In order to spend unforgettable holidays in Rovinj, you need no special instructions. This place is as uncomplicated as the people – friendly and helpful. In our online travel guide – Rovinj.com.hr, we have put together some tips and suggestions for you so that you can get an overview of this beautiful place – Rovinj, even before the trip starts.
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Everything you need to know before your holiday in Rovinj (Croatia)
ROVINJ – a picturesque and pleasant town situated on the west coast of Istra. Particularly favourable climatic conditions, plenty of sunny days during the year, the unpolluted and warm sea, the richness of the scenery with a luxuriant vegetation, numerous cultural and historical monuments and the everlasting beauty of the town environment, have made of Rovinj a favourite meeting-place of artists, writers, painters, and actors throughout the year.
If we compared Istra to the most beautiful shell of the Adriatic Sea, Rovinj would be then the pearl of that shell.
Islands and islets of the Rovinj Archipelago include (22), numerous inlets and small ports. Lim-fjord (the Lim inlet, Lim channel), ‘Zlatni rt’ (natural woodland park the ‘Golden Cape’), yacht ports for nautical tourists, a wide chioce of sports, recreation and entertainment – make of Rovinj an exceptionally attractive tourist resort.
Rovinj holiday: What to see and do in Rovinj
Rovinj is one of the most developed Croatian seaside resorts, offering a whole range of tourist features in a picturesque ambiance of the ancient town, surrounded by luxuriant pine forests (the cape of Zlatni Rt is designated as a park forest, while the coast and islands of Rovinj are set aside as a protected landscapes).
Rovinj is certainly an Istrian town which should be visited because of its scenic beauty and historical bases. Rovinj is a very romantic place within splendid Venetian Renaissance and Baroque monuments and churches.
The town of Rovinj is distanced 36 km away from Pula and offers numerous monuments as well as cultural events such as the International Pop festival during the summer, and International Art Exhibition in August, and the Patron’s Day, the St Euphemia’s day (16th of September).
Also is advisable to visit the Institute of Marine Biology, which was founded in the late 19th century and with the aquarium. Nearby you can explore the ancient monuments and cemetery on the Red island (Crveni Otok).
Some of the restaurants, cafés and bars are Bethlehem, Cantinon, Fontana, Giannino, Havana, Monte, Monte Carlo, Pizzeria da Sergio, Porat, Sidro, Toni, Valentino, Veli JoŽe, Viecia Batana and ZanziBar.
Extra tip: Read Our Rovinj Travel Guide and Top Things to Do in Rovinj.
Best Natural and Historical Attractions of Rovinj
Turnina
In the vicinity of Rovinj, on the right side of the road that goes from Rovinj to Rovinjsko selo there is the hill Turnina. At its top there are the remains of the first Roman and later medieval fortress. In prehistoric times there was a hill-fort from the Bronze Age settlement with elliptical shape. At the highest point of hill, the tower was built. Sometimes these towers were used to smoke and light signaling.
Detailed information about Turnina hill.
Banjole island
Banjole island is a little island that the locals called “7 hair.” The name comes from the fact that once on the island were only 7 trees. The small island is often visited by divers because of the interesting underwater flora and fauna. In the middle of the island, there are underwater caves that can be reached from the outside.
Detailed information about Banjole island.
St. John Island
St. John Island is located between the Rovinj lighthouse and island of Maskin. In the summer you can find many anchored yachts and smaller boats enjoying the sea and wonderfull nature. The island is covered with dense pine forest and on the northern side there is a ruins of an old church. On the south side of the island (that overlooks the lighthouse), you can find the tomb of the unknown sailor.
Detailed information about St. John Island.
St. Katarina Island
St. Katarina Island is located just opposite of the Rovinj Old town. It was inhabited in the Bronze Age, as evidenced by prehistoric structures discovered back in 1886. It should be noted that in the late 19th Century, the demand for land on the island and the price rised. Slowly emerged the idea of starting tourism and resorts in the island and to build a hotel for monarchical guests.
Detailed information about St. Katarina Island.
St. Andrew Island
St. Andrew Island (Red Island, Crveni otok) – is the largest island near Rovinj. Beautiful lush and varied vegetation, clear blue sea and beautiful beaches is what it makes it a true jewel of tourism of Rovinj.
