I usually don’t go back to places I’ve already been to. However, for Rovinj in Croatia, I made an exception to this rule. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more beautiful seaside town than this. Rovinj is amazing with its charming old town, beautiful views, picturesque sunsets, and crystal clear sea. This place is special and full of magic. There are also many nice things to do in Rovinj.
Rovinj, one of the most beautiful coastal towns in Croatia
I have already written about Rovinj on the blog: Rovinj, one of the best cities to visit in Croatia. However, this time I would like to tell you about the best things to do in Rovinj, Croatia and give you some tips that may help you organize your trip. I also took some new aerial photos, thanks to which I can show you the town from a different perspective. I hope you like it.
Where is Rovinj, Croatia and how to get there?
The best views of Rovinj can be seen from the bell tower of St. Euphemia Church
Rovinj is a coastal town located in the western part of the Istrian peninsula, northern Croatia. The nearest airport is in Pula, 38 km south of Rovinj. Other airports are located in Trieste (107 km), Rijeka (124 km), Ljubljana (188 km) and Zagreb (250 km). You can also get to Rovinj by ferry boat from Venice (256 km), which runs during the season from May to September.
You can get to Rovinj from Pula Airport by bus, which goes several times a day. The journey takes about 50 minutes. You can also take a taxi or rent a car.
Top 10 best things to do in Rovinj, Croatia
Rovinj, with a population of only 13.5 thousand people, is a small coastal town. However, there are a lot of cool things to do here. Both if you like to lie on the beach, drink wine and taste the local cuisine or are passionate about history and sightseeing, you will definitely spend a nice time here. What are the best things to do in Rovinj, Croatia?
The port and the old town of Rovinj, Croatia
1. Take a walk around the old town of Rovinj.
Romantic narrow streets in Rovinj, Croatia
Carera Street in Rovinj is a place with some nice boutiques
Not everyone knows that Rovinj was once an island that was later connected to the mainland. Thanks to this, the old town is beautifully situated on a peninsula surrounded by the sea. There are many winding, cobbled streets with art galleries, shops, and atmospheric restaurants. The main street of the old town is Grisia, which will lead you to the hilltop church of St. Euphemia. When you explore Rovinj, take your time and leave the map. Some of the best places can’t be found without getting lost.
The best way to explore the old town of Rovinj is to get lost in the maze of narrow streets
Vladimira Švalbe Street in the old town of Rovinj, Croatia
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2. Get on the tower of St. Euphemia’s Church.
The Church of St. Euphemia in Rovinj, Croatia
If you want to see the panorama of Rovinj, go to the bell tower of St. Euphemia Church. There is an amazing view of the city, archipelago islands and boats sailing between them. They say that if the weather is good you can even see the Alps from here!
3. Relax on the beach in Zlatni Rt Forest Park.
Lone bay in the Zlatni Rt Forest Park, Rovinj, Croatia
If you are tired of sightseeing, take your time and relax on the beach in the Zlatni Rt Forest Park. It’s a beautiful green area with coastal paths, Mediterranean vegetation and a charming view of the Rovinj peninsula. There are many nice beaches here. The most popular are Mulini Beach and Lone bay. If you are looking for a quieter place, you can go for a walk along the seashore to Cuvi Beach.
4. Watch the epic sunsets in Rovinj.
In Rovinj, you can watch some of the most beautiful sunsets in Croatia
Rovinj is a place where you can watch some of the most beautiful sunsets in Croatia. The best place to watch the sunsets in Rovinj is its southern or northern port. A magnificent view of the city and surrounding islands can also be admired from the top of the hill where the Church of St. Euphemia is located.
5. Dine in one of the romantic restaurants.
There are many romantic restaurants and lovely drink bars in Rovinj
The old town of Rovinj is full of romantic restaurants where you can eat fish, seafood and other local specialties or just have a drink while looking at the sea. If you would like to eat something good on a budget, I recommend Da Sergio pizzeria on Grisia Street. I ate here the best pizza ever!
6. Try truffles and other local specialties.
Truffles are something you must try while in Rovinj
Istria is known for its truffles and trying them is one of the best things to do in Rovinj. Getting to know local flavors is always a good idea whether you visit a restaurant to eat a gourmet dish or simply go to a bazaar. In addition to truffles, it is also worth trying wild asparagus, Istrian pasta fuži, and Saint-Jacques Shells. When in Istria, don’t forget to buy olive oil and drink the local wines: Teran, Malvazija and Muškat žuti.
7. Explore the islands of Rovinj Archipelago.
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Rovinj Archipelago consists of about twenty islands, islets, and reefs. The largest ones are the islands of St. Catherine, St. Andrew and St. Ivan na Pučini. They served as monastery centers throughout the centuries and today they are popular tourist and nautical destinations.
8. See the Lim Canal, a marine reserve that looks like a fjord.
If you like nature and beautiful landscapes, one of the best things to do in Rovinj is to see the Lim Canal, a 12 km long bay with a status of protected landscape. It is located 20 minutes drive from Rovinj however you can also get there by boat, which is even more fun. Lim Bay is famous for the cultivation of shellfish. Be sure to try them while there!
