Rovinj
If Istria had a heart, it would be Rovinj (Italian: Rovigno). The most photogenic city in Croatia juts out into the sea on a narrow peninsula — a pastel-colored jumble of Venetian houses whose balconies hang directly over the water. Above it towers the Church of St. Euphemia with its 61m high bell tower, which serves as a landmark for the entire Istrian west coast.
Rovinj was actually an island until 1763 — only then was the narrow channel between the island and the mainland filled in. The Venetian past (1283–1797) is omnipresent: in the architecture, the language (many older residents still speak Italian as their mother tongue), and in the cuisine.
In summer, however, Rovinj can become very crowded — the narrow streets of the old town then become human chains. The best time is May/June or September/October: Warm enough for swimming, but without the crowds.
Sights
★★★ Old Town & Peninsula
Rovinj's old town is an open-air museum. Get lost on purpose: Every alley leads either to the sea or uphill to the church. The houses are built so close together that some balconies almost touch. Colorful facades in terracotta, ocher, and pastel pink, with clotheslines and flower boxes in between. On the south side of the peninsula, steps lead directly into the crystal-clear water — here locals sunbathe on the rocks.
Free access, 24/7. The most beautiful walk: once around the peninsula on the coastal path (Lungomare), approx. 45 min.
★★★ Church of St. Euphemia (Sv. Eufemija)
The baroque church (completed in 1736) on the highest point of the peninsula dominates the skyline. Inside is the sarcophagus of Saint Euphemia, an early Christian martyr from the 3rd century, whose relics, according to legend, mysteriously arrived by boat from Constantinople to Rovinj. The bell tower (61 m, modeled after the St. Mark's Campanile in Venice) is climbable and offers a 360° view over the old town, the archipelago, and on clear days, even to the Alps.
Church free. Bell tower: 3€. Daily 10 AM–6 PM (summer), mass Sun 10 AM.
★★ Grisia Street
The steepest alley in the old town, from the Balbi Arch up to the church, is Rovinj's artist's mile. Dozens of galleries and studios display (and sell) paintings, sculptures, ceramics, and jewelry. Every August, the entire street transforms into an open-air gallery during the Grisia Art Festival — then over 200 artists exhibit on walls, stairs, and doors.
Galleries: mostly 10 AM–1 PM & 5–10 PM. Grisia Festival: mid-August, one day, free.
★★ Balbi Arch (Balbijev Luk)
The former city gate from 1680 marks the entrance to the old town. Venetian style with a Turkish head on the outside and a Venetian head inside — symbolic of the defense against the Ottomans. Today the most photographed passage in Rovinj.
Free access.
★★ Homeland Museum (Zavičajni Muzej)
In the baroque palace of the Counts Califfi. Small but fine collection: paintings by old masters (including a real Tiepolo!), archaeological finds, maritime history. The view from the rooftop terrace over the harbor is worth the admission alone.
5€. Tue–Sun 10 AM–2 PM & 5–9 PM (summer). Winter limited.
★★ Rovinj Archipelago
In front of Rovinj lie 22 islands and islets. The largest, Crveni Otok (Red Island), is reachable by boat in 15 minutes and offers two interconnected islands: St. Andrew (hotel complex, rocky beach) and Maškin (natural, nudist). Next to it is the island Sveta Katarina — smaller, quieter, with a boutique hotel and a pebble beach.
Boat from the harbor: Crveni Otok 5€ return, Sv. Katarina 4€ return. Every 30–60 min in summer.
★ Forest Park Zlatni Rt (Punta Corrente)
South of the old town: a 70 ha coastal park with Aleppo pines, cypresses, and hidden bathing bays. Designed as a park by the Austrian industrialist Baron Hütterott in 1890. Ideal for jogging, cycling, or a picnic. The bays Lone Bay and Škaraba are popular with locals.
Free access. 15 min walk from the harbor.
