Rovinj, Croatia on the Istrian Peninsula is completely charming, stunningly beautiful, and an absolute gem! The picture-perfect Adriatic seaside town beckons you with its alluring cobblestone lanes and stunning shoreline.
The town of Rovinj itself is reason enough to visit, but there are a handful of attractions that are not to be missed. Our list of things to do in Rovinj covers the must-see sights – plus a few insider tips!
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Planning a Trip to Rovinj, Croatia
Those planning a Rovinj trip can use our list for their day-by-day adventures. Additionally, we offer suggestions for where to stay, how to get there and honest advice to enhance your experience.
If you are traveling from abroad, then you will also want to read our Guide to Planning a Croatia Vacation. Our detailed Croatia 2 Week and 7 Day Itinerary are also helpful when planning your European Getaway.
When preparing for any trip, it is essential to stay organized. Our Travel Planner is a 26-page printable download that will help you stay on top of all the details!
9 Best Things To Do in Rovinj, Croatia
Rovinj, Croatia holidays can be quiet and serene…or absolutely filled to the brim with activities. From must-see Rovinj sights to the best places to relax, we’ve got it covered for your vacation to Istria!
Save, Pin or Bookmark our Rovinj Travel Guide for your trip to Croatia!
#1 Explore Old Town Rovinj
The Romantic Rovinj Old Town – a collection of pastel pink and yellow buildings – occupies a small peninsula that protrudes into the teal-blue Adriatic Sea.
Twisting cobblestone lanes, polished by millions of footsteps, weave through the dense space and laundry hangs on lines overhead, crisscrossing between windows.
The quaint and attractive Old Town is a must see in Istria, Croatia. Rovinj sightseeing is best done on foot – most of the streets are too narrow for cars, so the lanes are pedestrian only footpaths.
Those who want local insight can join a guide on a Rovinj Walking Tour. Independent travelers can create their own self-guided walk of Rovinj by simply wandering the picturesque streets!
Sightseeing Rovinj: What To See
There are a few Rovinj, Croatia Old Town sights that should not be missed. St. Euphemia Church is a must – and we detail it next – but make sure to check out these, as well.
- Once an ancient entrance, Balbi’s Arch (Balbijev luk) was built in 1678 and leads into the Old Town’s main street.
- The local Rovinj market is an interesting place to peruse fresh, in-season produce and other locally produced goods. Top sellers at the market in Rovinj are olive oil and truffles.
- A small venue near the Rovinj pier, Batana Museum is dedicated to Istria’s traditional wooden boat and the local fishing culture.
- The Heritage Museum in Rovinj is a little hit or miss depending on the current exhibits. Still, we recommend swinging to see what’s currently on display.
#2 Visit the Iconic St. Euphemia Church and Bell Tower
Follow any of the Old Town Rovinj streets uphill and you will eventually arrive at St. Euphemia Church – the highest point on the peninsula.
Completed in 1736, the church is dedicated to the patron saint of Rovinj, St. Euphemia, and houses her remains.
We detail the legend of the relics and more about climbing the bell tower in our St. Euphemia Church post.
#3 Swim in the Adriatic Sea from Rovinj Beaches
The water that surrounds Rovinj is crystal clear. Under a shining sun, swimmers can clearly see several feet deep into the turquoise water, past their own toes as schools of fish swim by below.
The sea water in Rovinj is especially salty, which helps to keep swimmers buoyant. All of the best beaches in Rovinj can be easily reached on foot or by taxi boat.
Old Town Beaches
The beaches around the Rovinj Old Town are located on the southwestern shoreline. These ‘beaches’ are a combination of rock and concrete, not sand.
Swimmers can jump from the rocky edge into the deep, azure sea or use the paved steps and metal ladders bolted to the rocks to ease into the water.
Top Tip: Our favorite beach in Old Town Rovinj is Plaza Balota, pictured above.
Mulini Beach
Mulini Beach is located to the south just past the marina, in front of 3 highly-rated hotels. Both concrete platforms and pebbles make up this stylish Rovinj beach location. Sun loungers and umbrellas are available for rent and there are beach bars and facilities on-site.
Golden Cape Beaches
South of Mulini Beach is the Golden Cape Forest Park (Zlatni Rt). The forested nature retreat features tranquil bays and hidden coves that are perfect for swimming.
On the north side of the park’s peninsula is Lone Bay, the Paradiso Beach Club, Dog Beach and an aquapark.
