by Janis / 0 comments - Orginally published:20th November 2017

A city with ancient charm

Our 6th and final destination on our Croatian road trip adventure was to the delightful and historic city of Rovinj. Our road trip tour has taken us from the north to the south of Croatia, visiting Plitvice Lakes NP, and the charming cities of Zadar, Trogir, and Dubrovnik.

On our return journey back north, we stayed at the coastal city of Split before arriving at the beautiful western Istrian Peninsula to Rovinj, on the shores of the Adriatic Sea.

Our drive from Split could have been better; the planned scenic coastal route was brought to an abrupt end by the monsoon proportions of rain that greeted us en-route. But hey, it was an absolute pleasure arriving in Rovinj.

Are you considering a Croatian adventure? Take a look at our itinerary for our Croatian road trip and discover 6 UNESCO World Heritage sites.

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Where is Rovinj?

How to get to Rovinj

- By Plane
There are various airports to choose from in Croatia; browse through Booking.com for departures from your local airport. Pre-book your hire car from Rental Cars, and your adventure begins.

- By Car
If you’re heading from the UK by car, jump on Le Shuttle or a Brittany Ferry and venture off to Croatia under your own steam. Check out our Road Trip checklist for handy advice.

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Discovering the delights of Rovinj

A step back in time

Upon arriving at Rovinj, the air was still a little damp; however, it wasn’t going to put us off exploring the historical lanes of this enchanting city.

Rovinj is nestled along the Istrian peninsular on the north Adriatic Sea. As soon as you arrive, you’re welcomed with the magnificent sight of the ancient colourful city protruding from the sea.

If you are exploring the captivating region of Istria, then Rovinj should undoubtedly be on your list.

A scenic view of a harbor in Rovinj, Croatia, features a row of colorful buildings lining the waterfront. Fishing boats are docked in the foreground, with their reflections visible in the calm water. The sky is overcast, and a stone pier runs along the bottom of the frame.
view across the old town

Interestingly, Rovinj was once a small island encircled by city walls; its fascinating ancient history dates back to the 6th century.

However, due to Rovinj’s increasing population during the 18th-century, the town’s folk crept beyond the historic walls. In 1763, the narrow channel between the island and the mainland was filled in, and the tiny city was extended.

A coral-colored building with white trim and green doors stands on a cobblestone street in Rovinj, Croatia. The building features decorative stone carvings and green shuttered windows. A bicycle is parked on the left side of the frame, and flags hang from a nearby building.
Historic Old Town
A red and wooden boat with a mast and rigging is docked at a stone pier in Rovinj, Croatia. To the right of the boat, a stone monument with a carved face and inscriptions stands on a tiered base. The background features a calm body of water with a shoreline and trees in the distance, under a slightly overcast sky. A portion of a street lamp is visible on the left edge of the frame.
Red boat in the harbour
Strong Venetian influences still remain in Rovinj, particularly among its stunning architecture and delicious cuisine. Croatia has seen many empires come and go over turbulent years; however, its proud heritage and passion for the country are felt very strongly in Rovinj.

If you've yet to discover the delights of Croatia you're in for a treat. While planning our road trip, I used the DK Eyewitness books.  I find them extremely informative, easy to follow and the pictures and maps tempt you into discovering more.

We used a previous version of this book to plan our north to south Croatian road trip, now you can grab the revised copy.

DK Croatia Cover

Keep Rovinj to yourself

Welcoming rustic charm
The beautiful city of Rovinj has become a popular destination for tourists over the years. When you wend your way amongst the narrow cobbled-stoned lanes, rubbing shoulders with so much history, it isn’t difficult to see why.
A fishing boat with a white hull and blue accents is docked at a concrete pier in Rovinj, Croatia. The boat, named 'ANTONI PULA,' features fishing equipment and orange buoys on its deck. In the background, a picturesque cityscape with colorful buildings and a church steeple is visible, under a cloudy sky. The water in the foreground is calm, reflecting the sky and the boat.
Still a working harbour

However, what I loved about Rovinj was that it still felt like a bustling working town, especially seeing the fishing boats moored in the harbour. The fishing boats even seemed to overshadow the tour boats.

As you stroll along the picturesque harbourside, you are greeted with an incredible view of the Old Town’s external perimeter. The tall rustic houses stand shoulder to shoulder around its enclosed city boundaries.

