13 Greatest Issues to Do in Rovinj, Croatia

Rovinj, Croatia is among the most nice locations you will discover on the Adriatic coast. The charming city is commonly within the shadow of the extra well-liked locations to go to in Croatia, reminiscent of Break up, Dubrovnik, or close by Pula, however nonetheless is price visiting. I personally favored it essentially the most of all of the seaside locations within the nation and if I had an opportunity to go for the seaside holidays in Croatia, I might most probably go to Rovinj once more.

There won’t be as many issues to do in Rovinj as elsewhere however that doesn’t imply it’s a boring city. Its attraction, lovely sunsets, scrumptious meals, and picturesque lanes are good to spend some enjoyable time in, with out being too overwhelmed by crowds of vacationers.

In case you are considering of visiting Istria (the seaside area within the north of Croatia), you should definitely put Rovinj in your Croatia itinerary and even use it as a base to discover the area. That’s what I did lately and I used to be very happy with my determination.

After my journey to Rovinj, I put collectively this small information with one of the best issues to do in Rovinj, that may make it easier to to get to know this place a bit higher too.

Find out how to get to Rovinj

Rovinj, a city of round 15.000 inhabitants, is positioned within the northwest a part of Croatia, within the Istria area not removed from the border with Slovenia. Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, is 250 km away from Rovinj whereas different well-liked locations in Istria are a lot nearer: Pula is 35 km away, and Rijeka is 90 km away.

Even when Rovinj is a well-liked vacation spot, getting there by public transport isn’t at all times straightforward. Solely buses attain the city and even when there are direct connections from Zagreb, Pula, Rovinj, and even overseas (Slovenian coast or Trieste in Italy), there are only some of them and you should plan your journey fastidiously across the schedule.

You’ll find schedules of buses to/from Rovinj here. Keep in mind to purchase your ticket earlier than boarding the bus, both on the bus station or on-line. Within the peak season it’s price to reserving tickets forward as they may be bought out.

Find out how to get round Rovinj

Thankfully, Rovinj is sufficiently small which you can simply stroll all over the place. The bus station is positioned on the fringe of the Outdated City (which is usually pedestrian). The one locations to go to in Rovinj which are a bit additional away are a number of the seashores.

The place to remain in Rovinj

Since Rovinj is a well-liked vacation spot amongst vacationers, there are many lodging choices for every style (nearly all of them are personal flats although, I stayed in a type of too). I like to recommend staying throughout the Outdated City, not solely you’ll be near all of the Rovinj points of interest however this place is so very charming it’s laborious to withstand.

You’ll find one of the best locations to remain in Rovinj here.

Issues to do in Rovinj

And now, with none additional ado, let’s discuss one of the best issues to do in Rovinj (apart from falling for this pretty city, clearly).

Wander across the Outdated City

Rovinj has the most effective previous cities you will discover in Croatia. It won’t be filled with points of interest and monuments, like in Dubrovnik or Break up, but it surely absolutely has a attraction that’s laborious to withstand. Wandering round with no map is the easiest way to really feel its vibe and revel in it to the fullest.

You may encounter some actual gems like small shrines on the partitions, picturesque arches above the streets, and laundry hanging round. The maze of winding lanes is ideal for a gradual stroll round, simply you should definitely wander into the backstreets in addition to they’re usually even higher than the principle lanes.

The perfect time to get the true really feel of Rovinj Outdated City is within the morning, earlier than 9 a.m. when there are nonetheless not too many individuals round.

Go to Church of St. Euphemia

Nearly each view of Rovinj you will discover on postcards and on-line photos has a tall church tower in it. That’s the Church of St. Euphemia, the image of the city, courting again to the primary half of the 18th century. Previously, there have been a couple of different church buildings standing on this very place, the primary one was Saint George’s constructed across the yr 800.

What makes this place vital is the Roman sarcophagus (initially from the sixth century) with the relics of Saint Euphemia. The inside isn’t overly spectacular however there are some fascinating artistic endeavors round: Gothic statues from the fifteenth century or work from the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.

If you are right here, for a small charge you may as well climb the bell tower, just like the certainly one of St Mark’s Basilica in Venice. Even when it’s not too laborious to get to the highest, it was one of many craziest bell towers to climb because the steps are relatively slim and the area between them is fairly extensive which may make you a bit dizzy.

However the view is certainly well worth the problem. From the highest, you possibly can admire the gorgeous vista of Rovinj’s Outdated City and past, together with the picturesque Istrian panorama.

Stroll down the Grisia avenue

The primary pedestrian avenue within the Outdated City is Grisia, stretching between the Church of St. Euphemia and the decrease a part of the city. That is in all probability essentially the most charming and picturesque place in Rovinj, with cobbled steps descending on this so-called “artist avenue”.

The place bought its title from the quite a few artwork galleries and avenue artists displaying their works right here. In case you are on the lookout for fascinating souvenirs from Rovinj, that is additionally the place you will get them.

See Balbi’s Arch

One of many nicest monuments in Rovinj’s Outdated City is Balbi’s Arch, guarding the doorway to Grisia avenue and standing within the place of the previous previous city gate. It dates again to the late seventeenth century and has small carvings on either side: on one, you can see the pinnacle of the Turk, and on the opposite the pinnacle of the Venetian. There’s additionally the Lion of Saint Mark, the image of the Venetian Republic.

When wandering across the Outdated City, you should definitely cease right here for a second to take a look at the arch and its carvings, it’s a very fascinating piece of previous structure.

Store at Rovinj market

In case you are on the lookout for some native produce, together with issues to take dwelling with you, Rovinj market is essentially the most handy place for that. Costs may be a bit increased right here however this place is positioned proper within the Outdated City so if you happen to don’t plan to go wherever additional, that is your greatest likelihood to buy some native goodies.

