The Istrian Peninsula is one thing particular. All of Croatia is gorgeous however there’s one thing sudden about Istria. It’s quieter than the remainder of Croatia and doesn’t (but) have the celebrity that the south of the nation brings, like alongside the Dalmatian Coast in Dubrovnik or Break up.
Whereas there’s lots to see and do inside the peninsula, my favourite vacation spot is Rovinj in central Istria.
It’s about an hour and a half from Trieste, Italy, the place I reside, and solely about 45 minutes from Pula, making it a simple day journey vacation spot from both the north or the south.
Rovinj feels just a little bit like Croatia and just a little bit like Italy, making it the proper place for somebody eager to expertise the most effective of each worlds.
Let’s dive in how one can benefit from the good day journey to Rovinj, Croatia.
Finest Issues to Do in Rovinj
Prepared for a implausible day journey to Rovinj? Though I do suppose you may spend most of your day merely roaming across the cobbled streets with no vacation spot in thoughts, there are some things you need to attempt to do whilst you discover Rovinj.
Stroll Across the Marina
I recommend you begin your day in Rovinj on the southernmost level of the city, across the Maestral Restaurant. From right here you need to stroll north in the direction of the Port of Rovinj.
This stroll will take you alongside the coast, retaining the hilltop heart of Rovinj on the horizon as you get nearer and nearer to your vacation spot. It’ll be tempting to cease each few meters to snap a brand new image of the city, and hey, why not take pleasure in your self? Though full of issues to do, Rovinj remains to be small, giving us loads of time to take it sluggish and benefit from the sights.
My absolute favourite view of Rovinj is from the strip of eating places round La Gondola as you strategy town heart.
Get Misplaced in Previous City
From the marina, it’s time to permit your self to wander. The entire peninsula of Rovinj is pedestrian-friendly. Solely locals with a particular allow can drive within the outdated city peninsula so that you doubtless received’t must take care of any automobiles in your manner.
The way you select to wander is as much as you however I might attempt my finest to stroll all of the streets on the town as there aren’t too many. Most are extremely picturesque alleyways and others provide shocking views of the Adriatic.
In case you’re brief on time and simply need the primary sights, positively don’t miss:
- Nothing to Sea: It is a small store that options solely Croatian artisans. We purchased handmade bowls right here after enthusiastic about them for a yr following our first day journey to Rovinj. They carry me pleasure each morning I eat my breakfast out of them.
- Atelier Attraction: From the store above, stroll in the direction of this one. You’ll be rewarded with small cut-out views of the ocean in between the stone homes.
- The Lighthouse & Bunker: Proceed on the identical road till you arrive on the level of the peninsula. That is the place you’ll need to take in the views. In the summertime, you may swim from right here however do notice that there isn’t a seaside, simply rocks.
- Church of St. Euphemia: Make your manner as much as the church for a better vantage level to scope much more views of the Istrian Peninsula and surrounding islands. If you find yourself staying within the night, this is without doubt one of the finest spots for sundown. From the church, you may as well purchase tickets to go as much as the bell tower and revel in a panoramic view of the outdated city.
- Monte: I’ve by no means truly been to this restaurant (though it appears nice!), as a substitute it’s simply to mark this alley. That is one in every of my favourite spots in Rovinj for a quaint but gorgeous view.
- Rovinj Important Sq.: From the above alley, slowly make your manner down the primary sq. to see the marina from the opposite aspect of the water. Do notice that as of summer season 2024, the sq. has been utterly dug up and is beneath development till additional discover.
Bask in Seafood for Lunch
I really like seafood so by no means miss the possibility to indulge. Though Rovinj’s meals scene doesn’t fairly compete with the eating places in Trieste that I’m used to, there are many nice ones to select from.
When deciding the place to eat, I like to recommend deciding first what your worth vary to your meal is. In case you’re wanting to deal with your self and don’t need to lose sight of the gorgeous city whilst you accomplish that, decide a restaurant on the marina.
For an actual deal with, Monte (talked about above) is constantly beneficial as the most effective restaurant on the town for a high-end expertise.
In case you’re seeking to keep inside finances, there are numerous pizza eating places on the town that’ll provide the finest bang to your buck. Or, if you’d like an reasonably priced meal straight from the Balkans, attempt Ćevapi (or Ćevapčići). These are grilled beef sausages, served with smooth bread and often onions and kajmak (like cream cheese or bitter cream).
