This city gets quite popular in summer when the streets are full of tourists and the restaurants are filled with people enjoying the famous Mediterranean cuisine and fresh seafood from the Adriatic Sea. There are not too many places that will charm you in such a way.

Discover the picturesque city of Rovinj

Situated on the western part of the Istrian coast from Lim Fjord on the north to the town of Bale to the south. It has a very rugged archipelago consisting of 14 islands and 6 cliffs. Rovinj began to develop at the time of the Roman Empire and during the past century has experienced a series of intense times. As evidence, you can see the numerous forts, walls and towers and a large number of monuments from the period of Venetian rule.

Today Rovinj is the city that has the most tourist nights, which should not be surprising because here are some of the best hotels on the Adriatic coast. Its gastronomical and wellness offer, as well as various events for all ages, are increasing every year.

Visit Church of St. Euphemia

Church of St Euphemia was built in 1736. The church preserved its stone-white color through the years with beautiful park and walkway. It is dominated by Baroque style, and its extravagant interior is full of interesting sculptures and frescoes. The church is located at the highest point in the Old Town so it requires some uphill walking.

If you go to church while it is still open don’t miss to go up to the bell tower. From the tower, you get a 360 view of the area which is breathtaking and idyllic, with the sounds of church bells and the dark-blue sea view this place leaves you definitely mesmerized.

Legend says that when Euphemia was 15 years old, she was arrested by Diocletian’s soldiers, and when she refused to give up Christianity, she was tortured with cruelty. But she still remained loyal to Christ and was thrown to the lions who eventually killed her. People say that a sarcophagus came floating in the sea to the coast of Rovinj after a big storm. It is said that many people of Rovinj tried to haul the sarcophagus but no one succeeded. Finally, answering to St. Euphemia’s call, a small boy with two cows managed to haul the sarcophagus up the hill.

The people of Rovinj considered it a miracle, and they proclaimed St. Euphemia the patron-saint of the town. St. Euphemia’s Day is celebrated on September 16.

Explore the Old Town

The Old Town of Rovinj is built on the island, which was only connected with the mainland in the 18th century. The Old Town stands out with many sights and narrow streets in which artists exhibit their works.

The Balbi Arch was built in the 16th century and it represents the grand entrance in the Old Town. It was named after Daniel Balbi who was the mayor at the time. A few hundred years ago, the Old Town sat on an island separate from the mainland and the area where the main square currently sits was a canal, while a bridge connected the high street to the arch. When the canal was filled in, the arch came under the ownership of Balbi house. It is decorated with winged lion of Venice which reminds us that this coast used to be part of Venetian empire.

The Town Clock was built in the 12th century and it marks the center of the winding marble covered streets of the Old town in front of the drinking fountain. The clock stands out on the Main Square because of its color which is a vivid terracotta.

Things to do and see in Rovinj

There are so many fantastic and exciting things you can do or the wonderful things you can see in Rovinj. Let’s go!

Monkodonja Hill Fort

Monkodonja Hill Fort is well-preserved Bronze-Age hill fort. It is located about 5 km south-east of Rovinj. Monkodonja was inhabited in the period between 2000 and 1200 BC and it underwent numerous restoration phases. The settlement is circled by large drywall and as most others, Istrian hillfort settlements are placed on a flattened peak of the hilltop. Hill sights are a combination of the stunning sea view and the Brijuni islands and the land view of the lush Istrian countryside. It is definitely something worth seeing.

Discover beaches in Rovinj

Discover local beaches as Punta Corrente also known as Zlatni Rt (Golden Cape) which is the beautiful beach with a forest, crystal clear sea, pebbles, and rocks. Everybody can find a perfect little spot to enjoy staying at the beach. This is the largest and most popular beach in Rovinj.

Valdaliso beach is surrounded with pines, with an enchanting view of the Old Town of Rovinj. Access to the Valdaliso beach is possible either from the seaside or through the reception of the camp and hotel resort. Its southern part is mostly covered with pebbles, so it is suitable for families with children.
Monte (Baluota) is an attractive stone beach is located in the very center of Rovinj, right next to the church of Saint Euphemia. This unique spot is excellent for sunbathing and it is situated only a few minutes from the main square. The beach is not the best solution for amateur swimmers because of the rocky shore.

Visit Lim Fjord

Lim Fjord is also known as the Lim Bay is located on the western coast of Istria. It is located near Rovinj and Vrsar. The fjord is massively vegetated with pine trees and deciduous trees. The rich lush green makes a stark contrast with the blue water and the grey limestone – a truly beautiful natural phenomenon. The water here contains a large number of planktons, and because of that, the area is a natural hatching site for many fish species. The best way to visit Lim Fjord is by boat, and there are plenty of organized daily excursions on the coast of Rovinj.