A row of colorful buildings lines the waterfront in Rovinj, Croatia, with their reflections visible in the calm water. The buildings, featuring a mix of pastel and earthy tones, create a picturesque cityscape against a pale sky. A stone pier juts into the water in the foreground, with a coiled rope lying on its surface. The sea stretches out to the horizon, with a faint island visible in the distance.
The Old Town
These lived-in homes have seen off many years of the elements of mother-nature and survived to convey many intriguing tales.
The quayside view at Rovinj, Croatia, under brooding skies with classic boats and colourful buildings in the background.
The quayside
Wandering further through the streets of Rovinj, towards the entrance of the Old Town, the architecture is impressive. The buildings aren’t immaculately kept, but that’s what gives Rovinj its lived-in charm.

The fusion of influences in Rovinj

Exploring centuries past
As you amble further into the main square in Rovinj along Trg Marsala Tita, you gain a fantastic view across the charming marina. There is also a lovely little water fountain here.
A wide shot of a public square in Rovinj, Croatia, features a circular stone fountain in the center. The square is surrounded by buildings with a mix of architectural styles and colors, including a clock tower with a red facade. People are visible in the background, seated at outdoor tables under a blue awning.
The fountain and the clock tower
A close-up shot features a bronze statue of a young boy holding a fish, positioned on a stone pedestal in a public square in Rovinj, Croatia. The pedestal features bas-relief carvings and fish-shaped spouts at the base. The square is surrounded by buildings with a mix of architectural styles and colors.
Close up of the fountain
Just nearby is an eye-catching pink Renaissance clock tower adorned with a Venetian Lion. However, at this point, you are immediately drawn towards the magnificent Balbi Arch, and the shiny cobbled lanes that lead you into the maze of streets beyond.
A stone archway with intricate carvings spans a narrow street in Rovinj, Croatia. Two people walk through the archway, with bicycles parked along the street beyond. The buildings on either side are painted in muted yellow and cream tones.
The Balbi Arch
The cafe at a 'V' insection in the cobbled lanes of the old town of Rovinj, Croatia
The cobbles lanes
Rovinj once had three city gates around its defensive walls. One of the arches, the Balbi Arch was erected around 1680.

Where we stayed in Rovinj

Apartments Martina City Centre

Our accommodation for the two nights we were in Rovinj was at the “Apartments Martina City Centre”.

The apartment was very spacious, and the location was extremely central and just a short stroll to the harbour and Old Town. The owners were unbelievably helpful and friendly and couldn't do enough for us.

One of the main reasons we chose this apartment was for the private parking, which was fantastic. We have a larger car, and once in the gate, there is plenty of room to manoeuvre.

The hidden charm of Rovinj

Stroll the ancient cobbled lanes

When you stroll beneath the ancient arch, you feel like you have stepped into another era; it’s a stunning place to explore.

You’ll want to discover every nook and cranny; tiny narrow lanes weave their way up through Rovinj’s steep pedestrian streets. Colourful homes with their obligatory wooden shutters line the rustic lanes.

A charming storefront in Rovinj, Croatia, features a brightly lit display window with a bicycle parked in front. The shop, named "Viola," has a small awning and green shuttered windows above. The street is paved with cobblestones, and the building next door is painted a soft pink.
The quiet little shops
A narrow cobblestone street in Rovinj, Croatia, is lined with buildings of varying textures and colors. A person in a green garment stands near a doorway on the left, while another person walks in the distance under an arched passage illuminated by warm lights. The buildings feature different architectural styles, with one side showing a bright orange facade and the other side featuring stone and brick.
Catching up
When you first stroll into Rovinj Old Town, the shiny cobbled streets are peppered with boutiques and art galleries. The higher you climb towards the Church of St. Euphemia, there are alleyways leading off to the homes of Rovinj’s inhabitants and little enclaves of local communities.
A narrow cobblestone street in Rovinj, Croatia, is illuminated by warm streetlights at night. The buildings lining the street have textured walls and dark windows, with a hint of greenery visible. The cobblestones reflect the light, creating a golden sheen on the street's surface.
The quiet lanes after dark
A narrow cobblestone street in Rovinj, Croatia, is illuminated by warm streetlights at night. Buildings with orange and yellow facades line the street, with laundry hanging overhead. Two people are walking in the distance, and the cobblestones reflect the light, creating a golden sheen on the street's surface.
The quiet evening
Rovinj Old Town is even more fascinating, exploring of an evening as you pass beneath washing lines and tiny balconies; you are intrigued to wander further and get lost amongst the passageways.

Visiting Croatia

For further advice on visiting Croatia, head to the official tourism website Croatia – Full of Life.

