Rovinj is a city that tops the favorite list of many travelers to the Istrian Peninsula and we were no different. Why is this town so beloved? Rovinj is romantic, historic, and looks and feels more Italian than Croatian. With twisting city streets, a bustling, photogenic harbor, and some of the best seafood restaurants in Croatia, this is a town that is not to be missed. In this guide, we cover how to spend one day in Rovinj.
We spent one day here in July and we all fell in love with Rovinj. I have to say that Dubrovnik is still our favorite Croatian city (and Tyler is a big fan of Split) but Rovinj is right up there at the top of our list.
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.
For the most part, we spent the day wandering the old town, enjoying the view from the cathedral, and sampling a few restaurants. Rovinj is one of those places that is perfect for exploring without an itinerary or to-do list. Even so, there are a few spots well worth your time while in Rovinj. Here they are.
Table of Contents
Best Things To Do in Rovinj
1. Stroll along the Harbor
The small harbor of Rovinj is packed with fishing boats, small ferries, and batana boats (flat-bottomed boats used by the local fishermen). Plus, this is a nice spot to take a photo of the old town.
Rovinj harbor | One Day in Rovinj
2. Wander the Old Town
In my opinion, this is the best thing to do in Rovinj. These narrow, winding streets are fun to stroll and a blast to photograph. Along the way, go shopping at the small boutiques, have a coffee or a drink in one of the cafes, and search for hidden alleyways and steps down to the water’s edge.
Next to the harbor is Tito Square (Trg Marsala Tita). It’s hard to not notice the Italian touches in Rovinj and you can really get a feel for that right in this spot. In fact, it felt like we were standing in the Cinque Terre, not Croatia.
Rovinj old town | One Day in Rovinj
Rovinj city street
3. Shop at the Farmer’s Market
Worth a quick look, this small market has vendors selling truffles, fresh fruits and vegetables, and even some souvenirs. This is the perfect place for a cheap, healthy snack to keep you fueled up as you tour Rovinj.
Rovinj farmer’s market | One Day in Rovinj
4. Climb the Bell Tower at the Church of St. Euphemia
For the best view over Rovinj and the coast, climb the bell tower. First, it’s an uphill walk just to get to the Church of St. Euphemia, which can be very hot in the summer months. Then, it is a climb up 192 creaky steps to the top of the bell tower. But it’s worth it for this view. Plus, the breeze feels amazing and it’s so much cooler here than down on the city streets.
Steps to the top of the bell tower
View from the bell tower | One Day in Rovinj
5. Have a Drink (and maybe a swim) at the Mediterraneo Bar
This is the coolest spot we found in Rovinj. This small bar sits right on the water’s edge with views out to St. Catherine’s Island and the harbor.
Colorful tables, chairs, and comfy beanbag chairs are arranged along the water’s edge, forming the perfect Croatian bar. I could have sat here all day.
Mediterraneo Bar
Tyler and Kara debated going back to our car to get their swimsuits, because yes, you can go swimming right from this spot. The clear, bright blue water looked so inviting on this hot summer day.
6. Take a Cruise from Rovinj
We did not do this but I wish we had. There are a number of companies that offer cruises out into the sea, where you can get scenic views of the old town and the nearby small islands.
Another popular thing to do is to cruise to St. Catherine’s Island and the Red Island.
7. Go to the Beach
There are a few places in Rovinj to lounge in the sun. Balota Beach is a popular spot right on the old town peninsula. This rocky outcropping is filled with sunbathers during the summer months. You can also go to the Golden Cape (Zlatni Rt) or Valdaliso Beach, a short drive from the old town.
Planning Your Trip to Rovinj
How Much Time Do You Need in Rovinj?
One full day is plenty of time to explore Rovinj, go on a short cruise, and even spend some time at the beach. Or, just plop yourself down at the Mediterraneo Bar, go for a quick swim, and enjoy the view. Do you get the sense that I really liked this place?
How to Get to Rovinj
The best way to get around the Istrian Peninsula is by car. You can’t park in the old town, but there are parking lots located just outside of the old town. The closest lots are labeled “Velika Valdibora” and “Mala Valdibora” on Google Maps.
Driving Distances from Nearby Towns:
- Pula: 42 km, 45 minutes
- Porec: 36 km, 45 minutes
- Motovun: 47 km, 55 minutes
- Piran: 80 km, 1 hour 15 minutes (plus a border crossing)
Location of Rovinj | One Day in Rovinj
Where To Eat
The food is amazing on the Istrian Peninsula. Seafood with an Italian twist is on the menu of most restaurants in Rovinj. Here are some of the best spots to eat in town:
Monte. This restaurant is not only “the best” restaurant in Rovinj, many people who dine here state that it is also the best restaurant in Croatia. Expect excellent food, excellent wine, and superb service here. Definitely make your reservation in advance.