Take a Dip off the Adriatic Coast
Able to calm down after lunch? If the climate is heat and you’ve got sufficient time, I like to recommend going swimming. Whereas there are many different seashores a brief drive or boat journey from Rovinj, there are a number of which you could get to proper on the town:
- Plaža Balota: Don’t anticipate sand at this rocky seaside however it’s the most handy place to go for a dip. Simply know there aren’t any facilities right here, like umbrella leases or a spot to bathe while you’re accomplished swimming.
- Mulini Seaside: Situated farther from city, that is simply on the opposite aspect of the coastal promenade you walked alongside proper while you arrived in Rovinj. This seaside does provide lounge chairs and has a bar however anticipate to pay excessive costs because it’s close to the luxurious accommodations.
- Mediterraneo Bar: Whereas not an actual seaside, it’s attainable to go swimming proper at this bar, simply know you have to to be a paying buyer and at the least purchase one drink.
Pattern Native Liquors
Each time we journey someplace new, I really like attempting the native meals and the native drinks. To me, the most effective methods to expertise a brand new tradition is thru the style buds.
In case you’ve been to different elements of Croatia or the Balkans usually, you’ve doubtless tried Rakija. This alcoholic drink is constituted of fermenting fruits, nuts, or vegetation, giving it a variety of flavors. Rakija bars throughout the area have a tendency to supply 10-20 totally different flavors so that you can select from.
Whereas I don’t suggest you attempt all of them, I do suggest you attempt at the least one. Not an enormous fan of liquor? Go along with the one made with honey, referred to as medica or medovača. It’s often the sweetest and mildest choice.
Head to Distillery Aura to attempt a wide range of samples with out the stress to purchase something (except you like it).
They provide all kinds of regionally made liquors, oils, and goodies. That is the place we at all times get our souvenirs from Rovinj and a pleasant, free buzz from the samples.
Finish With a Gelato
Even coming from Italy, the land of gelato, I used to be blown away by this spot in Rovinj. In my view, the proper approach to finish a fantastic day journey is with a heaping scoop of gelato and Ombra didn’t disappoint.
Do notice that they, like many different locations in Rovinj, shut seasonally.
From this location, I like to recommend taking your gelato beneath Balbi’s Arch, an archway constructed by the Romans again when the Istrian Peninsula was beneath their area. Though there’s no Roman enviornment like in close by Pula, this archway is a pleasant glimpse into the city’s storied previous.
This route will take you on to the primary sq. of Rovinj talked about beforehand.
Finest Time to Go to Rovinj
Rovinj does get all 4 seasons however the winter is comparatively delicate, though the wind can get brutal all alongside the Adriatic coast. Even when the climate is sweet although, you may anticipate many outlets and eating places to shut for winter, making it a quiet time to go to.
Alternatively, summer season in Rovinj is sizzling and full of life. In case you go to throughout this time, I might suggest making a reservation for lunch and planning a while in your schedule to go for a dip to chill off.
The 2 day journeys I’ve accomplished to Rovinj have each been throughout shoulder season, one in late spring and the opposite in early fall. Each of those occasions had been wonderful the place the city was nonetheless full of life however we didn’t face hordes of vacationers like I’d anticipate to see in the summertime.
The right way to Get to Rovinj
One of the simplest ways to get to Rovinj is to drive or to take a bus. There isn’t a prepare station on the town. If coming from some place else in Croatia, like Pula, you may doubtless take public transportation and pay just some euros to your journey.
If coming from Slovenia or Italy, you’ll both have to drive your self or take a Flixbus. The bus station is just some blocks from the marina, making it a handy place to reach.
The primary time we visited Rovinj, we got here by bus. It was snug and handy to not take care of parking. On our second day journey, we drove ourselves. We received fortunate with road parking just some blocks from outdated city however do know there are parking heaps scattered round city.
Make sure to make certain the spot you discover on the street isn’t personal and that you just discover a kiosk to pay for parking for the day.
Get pleasure from Your Rovinj Day Journey
Rovinj is such an enthralling city that by no means ceases to impress me. The outdated city is superbly embellished and well-maintained, making it a implausible place to wander for a day journey and even longer. The final time we visited Rovinj was with my mother-in-law who declared this the most effective cease of her journey, after seeing lots of the highlights in Italy and Slovenia.
Even when you simply have a half-day journey to squeeze in, I actually suppose a brief getaway to Rovinj is a good alternative!
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Kat Smith is initially from the US however has been residing world wide since January 2012. She shares about residing overseas on A Approach Overseas and the most recent chapter of her life, residing in and exploring Italy, at Mamma Mia Certainly.