It was inhabited in prehistoric times and in the sea is possible to find the remains from the Roman era. In the sixth Century there was built one of the oldest Benedictine chucrh in Istria that later become a monastery. In the 13th Century, the island was abandoned, probably due to fever and frequent wars. The monastery was restored back in the 1446 year. The Franciscan order inhabited the island till 1807th year.
1890th Island was bought by Baron Georg von Hutterot (because of his Jewish surname was originally Hütterodt). First, he rebuilt the castle (the old Benedictine monastery and cement factory), took care of the water, dragged the country and began the reforestation of the island.
Detailed information about St. Andrew Island.
Lim Fjord
Lim Fjord or Lim channel is one of the most beautiful bay in the Adriatic. It is 12km long, 600m wide and 30 meters deep. On the shore of the Lim bay, there are two caves: Large and small caves of St. Romualdo.
The smaller cave is located near the village of Kloštar, while the larger is situated on the half of the Mount St. Martin. In the smaller cave there have been found traces of the Palaeolithic and findings of the remains of prehistoric animal bones and remains of the first cave man in Istria.
Today, Lim channel is visited by numerous tourists from all over the world. There are many organized-daily boat trips from Rovinj, Porec, Pula and Vrsar to this location. In Lim Bay there are two well-known fish restaurants: Lim and the Viking Restaurant serving excellent seafood dishes and shellfish.
On the road leading from Lim to Vrsar and Porec there is parking spot for cars and busses where tourist can buy authentic Istrian products like rakija, cheeses, souvenirs, etc.
Every year the Lim channel features a rowing regatta.
Detailed information about Lim Fjord (Lim Channel).
Extra tip: Read Our detailed guide of Natural attractions of Rovinj and Rovinj Cultural attractions.
Rovinj Coast and Beaches
A number of coves and pebble beaches, playgrounds, organized entertainment in hotels, tourist resorts and campsites, private accommodation tailored to the needs of families with children – will create an unforgettable holiday in Rovinj for you and your children.
For the youngest visitors and tourists of Rovinj, it may be particularly interesting to visit to the City Aquarium, Mini Croatia open-air gallery, Mini Grisia exhibition of the youngest artists within Grisia – a well-known one-day exhibition.
You may also just take the youngsters on a boat trip from the beach and go dolphin viewing or enjoy the incredible view of the city and Rovinj archipelago from the tower of the church of St. Euphemia and enjoy. The Rovinj coastline with many beaches is 67 km long.
Beaches in Zlatni Rt – situated at 3 locations include catering and sanitary facilities, while two of them offer beach gear rental. Improved sea access.
Lone Bay – After improvement, it became the most visited town bathing spot at an attractive location in the Park Forest (Zlatni Rt), right next to the town and numerous hotels.
Skaraba – The beaches in this part of the coast are quite visited, especially in the west part. Cape Škaraba has a nice beach with flat rocks suitable for sunbathing.
Kuvi Bay – It is located near the Villas Rubin Tourist Resort, around 3 km from the center of Rovinj, and stretches along 1 km of shoreline. There You can find restaurants and bars, showers, a sport center renting deckchairs, kayaks.
Beach on the Island of St. Andrija – the beaches on this location are rocky and pebbly, and each is equally visited.
The frequently visited beaches are also those near the Rovinj hospital in the coves Lešo and Valdibora. Rovinj coast is bounded by two protected parks.
Swimming is forbidden in the park on the northern side in Lim Channel, but it is allowed to swim in Palud cove. There is the possibility to come to this beach walking through the Palud park.
The attractive hidden beaches suitable for swimming are also located on the islets Figarola, Sturago, Sv. Ivan, Polari, Veštar, Gustinja. The suitable and well-maintended beaches are those in tourist settlements Valalta (FKK), Amarin, Valdaliso, Villas Rubin, and camps Polari and Veštar, as well as the beaches on the islands of St. Andrija and St. Katarina.
The beaches in the tourist settlements Amarin and Villas Rubin and the camp in Polari, as well as the beach on the island of St. Andrija, are the holders of the Blue flag.
Extra tip: Read our full post Rovinj Beach Guide or Rovinj Beaches Check List.