On the south side is Golden Bay and Zlatni Rt Beach (which is not to be confused with the famous Zlatni Rat Beach on Brac Island, Croatia).
Plaza Biondi Beach
Beach Biondi is north of Rovinj – but still within walking distance. There are a couple beach bars and some trees for shade, however, what makes it one of the best beaches in Rovinj is the excellent view of the pretty peninsula.
St. Katarina Island and Beach
More than 20 islands make up the Rovinj Archipelago – and many of them have stunning beaches.
St. Katarina Island, one of the largest islands, is just a stone’s throw from Rovinj. There are pebble beaches on the east end of the island near the Hotel Katarina.
However, the rocks on the northwestern side – which rise nearly 50 feet from the water – are popular with cliff jumpers (but do so at your own risk!). Taxi boats are the best way to access St. Katarina.
#4 Feast on Amazing Croatian Food
Rovinj food is heavily influenced by Italy…and the sea. Most travelers to Rovinj will have no problem finding places to enjoy a wonderful meal!
Almost all Rovinj restaurants offer pastas, pizzas and seafood. Whole grilled fish, truffle pasta (my favorite) and pizza with prosciutto are some of the regional Istrian specialties.
Fine Dining in Rovinj
For a romantic dinner, La Puntulina is a top pick and a Michelin Guide recommendation. The restaurant overlooks the Adriatic Sea and features fresh seafood, savory steaks and an extensive wine list.
Two other top-rated upscale eateries are Monte and Restoran Santa Croce, as well as Tekka (Japanese) at Maistra Lone Resort and Wine Vault at Hotel Monte Mulini.
Rovinj Pizzerias
Rather than indulge in fine dining, however, we couldn’t resist the tempting pizzas. During our stay, anytime we started a conversation about where to eat in Rovinj, we ended up at a pizzeria!
To be honest, we ate an embarrassing amount of pizza…but it’s okay, because it’s one of the best things to eat in Rovinj!
Our favorite pizza restaurant in Rovinj is the slightly inconspicuous (but always crowded) Pizzeria Da Sergio (Read Reviews).
Other spots for pizza that we can recommend are Pian del Forno, Adria Pizzeria and Pizzeria San Giocomo.
Pro Tip: Looking for Rovinj nightlife? While the Old Town has heaps of sea view bars that are ideal for a drink at sunset (like Mediterraneo and Valentino), the best nightclub in Rovinj is Steel.
#5 Sample Croatian Wine in Rovinj
Istria has long been known as one of the best wine making regions in Croatia. In Rovinj, you can sample locally produced wine at shops, wine bars and restaurants.
That said, we believe one of the fun Rovinj activities is sampling wine straight from the source. Luckily, there are wineries just a short distance from the Old Town where travelers can get a taste.
Rovinj Wine Tasting Tour
Wine aficionados can join a guided tour of three wineries near Rovinj. The full day tour includes multiple tastings, olive oil tastings and a classic Istrian meal. Get more details and book your spot!
Alternatively, travelers who want to venture out on their own can find wineries and wine tasting rooms in Rovinj. Follow in our footsteps and find nearby wineries on our Self Guided Rovinj Wine Walk.
#6 Rent a Bike in Rovinj and Hit the Trails
The Istrian landscape is undeniably beautiful. With an entire network of intertwining trails, cycling is one of the best ways to explore the surrounding area. Read more about these adventures in our guide, Hiking and Biking in Rovinj.
North of town, there are paths that weave through forests and vineyards, past ancient structures and lead to nearby villages.
To the South, there are walking and biking paths at Zlatni Rt Forest Park. Active travelers should also head to the Punta Corrente challenge course located within the park.
Renting a Bike in Rovinj
There are several Rovinj bike rental companies where you can rent two wheels for a couple of hours or a couple of days.
We opted for bike rentals from RM Group so that we could go on a ride through the countryside for just a few hours. However, there are mountain and e-bike tours to join in as well!
#7 Watch a Sensational Sunset in Rovinj
We have witnessed incredible sunsets around the world, but few have been as consistently impressive as the sunsets in Rovinj. Each night, the sky put on a spectacular performance!
There are numerous places to watch the sunset in or near Old Town Rovinj. From atop the hill, down by the beach, along the pier – each spot provides a unique vantage point and impressive view. Grab some wine, snacks and a towel and make your own sundowner picnic!
