Rovinj, Croatia

Rovinj is, according to many, the nicest town in Istria. The old town is situated by the sea, at the hilltop, with the tower to St. Euphemia Church marking its highest point.

Rovinj is very picturesque town. It is considered one of the most photogenic places. Its colorful houses are rising from the sea. Its steep pedestrian streets are full of art galleries and lively bars and restaurants. Its harbor is busy with small pleasure and fishing boats.

Rovinj is one of those towns where you never feel bored. Its beauty is just so inspiring, it makes you feel good just to walk Rovinj narrow cobbled streets up and down.

Rovinj (Rovigno)

What to do in Rovinj

Explore Rovinj
Rovinj is extremely charming and romantic town. Its narrow cobbled streets are full of treasures at each turn. Head up to the cathedral, enjoy venetian style architecture and excellent atmosphere of this enchanting town. Climb up the cathedral tower for the magnificent views. There are lots of quaint little shops, art shop displays and jewelry shops. Sit in one of many restaurants and bars and enjoy watching the world go by.

Lovely Shop in Rovinj

Visit St. Catherine’s and St. Andrew’s Islands
St. Catherine and St. Andrew islands (red island) are just off the coast of Rovinj. St. Catherine island is smaller of the two, and it is closer to the shore. It takes only 5 min boat ride to reach it. The boat runs every half an hour in high season. St. Catherine island has over 450 different plants. Beaches are mostly rocky. The only hotel hotel on the island is Hotel Katarina. Hotel Katarina is located in a beautiful park and its style is of the old mansion. It offers beautiful views over Rovinj old town.

St. Andrew island is the biggest island in Rovinj Archipelago. It is also the furthest one. It takes 15 minutes boat ride to reach it. Also known as Red Island, it actually consists of two islets: bigger one St. Andrews and a smaller islet Maskin. The two are connected with a causeway. Maskin island used to be a naturist site, but not anymore. On St. Andrews Island, there is a small nautical museum. There are over 180 different plants. There is only one hotel on Red Island. Hotel Istra is a beautiful 4* hotel featuring 326 rooms in the main building and 32 large suites in adjacent building.

Visit to Red Island and St. Catherine’s Island is a great day trip during your stay in Rovinj.

Cearmic Shop in Rovinj

Cycling
Cycling while in Rovinj can be a great activity. Istria in general is a great cycling destination. In Rovinj there are three marked cycling trails for recreational cyclists. All three cycling trails offer interesting natural and cultural sites along the way. Each trail is circular and is marked with a different color: red for Vistrum trail, yellow for Rubinum trail and blue for Limes trail. Each trail is approx, 25 km long.

Interesting Art Atelier

Visit Batana Museum
Batana is a traditional Rovinj boat. It is so much part of Rovinj’s history and its people, that few years ago they open a museum dedicated to this traditional boat. The museum is relatively small, but it is certainly wort a visit.

Visit ruins
Visit archeological site of Monkodonjo while staying in Rovinj. The site dates back to the bronze age. It is situated 5 km east off Rovinj. The settlement was encircled by 1 km long stone walls. It consisted of the three parts: the central barrow, the crafts district and the living quarters. Over thousand people lived here. Today you can visit ruins of this once important settlement.

Rovinj Harbour

Go bird watching
Palud, a swampy area 10 km away from Rovinj, is the only ornithological site in Istria. Due to its geomorphological characteristics is a home to many migratory and resident birds, turtles, eels, mullets, etc. There is a professional guide onsite.

Events in Rovinj

Avant-garde Jazz Festival
Avant-garde Jazz Festival is annual Jazz event taking place in Rovinj every summer (june – july). The first avant-garde jazz festival was held back in 2011. The concerts take place mostly at former Rovinj Tobacco Factory.

Spring Break Festival
Actually there are two Spring Break Festivals taking place in Rovinj. One is in late April, early May, and it is organized by Slovenian agency Collegium for Slovenian students. Another one takes place in May and it is intended for Austrian students. Both spring break festivals take place in Holiday Resort Amarin just few km off the town of Rovinj. Both festivals offer electronic music and parties 24 h a day for four days. Each of them host more than 2000 students. Avoid if you look for a relaxing holiday.

Rovinj Photo days
Rovinj Photo Days is actually Photography Festival Finale. The event takes place all year around at different venues and featuring variety of activities, and its finale is held in Rovinj. The festival offers a friendly atmosphere, various indoors and outdoors exhibitions (many free entries), participation in award photo routes, and many reasons to come and mingle with photography lovers from the entire region.

Adris RC44 Cup
RC44 Cup is a world sailing tour consisting of 6 REGATA at 6 different world locations. One of the location is Rovinj. Adris RC44 takes place in October. There are 8 participating teams. Each team consists of 8 crew members, 50:50 spkit between professionals and amateurs. All the boats are the same, co-designed by four-time America’s Cup winner Russell Coutts with naval architect Andrej Justin. Beside amazing race, beautiful racing yachts, there are tons of happenings in Rovinj. After-parties are held in a new, hip, design hotel Lone.

