsula.
Speaking about the importance of the project, Tonči Glavina pointed out that such investments change the structure of Croatian tourism and create added value for local communities. He emphasised that “these investments are a strong driver for the local economy and a driver of the development of the entire community”. In his words, “through new jobs and through cooperation with local producers, such projects raise the overall quality of a given destination and directly contribute to sustainable and inclusive development. This is the kind of tourism we want – tourism that satisfies guests, as well as the local population who have to live here all year round”. The Minister added that “Croatia must build tourism in which both guests and hosts are successful”, congratulating Valamar and all those who work hard to contribute to the development of the country as a year-round destination.
Valamar CEO Željko Kukurin shares similar views, believing that the future Pical Resort represents a milestone in the development of Poreč. As he stated, “Pical marks a new chapter for Valamar and an important step forward in the repositioning of Poreč towards high-quality year-round tourism”, adding that “the Pical zone is being developed according to the highest possible standards of sustainable development, with special care for the local community”. According to him, the project will bring a number of new facilities to locals – from the Parenzana promenade and beautifully landscaped beaches to sport and recreational areas accessible to everyone. “I’m certain that Pical will become an example of sustainable tourism development that creates value for shareholders, employees, the destination and those who live in Poreč”, concluded Kukurin.
Works on the demanding site of the future Pical Resort are currently in their final stages and are progressing according to plan, with the hotel opening itself planned for spring 2026. The project already clearly stands out as the most significant Croatian investment in the hotel industry yet, and a possible model of sustainable development that connects tourism, the economy and the local community for others to follow.
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