Don’t miss these festivals in Rovinj

If you are a jazz lover, there’s Rovinj Spring Jazz Festival. If you like the Latin dance, there’s Sensual Days festival. We are sure everyone can find something for himself in Rovinj. Feel the energy of a festival which makes the whole town dance salsa on the Rovinj Summer Salsa Festival.

On the Grisia Art Fair galleries located on the Grisia Street open their doors and the street becomes an open-air art show with drawings, paintings, and sculptures enhancing the walls and doorways.

Go to the Brijuni Islands

The Brijuni Islands are a group of fourteen small islands. Visit the Nation Park with an unspoiled nature – crystal clear water, small ZOO and Tito’s museum. It is an oasis of the magnificent harmony between humans, animals, and plants. There is plenty of beaches where you can find yourself on your own with no others around. Visit the museum celebrating Tito’s life (former dictator of Yugoslavia) on the island and get to know a little bit of his exceptional life. The Mediterranean garden is also worth a visit with its beautiful lavender hedge and a calm and harmonious atmosphere. Hire a bike or golf car and explore the island on your own.

Go on a boat trip to St. Katarina Island

Take a boat trip to the St. Katarina island near Rovinj. It is romantic, peaceful, stunning – beautiful scenery with all the small bays. The whole St. Katarina Island is covered with pines. It offers a choice of peaceful and beautiful beaches. If you want to relax during your stay jump on the boat and put a relaxation mood on.

Booking.com

Don’t miss the chance to visit Rabac, the magnificent coastal city in Istria. It is an excellent choice for a family vacation and a retiree.

The gem of the southeast coast of Istria

Rabac is a coastal resort city on the southeast coast of Istria, placed in an impressive bay near Labin city. Today it is a vacation retreat with countless villas and apartment buildings, but in the middle of 19th century, Rabac was a little fishing port with barely ten houses.

Magnificent surrounding, delightful pebbly beaches, mild climate and a splendid view of Kvarner Bay. Sounds like an ideal location for an enchanting vacation, doesn’t it? Sandy beaches as Maslenica, St. Andrea Lanterna and Girandella have proudly received a “Blue Flag.” The blue flag signifies the purity of the sea along with the protected and well-organized environment. We can’t decide which one is a more attractive beach.

Along the sea is a beautiful promenade excellent for cycling, jogging while the restaurants offer exquisite local delicacies. Various sports amenities on the beaches make Rabac a winning seaside refuge on this side of the Istrian coast.

Why you should visit Rabac

Rabac is an awesome place for families and retiree, because of its accessible beaches. Beach chairs and umbrellas can be rented directly on the beach, so you can comfortably enjoy in the sun.

Sports and recreation enthusiasts can enjoy in many activities as hiking, mountain bike, fishing, mini golf, scuba diving, volleyball, paintball, horse riding, aqua park, kayaking to water-skiing and many other facilities that provide entertainment for children, adults, athletes.

One of the great things about Rabac is the vicinity of Labin, a city famous for its mining history as well as the arts and culture. During the Labin Art Republic Festival the whole city is buzzing with live and energetic performances, concerts, exhibitions, and street art events.

Taste the local delicacies

The crown of good rest is a good meal and a drink. Restaurants have brilliant trained chefs, which tasty meals are based on this region’s food. Palatable fish, lobster, shrimp, shellfish and other seafood are typical of this region, as well as delicious country-style meals.

The unavoidable dish – maneštra include ingredients like beans, onions, celery, carrots, stock, and tomatoes is a mandatory meal in the taverns. Food lovers can enjoy in the Istrian cuisine and local specialties in the restaurants: “Stari Hrast,” “La Terrazza,” “Galeb” and “Villa Anette.”

Things to do and see in Rabac

• Experience the Rabac Open Air Festival in the period from 16 June to 30 August. Enjoy the outstanding music and street performances, watch movies and shows in the open air. The program offers something for all age groups and interest, and the best part – it is entirely free for all visitors.
• Enjoy activities on the Girandella Beach; try out water skiing or get a ride on the jet-ski. Near beach, you can have a snack, grab a cup of coffee or try out tasty and delicious meals in nearby restaurants.
• On the promenade of Rabac, you will find the magnificent Church of St. Andrew. It was built in the 15th century and restored in the late 19th century. Inside the church, there is a precious inventory. The most value is an altar with statues of St. George, St. Michael and St. Peter and Paul.
• Visit one of the most beautiful Croatian sculpture parks in Dubrova. The park stretches over – 40 hectares, slightly fenced with a drywall, with natural valleys and elevations and unspoiled flora. The park is open all year long, there is no working time and the entrance is free.
• If you love hiking, Rabac is the perfect place for you. It has plenty of hiking trails for you to enjoy, the most astonishing hike is from Rabac to Labin. The hike is long 5 km through pine woods, and it extends up to a hill of 234 m.
• Don’t miss the chance to visit Labin, the charming town perched on a hilltop above Rabac. It is the ideal destination for visitors who are interested in cultural tourism and those who enjoy

Booking.com

From Učka to Pazin and Labin, from Pula to Poreč and Hum – on every corner, Istria will prove you its status of the most developed region in Croatia!

