Town in Istria
Rovinj
- Best time to go
- May, June, Sept, Oct
- Part of
- Istria
Rovinj is a pastel-coloured fishing town on Istria's west coast, built on what was once an island.
Its old town rises in a tight cone of houses to the Church of St Euphemia, whose bell tower looks out over the harbour and a scatter of small islands. It is one of the most photogenic places in Croatia, with good restaurants, an artists' street and pine-shaded swimming right on the edge of town.
Things to do
Don't miss in Rovinj
- Climb up through the old town to the Church of St Euphemia, and up its bell tower for the view over the harbour and the islands.
- Wander up Grisia, the steep cobbled street lined with artists' studios and galleries.
- Walk or cycle the seafront path to the Golden Cape (Zlatni rt) forest park and swim from its rocks.
- Learn about the town's traditional wooden fishing boats at the Batana Eco-museum on the waterfront.
- Take a taxi boat to St Catherine's island or the Red Island (Crveni otok) for a quieter swim.
- Browse the morning market in Valdibora for Istrian olive oil, cheese and seasonal produce.
- Drive north to the Lim Bay, a long, narrow sea inlet known for its oysters and mussels.
Where to stay
Pick your neighbourhood
Old town
couples who want to step out into the lanes and the harbour; expect cobbles, steps and no cars at the door
Valdibora
apartments by the market and the north harbour, a few minutes' walk from the old town and easier for parking
Lone Bay and Monte Mulini
people who want a resort hotel near the Golden Cape forest park, with beaches and a seafront path into town
Borik and Amarin
families who want space, pools and quieter coves to the north, best with a car or bike
Tours and getting around
Day trips from Rovinj
Boat trips from Rovinj cruise the Lim Bay and the islands of the Rovinj archipelago, and sunset or dolphin-spotting trips leave from the harbour in summer. Inland, you can join truffle hunts and winery tours in central Istria, or visit Pula's Roman sites and Brijuni National Park for the day.
You won't need a car in Rovinj itself, but you will want one to explore the hill towns and wineries inland. Bikes are a good way to get around, with flat paths along the coast to the Golden Cape and beyond. A small rental boat lets you reach the islands and coves south of town on your own.
Getting there
How to get to Rovinj
Pula Airport (PUY) is about 40 km south, around 40 minutes by car, and Trieste and Ljubljana airports are both about two hours away. The Istrian Y motorway passes just inland of Rovinj, and the drive from Zagreb takes about three hours. Buses link Rovinj with Pula, Poreč and Zagreb. The old town is closed to traffic, so you leave the car in the paid car parks around its edge and walk in with your bags.