Things to Do in Rovinj: The Ultimate Travel Guide

Despite being a small town of only 14,000 people, there are many things to do in Rovinj! You can visit historical sights, landmarks and monuments, have drinks and food in seaside restaurants and bars, explore islands, parks, travel to nearby towns (and countries) and swim in rocky beaches.

You can see the whole town in two days, but you can use it as a base to roam around Istria and the Adriatic sea as well. In this guide, we will talk about all the things you can do in Rovinj and offer suggestions for day trips you can add to your itinerary. We will also discuss the history and provide a general overview of the town, the best time to visit it, places to stay and recommend bars and restaurants to visit!

No more delays, let’s dive in.

Rovinj (pronounced Roveen), as we mentioned in the intro, is a small town on the coast of Istria. Today it’s a popular tourist resort and a fishing resort. Its history traces back to ancient times, when the area was first settled by Illyrian and Venetian tribes, before being captured by the Romans.

Rovinj has a rich and tumultuous history that is reflected in its architecture, monuments and people. You can still find a few residents here and there who speak Istriot, a Romance language, and many locals speak both Croatian and Italian. With stunning  and colorful buildings, cobblestone alleyways, a vibrant arts scene and delicious seafood, Rovinj is a town very much worth visiting. If you are planning a Croatia vacation, you should definitely add Rovinj in your itinerary.

The best time to visit Croatia in general and by extent, Rovinj, is late April, May or September and early October. Those months offer the best balance in terms of weather, crowds and activities available. Temperatures typically range between 13 - 25°C depending on the month and daytime. Precipitation is low, the climate pleasant, not too dry or too wet and the sea is warm enough to swim. The tourist season starts up in spring and winds down in autumn, so you can still find plenty of restaurants, hotels, venues and bars operating longer hours.

But, if you prefer higher temperatures and a more vibrant atmosphere, then you should visit Rovinj during peak season, which is late June to August. There will be more tourists around, but you will be rewarded with more alive and active vibes. It all comes down to personal preferences.

Like we said, Rovinj is a popular tourist destination, especially during summer, so it offers a wide range of hotels and AirBNBs to stay. Ideally, finding a room or apartment in the city center would be the best option. Everything is within walking distance and restaurants and bars will most likely be right outside your door. If you like cooking, you will also find plenty of markets and shops nearby. With boutique hotels, sea-view rooms, and romantic sunsets, Rovinj is ideal for honeymoon travel in Croatia.

AirBNBs are typically well-maintained and you can find both private apartments and rooms in shared spaces. Hotels range from 2 to 5 stars, with the amenities and comfort people come to expect from each category. Of particular note is the Grand Park Hotel, which  stands out for travelers seeking a refined luxury travel experience with panoramic views of Rovinj’s Old Town.

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Flying directly to Rovinj from abroad is not easy. The closest airport is in Pula, 40 minutes away and there aren’t many international flights. The best alternative is to fly to Zagreb and from there, either take an internal flight to Pula and then a bus or rent a car to drive to Rovinj.

Or, if you are planning to hop from city to city while in Croatia, you can add Rovinj as a final destination after Dubrovnik and Split. Both cities have bus connections to Rovinj, but renting a car and driving there yourself will save you plenty of time. It’s an easy and scenic route and you can add even more destinations within, like Zadar or Rijeka. For travelers planning a road trip or using public transport, many first-time visitors ask whether Croatia is safe for tourists, and the country consistently ranks among the safest destinations in Europe.

Rovinj is famous for its seafood and Istria for its wines. So, you can expect to find plenty of options for food and drinks that will leave you with a smile on your face. Here are some of our recommendations.

Influenced by Italian traditions and local Istrian ingredients, Rovinj offers some of the finest food and wine experiences in the region. Restaurants like Graciano. Fish House Rovinj, Scuba, Santa Croce and the family tavern Taverna De Amicis are only some of the most popular places. You can also find pizzerias like ADRIA, LA VELA and Orlando. 

If you want a cup of coffee to start your day, or a glass of wine to finish it, then bars like San Tommaso Vinoteka Enoteca, Mižol, Monte Carlo the Porton Biondi Beach Bar and Caffe Bar SAX, are waiting for you, with their quality drinks and stunning views.

And since you can find plenty of Italy in the Rovinj cuisine, you shouldn’t leave without trying some local gelato and sweets! Gelateria Italia, Viecia Batana, Ombra and B 052 have amazing ice-cream and desserts and we highly recommend them.

Walking mostly. The town is very compact and most things to do in Rovinj are in the city center. But, if you want to explore the surrounding region or take a day trip somewhere, then renting a car is the best option. If your hotel offers parking, then even better! Since most attractions are located close to each other, Rovinj, Croatia is well suited for senior travel, especially for visitors who enjoy slower-paced sightseeing.

