The Istrian Peninsula is something special. All of Croatia is stunning but there’s something unexpected about Istria. It’s quieter than the rest of Croatia and doesn’t (yet) have the fame that the south of the country brings, like along the Dalmatian Coast in Dubrovnik or Split.
While there’s a lot to see and do within the peninsula, my favorite destination is Rovinj in central Istria.
It’s about an hour and a half from Trieste, Italy, where I live, and only about 45 minutes from Pula, making it an easy day trip destination from either the north or the south.
Rovinj feels a little bit like Croatia and a little bit like Italy, making it the perfect place for someone wanting to experience the best of both worlds.
Let’s dive in how you can enjoy the perfect day trip to Rovinj, Croatia.
Best Things to Do in Rovinj
Ready for a fantastic day trip to Rovinj? Although I do think you can spend most of your day simply roaming around the cobbled streets without a destination in mind, there are a few things you should try and do while you explore Rovinj.
Walk Around the Marina
I suggest you start your day in Rovinj at the southernmost point of the town, around the Maestral Restaurant. From here you should walk north towards the Port of Rovinj.
This walk will take you along the coast, keeping the hilltop center of Rovinj on the horizon as you get closer and closer to your destination. It’ll be tempting to stop every few meters to snap a new picture of the town, and hey, why not indulge in yourself? Although packed with things to do, Rovinj is still small, giving us plenty of time to take it slow and enjoy the sights.
My absolute favorite view of Rovinj is from the strip of restaurants around La Gondola as you approach the city center.
Get Lost in Old Town
From the marina, it’s time to allow yourself to wander. All of the peninsula of Rovinj is pedestrian-friendly. Only locals with a special permit can drive in the old town peninsula so you likely won’t have to deal with any cars in your way.
How you choose to wander is up to you but I would try my best to walk all the streets in town as there aren’t too many. Most are incredibly picturesque alleyways and others offer surprising views of the Adriatic.
If you’re short on time and just want the main sights, definitely don’t miss:
- Nothing to Sea: This is a small shop that features only Croatian artisans. We bought handmade bowls here after thinking about them for a year following our first day trip to Rovinj. They bring me joy every morning I eat my breakfast out of them.
- Atelier Charm: From the shop above, walk towards this one. You’ll be rewarded with small cut-out views of the sea in between the stone houses.
- The Lighthouse & Bunker: Continue on the same street until you arrive at the point of the peninsula. This is where you’ll want to soak up the views. In the summer, you can swim from here but do note that there isn’t a beach, just rocks.
- Church of St. Euphemia: Make your way up to the church for a higher vantage point to scope even more views of the Istrian Peninsula and surrounding islands. If you end up staying in the evening, this is one of the best spots for sunset. From the church, you can also buy tickets to go up to the bell tower and enjoy a panoramic view of the old town.
- Monte: I’ve never actually been to this restaurant (although it looks great!), instead it’s just to mark this alley. This is one of my favorite spots in Rovinj for a quaint yet stunning view.
- Rovinj Main Square: From the above alley, slowly make your way down the main square to see the marina from the other side of the water. Do note that as of summer 2024, the square has been completely dug up and is under construction until further notice.
Indulge in Seafood for Lunch
I love seafood so never miss the chance to indulge. Although Rovinj’s food scene doesn’t quite compete with the restaurants in Trieste that I’m used to, there are plenty of great ones to choose from.
When deciding where to eat, I recommend deciding first what your price range for your meal is. If you’re eager to treat yourself and don’t want to lose sight of the stunning town while you do so, pick a restaurant at the marina.
For a real treat, Monte (mentioned above) is consistently recommended as the best restaurant in town for a high-end experience.
If you’re looking to stay within budget, there are a lot of pizza restaurants in town that’ll give you the best bang for your buck. Or, if you want an affordable meal straight from the Balkans, try Ćevapi (or Ćevapčići). These are grilled beef sausages, served with soft bread and usually onions and kajmak (like cream cheese or sour cream).