Spirit of Istria

There is no single word to describe how special Istria is because it has a spirit that is so much more than the sum of any words that you can think of. But, if we must choose, definitely some kind of answer about Istria lies in the combination of the sun and crystal clear blue sea on the coast, green fields in the inland, delicious food and wonderful people. Also known as the “New Tuscany” and the most developed region in Croatia, Istria is a perfect place to start your Mediterranean tour.

Discover the fruits of the noble hardworking people

People of Istra know exactly what it means to live Istrian way and to be a part of the Istrian land, commonly called as crvenica. Hard work and many years of efforts on this westernmost unspoilt ground in Croatia resulted in extra-virgin olive oils of the highest quality, red and white wines, delicious apricots, strawberries, plums, honey, truffles, cherries, pears, lavender, laurel, basil, rosemary, watermelons… Every delicacy you can imagine in one place – your plate. Feel the atmosphere of the authentic Istrian houses, visit homes of your hosts, taste their homemade food and homemade wines. The scent and taste of Croatian delicacies will take you to an incredible journey.

Learn history on every corner

When talking about journeys at the seaside, everywhere you look you can see the azure sea and the bluest sky you’ve ever seen, among which seagulls are joyfully rejoicing and calling you to join them. Experience magnificent landscapes of the so-called Blue Istria, where you lose track of time while diving, sailing, swimming and sunbathing. Explore Green Istria, find your own paths and take a walk through breathtaking green hills, villages, streams and forests. Live Istria, breath Istria! There is a history lesson on every corner, so take a bite and learn everything that Istria ever was and ever will be!

Towns, villages, fortified ports and many more

Peek into the small churches, walled towns and hilltop villages, forgotten old citadels, fortified ports that stand as a reminder of some other times, times of Roman presence and Venetian architecture. Pula stands proudly for more than 3000 years with its Amphitheater, as the world’s best-preserved monument. Hum, as the smallest city in the world, Poreč with its Euphrasian Basilica as a part of world’s cultural heritage, Pazin and the famous castle featured in Jules Verne’s novel, beautiful Brijuni archipelago and all the small villages where you’ll feel like you’ve always belonged there.

Come to stay and fall in love with Istria

As you can see, sometimes it’s hard to explain or demonstrate what exactly makes people fall in love with Istria. Dear heaven knows how hard we tried to explain what Istria means and represents. It is unexplainable, rather impossible to sum it all up in a few words. It’s up to you to figure it all out – to write it down by yourself, as some kind of reminder or testimonial, as a lifetime memory. You will find yourself in the tranquility among Istrian nature.

We wish you a warm welcome, just relax and make yourself at home!

Things to do in Istria

• Show an interest in vampires in today’s Croatia and everybody will tell you that you’re in the wrong country – but once upon a time, more precisely a couple centuries ago, Europe first documented case of vampirism took place in Istrian village called Kringa when the nocturnal adventures of Jure Grando and his vengeful neighbors were recorded
• Up in the hills search for the artists’ colony of Grožnjan – a town that still wears its medieval look with cobblestone streets, art galleries, art studios, workshops, live music and various kinds of performances
• No matter if you’re with your family or friends, the Punta Corrente is a place to be. Not overcrowded, many places for walk, sunbathe and take a swim, crystal sea and thick forest are making this place the most fabulous place of Rovinj
• Visit the attractive Baredine cave where you’ll find some fantastic calcite formations and interesting and rare species of albino salamander
• For extra summer fun visit the Aquapark Istralandia in Novigrad where you’ll find a lot of slides and pools for children and grownups
• Visit Bale (Valle d’Istria), a village located few miles away from Rovinj where you’ll find narrow streets, small church, great restaurants with local delicacies and very laid back and relaxed atmosphere
• Visit the winery – Istria is abundant with them, it is up to you to choose the winery for local wine tasting
• Watch the most popular professional cycling race Istarsko proljeće (Istrian Spring) that takes place in March or attend the most popular recreational cycling events such as Parenzana Cycling Marathon
• Visit Limski Kanal (Limski Fjord), one of the most beautiful landscapes of Istria that is located near Rovinj and Vrsar

Booking.com

Photos by Mario Fajt / CC BY