Pro Tip: Track down all our favorite spots in our guide to the Best Places to Watch Sunsets in Rovinj.
#8 Set Sail on Rovinj Boat Trips
Hop on a boat for a day out on the Adriatic Sea! Sailing trips from Rovinj are a fantastic way to see more of the coastline and region. Cruise operators offer a range of tour options – from a couple hours aboard to all day adventures.
We enjoyed a leisurely afternoon aboard the Delfin; look for their booth by the pier south of the Old Town. Additionally, the following boat trips come highly recommended by fellow travelers.
Lim Fjord Boat Trip
One of the most popular boat tours in Rovinj is a 7-hour cruise that features stunning scenery and two swimming stops.
The journey navigates to the Lim Channel Fjord and around nearby Rovinj islands. Guests are treated to an included breakfast and lunch with unlimited drinks.
Rovinj Boat Tours to Venice, Italy
Did you know there are day trips from Rovinj to Venice? You can spend 3 hours crossing the Adriatic Sea to Venice, Italy on a one-day trip.
Boats depart early in the morning and dock in Venice around 11:00am. You will have about 6 hours to explore the canals and bridges before cruising back to Croatia time for dinner!
Top Tip: This journey can be booked as a full day trip or as a one-way ticket if Italy is the next stop on your travel itinerary. Get the details!
Sunset Cruise
Hop aboard a sunset cruise and keep your eye on the horizon for dolphins! This highly-rated cruise sails around the Rovinj Archipelago and allows time for swimming in the Adriatic Sea. Find out more!
Kayak
Active travelers can explore the Adriatic by kayak. Single and double kayaks can be rented for self-exploration or with a tour guide.
Kayakers can paddle to nearby islands, like St. Katarina, or along the coastline all the way to the Lim Fjord. Alternatively, join a kayak tour for a guided experience.
Snorkeling and Cliff Jumping
Take a half-day trip and go snorkeling in Rovinj! Popular snorkel trips stop at two islands: St. Andrew’s Island (also known as Red Island) and either Pisulj or Sestrice.
Each stop lasts for two hours, allowing for plenty of time to go swimming, snorkeling and jumping. Book your spot!
Brijuni National Park
The Brijuni Islands are just off the coast of the Istrian Peninsula near Pula. Boat trips take you to the iconic offshore islands, which were once owned by Yugoslavian President Tito (and used for his collection of exotic animals).
#9 Discover More of Istria
Excursions from Rovinj are not only by sea; there are many options for fantastic day trips on land, too!
Istria is diverse and the landscape is stunning. The best day trips from Rovinj are to historic coastal towns, lovely hilltop villages and gastronomy adventures.
Both organized and DIY day tours are options. While the local buses are fantastic for getting between major Istrian cities, they are not as useful for getting to the hilltop towns.
Best of Istria Day Trip
Combine all of the Istrian highlights into a full day tour from Rovinj! We hired a private driver for our Istria outing, but you can also join an organized Istria Tour.
Highlights of an Istria Day Trip are sampling local truffles (we went truffle hunting in Paladini at Karlic Tartufi), brandy tasting (we stopped at Aura in Buzet), sightseeing in the famous Croatian hilltop town of Motovun and visiting the seaside in Porec.
Day Trips to Croatian Seaside Towns
While a full day tour of Istrian sights is a fun Rovinj day trip, it can also be a really long day, with relatively short stops.
Instead, visitors can plan several of their own, leisurely day trip adventures to nearby Istrian coastal cities of Porec, Pula, Vrsar and Umag.
Porec and Pula are the two most popular coastal destinations for day trips from Rovinj. Both can easily be reached by bus, making it simple for travelers without a car to explore the top Istria day trip locations!
Day Trip from Rovinj to Pula
Pula is the busy port city of Istria – but has numerous Roman ruins and ancient architecture, too. The 1st century Arena is a highlight of any trip to Pula, but there are many other attractions to see.
Getting to Pula is easy by public bus. There are numerous departures daily and the ride is about 40 minutes – leaving plenty of time to explore. Get all the details of what to see in our complete guide of Things To Do in Pula.
Rovinj Map
Use this Google Map for an online version of our Rovinj Visitor Map below.
Top Rovinj Travel Tips
Now that you know what to see and do in Rovinj, Croatia, we have a little more advice that will help you plan your trip.
Accommodations in Rovinj, Croatia
When deciding where to stay in Rovinj, you will need to consider location, amenities and budget. For summertime travel, it’s ideal to book in advance…as the best places do fill up completely!
