Rovinj: The Coastal Gem on Croatia’s Adriatic Coast
Perched on the Istrian Peninsula, Rovinj (pronounced ro-veen) is the hidden gem of the Adriatic coastline. The picturesque town is filled with mediterranean charm; a fusion of quaint shops, family-run restaurants, and a vibrant waterfront. Not forgetting the cultural buzz. The old town alludes to medieval charisma, as you lose yourself to a maze of narrow, winding cobbled streets, centuries-old buildings and diverse architectural styles. From visiting, it’s clear why Rovinj should be a must visit holiday destination.
Read on to discover the enchanting region of Rovinj, including recommendations for Rovinj accommodation, activities, and our favourite places to eat. The ultimate guide to making the most of your Croatian holiday! Looking for food recommendations in Rovinj? Head to our blog on where to eat in Rovinj.
Why you should visit Rovinj
While most people are familiar with party destinations in Croatia, like Dubrovnik or Split, Rovinj often remains overlooked.
Home to 15,000 residents, Rovinj offers the perfect blend of a small-town feel and a captivating holiday destination. The pedestrianised old town is easily explored on foot, making cars unnecessary! Although, you can find bike and electric scooter rentals for convenient transportation.
Rovinj tourism has been on the rise, making this favourite destination not-so-hidden. To avoid crowds we recommend that the best time to visit Rovinj is out of the busy summer season, although, still except bustling streets even in the cooler months. We visited Rovinj at the beginning of June and safe to say restaurants were rammed with the narrow streets often crammed. It is packed for a good reason though, an accolade to the beauty of the location.
With temperatures in the early 20s, we found the weather varied with sun and quick moving cloud. We did have one or two rainy days, however, generally the weather was warm and dry, with slightly chilly evenings.
Wondering the best way to travel to Rovinj? We found the best way to visit was by flying into Pula, around a 40 minute drive away, which also seems to attract an influx of tourists yearly. Make sure to research bus timetables or book a transfer to the town as there are limited bus services at sporadic intervals.
the best places to stay in Rovinj
With a plethora of hotels and airbnbs scattered over Rovinj there is something for everyone. The Adriatic coast is home to modernist hotels with Croatian style architecture. The ideal place to stay in Rovinj is within the Old Town at a private apartment or one of the many boutique hotels. The town is also home to a family of hotels under the Maistra branding - who have made substantial investments in the area.
We stayed at the Grand Park Hotel, tucked about a 10 minute walk away from the central hub of Rovnj - although there is nothing hidden about this hotel. The luxurious hotel boasts a breathtaking design with 6 floors constructed in a seaward slope, offering 3 pools and 4 restaurants. Whilst being amazed by the city in every view, five 80 year old pine trees line the waterfront of the building. We definitely recommend the Grand Park Hotel if you are looking for a luxury hotel stay. Stay tuned for the full hotel review coming soon!
What to do in Rovinj
Contrary to expectations, Rovinj is far from a sleepy, dull town. While it may not have an abundance of traditional tourist attractions, the town offers plenty of adventures to keep you entertained throughout your stay.
📍St. Euphemia Church
A must-visit is the St. Euphemia Church. Dominating the skyline of Rovinj, the church is often known as the Basilica of St. Euphemia. If you fancy it, the viewpoint on the 62-metre-tall bell tower will provide you with a spectacular panoramic view (be warned the steps are narrow, but if you are a sucker for a view the 192 steps are well worth it, apparently!). Developed by the Venetians, the church bell tower forms a replica of St Marks Square. Whilst the imposing statue of St Euphemia on top of the tower can’t be missed, it rotates around its own axis in the direction of the wind, indicating the wind direction with its right hand. ⛪️💨 Pretty impressive, right?!
📍Rovinj Old Town
The old town of Rovinj, once built on an island but connected to the mainland in 1763, showcases a captivating blend of architecture and cultural heritage.
When exploring the enchanting cobbled streets, you'll find quaint boutique shops (try to haggle the prices, however don’t push your luck!), an abundance of independent ceramic and painting galleries, family-run restaurants, and charming waterfront bars.
You can spend hours getting lost down the various routes, wandering the streets with tall and narrow pastel-coloured houses, washing hanging over the streets and arched passages. Albeit the town has been commercialised, there is an authentic feel with a rich cultural heritage and locals going about their daily routine.
Make sure to also visit the market, selling fresh truffles, olive oil and fruit and veg. It’s a great spot for souvenirs, plus it’s open till late. The three most famous streets are Carrera, home to galleries and small shops, Bregovita Street and the famous Grisia Street — don't miss the Balbi Arch, the original city gate, at the base.
📍Grisia Street
Leading up to the Church of St Euphemia, you will find the Grisia Street, adorned with bespoke shops, quality handmade jewelry, ceramic galleries and Istrian souvenirs. The cascading steps leads up to the plateau of the parish church of St. Euphemia, making the street the backbone of Rovinj. The picturesquely cobbled street is also home to the Rovinj Heritage Museum’s one-day art competition exhibition organised here since 1967, where the street is transformed into an open-air art gallery.
Be warned, make sure to wear shoes with a good grip when visiting, as the ancient marble offers a slippery walkway and it may be best to avoid when raining.
📍Istrian Riviera Coastline
Rovinj is the perfect place for relaxation on the seaside region in the north of Croatia. Rovinj offers coastal landscapes with secluded spots for sunbathing, hidden coves and pebble beaches, making it a beloved destination for those looking for some zen in the sun. Crystal clear waters offer swimming and watersports, although we did spot a few jellyfish in the other-so tranquil waters.