9. Rent a bike and explore the Rovinj coast on two wheels.
The old town of Rovinj is full of beautiful nooks and crannies
Exploring Rovinj by bike is always a good idea
If you like to ride a bike, Istria is the perfect place to do it. Along the coast of Rovinj, there are very nice bike paths that lead through the green areas of the Zlatni Rt Forest Park. The terrain is flat and has no high elevations, and cycling while looking at the sea is a real pleasure.
10. Explore the charming towns and natural areas of Istria.
Cape Kamenjak, a beautiful place at the very end of Istria
Being in Rovinj it is worth going on one-day trips to Pula and towns in the interior like Motovun, Buzet, Buje, Grožnjan. It is also worth visiting the coastal towns of Poreč, Vrsar, Umag, and Novigrad. If you have enough time, you can also go to the beautiful town of Piran in Slovenia. The Brijuni Islands are also nice to see. One of them has the shape of a fish and its aerial photo can often be seen in tourist folders about Croatia.
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However, if you asked me what I liked best, I think it was Kamenjak National Park at the very end of Istria. There are picturesque landscapes and many beautiful beaches. I had also a nice time walking around the stone town of Bale-Valle, which is a hidden Istrian treasure and watching murals in the street art town of Vodnjan.
When to visit Rovinj, Croatia?
If you would ask me what is the best time to visit Rovinj, Croatia I think it is at the beginning of May when everything is blooming and it is not too hot for sightseeing. September and October are also very nice months. However, the truth is that no matter what time of year you visit Rovinj, it’s always beautiful here.
The Rovinj peninsula looks magical at sunset
Rovinj – where to stay?
Which part of Rovinj is the best to stay? If you travel without a car, I would suggest booking accommodation on the peninsula, in the old town, because there you will really feel the atmosphere of Rovinj.
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A very nice place is also a fragment of the coast between the old town and the Zlatni Rt Forest Park where luxury hotels are located. No wonder, because it’s close to the city, close to the best beaches and with a great view of the peninsula.
The interesting fact is that Rovinj was once an island that was later connected to the mainland
However, if you are looking for something on a budget, I would advise you to book a private apartment as close to the old city as possible. If the proximity of beaches is important for you, you should look for something near the Zlatni Rt Forest Park. The places I stayed in Rovinj were Villa Rosa and Villa Mattossi. I traveled by car and both accommodations met my expectations.
Rovinj – how many days?
How many days is best to stay in Rovinj? It all depends on what you want to explore. Do you want to go on a city break to Rovinj or do you also plan one-day trips to some other places in Istria? If you would like to focus on Rovinj, I think 3-4 days will be ok. If you want to see something more, you should stay at least one week.
The old town of Rovinj is beautiful at any time of the day
In Rovinj, there are many lovely pedestrian streets
The southern port of Rovinj, Croatia
How expensive is Rovinj?
Rovinj is not the cheapest city in Croatia but it is still not as expensive here as in Dubrovnik or on Korčula. In the low season, you can find cheap accommodation in a good standard as well as eat out at a reasonable price.
Carera, the pedestrian street in Rovinj with cool shops and boutiques
Which is better – Rovinj or Pula?
Many people ask whether it is better to stay in Rovinj or in Pula. Everyone likes something different, but I think Rovinj is a much nicer city than Pula. It is beautifully located on the peninsula, has a charming old town, beaches, wonderful green areas. This is just my personal opinion, but despite the fact that Pula is also an interesting city, I would prefer to stay in Rovinj.
Rovinj is a must-visit town in Croatia
I hope you enjoy your stay and my list of 10 best things to do in Rovinj, Croatia will be helpful for you. If you want to see more of my photos, follow me on Instagram or Facebook. Check also the previous post: Rovinj, one of the best city to visit in Croatia.
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Ok, I’m sold. I need to go to Rovinj Croatia. What beautiful photos! Rovinj seems like the quintessential central european town steeped in amazing history. I’d love to walk around, eat and explore. One day!
Rovinj is a Croatian town with Italian vibes, so it’s really special. If only you have the opportunity to visit this place, go there. You won’t regret it because it’s really beautiful. 🙂
Beautiful, scenic and very walkable town. But the shore of Zlatni Rt Forest Park is the one that caught our attention. Just check out those magnificent shallow reefs! As scuba divers, we are drawn to places like these. Do they have scuba outfitters there?
Zlatni Rt Forest Park is a great place! True, the sea around is shallow and very clean. I saw there are several diving centers in Rovinj. 🙂
Rovinj looks so pretty! It’s been a few year since I was in Croatia, and I’d not heard about this place before reading this post. You’ve listed some lovely things to do while here. It seems another visit is in order soon.
In my country, they say that you go to Croatia once … And then you come back here again and again! There are many interesting towns to see here, Rovinj is one of the most beautiful in my opinion. If you have the opportunity, I advise you to come back and visit this amazing place!
First of all I have to say that your photos of Rovinj are absolutely amazing especially the aerial photos.
