Rovinj is a very pretty small town and for many people that’s reason enough to make it a place worth visiting. Many will spend 2-3 days and will most likely rave about its romantic charm, colorful streets and glorious sunsets. People staying longer (like us – we used Rovinj as a base for 5 weeks) will need more than that. I’ll cover that further below.
As you can see, Rovinj is a very picturesque place. The historical center however is very small – within a couple of days you’ll find yourself walking the same streets over and over again. In all honesty you’ll most likely get bored.
As longer term travellers we actually enjoyed Rovinj more for its less obvious traits. We’re not the only ones because we discovered that many people, mostly families, come here for extended periods – sometimes renting apartments for a month or two. When we arrived (in early May) we saw a lot of empty apartments in the neighborhoods outside the old town. Towards the end of our stay we noticed more and more families (many Italian and German), arriving in loaded up SUV’s and hatchbacks, filling up the same apartments.
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There are several reasons Rovinj isa great base for an extended holiday .
1.Its a great place to relax and do family stuff. Close to the old town is Golden Gate Forest Park (also known as Zlatni rt or Punta Corrente), a huge park with bicycle trails, beaches and little cafes. You can spend days here doing activities. For more serious cyclists, bike trails extend even further: there are 3 trails of 30km and 2 that are over 60km in length. So Rovinj is a very outdoorsy kind of place.
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2. People are incredibly friendly. We especially loved Rovinj because of the people. Although it is a tourist town and gets very crowded in the summer, it hasn’t changed the people. The reason for this is that the town only really gets busy with tourists from June to September (ie. 4 months). So for most of the year locals are carrying on their regular lives, often having a couple of jobs. In the summer they supplement that by renting out properties or working in the tourism sector. But since they’re not full-time tourist workers they aren’t jaded and are appreciative of tourists.I’ve previously written about our Airbnb hosts in Rovinj. They were incredible (if you haven’t read that post it’s really worth it). We’ve had other people tell us that their own experiences with other hosts were also fantastic. My theory is that Rovinj gets a lot of repeat business and with the summer rental market being so competitive they work hard at giving you a great experience. The people in Rovinj really rank as some of the nicest people we’ve ever met in our travels.
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3. Rovinj makes for a great base to explore the rest of Istria. During our 5 weeks there we explored almost everywhere: Pula, Porec, Novigrad, as well as most ofthe hilltowns of Istria. We also visited many other pretty towns that never made it on the blog, places like Bale, Pazin and Svetvicenat (this last one was one of our favorites). There’s lots to see and we enjoyed having Rovinj as a base..
– Accommodation. I mentioned our Airbnb apartment. I can’t recommend anyone else. Hotels. If you prefer hotels or non-Airbnb apartments I have a few recommendations: Hotel Angelo d’Oro (beautiful hotel right in the center of the old town), Luxury Apartment Fabris (beautiful apartment just a couple of minutes outside the old town), La Fondiaria (nice apartment right outside center, very good value).
– We went to Lea’s gym while in Rovinj. Good place to stay in shape. The gym would usually be ‘closed’ in the afternoon but in true Rovinj fashion the owner showed us where he hides the key and we would have the place all to ourselves.
– We tried most of the best rated restaurants in the old town and were disappointed (that includes Rio Bar, Aqua 2 and Kantinon). Our host (a chef) served us the best Croatian food we’ve ever had. But she also recommended Orca restaurant which she says is the best restaurant in town (See this post by a fellow blogger on Orca).
– You need a car to get outside Rovinj and explore Istria. Have a look at my post on car rental in Croatia and the most scenic drives.
Related: Exploring the highlights of Croatian Istria
Related: Highlights and Lowlights of Dubrovnik, Croatia
Related: What’s Zagreb like? Reflections on scams, graffiti, and pleasant surprises
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Why visit Rovinj? Rovinj, Croatia, is a picturesque town with cobblestone streets, tightly clustered colorful houses, and a charming harbor. It offers stunning views, cultural attractions, beautiful beaches, and outdoor activities like hiking and cycling.
An Adventurer's Destination. If you're looking for an adventure, Rovinj is the place to be! This town offers numerous sporting and recreational activities. From bike riding, boat tours and free climbing, the nature surrounding the town is the perfect setting for a new venture.
Rovinj, a town with a rich history, has been inhabited since prehistoric times. From its early days as Castrum Rubini to its rule under Venice for 500 years, Rovinj flourished as an important trading port.
The best time to take a holiday here is between early June and late September. At this time of year, temperatures on the coast and around the islands range from the mid-twenties to the low thirties. When it comes to rainfall, you can expect no more than 3 to 6 showery days a month.
However there are plenty of things to do in Rovinj and you can easily spend your entire holiday based here in Rovinj. If you're thinking about doing that, I'd suggest one week in Rovinj as a base to explore the town, surrounding islands and coastline and also to have a day trip to central Istria too.
It offers stunning views, cultural attractions, beautiful beaches, and outdoor activities like hiking and cycling. Rovinj also hosts festivals, has a vibrant nightlife, and offers a unique shopping experience.
While it's true that most visitors come to Croatia for the infamous beaches and islands, in the know travelers recognized that this country also offers a cornucopia of outdoor adventures with stunning mountains, waterfalls, rivers, and wild forests.
Rovinj cuisine is based on seafood which used to be caught by locals who set out to the open sea in batanas. In order to preserve the tradition of typical Rovinj cookery, the Batana House Eco Museum published The Traditional Rovinj Cuisine Cookbook.
The Istrian Peninsula does not get the same astonishing numbers of visitors during the summer months as the Dalmatian coast, so this is a great place to visit if you want to avoid the crowds. Rovinj still gets a lot of visitors, but it doesn't feel mobbed like Dubrovnik or Hvar can be in the summer.
Rovinj exudes more character and charm and simply is prettier. Rovinj, while, busy, has a specific relaxed vibe whereas the vibe/feel of Poreč is more... buzzy and energetic. You loved Rovinj; Poreč won't surpass it.
Very different places - Rovinj is easier for a tourist but Dubrovnik is a jewel in the crown - despite the crowds. Forget Pula but absolutely get to Porec another beautiful old town but smaller than Rovinj. All places have great dining options - lamb under the bell is a must but should be pre-ordered.
Rovinj was sunny and bright so you'll also want to pack sunglasses and sunscreen, especially if you're someone who burns easily. For me, it was maxi skirts and loose-fitting tank tops, I did wear a bra on day 1 (which I regret and immediately learned from my mistake) and a sun hat for extra protection from the sun.
What is Rovinj Most Famous For? Rovinj has become synonymous with summer getaways full of crystalline waters, cobblestone laneway and a healthy dose of nature. One of the most frequented towns in Croatia, it lies west coast of the Istrian Peninsula.
Rovinj and Pula are two of Istria's most scenic and historic coastal towns, and their small scale and narrow streets make them ideal for exploring on foot.
Rovinj exudes more character and charm and simply is prettier. Rovinj, while, busy, has a specific relaxed vibe whereas the vibe/feel of Poreč is more... buzzy and energetic. You loved Rovinj; Poreč won't surpass it.
How do you pronounce Rovinj ? Locals here pronounce it RO-veen but I also hear others say Ro-VEEN. Technically every letter in Croatian is always pronounced, and "nj" is one sound, so you can detect the "j" which sounds like "y" as in "you", or "ny", tricky for non-native speakers at the end of a word.
Introduction: My name is Saturnina Altenwerth DVM, I am a witty, perfect, combative, beautiful, determined, fancy, determined person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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