One of the most romantic places on the Adriatic coast is the city of Rovinj (Croatia), which is often compared to Venice. A beach holiday in Rovinj can be combined with walking around the old historical center and visiting the sights. And it is not for nothing that this Croatian city has become a favorite destination for wedding trips – its atmosphere perfectly matches the romantic mood.
General information
It is not known when exactly a settlement was formed on a small island in the gorge, that is, today’s Rovinj. There are many Bronze and Iron Age finds in the vicinity and on the site of today’s Rovinj, so the material history can be more or less continuously followed from 1500 BC.
There is also a legend that the Argonauts founded Rovinj, because some of these legendary ancient sailors landed here and gave up the search for the golden fleece. Nevertheless, we can safely refer the beginning of today’s Rovinj to the VII century. Then the Istrian Romans from the surrounding area took refuge on the island of Rovinj, fleeing from the Slavs.
The city of Rovinj is located in Croatia on the western tip of the Istrian peninsula and 22 small coastal islands. The favorable geographical position of Rovinj was the reason that during its history it was dominated by the Byzantine Empire and the Republic of Venice, as well as by German, Austro-Hungarian, French, Italian, Yugoslav, and Croatian governments.
The architecture of the old town, located on a small peninsula, is characterized by a variety of styles left over from different eras. On both sides of the historical center, a new part of Rovinj stretches along the Adriatic coast. The total area of Rovinj is 88 square kilometers, the population is about 14.5 thousand people.
The national composition of the inhabitants is diverse: Croats, Serbs, Italians, Albanians, Slovenes live here. Multiculturalism, as well as the tourist orientation of the economy, determine a very friendly, friendly attitude of the local population to the guests of the city.
Beaches
The main thing that attracts Rovinj in summer is the beaches. More than 15 different municipal beaches are located on the resort’s coastline – mostly pebbly and rocky, but there are also sandy ones. There are beaches with developed infrastructure, there are sparsely populated, nudist ones.
Mulini Beach
One of the best beaches in Rovinj, Mulini Beach is located near the Monte Mulini Hotel. The clean pebble beach is equipped with free toilets, changing rooms, and showers. Sun loungers and umbrellas can be rented on the beach. There is an information desk, a good bar with a thirty-meter openwork canopy. In the evenings, the bar turns into a cozy restaurant. Concerts and competitions are often held on a specially equipped platform.
Cuvi Beach
Rovinj, like the whole of Croatia, has mostly rocky beaches. Cuvi Beach is one of the rare sandy beaches in this area. Clean sand covers the beach and the sea floor. Part of the bathing area has a small depth, this wide shallow strip warms up well and is safe for children’s swimming and games. Thanks to this, Cuvi Beach is ideal for families with children. The beach is surrounded by a pine forest.
On the beach you can rent a cheap chaise longue, there are cafes where you can eat both adults and children.
Skaraba Beach
Skaraba beaches are located 3 km from the center of Rovinj, on the shores of the Zlatni Rt peninsula. The rocky coast of Skaraba is riddled with coves with pebbly beaches. This is a place for those who love privacy, there is practically no infrastructure, the nearest cafes are quite far away-near the Kurent Bay.
The most visited bay is Balzamake, which was chosen by picnic lovers. There are secluded rocky areas where it is convenient to sunbathe. The western part of the peninsula is rocky, it is not suitable for families with children and those who are not good swimmers. This place is more suitable for diving. To the east of Cape Skaraba, there are high cliffs suitable for diving.
Skaraba Beach can only be reached by bike or on foot. You can park your car in the parking lot of the entertainment center – Monvi.
Accommodation
Like all tourist towns in Croatia, Rovinj offers a wide range of accommodation options. Here you can rent rooms in hotels of different levels and price segments. In addition, you can rent an apartment or villa, which is more profitable for those who are vacationing with a large company.
The average price of a double room with breakfast included is 75-110 € per night. You can find options that cost 45-65 € per night, as a rule, they are located at some distance from the center and the beach. Since Rovinj is flooded with budget tourists from neighboring Italy in the summer, it is best to book a hotel in advance.
Attractions
Rovinj attracts tourists not only with its beaches, but also with many attractions that make it interesting in any season.
Old Town and Trevisol Street
Tourists who come to Rovinj will not have to look for sights for a long time, this word can describe the entire historical center of the city, permeated with the atmosphere of the Middle Ages. The old town is located on a small peninsula, much of which is surrounded by the sea.
The embankment offers a magnificent view of the island part of the city, which occupies 22 small islands, among which the islands of St. Catherine and St. Andrew stand out for their picturesque beauty. The streets of the old town converge to the center, where the main attraction of Rovinj stands-St. Euphemia’s Cathedral.
The proximity to Italy, as well as Rovinj’s five-century stay under the rule of the Republic of Venice, could not but affect the appearance of the old town. If you see the city of Rovinj (Croatia) in the photo, it can easily be confused with Venice.
The abundance of water, the ancient architecture that resembles the Venetian style, the narrow streets paved with centuries-old stone and decorated with flowering plants-all this gives Rovinj a striking resemblance to Venice. Only the Venetian gondolas are missing, but they are replaced by numerous snow-white yachts moored at the shore.
Walking around the old town, you can relax in the shady courtyards, visit colorful cafes with a variety of cuisines, souvenir shops and wine shops. There is also a market here, which pleases with an abundance of all kinds of fruits and vegetables. From the embankment, you can go on a boat tour and enjoy the islands and views of the old town from the sea.