Where to stay in Rovinj

Hotel Monte Mulini
Hotel Monte Mulini is a five-star luxury hotel in Rovinj. Hotel Monte Mulini features 113 rooms and suites, fine dining restaurants Meditteraneo & Wine Vault, beautiful SPA & Wellness Center, indoor & outdoor infinity pool. All rooms feature balcony overlooking a bay. Hotel Monte Mulini is best suited for couples.

Hotel Monte Mulini Lobby Bar

Hotel Lone
Hotel Lone is a five-star design hotel in Rovinj. Hotel Lone features 248 rooms and suites, 3 restaurants, 3 bars, and a night club, large spa and wellness center, conference rooms. The Jazz rooms feature its own whirlpool on the balcony. The hotel is best suited for young and young families.

Hotel Park
Hotel Park is a three-star hotel offering perhaps the best view of the old town Rovinj. This hotel probably offers the best value for money. Its location is unbeatable, by the sea and close to the town. The hotel is best suited for couples.

Hotel Istra
Hotel Istra is a large hotel, located on St. Andrews Island. It is 15 minutes boat ride from the shore. It features 326 rooms and suites in the main building and 32 suites in adjacent building, numerous bars and restaurants, wellness center, large outdoor swimming pool. The hotel is best suited for the families.

Camping in Rovinj
If you are a nature lover in a search of freedom and cost effective accommodation, camping holidays can be a right choice for you. In Rovinj there are numerous campsites: camping Amarin, camping Vestar, camping Valdaliso and camping Polari, to mention a few.
Camping Polari is the closest to the town and it features outdoor swimming pool.

Rovinj Vacation Rentals
Renting an apartment in Rovinj can be a good choice for your holidays. There is a wide variety of vacation rentals: from a simple room with a private bathroom to beautiful holiday villas with large outdoor swimming pool. It all depends on your budget and style.

Restaurants in Rovinj

Restaurant Monte
Restaurant Monte is a super expensive restaurant but it offers excellent food and atmosphere. It is located in a tiny street in the old town. It offers fix 5- course and 7-course menu, as well as a la carte menu. Service is very attentive. It is well worth the money.

Restaurant Puntulina
Restaurant Puntulina is a bit pricy, fine dining restaurant with excellent food and amazing location right at the waterfront.

Seafront Terrace At Restaurant Puntulina

Restaurant Wine Vault
Wine Vault is relatively new restaurant in the luxury hotel Monte Mulini. The chef is Tom Gretic, known in Croatia for its appearance in the TV show Masterchef. Nice atmosphere, great food, good service.

Restaurant Wine Vault

Restaurant E
Restaurant E is a sushi and seafood bar located in a new design hotel Lone. Frank recommends it because it is one of the rare restaurants in Istria offering sushi. Well for raw seafood lovers, restaurant E is the place to go. It is a good place for a casual lunch or a gourmet fish or seafood snack. Take away is also available.

Terrace Restaurant E

Pizzeria Da Sergio
Pizzeria Da Sergio is located in Grisia street, in the old town of Rovinj. Pizzas are excellent with thin crust and wide choice of toppings.

Pizzeria Da Sergio

Restaurant Veli Joze
Restaurant Veli Joze has wonderful atmosphere and a good vibe. The place is full of character. Great place if you are looking for a fun meal. If you are looking for a great food, you might be disappointed. The food is just fine, but not spectacular. The service is a bit too friendly – the waiters sometimes are just too much at the table.

Restaurant Veli Joze – Terrace

Bars in Rovinj

Valentino Cocktail & Champagne Bar
Valentino bar is the most talked about bar in Rovinj. For a good and for a bad. This unique bar has an amazing setting. It is right at the seafront, offering beautiful sunsets. You’ll be given a cushion and invited to find your own sitting on the rocks by the sea. If you are not fond of rocks, you can sit at one of the tables on few small terraces Valentino has. The underwater lights add to the atmosphere. The place is extremely overpriced and it is cash only bar. Many people find the place pretentious and service rude. And it is all true. Still it is one of its kind, it is romantic and unforgettable.

Valentino Cocktail and Champagne Bar

Piassa Granda
Wine Bar Piassa Grande is a great little bar. This wine bar is located on a little square in the heart of the old town. It is run by two sisters. It offers extensive wine list along with local produce. Majority of wine list is composed of Croatian wines, but there are also international wines on offer. Prices go from 2,5 euro to 4 euro per glass. Although it is a wine bar, you can also enjoy fine choice of teas, coffees, grappas and bottled beers.

Wine Bar Piassa Granda – Terrace

Zanzibar
Zanzibar is a cocktail bar with a cuban feel. It has a huge, covered outdoor terrace with views over town port. It is decorated in colonial style with lots of wood and subtle lightening. It has warm and welcoming atmosphere.

Monvi
Monvi Entertainment Center is the only place in Rovinj wheer you can dance the night away. The music is mostly house.

Rovinj Photo Gallery

Rovinj Video

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