Eating & Drinking in Rovinj
€ Budget (Main course under 12€)
Maestral · Obala V. Nazora 2 (at the harbor)
Simple fish restaurant right by the water. Freshly grilled sardines, calamari, large salads. Cheap for Rovinj standards.
8–14€ · Daily 10 AM–11 PM
Valentino Gelateria · Sv. Križa 28
Artisanal ice cream with an Istrian twist: lavender, olive oil, truffle chocolate. Absurdly good. Tiny shop, always a line.
Scoop 2€ · Daily 10 AM–12 AM (summer)
€€ Mid-range (Main course 12–25€)
Konoba Ulika · Šetalište Vijeća Europe 3
Right by the sea outside the old town. Excellent seafood pasta, grilled sea bass, Istrian pršut. Terrace with sunset view.
14–24€ · Daily 12–11 PM · ★★
Konoba Jure · Ul. Svetog Križa 1
Hidden in a side alley of the old town. Family-run, tiny, only 6 tables. Homemade fuži with truffles, maneštra, fritaja with wild asparagus. Reservation!
12–20€ · Tue–Sun 12–10 PM · ★★
Barba Danilo · Trg Brodogradilišta 4
Located at the fish market, seafood tapas style. Squid burger, mussels, shrimp skewers. Quick, uncomplicated, delicious.
8–16€ · Daily 11 AM–10 PM
Giannino · Augusto Ferri 38
A bit off the beaten path, but honestly Istrian-Italian. Freshly made pasta, truffle risotto, local wines by the glass. Cozy garden.
12–22€ · Wed–Mon 12–11 PM · ★★
Puntulina · Sv. Križa 38
Romantic restaurant on the rocks on the south side of the peninsula. The tables are on rock terraces directly above the sea. Seafood and Istrian pasta at a very high level.
18–30€ · Daily 12 PM–12 AM · ★★★ · Reservation!
€€€ High-end (Main course 25€+)
Monte · Montalbano 75
Rovinj's top restaurant with a Michelin star. Chef Danijel Đekić interprets Istrian classics at the highest level — truffles, seafood, game. Tasting menu from 90€. Terrace with church view. Reserve weeks in advance.
90–130€ (menu) · Tue–Sat 6:30–10 PM · ★★★ · Reservation required
Bars
Valentino Bar · Sv. Križa 28 — Cocktail bar directly on the rocks by the sea. Cushions on the rock, feet in the water, sunset. Expensive (cocktail 12–15€), but unique.
Monte Beach Bar · Zlatni Rt — Beach bar in the forest park. Lounge music, cocktails, relaxed.
Havana · At the harbor — Casual music bar, cocktails, view of the illuminated old town.
💡 Tipp
In Rovinj, be sure to reserve — especially at Puntulina and Monte. In July/August, the best restaurants are fully booked in the evenings. At lunchtime, you often have more luck.
Accommodation in Rovinj
€ Budget (under 60€/night)
Hostel Link · Montalbano 2a
Rovinj's only true hostel, centrally located. Dorm from 22€, private double room from 55€. Communal kitchen, rooftop terrace.
Apartments Casa Alice · Various locations
Privately rented apartments in and around the old town. Studio from 50€/night. Search on Booking.com or Airbnb — the offer is large.
€€ Mid-range (60–150€/night)
Hotel Adriatic · Obala P. Budicina 16
Directly at the harbor, completely renovated in modern boutique style. Rooms with harbor view from 100€. The rooftop terrace is the perfect sundowner spot.
Villa Tuttorotto · A. Ferri 34
Small heritage hotel in a Venetian townhouse. Individually decorated rooms, warm service. Double room from 80€.
€€€ Upscale (150€+/night)
Hotel Lone · Luje Adamovića 31
Top-class design hotel in the Zlatni Rt forest park. Award-winning architecture, infinity pool, spa, two restaurants. The coolest hotel in Istria. From 200€.
Grand Park Hotel Rovinj · A. Smareglia 1
Luxury resort by the sea, opened in 2019. 5 stars, Cap Aureo Spa, three restaurants (including the Michelin-awarded one). From 250€.