This nearly two-thousand-year-old city is nestled in a harbor protected by the island of Sveti Nikola. According to the 2011 census, the city proper has a population of 9,790, with most residents living in the suburbs. The wider Poreč area has a total of 16,696 inhabitants. Poreč includes three islands or islets classified as small, occasionally inhabited or uninhabited: Altijež, Regata, Sveti Nikola, and six smaller marine formations.

The Poreč region, or Poreština, spans 142 square kilometers, with a 37-kilometer-long coastline stretching from the Mirna River near Novigrad in the north to Funtana and Vrsar in the south. Besides Poreč, the region includes the municipalities of Funtana, Kaštelir-Labinci, Sveti Lovreč, Tar-Vabriga, Višnjan, Vrsar, and Vižinada.

Poreč enjoys a mild climate, with hot summers and mild winters. The hottest month is August, with an average temperature of 30 °C, while January is the coldest, averaging 5 °C. The city has more than 3,850 hours of sunshine annually, with sea temperatures reaching up to 28 °C. The average annual rainfall is 920 mm, evenly distributed throughout the year. The region experiences winds like the cold bura from the north, the warm and rainy jugo from the south, and the maestral, a summer breeze blowing from the sea to the land.

Nearby attractions include the Baredine Cave, the only open geological monument in Istria, and the Limski Canal, a fjord-like bay extending 12 kilometers inland, formed by the Pazinčica River. The landscape is rich in Mediterranean vegetation, pine forests, and green maquis. The soil is fertile, ideal for agriculture (grains, orchards, olive groves, vegetable gardens). Today, organic food production, olives, grapes, and high-quality wines like Malvazija, Borgonja, Merlot, Pinot, and Teran are important to the local economy. Poreč is the second-largest city in Istria in terms of population, mainly comprising Croatians, with significant Italian, Slovenian, Albanian, and Serbian minorities. The 2021 census recorded a slight decrease in population to 16,666, with 8,899 living in the city itself, a 10% decrease from 2011.

Historically, Poreč has been inhabited since prehistoric times. During the 2nd century BC, a Roman castrum was built on a small peninsula, now the site of the old city center. In the 1st century, under Emperor Augustus, it was officially declared a city and included in the Roman colony Colonia Iulia Parentium. In the 3rd century, Poreč had an organized Christian community and an early Christian church complex. The Christian community nearly vanished during the reign of Emperor Diocletian when the Poreč martyrs, St. Mauro and St. Eleuterius, were killed.

Throughout its history, Poreč fell under various rulers after the fall of the Roman Empire. It was held by the Ostrogoths, then ruled by the Byzantine Empire. During Byzantine rule, Bishop Euphrasius renovated the existing dual basilica, modeling it after the basilicas in Ravenna, adorned with golden mosaics. In 599, Slavs were first mentioned in the region, leading to their settlement around 620. The Treaty of Aachen in 812 officially incorporated Istria, including Poreč, into the Frankish Empire, though this had effectively happened in 788. The city experienced various rulers over the centuries, including the Venetian Republic, and underwent economic and cultural developments, especially during the 19th century with the introduction of the Poreč – Trieste railway line, known as Parenzana, and the rise of tourism.

After World War I, Poreč came under Italian rule, followed by significant bombing and damage during World War II. In 1947, it became part of Yugoslavia and later Croatia in 1991. Today, Poreč's economy mainly relies on tourism, with a well-developed tourist infrastructure along its 37-kilometer coast. The city hosts numerous sports and cultural events and is well-connected by road, with the nearest commercial airport in Pula. Notable attractions include the Euphrasian Basilica, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and numerous historical and cultural landmarks.

The city also has a rich cultural life, with events like the Poreč Dolphin swimming marathon and the Rally Poreč, among others. The city’s streets and architecture still reflect its Roman and Venetian heritage, making it a significant historical and tourist destination in Croatia.