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The Old Town is the heart of Rovinj. You can find everything you need there and most things to do in Rovinj, are within minutes of each other. The Old Town is car free and full of cobblestone streets and charming, narrow paths.

There are plenty of small shops selling local products and souvenirs and many corners and alleys that look like they were made to photograph! Grisia is one such street, lined with shops and art galleries. Make sure you are ready for a long day of walking up and down hills, climbing stairs and trudging on cobblestone that can be slippery sometimes. Wear proper shoes and if you are facing mobility difficulties, be patient. The city center can be challenging, unlike the waterfront which is more wide and smooth. But, all in all, exploring the Old Town is one of the top things to do in Rovinj.

Do you love seeing whole towns spread beneath you from tall buildings? Then, the St. Euphemia Clock Tower is the place for you. You will have to climb a few stairs, but once you reach the top, a 360-view of Rovinj is waiting for you. Visiting the Church of St. Euphemia is essential for anyone interested in cultural and historical travel in Istria.

The Church of St. Euphemia is located on a hilltop in the Old Town and was built in a Baroque style from 1725 to 1736. Although it was first dedicated to Saint George, today it’s dedicated to St. Euphemia. The exterior of the church is made with beautiful white stone and inside, the relics of Saint Euphemia are preserved in a Roman sarcophagus. 

Legends say two fishermen were caught in a storm and prayed for salvation. They woke up safely near Rovinj’s shore and spotted the sarcophagus sinking into the sea. They told the townspeople of the miracle, and with the help of a pious boy, they retrieved the relic with the help of oxen! A skeptic was struck unconscious and when he woke up, he told everyone that he saw a vision of Saint Euphemia herself, and thus the hill took her name. 

Fresh fruits, delicious produce, healthy and local ingredients. Olive oil, truffles, honey, figs and many more you can find in Rovinj’s Farmer’s Market. The vendors are friendly and helpful and the market stays open until 10p.m, meaning you can do your shopping there without any worries. Equip yourself with some basic Croatian or Italian phrases and you are ready to go! The Farmer’s Market is ideal for people who enjoy cooking in their rooms or who are staying long-term.

One of the best things to do in Rovinj for people who enjoy nature and wildlife. Zlatni Rat Park is outside the city in the south and the oldest protected site in Istria. Its name means Golden Horn but do not confuse it with the Golden Horn beach on Brač Island. 

With cycling paths, green spaces, and easy access from town, Zlatni Rat Park is perfect for family travel, especially for visitors with young children. You can rent bikes for adults and kids in the town and roam around the park. If you are ambitious, you can explore the whole surrounding region by bike! Late spring and early autumn offer the most favorable weather conditions for this. The park itself started to take form in the 1890s and today includes botanical species, promenades, meadows, trails, pine trees, cypresses and exotic plants like Lebanese cedar, Ginkgo biloba or Douglas firs!

Another great option for outdoor adventures is taking a boat from Rovinj Old Town and making the 5-minute trip to St. Katarina island. There are boats every hour. Like Zlatni Rat Park, you can walk around nature or relax on the pebbly beaches on the east side. The western side has tall cliffs and if you consider yourself an adrenaline lover, then you can join the people who dive to the sea from the top of them! Cliff diving is one of the most exciting adventure travel activities you can enjoy near Rovinj.

What once was the border between the regions of Dalmatia and Italia under the Roman empire, today is a popular destination for day trips by boat. Lim Fjord is a natural channel, or sunken canyon with hot springs and a wide range of wildlife, fish and shellfish.

You can book a tour from Rovinj. Boats will take you to the channel, show you the nature and then serve you fresh seafood cooked in traditional local recipes! Alternatively, you can view the channel from free viewing platforms north of Rovinj, from places like Poreč for example. Lim Fjord is one of the most popular nature and wildlife experiences near Rovinj, thanks to its rich marine ecosystem and lush surroundings.

Rovinj isn’t really a beach destination. Most of them are rocky. You should stray away from the town to find nice ones, or go to Dubrovnik and Split, some of the best places to visit in Croatia. Still, there are some decent options. We already mentioned that there are beaches in Zlatni Rat Park and St. Katarina island, but another beach we recommend is Monte. It’s more of a rocky cove than a beach and local sunbathers love to lie on the rocks. The beach is charming and not crowded, so it’s a good idea if you want to relax by the sea.

You should have seen most, if not all, of Rovinj and surrounding areas by the end of day two. So, adding day trips around Istria allows you to experience some of the most rewarding things to do in Croatia. Most locations are less than 90 minutes away by car, so you can even do a halfway trip if you want to spend more time in Rovinj instead.