Take a Dip off the Adriatic Coast
Ready to relax after lunch? If the weather is warm and you have enough time, I recommend going swimming. While there are plenty of other beaches a short drive or boat trip from Rovinj, there are a few that you can get to right in town:
- Plaža Balota: Don’t expect sand at this rocky beach but it is the most convenient place to go for a dip. Just know there aren’t any amenities here, like umbrella rentals or a place to shower when you’re done swimming.
- Mulini Beach: Located farther from town, this is just on the other side of the coastal promenade you walked along right when you arrived in Rovinj. This beach does offer lounge chairs and has a bar but expect to pay high prices since it’s near the luxury hotels.
- Mediterraneo Bar: While not a real beach, it is possible to go swimming right at this bar, just know you will need to be a paying customer and at least buy one drink.
Sample Local Liquors
Whenever we travel somewhere new, I love trying the local food and the local drinks. To me, one of the best ways to experience a new culture is through the taste buds.
If you’ve been to other parts of Croatia or the Balkans in general, you’ve likely tried Rakija. This alcoholic drink is made from fermenting fruits, nuts, or plants, giving it a wide range of flavors. Rakija bars all around the region tend to offer 10-20 different flavors for you to choose from.
While I don’t recommend you try them all, I do recommend you try at least one. Not a big fan of liquor? Go with the one made with honey, called medica or medovača. It’s usually the sweetest and mildest option.
Head to Distillery Aura to try a variety of samples without the pressure to buy anything (unless you love it).
They offer a wide variety of locally made liquors, oils, and chocolates. This is where we always get our souvenirs from Rovinj and a nice, free buzz from the samples.
End With a Gelato
Even coming from Italy, the land of gelato, I was blown away by this spot in Rovinj. In my opinion, the perfect way to end a great day trip is with a heaping scoop of gelato and Ombra did not disappoint.
Do note that they, like many other places in Rovinj, close seasonally.
From this location, I recommend taking your gelato under Balbi’s Arch, an archway built by the Romans back when the Istrian Peninsula was under their domain. Although there’s no Roman arena like in nearby Pula, this archway is a nice glimpse into the town’s storied past.
This route will take you directly to the main square of Rovinj mentioned previously.
Best Time to Visit Rovinj
Rovinj does get all four seasons but the winter is relatively mild, although the wind can get brutal all along the Adriatic coast. Even if the weather is nice though, you can expect many shops and restaurants to close for winter, making it a quiet time to visit.
On the other hand, summer in Rovinj is hot and lively. If you visit during this time, I would recommend making a reservation for lunch and planning some time in your schedule to go for a dip to cool off.
The two day trips I’ve done to Rovinj have both been during shoulder season, one in late spring and the other in early fall. Both of these times were excellent where the town was still lively but we didn’t face hordes of tourists like I’d expect to see in the summer.
How to Get to Rovinj
The best way to get to Rovinj is to drive or to take a bus. There isn’t a train station in town. If coming from somewhere else in Croatia, like Pula, you can likely take public transportation and pay just a few euros for your trip.
If coming from Slovenia or Italy, you’ll either need to drive yourself or take a Flixbus. The bus station is just a few blocks from the marina, making it a convenient place to arrive.
The first time we visited Rovinj, we came by bus. It was comfortable and convenient to not deal with parking. On our second day trip, we drove ourselves. We got lucky with street parking just a few blocks from old town but do know there are parking lots scattered around town.
Be sure to make sure the spot you find in the street isn’t private and that you find a kiosk to pay for parking for the day.
Enjoy Your Rovinj Day Trip
Rovinj is such a charming town that never ceases to impress me. The old town is beautifully decorated and well-maintained, making it a fantastic place to wander for a day trip or even longer. The last time we visited Rovinj was with my mother-in-law who declared this the best stop of her trip, after seeing many of the highlights in Italy and Slovenia.
Even if you just have a half-day trip to squeeze in, I certainly think a short getaway to Rovinj is a great choice!
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Kat Smith is originally from the US but has been living around the world since January 2012. She shares about living abroad on A Way Abroad and the newest chapter of her life, living in and exploring Italy, at Mamma Mia Indeed.