You will get right here honey, truffles, figs, olive oil, lavender, and many others – every little thing domestically made and typical for the Istria area.

See the Partisan Memorial

This Rovinj attraction is a bit completely different from the others however because it’s positioned proper in the midst of the Outdated City why not test it too?

The fascinating construction of the Monument to Fallen Fighters and Victims of Fascist Terror commemorates those that suffered through the fascist regime of World Warfare 2. The monument was erected in 1956 and, though relatively small, is an effective instance of spomeniks within the former Yugoslavia.

Take pleasure in espresso with the view

Among the best locations to get pleasure from espresso in Rovinj is Caffe Bar XL. It’s positioned within the small park proper in entrance of the Church of St. Euphemia, you simply have to observe the trail subsequent to the church, via the arches to get there.

The place is relatively small and serves solely drinks (for a very honest worth contemplating the placement) however the true motive to come back right here is the gorgeous sea view. That is such an ideal place to loosen up a bit and benefit from the laid-back vacation ambiance.

In case you are on the lookout for one of the best espresso in Rovinj, although, there’s one other place to test, a bit hidden however price monitoring down. Augusto Espresso Store is hidden within the archway (actually) in one of many backstreets however if you discover it, you might be in for a deal with! Here is the precise location of this espresso store but it surely’s straightforward to overlook so concentrate when strolling round.

Strive truffles

Istria is understood for its truffles, and a number of other sorts of them develop within the area. They have been found within the forest close to Motovun round 80 years in the past and ever since they grew to become the star of the native delicacies. There isn’t a higher place to do that native delicacy than Rovinj.

You may look forward to finding some dishes with truffles in principally each restaurant and making an attempt them is certainly one of many issues you possibly can’t miss when visiting Rovinj. A number of the greatest native dishes with truffles are ravioli or another pasta with truffles cream sauce, they are often additionally added to the fish or seafood. You may also strive locally-produced truffle olive oil which is a pleasant addition to salads.

The perfect place to get pleasure from your truffle dish is in one of many eating places alongside the waterfront. Not solely you will get an amazing culinary expertise but additionally admire the gorgeous view in entrance of you.

Eat one of the best pizza in Rovinj

What may be stunning for a lot of, the Croatian coast facet has some actually good pizza locations and Rovinj is not any completely different.

I don’t bear in mind who instructed me earlier than my journey to Rovinj about Konoba Pizzeria Harlekin however I knew that if I needed to eat some pizza, that is the place to be. And it undoubtedly was not a disappointment!

This place is small, positioned in one of many slim lanes within the Outdated City, and you may simply miss it when wandering round. However if you happen to cease by and take a look at their pizza you’ll rapidly perceive why Konoba Pizzeria Harlekin deserved a separate level on my checklist.

The place has only some tables exterior so even when you should wait a bit, it’s nonetheless price it. Among the many pizzas, they serve you possibly can strive the one with truffles. The meals shouldn’t be overpriced and the service is actually good too.

Watch sundown

Rovinj is understood for its lovely sunsets and even when it’s a bit cloudy, you possibly can nonetheless get a glimpse of the superb spectacle within the sky (that’s what occurred to me, I wasn’t fortunate with the proper climate however nonetheless might see a pleasant sundown). In case you are fortunate, you’ll be amazed on the glowing surroundings in entrance of you.

Rovinj is solely made for admiring sunsets, you are able to do it from one of many waterfront eating places or from the benches which are positioned alongside the harbor. There are even sundown cruises if you wish to expertise Rovinj from the water perspective.

Go to the St. Catherine Island

Positioned throughout the Outdated City, St. Catherine island is an ideal and simple getaway from the middle of Rovinj. It takes solely 5 minutes to get there by boat however you’ll be welcomed by the inexperienced oasis with nice views of Rovinj’s Outdated City.

Even when the principle motive to go to the island is to remain on the resort positioned right here, non-guest may also come right here to wander across the pretty parks and gardens with greater than 450 completely different species of vegetation and timber. Boats to St. Catherine island depart from the Delfin dock, here is the precise location.

Chill out on the seaside

Regardless of how charming and great the Outdated City in Rovinj is, for a lot of vacationers the principle motive to go to Rovinj is to loosen up on the seaside. There are quite a few seashores in and across the city, sadly principally with pebbles or rocks (that’s the draw back of this a part of the Adriatic coast).

However nonetheless, it’s really easy to plan a superbly enjoyable day on the seaside with so many seashores to select from. A few of them are a bit wilder whereas others supply quite a few services reminiscent of solar beds or seaside bars. Both approach, in case you are hoping for a pleasant time on the seaside, you’ll not be disillusioned in Rovinj.

Go on day journeys

In case you are staying in Rovinj for a couple of days, you need to use the city as a base for some day journeys round. There are some nice locations to go to in Istria which you can simply go to from Rovinj, you may also hop throughout the border to see the Slovenian coast (which is fairly nice too).

A number of the greatest locations you possibly can go to as day journeys from Rovinj embody Lim Channel (recognized additionally because the Croatian fjord), Motovun, Dvigrad citadel, and even Pula and Brijuni Nationwide Park.

Last ideas on visiting Rovinj

Even when there will not be all that many issues to do in Rovinj, town is so pretty that spending time there’s a actual pleasure. I used to be there in early Could so there weren’t too many individuals round, which in all probability made me get pleasure from it much more. And that’s after I advocate visiting Rovinj, simply earlier than or after the height season.

However I can think about that even in the summertime months it’s an amazing place, inviting you to wander round or sit down in certainly one of many waterfront eating places and revel in its good vibe. I don’t assume I do know an individual who didn’t like Rovinj and I’m certain you’ll simply fall for this place too. Don’t miss it throughout your subsequent journey to Croatia!

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