So I have been telling Darcee that Croatia is a definitely bucket list destination and the more I read and learn about it, the more I cant wait to go. I had never even heard of Rovinj but what a beautiful place.
How on earth did they connect the former island to transform it into a peninsula? So interesting that humans can do such things. I think of all the things to do in Rovinj Croatia, we would love just wandering the amazing old streets and then visiting St. Euphemia Church. I bet the views from the top or the church are great too!
Rovinj is the perfect place to take aerial photos, I must say. I am still looking for places like this and there are not many of them. Wandering the streets of the old city is always a good idea. Believe me, you discover something new every time. And these views, atmosphere! Indescribable.
Wow, this is interesting! Thank you for the detailed information about Rovinj. I learned alot from this blog.
You’re welcome. I am glad that you enjoyed my blog post.
First time hearing about Rovinj. It would have been a pleasure to ride a bike with beautiful views of the sea and through a green forest. Rovinj Archipelago seems very adventurous with so many islands and reefs. I love the aerial photos captured from the Drone that gives a perfect scenic view of a place.
This place is unique and taking aerial photos there was a pleasure. I am surprised that so few people have heard of Rovinj. Dubrovnik is clearly much more popular.
Your pictures are absolutely incredible! How did you take the aerial shots – did you use a drone or go on a helicopter tour. I’ve always wanted to visit Croatia – specifically Dubrovnik for the Game of Thrones association – but this place is stunning, and I’ve got to say, I’m actually way more intrigued by it now. Lovely post.
Emma | https://geekytourist.com
I visited both Rovinj and Dubrovnik and I must say that both these towns are equally worth seeing. Each of them is different and wonderful.
The bell tower of Saint Euphemia Church in Rovinj looks beautiful. Climbing on top of it and seeing the city would truly be a great experience. I am an ardent fan of shellfish. Rovinj and especially the Lim Bay, is now added to my bucket list.
I also like shellfish and seafood in general. Croatia is a great place to try it. I also recommend visiting the Peljesac peninsula in the south of the country where there are mussel farms.
Glad to know that Rovinj is the cheapest place in Croatia and there’re so many amazing things to explore. Your pictures speak for itself how splendid it is! My favorite is that Rovinj peninsula breathtaking sunset shot. It looks so magical!
Rovinj is not the cheapest place in Croatia. However, it is still a little more affordable than Dubrovnik or Korcula.
Omg!! What an amazing post but I have to say the pictures were AMAZING. I especially loved the one from the bell tower of St. Euphemia Church, it has to be the best picture. I loved Rovinj, back when we visited it but we would love to visit it again. Back when we visited the place, we had no idea that renting bikes is so easily accessible.
Istria is a great place to ride a bike in general. There are many interesting, scenic routes.
You have taken incredible photos of Rovinj and your first aerial shot of this place has won me over. This place is really beautiful with rustic streets and beautiful water. The southern port of Rovinj is truly stunning with those colorful houses. Carera really looks cool place to stroll around and check some shops and boutiques.
I’m glad you like my photos from Rovinj. This place is amazing, I would love to go there again.
I have travelled to 45 countries but never made it to Croatia! But glad to say your post may have inspired me to visit. Hopefully in the next summer 🙂 like your pictures too!
Well, it might well leave Croatia for dessert. Once you go there, nothing tastes the same. For me, it is the most beautiful country in Europe.
Wow, I was actually in this region not so long ago and thought about whether it was worth heading on over to Rovink, and I realize now that I made a big mistake in not going haha!
I’ve added it to my bucket-list, that is for absolute sure. I’m a big sucker for the small, compact seaside towns!
For me, Rovinj is the most beautiful town in Istria. If you have the opportunity, come back and visit it. You will not regret it.
I am already in love with rustic streets and blue water. The sunset in Rovinj is truly stunning. I would love to stroll around and check some shops and eat at some romantic restaurants. The photos of Rovinj are amazing. I am also amazed by the aerial shot of Rovinj.
I am also happy with these aerial photos and I am glad that I visited Rovinj a second time to take some shots from above. It looks amazing from this perspective.
Ok, wow. I can totally see why you’d go back to Rovinj more than once. I haven’t been to Venice yet, but I’ve heard mixed reviews, mainly because it’s so touristy. I would happily spend a few days there to give it a chance and then take the ferry over to Croatia. I’d love to see all the beautiful red rooftops from St. Euphemia Church’s tower, and I can only imagine how beautiful the sunsets would be over the water!
I also heard different opinions about Venice but I would like to see this city one day. Taking the ferry to Rovinj is a great idea, you won’t regret it.
Great article! I loved visiting Rovinj. My husband and I stayed in Pula but regretted not staying in Rovinj. Such a hidden gem!!
Thank you, Sarah. Pula is also nice, but you are right, Rovinj is a true gem. I suggest you stay there for a week at least. It’s worth it!
Your photographs are amazing especially the shots captured from above. Rovinj looks like such a pretty and delightful town. Croatia is such a beautiful place with so many scenic places.