One of the busiest streets in Rovinj is Trevisol Street. There are many shops where artisans sell their wares, which makes this street especially feel the medieval spirit of the city. Guided tours of the old town usually lead to St. Euphemia’s Cathedral.
St. Euphemia’s Cathedral
The majestic St. Euphemia’s Cathedral stands on a hilltop in the center of the old town. Built 3 centuries ago, this Baroque building is the main decoration and attraction of Rovinj. Its 62-meter – high bell tower is the highest on the Istrian peninsula. The cathedral’s spire is decorated with a 4.7 m high copper statue of Saint Euphemia.
The Great Martyr Euthymia was martyred for her devotion to the Christian faith at the beginning of the IV century, and a sarcophagus with her relics is kept in the cathedral. Every year, on the day of her death on September 16, thousands of pilgrims from all over Europe come to Rovinj to worship at the shrine, which is open to all on this day. According to the servants, there are many cases of healing that occurred after the pilgrimage to the relics of St. Euphemia.
Entrance to the Cathedral of St. Euphemia is free. Every day it is visited by thousands of tourists, who also climb the bell tower (20 kuna) to enjoy the beautiful panorama that opens from there. An old wooden staircase leads to the observation deck, to a height of approximately 14 floors, but the long climb is justified by vivid impressions and the opportunity to take a bird’s-eye view of Rovinj.
Clock Tower
In the historic center of Rovinj, on Tito Square, the red city gate building stands out among the old houses in the style of the medieval Republic of Venice. Its tower is decorated with an ancient clock, under which is attached a bas-relief with the image of a Venetian lion. The clock tower is a kind of symbol of Rovinj (Croatia), it can often be seen on photos and postcards. On the square in front of the tower there is a fountain with the figure of a boy. Nearby is the city Museum of local lore – another attraction of Rovinj.
Tito Square is a popular holiday destination for residents and visitors of Rovinj. Here you can sit on the benches and summer grounds of numerous cafes, admire the architecture of historical buildings and seascapes.
Balbi Arch
Rovinj is one of the cities in Croatia where attractions are found almost at every turn. An example of this is the Balbi Arch, which seems to hang between two houses in one of the narrow old streets of Main Square, leading to Tito Square.
This quaint arch was built in the 17th century on the site of the former entrance to the city. The name Balbi Arch was given in honor of the mayor of Rovinj, Daniel Balbi, who ordered its construction. The arch is built in the Baroque style. It looks different from different angles. At the top, above the opening, it is decorated on both sides with sculptural portraits of a Venetian and a Turk, above which rises a superstructure with the coat of arms of Venice and the Venetian lion. The mayor of Balbi, who installed the arch, also immortalized the image of the coat of arms of his family on the sights.
Red Island (Spiaggia Isola rossa)
Krasny Ostrov is a 20-minute boat ride from Rovinj. This is one of those attractions without which the acquaintance with Croatia will be incomplete.
In fact, the Red Island is an archipelago of two islands connected by a mound of sand. One of the islands of the archipelago was named after St. Andrew the First-Called and was inhabited since ancient times. It has preserved a monastery that was built in the 6th century.
At the end of the 19th century, this archipelago was bought by the Huetterott family. The monastery was converted into a villa, and a park was planted around it, including a huge variety of plants from all over the world. Now this park has more than 180 plant species.
The villa was luxuriously decorated, and it contained a collection of art objects that are still available for inspection today. Currently, the Island Hotel Istra is open here with a sandy beach and a magnificent park. The second part of the archipelago is known for its nudist beach.
Krasny Ostrov is attractive for various categories of vacationers. Families with children will find here convenient beaches with small pebbles, the opportunity to walk in the picturesque park, feed the seagulls. An array of activities can be enjoyed on site or in the surroundings, including windsurfing, diving, boating, catamarans, golf and tennis.
The hotel has an indoor and outdoor swimming pool, restaurant, pizzeria, fitness center, snack bar, beauty salon, TV room. A maritime museum is open in the former church, where you can get acquainted with models of ancient sailboats, copies of frescoes of Istrian temples. If you wish to visit the Maritime Museum, please contact the hotel’s administrator.
You can get to Krasny Ostrov from the Dolphin pier and from the city port. From May to September, boats depart every hour from 5: 30 am to 12 am.
Weather and climate, when it’s best to arrive
The city of Rovinj (Croatia) has a mild Mediterranean climate with an average winter temperature of +5°C and a summer temperature of +22°C. The water on the beaches heats up to a temperature of more than 20°C in the period June-September, which is the beach season.
You can come to Rovinj all year round, as this Croatian city is interesting not only for beach holidays. There are many attractions here, in addition, it is possible to make sightseeing trips to nearby cities in Croatia and other countries.
How to get to Rovinj from Venice and Pula
From Venice, you can reach Rovinj (Croatia) by bus and ferry.
- Buses from Venice to Rovinj depart from the city’s main bus station, with a journey time of about 5.5 hours. The ticket price depends on the choice of the carrier company and can range from 14 € to 26 €.
- The Venice-Rovinj ferry departs from the port of Venice. Travel time is 3 hours. The schedule and prices depend on the season and the carrier company. The ticket price is 55 € per person, transportation of vehicles is paid separately. Exact schedule and prices on the site venezialines.com.
- From Pula, you can reach Rovinj by bus from the central station and by ferry. Travel time-45 and 55 minutes, ferry ticket price – 15-20€, bus ticket price-6 €.
Best Croatia All-Inclusive Resorts for Holidays