Balbi. Tucked away on a quiet street in the old town, Balbi serves seafood and pasta. They don’t take reservations but you can have a glass of wine at their wine bar while you wait for a table to open up.
Pizzeria da Sergio. Don’t want to spend a lot of money on lunch or dinner? Have the best pizza in town at this budget friendly restaurant.
Where to Stay
We did not stay in Rovinj. We stayed just outside of Porec at the Aparthotel Adeo. This hotel was great, since it offered a pool, plenty of parking, and a great location to explore the Istrian Peninsula. However, on a return trip to Istria, Tim and I would love to stay in Rovinj.
Here are a few hotels that get rave reviews.
LUXURY: Hotel Monte Mulini. This 5-star hotel is located just outside of the old town (about a 20-minute walk). Take a swim in one of several pools, sunbathe on the beach, enjoy the gorgeous coastal views, and dine at their fine dining restaurant. The rooms are large, clean, and beautifully decorated. If you want to be near Rovinj but have a resort-like experience, this is the place to go.
LUXURY: Hotel Lone. Normally I do not list two luxury hotels in one article but Hotel Lone is another amazing property and deserves to be mentioned. Like Hotel Monte Mulini, this is resort offers multiple pools, beach access, a restaurant, spa, and even a nightclub. Located in Golden Cape National Park, it takes about 15 minutes to walk to the old town of Rovinj.
UPSCALE: Spirito Santo Palazzo Storico Hotel. This is a gorgeous property that just opened in 2017. Located in the old town, this hotel has one of the best locations in Rovinj, if you like the idea of staying in the city center. Some rooms offer views of the Church of St. Euphemia.
MIDRANGE: Vista Mare – Sea View. This apartment gets near perfect reviews from prior guests and offers a stunning view of Rovinj. It is located on the harbor so from here, it’s a short walk into the heart of the old town but the view more than makes up for the little bit of extra walking you will do. This apartment can accommodate two people and it comes with a small kitchen and washing machine.
BUDGET: Apartments Knezovic. This property offers studio apartments and a two-bedroom apartment that can accommodate up to six people. It’s located just outside of the old town but even so you are easily within walking distance of the harbor and the main sights. Since you are not staying right in the old town, parking your car and transferring your luggage will be less of a hassle.
When to Go to Rovinj
Rovinj can be visited year round. The most popular time to visit is during the summer months from June through September. Expect larger crowds and make your hotel reservations and dinner reservations in advance.
It can also be very hot during the summer. We were here in July and the temperatures were about 35°C (95°F) with a heat index up over 38°C (100°F).
You can visit Rovinj year round, however, some restaurants and hotels will be closed during the low season (November to April).
Are you planning a trip to the Istrian Peninsula? If you have any questions about how to spend one day in Rovinj, let us know in the comment section below!
More Information about Croatia
ISTRIAN PENINSULA: With 3 days, you can go on a whirlwind tour of the Istrian Peninsula of Croatia. Learn how to visit Pula and Cape Kamenjak and add on Piran and Koper, which are in Slovenia.
PLITVICE LAKES: Plitvice Lakes is a beautiful place to visit in Croatia. Learn how to plan your visit in our Guide to Plitvice Lakes.
DUBROVNIK: For a list of the top experiences in Dubrovnik, read our article Best Things to Do in Dubrovnik. We also have a guide on Where to Eat in Dubrovnik and an article about how to walk the Dubrovnik Walls.
PLACES TO VISIT NEAR CROATIA: If you plan to explore beyond the borders of Croatia, Mostar in Bosnia & Herzegovina is a beautiful, fairytale town to add to your itinerary. Spend 2 days in Montenegro, visit the coastal town of Piran in Slovenia, or learn about the best places to visit in Slovenia, which sits to the northwest of Croatia.
TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY: For more information about the camera gear we carry, check out our Travel Photography Gear Guide. And tips and tricks for taking great photos in our article How to Take Better Photos while Traveling.
Planning a trip to Croatia? Read all of our articles in our Croatia Travel Guide.
Note: This post contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we get paid a small commission at no extra cost to you.
All rights reserved © Earth Trekkers. Republishing this article and/or any of its contents (text, photography, etc.), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited.
Comments 40
we have booked an Isterian peninsula bike tour which ends early afternoon in Rovinj. we need to be in Venice for flights the next day, so are getting a driver . My adult children want to spend the afternoon exploring, but we will have our luggage with us (last hotel is in Bale). They say no worries, but would you have any suggestions for where to store luggage for the afternoon? thx!
Author
I don’t know of any specific places but I have seen a company named Bounce that stores luggage and has locations throughout Europe, so you could check their website to see if they have a location in Rovinj. Cheers, Julie
We are going to Rovinj as a stop on a cruise. Since all stops will be seaport towns I was thinking of spending my one day there going on an excursion to the Hill towns including Motovun. Do you think that is a good idea?