Famous for its Roman Amphitheater, Pula is the largest city in Istria. You will most likely go through the city if you arrive in the region by plane, since its airport is the closest one to Rovinj. As a city, it doesn’t offer much more than Rovinj. It’s bigger for sure and you can find many restaurants and bars, but except for the Amphitheater, you can find everything else in Rovinj as well.

Pula is 45 minutes away by car and you can spend half a day there and be satisfied. You can combine the city with a trip to Kamenjak, to make the most out of your day. 

Two inland towns just outside Rovinj. They are small, cute and visiting them is one of the most unique things to do in Rovinj.

Bale is a calm and relaxed town, perfect to walk around and have a cup of coffee in. Vodjan is characterised by a dark red building that many people like to photograph and the many murals and pieces of street art that decorate its streets. You won’t find many such places in Istria. But more important are the mummies! That’s right. There are mummies in Vodnjan. In the Church of St. Blaze, you can find the mummified bodies of 6 saints among 300 holy relics! You can’t take pictures of them and maybe it’s for the best. It can be quite a spooky experience!

Bale is only 20 minutes from Rovinj and Vodnjan is 30 minutes by car. You can see both towns in half a day.

Although similar in size, you could consider Poreč to be something like Rovinj’s little brother. It’s 40 minutes away and you can combine it with visits to Novigrad and Vrsar as well. You can see Poreč in less than two hours, so you will have plenty of time to explore the area.

Poreč itself is a colorful town and the most important landmark is the Episcopal Complex of the Euphrasian Basilica, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The one and only in Istria! Unlike Rovinj, Poreč is a much smoother walking experience, but has less things to do and see. Overall, it’s a pleasant town, where you can relax and have a good lunch after you are done walking around.

If you thought Rovinj is challenging because of its hilly terrain, then Motovun will be a real adventure! Located on the top of a giant hill, Motovun is wonderful to walk around and has many restaurants with amazing views. You should try the fuže pasta and Malvasia wine! Before you do that though, walk around the walls and take as many pictures as you can, especially if you re lucky enough to spot the paragliders coming down

Grožnjan is twenty minutes away from Motovun and is too charming for its size! It should be though, since many artists and musicians live there, resulting in plenty of galleries. If you visit it during summer, you will also be able to listen to musicians practicing often, since a classical music school makes the town its home this period.

Both towns are an hour away from Rovinj, so plan on spending a full day on them.

At the southern tip of the Istrian peninsula, you can find Kamenjak, a protected site full of rocky beaches and crystal blue waters! Some of them are better suited to families and others are made for daredevils who love jumping from cliffs. You can rent paddleboards or kayaks or just relax in the Safari Bar, a jungle themed site, with animals, swings and access to the sea and beaches!

Kamenjak is an hour away from Rovinj, so be prepared for a day trip.

Do you like small islands? Then go to the Brijuni archipelago! Josip Tito’s summer residence used to be on one of the 14 islands and today it’s a popular getaway from the mainland.

You can take a ferry from the town of Fažana to Veliki Brijun, the archipelago’s biggest island and then hop on a train for a tour! Among other sights, you can see Tito’s parrot at the safari park, Koki, who is over 60 years old today! In the same park you can also visit a 1600 year old olive tree or watch a performance at the Ulysses theater.

Brijuni will take up your whole day. The port of Fažana is 35 minutes from Rovinj and the ferry ride takes 15 minutes.

Rovinj is pretty close to the border with Slovenia, so why not take advantage of it and visit another country while there? Slovenia has only a sliver of a coastline and Piran is its crown jewel. A lovely city, only 90 minutes away by car and perfect for a day trip. 

Very similar to Rovinj though, so it’s a good destination if you want to get a whiff of Slovenia. Think of it as a little appetizer, before planning a proper Slovenia vacation. Certainly one of the most unusual things to do in Rovinj is going to Piran.

When it comes to things to do in Rovinj, this town packs a good punch. Certainly not as many activities or landmarks as bigger cities like Zagreb, Dubrovnik or Split, but Rovinj offers its own unique charm. A blend of history, nature, amazing local cuisine, friendly people and a relaxed atmosphere. A truly unforgettable experience.

We saw in this guide all the places you should visit in Rovinj and also talked about the town itself, the best time to visit it, where to stay and where to eat. And since you can see all of Rovinj in a day or two, we also offered a wide list of suggestions for day trips and escapes to islands, little towns and even neighboring Slovenia! 

The list is not exhaustive of course and there are more things to do in discovery. But, instead of doing an exhaustive research yourself, book your trip to Croatia and Rovinj through Tailored by Locals. Enjoy stress-free vacations, made for you!

Planning a Croatia getaway? Get a tailor-made itinerary designed by locals. See all of our Croatia Vacation & Tours!