Climb to the Church of St. Euphemia

You could be in Venice

scending further through Rovinj Old Town, all the lanes appear to lead to the Church of St. Euphemia. The climb is undoubtedly worth it; the spectacular vista you are greeted with when you reach the top is stunning.

The panoramic views across the Adriatic Sea and the islands beyond are breath-taking.

A wide shot of the Adriatic Sea from an elevated viewpoint in Rovinj, Croatia, shows a calm expanse of water under a cloudy sky. A small island is visible in the distance, and a boat leaves a white trail as it moves across the water. The foreground features a portion of a building with a red tile roof and a decorative chimney, along with some greenery.
The view from the hill
The Baroque Church of St. Euphemia in Rovinj was built in 1736 on the site of a much older Christian church; the façade of the present-day church was erected in 1883.
A wide shot of the Church of St. Euphemia in Rovinj, Croatia, shows the church's facade and bell tower against a cloudy sky. The church is built with light-colored stone and features a simple design with a central entrance and arched windows. The bell tower, taller and more ornate, stands to the left of the church. People are visible in the lower right corner, walking towards the church entrance. A tree with green leaves is on the left side of the frame.
Outside the Church of St. Euphemia
Stepping inside the church, you’ll discover some lovely ornate features and works of art dating back to the 15th century.
The interior of a church in Rovinj, Croatia, features a decorated altar with statues and flowers, set against a backdrop of an arched alcove with a painted ceiling. The church has a warm, golden lighting, and the altar is flanked by ornate chandeliers. Wooden steps lead up to the altar, and the space is framed by a large archway.
Inside Church of St. Euphemia
A tall, stone bell tower with a pointed spire rises against a cloudy sky in Rovinj, Croatia. The tower, featuring a mix of light and weathered stone, stands next to a building with arched windows and a red tile roof. Trees frame the shot on the sides, adding a touch of greenery.
The bell tower of St. Euphemia
However, the most striking element of the Church of St. Euphemia is the incredible Venetian bell tower that stands next to it. The resemblance to the tower of St Mark's Basilica in Venice is quite uncanny (if not on a smaller scale).
Booking.com Search FlightsImage
Booking.com Search FlightsImage

A harbour stroll in Rovinj

What a difference a day makes
Luckily, we had the pleasure of staying in Rovinj for two nights, as the lousy weather certainly put pay to some exploring on the first day. It also meant fewer visitors were around, making the evening noticeably quiet.
A scenic harbor in Rovinj, Croatia, features numerous boats docked in calm, dark water. The historic cityscape, with its colorful buildings and a prominent church steeple, is visible in the background under a cloudy sky.
Boats in the harbour
During our second day in the region of Istria, we visited the historic towns of Pula and Poreč. These two locations were close to Rovinj, so after exploring them, we headed back to Rovinj in the afternoon, by which time the sun had come out, and so had we tourists.
A sunny outdoor scene in Rovinj, Croatia, features two glasses and a bottle of beer on a table, with a bustling harbor filled with boats in the background. The cityscape is visible in the distance, with a church steeple rising above the colorful buildings. The table is set with two wicker chairs, and a yellow awning partially frames the top of the shot. The bottle of beer is labeled "San Servolo."
A couple of beers by the harbour, Rovinj, Croatia)
So, we made the most of the sunshine and had a delightful stroll around the bustling harbour, watching the boats come and go. Then, of course, it was time to grab a beer, sit, admire the view, and watch the sunset across Rovinj Old Town.

Where we ate in Rovinj

Spoilt for choice
While Gary and I were walking among the picturesque lanes, there were several restaurants and konobas to choose from. The captivating scent of wood burning, fuelling the grills, and fresh fish tempting you was so welcoming.
A white plate is filled with grilled squid, cooked spinach, and grilled vegetables, presented on a wooden table. The squid pieces are arranged on one side, while the spinach and vegetables are placed in the center and on the other side. A slice of lemon and a tomato half add a touch of color to the dish. The background is slightly blurred, with another plate visible on the right.
Stuffed squid

We ate at two restaurants in Rovinj, both serving traditional, local food and both being pretty good value for money. Pian Del Forno specialises in pizza (and they looked good); however, we chose from their menu with local Croatian dishes.

In Lavanda’s restaurant, we selected the grilled squid and pork kebabs with Croatian side dishes. Both restaurants had a bustling atmosphere and equally delicious food. Unfortunately, since we visited Rovinj, this cosy restaurant has closed.

Our video of Rovinj

We have created a little YouTube video of Rovinj.  Why not take a look?

Also, why not subscribe to our YouTube channel and get the latest clips as we post them?

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