Author
We haven’t been to Motovun so I don’t know much about it and how worthwhile it will be. However, we really liked Rovinj, and I think it is worth spending at least an hour or two here (it doesn’t take long to see the highlights). Cheers, Julie
Thank you so much for your recommendation to spend time in Rovinj. It had not been on my radar but based on your post, I booked 4 nights of our 2 week Croatia trip in Rovinj and it was our favorite place. We were there in the second week of September so there were still enough people to create a great vibe but not so many that you couldn’t get a table at a restaurant. There was live music every night in the main square and lots of pleasant people to talk to.
Author
You’re welcome! I’m glad you had a great experience there! Cheers, Julie
Wow, the view from St. Euphemia is amazing! Now I really regret not going up there when I was there this summer.. :\
Our favorite thing in Rovinj was having a drink at the seaside bars watching the sunset every night. What an amazing scenery!
Great pictures by the way! I have posted some of the pictures I took on our trip this summer if you would like to take a look: https://dinstorbyferie.no/rovinj The next time I visit I am going to climb the tower! Those pictures where amazing. Great job 🙂
wow! looks like Croatia needs at least 15 days to explore.. but unfortunately i don’t have that much of time. Can you suggest me where should we travel? we have 8 to 9 days. also i am very much confused about route and transport in Croatia. Currently my preferences are Dubrovnik, Split, 5 island tour, Zagreb, Plitvice national park and Rovinj istria. Can you please tell me the route for this.. as in from where should we start? WE’ll be flying from UK. And in 8 days all these places are doable?
Author
That’s a long list of things to do in 8 or 9 days. I suggest eliminating Rovinj and the Istrian Peninsula. You could fly into Zagreb, rent a car, visit Plitvice, then Split, the islands, and end in Dubrovnik. That should come in right around 8 to 9 days. On both of our trips to Croatia we rented a car and that was a great way to get around the country. Cheers, Julie
Thanks Julie. Unfortunately we cant rent a car. Have you used bus or trains to travel there?
Author
We had a rental car for both of our trips to Croatia. It is possible to get around by public transportation but I am not a good source of information for that (since we had a car). Cheers, Julie
Hi. I am planning a trip to Rovinj in October end. Am confused between Rovinj and dubrovnik. Can you help in choosing one.
Author
Of the two cities, Dubrovnik is much larger, more popular, easier to visit, and closer to the more popular islands and other small towns in Croatia. Dubrovnik is located farther south in Croatia and near other popular towns and islands in Croatia, such as Hvar, Split, and Brac, just to name a few. It’s best to spend at least a few days in Dubrovnik since there is so much to do here. Rovinj is located on the Istrian Peninsula and usually visited when touring the Istrian Peninsula and/or some sights in Slovenia. For more information about Dubrovnik, take a look at our Things to Do in Dubrovnik article. Cheers, Julie
If you need to choose between the two cities I would for sure choose Rovinj which has so much more to offer.
I definitely do not get the sense that you understand what Rovinj is all about. You claim that one full day is enough to go to the bar and swim, and all the rest of it. That is ridiculous to say the least. You might as well go for a swim ..anywhere.
Author
For people with limited time, one day is all they might have, so we are simply pointing out what we think is the best way to spend that time. Cheers, Julie
Thanks so much for your input, Julie! This is helpful.
HI Julie,
I have enjoyed your posts. They are quite informative and make me feel like I’m already there!
My family of 4 (2 kids—boy 13 and girl 10) is heading to Croatia in June. We are thinking of spending 3-4 nights on the Istrian Peninsula. I read your posts about it and we are planning to stay in/near Rovinj and visit other towns from there. My husband and I are going back and forth on where to stay. Should we stay in Rovinj town center in an apartment with all of the ancient, amazing charm or does it make more sense with our children to stay in a hotel with a gorgeous beach and pool and drive to explore the cities? My husband leans towards the charm of town and I lean towards the hotel as home base with plenty of exploring from there.
Would love to hear your thoughts!
Thank-you,
Lori
PS we head to Budapest after Croatia and will stay in a charming apartment near the Danube.
Author
Hello Lori. We had the same exact debate when planning the Istria part of our trip. Tim wanted the beach/pool and I wanted the charming town. We stayed at Aparthotel Adeo, which had a small pool, great central location, and it was very easy to get around Istria. It worked very well. Tyler and Kara got to swim in the pool every day, after sightseeing, and Tim and I had drinks and worked on our laptops poolside. But Tim and I both fell in love with Rovinj and wished that we had stayed here. However, our kids would disagree…for them, having the pool was perfect. And there are many bigger resorts nearby that have huge pools and nice beaches. They are worth looking into. I think that it is nice, for your kids, to have a hotel with a pool/beach in the summer months and Istria is the perfect place to do this. So, maybe skip staying in Rovinj since you have the charming apartment in Budapest? It’s a tough decision, right? Good luck! Cheers, Julie