📍Rovinj Marina
Adjacent to the Grand Park Hotel you will find the ACI Marina. Offering hundreds of boat berths, the Marina was opened by the Grand Park Hotel and serves as a starting point for walking or cycling along the waterfront. Make sure to walk along to Lone Hotel, Hotel Eden and Monte Millini also under the Maistra collection, the Lone Hotel has been the winner of many architectural awards and offers a sleek, cruise-like design.
Passing by Mullini Beach, Paradiso Beach, and other hotels under the Maistra collection, you can explore the scenic Golden Cape Park Forest where you will find areas to sunbath and hire paddle boards.
📍A trip to Italy
If you have enough time, there is always the option to visit Italy during your stay. It may sound crazy, but there is a reason why there are strong Italian influences in the region, with Italy as a close neighbour, only 60 miles away. The official language is in fact Croatian and Italian. You can visit Venice with a 3 hour ferry from Rovinj port, and there are options every day so it makes visiting easy to do, including through Adriatic Lines.
📍Local Boat trips and Dolphin Watching
If you would prefer a more local boat trip then there are also plenty of boats in Rovinj. From Rovinj Old Town you can jump on boats to the neighbouring islands - St Katharine and Red Island, where more of the Maistra hotels can be found.
St Katharine is a cashless island and offers the best view of Rovinj Old Town, with a quick 7 minute journey from Delfin Pier for a €9 round trip. You’ll find hidden deckchairs dotted around the island for a secluded beach experience, whilst Red Island featured a connecting beach between Red Island and the Island of Maskin, alongside the Astra Hotel.
We also went for the trips on sale by Delfin, offering a range of day trips. The 1 hour Island Tour “Panorama” offers the best view of the old town and the 9 islands of the surrounding area including the lighthouse, St John at Sea and the Franciscan Monastery Castle on St. Andrew's Island. At €15 it’s well worth it, especially on a sunny day, as you get to grips with the stunning island landscape and what’s on offer in around Rovinj.
We also found the Lim Fjord journey great value for money at €35 per head, lasting 4 hours and the option to buy super cheap drinks onboard from Bar Delfin. The menu offers a short coffee at €1.50, beer at €3 and wine at €2 per glass, or €10 for a litre, definitely the cheapest drinks of the holiday! The excursion focused on travelling up the natural channel of" “Lim Fjord”, with one of the largest fish and shell farms and a very quick stop off at the “Pirate Caves”, offering the best viewpoint of the Fjord.
Our least favourite Rovinj boat tour was sadly the Dolphin Sunset ride. Starting from 6pm onwards, we expected this to be a great way to see dolphins, however, we were a little disappointed as you find yourself chasing dolphins from miles away for a quick glimmer of a fin. The smaller boats also follow the dolphins, but they allow a closer and more intimate experience, yet still keeping a respectful distance to the pods. At €20 per head you can also get the mega cheap drinks in just before your evening meal!
We purchased tickets from besides the Maestral Restaurant at the Excursion Delfin desk. Taking cash and card, we found staff to to be helpful and boats were comfortable.
📍Events in Rovinj
Throughout the year Rovinj hosts various events, with music festivals, art exhibitions and local festivities filling the streets - enticing both locals and visitors. We went during the ‘Sun, Sea, Salsa’ festival experience and plenty of hotels were hosting events within their hotel grounds, whilst visitors also populated bars and nightclubs. So, if you are looking for a quieter holiday we suggest avoiding when this is on!
Where to eat in Rovinj
Menus are pretty similar all around Rovinj restaurants, with the typical menu of meat, fresh seafood, and an Italian influence with pizza and pasta often on offer. Following mediterranean flavours, the Croatian restaurants also pay homage to their fresh seafood delicacies, local olive oil and regional specialities, including truffles and homemade cheeses.
Visit our Rovinj Foodie blog for a full list of restaurant recommendations and places to avoid.
Make sure to also try their local Istrian wines and the local liquor. Unsure on what Croatian liquors to try? Our Rovinj Restaurant Guide also has info on the traditional plum liquor and the family owned liquor factory of Rovinj.
A snapshot of our favourite restaurants in Rovinj include:
Old Town Food & Drink RECOMMENDATIONs:
📍Restaurant Graciano - Panoramic Views of Rovinj Whilst Dining
📍L’amore Per Il Gelato - The Best Late Night Gelato Spot
📍Stella di Mare - A Bustling Family-Run Waterfront Restaurant
📍Restaurant Marina - Great Dining at the Rovinj Harbour
📍Revera - Tapas & Lounge - A Quaint Terrace Over the Water
📍Puntulina - A One Star Micheline Restaurant in Rovinj
📍Valentino - Cocktail and Champagne Bar - A Romantic Setting on the Rocks
Rovinj Resort District Food & Drink Recommendations:
📍Batimar - Island Hotel Katarina, Maistra Select - A Modern Snack Beach Bar
📍Katarina's Patisserie - Perfect For a Light Snack in the Rovinj Sun
📍Mulini Beach Bar - The Perfect Combination of Cocktails, Snacks and Sun Loungers
📍Viva Eufemia Lobby Bar - The Best Rovinj Sunset Bar
Rovinj offers the perfect escape with a picturesque coastal landscape, a charming old town and the perfect fusion of activities and relaxation. Strolling through its cobbled streets, you'll encounter the rich flavors of Istria, making it one of the most beautiful Croatian towns to explore. Hands down would recommend a holiday to Rovinj!