Check prices and availability on Booking.com – but be sure to read our tips on finding Hotels at the Best Price first!
Old Town Rovinj Hotels
- A 4 star hotel in the very heart of Rovinj, The Melegran stands out for the exceptional service and hip design.
- A boutique property in the center of the Old Town, Hotel Adriatic gets high marks for the modern decor and hearty breakfast.
- A historic hotel with character and style, Casa Garzotto also offers a buffet breakfast and free bicycle rentals.
- An elegant site that retains its historic aspects, Spirito Santa Palazzo Storico gets rave reviews for the charming ambiance and comfortable rooms.
Rovinj Beach Hotels
- The Eden Hotel overlooks the beach and bay near Golden Cape Park. It has both indoor and outdoor pools, an on-site spa and included breakfast.
- Situated at Mulini Beach, the 5-Star Grand Park earns rave reviews from travelers. Modern and elegant, the hotel has an on-site pool, spa and a private marina.
- The beachfront Family Amarin Hotel is located north of town. All meals are included and the resort complex features 4 pools and a spa.
- A 15 minute walk from the center, Hotel Lone offers guests a beachside retreat. Travelers particularly like the included breakfast, spacious rooms and amazing terrace.
Vacation Apartments
There are many holiday apartments for rent in Rovinj. During our stay, we rented an adorable Airbnb with classic shutters that opened onto an idyllic cobblestone lane. We absolutely loved the location!
How To Get to Rovinj, Croatia
Getting to Rovinj takes a little effort – but is completely worth it! Travelers typically arrive by their own car or take a bus.
Fly to Rovinj
The nearest airport to Rovinj is in Pula, which is about a 40-minute drive. Start your search for the best prices on flights to Rovinj on SkyScanner.
Services are very seasonal, but in the summertime several airlines serve Pula Airport (PUY) from major European destinations (like London, Frankfurt and Amsterdam).
You can book private transfers from the Pula Airport online. One-way airport transfers to Rovinj are also possible from Zagreb Airport and Venice Airport.
Bus to Rovinj
There are numerous bus routes from other Croatia destinations to Rovinj – but not many are direct. When we use public buses in Croatia, we check routes on Bus Croatia and again at the station.
Ferries to Rovinj
Just like flights, ferry service to Rovinj is also seasonal – and quite limited even in the summertime.
There are 2 ferry companies that run routes to Rovinj from destinations in Italy (Venice, Trieste and Cesenatico), Slovenia (Piran) and Croatia (Mali Losinj). You can check all the ferry schedules here.
What To Pack for Croatia
Okay, now it’s finally time to pack! For a relaxing Rovinj vacation, you won’t need much. However, you will want to make sure to pack these items in your suitcase for your getaway.
Beach Necessities
In addition to your swimsuit, be sure to pack sunscreen (it can be really expensive in Croatia). It’s also a good idea to bring a wide-brimmed travel hat to keep the sun off your face and polarized sunglasses.
Water shoes are recommended for most of the beaches in Croatia; not only are the pebbles uncomfortable to walk on, but much of the coastal water is home to spiky sea urchins!
Walking Shoes
Walking stone lanes requires a good pair of travel shoes. I wear versatile trainers and Kris prefers Merrell trail shoes. Of course, you will want to pack a pair of flip flops for the beach, too!
Travel Camera
Capture the beauty of Croatia with an actual camera (instead of just your phone). We always use a Canon Rebel with an 18-135mm lens, which takes incredible photos.
Day Pack
You will also want to pack a great day bag. Whether just going to the beach or setting off on all day excursions, you need a place to stow your everyday travel essentials.
Croatia Travel Insurance
Trip insurance may cover flight delays and lost baggage, as well as injuries and illnesses abroad. Find affordable rates and coverage at World Nomads.
Start planning your trip to Croatia! Search for the lowest airfares, the best accommodations and fun things to do…then start packing! Want more advice? Head over to our Travel Planning Page for tips on traveling – and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides Page!
More Travel Resources
Visiting other Incredible Croatia Destinations? Fantastic! We’ve got everything you need to know!
- Best Things To Do in Hvar
- What To See in Korcula
- Top Dubrovnik Things To Do
- Things To See in Split
- See Plitvice Lakes
- Best Attractions in Zagreb
- Tour Krka Waterfalls
- Check Out Sibenik
- Don’t Miss Makarska
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