Things to do in Rovinj – attractions and experiences in Istria

Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated: August 2026 | What to see and do in Rovinj, Croatia? This beautiful coastal town on the west coast of Istria is one of our favorites in the area, with colorful stone houses, winding cobblestone streets and the Adriatic Sea right next door. Here you can stroll through the old town, walk up to the Church of St. Euphemia, swim from the cliffs, eat Istrian specialties or go on a boat trip.

Rovinj in Croatia

Rovinj in Croatia is located at Istria west coast, about four miles north of Pula. This is a beautiful medieval town right on the Adriatic Sea, filled with charming alleys and cosy restaurants.

1. Stroll through the old town of Rovinj

The best way to experience Rovinj is simply to head into the old town and start walking. The historic center is located on a peninsula, and the narrow cobblestone streets wind up the slope towards the Church of St. Euphemia at the top.

Here, old stone houses with colorful facades, small shops, galleries, restaurants and cafes are crowded together. Laundry hangs between the houses and between the alleys you can glimpse the blue Adriatic Sea. It is easy to get lost for a while – and that is almost part of the experience.

2. Visit St. Euphemia's Church and the church tower

At the top of the old town is the Church of St. Euphemia, Rovinj's most prominent landmark. The large Baroque church was built in the 18th century and is dedicated to the town's patron saint, St. Euphemia.

Next to the church rises the tall bell tower, inspired by the campanile of St. Mark's Basilica in Venice. Those who make it all the way to the top are rewarded with a fantastic view over the rooftops of Rovinj, the Adriatic Sea and the islands off the coast.

When we were here we decided to go up. The stairs were partly made up of narrow wooden steps with plenty of air in between – not for the faint of heart! I (Helena) gave up about halfway up, while Peter continued up and got to photograph the view for both of us.

3. Discover Grisia and its charming alleys

One of the most famous streets in old Rovinj is Grisia, which leads up to the Church of St. Euphemia. The steep cobblestone street is lined with small galleries, studios, shops and old stone houses.

But don't just stick to the main street. Venture into the side streets, where it's often quieter and where you'll find small staircases, arches, courtyards and unexpected views of the sea. For us, these are exactly the environments that are a big part of Rovinj's charm.

4. See the Balbi Arch and the historic surroundings of the old town

At the entrance to the old town center stands Balbi's Arch, Balbijev luk, built in the 17th century on the site of an older city gate. The arch is a reminder of the long period when Rovinj was under the rule of the Republic of Venice.

All around you can find more traces of the city's history, and the Venetian influence is still clearly visible in the architecture. Rovinj actually has two official languages – Croatian and Italian – and the city's Italian name, Rovigno, is visible in many places.

5. Stroll along the harbor

Rovinj is just as beautiful from the water as it is from the alleys. The harbor is filled with small boats, fishing boats and excursion boats, while restaurants and cafes line the quays.

From here you also get some of the classic views of the old town, where the houses seem to rise straight out of the Adriatic Sea with the tower of St. Euphemia's Church at the top. It's especially beautiful in the evening when the sun starts to set.

6. Sunbathe and swim in Rovinj

The special thing about Rovinj is that the sea is always close by. Around parts of the old town there are cliffs and small swimming areas where you can take a dip almost in the middle of the historic houses.

If you want more traditional beaches, there are many more options just outside the city center. As in many other places in Istria, it's mostly rocks, stones and pebbles rather than soft sandy beaches - but the water is often amazingly clear. There are also many small rocky ledges with small practical stairs, so you can easily access them for swimming, right in the middle of town. Nice!

7. Taste Istrian food, truffles and olive oil

Rovinj is also a great place to discover Istrian cuisine. The proximity to the sea is evident in the restaurant menus, where fish, squid, mussels and other seafood are common.

Istria is also famous for its truffles and olive oil. On the menus you can find pasta with truffles, for example, while local delicatessens sell olive oil, truffle products, wine and other Istrian specialties. Another tip is to try fuži or pljukanci, two traditional Istrian pasta varieties.

8. Take a boat trip from Rovinj

Rovinj is also best experienced from the sea. Various types of boat trips are offered from the port, from shorter trips along the coast to excursions among the islands in the Rovinj archipelago.

A boat trip also gives you the opportunity to see the famous skyline from the right angle – from the sea. The tightly packed houses of the Old Town and the Church of St. Euphemia above it are one of the most characteristic views in all of Istria.

The range of tours varies with the season, so the easiest thing to do is to check what is offered when you are there.

9. Discover Zlatni Rt – Golden Cape

South of central Rovinj lies Zlatni Rt, also known as Golden Cape or Punta Corrente. The green area is a lovely contrast to the narrow alleys of the old town and is great for walking, cycling and swimming.

There are forests, walking and cycling paths, cliffs, small coves and several places where you can sit by the sea, making the area a great place to combine sightseeing in Rovinj with some quieter hours in nature.

10. Experience Rovinj at sunset

Rovinj is beautiful all day long, but the city takes on a very special atmosphere in the evening. As Rovinj is located on the west coast of Istria, you can watch the sun set over the Adriatic Sea, and there are plenty of places along the water to sit down.

Take a walk around the old town, find a spot on the cliffs or sit on an outdoor terrace by the sea. When the light becomes softer and the old house facades are colored by the evening sun, Rovinj is perhaps at its most beautiful.

Rovinj – from island to peninsula

When you see Rovinj from the sea, it's easy to understand why the old town has taken on its special shape. The historic part of the city was originally located on its own island., densely built up with houses climbing up towards St. Euphemia's Church at the highest point.

Over the centuries, the population grew and the space on the small island became increasingly limited. In 1763, the strait between the island and the mainland was filled in again, transforming Rovinj from an island into the peninsula we see today.

The city's history goes back much further than that. Over the centuries, Rovinj has been under Roman and Venetian influence, and especially the time under the Republic of Venice has left a clear mark on the architecture and atmosphere of the old town.

Even today, the old town centre is very densely built up, with narrow alleys and houses right on the water. It is precisely this special cityscape – with the sea all around and the church tower at the top – that gives Rovinj its characteristic skyline.

By motorhome to Rovinj

When you are used to driving a big camper, it should be easy to drive and park with a small "plate ice", as we did this time. There were quite a few parking spaces in Rovinj, but everywhere there were signs with crossed out campers so it took us a while to find a place where we could park. We didn't stay overnight, but if you want to do that there are several campsites outside the town.

See more in the neighbourhood

There is a lot to see and experience in Croatia. Here are some suggestions for some fantastic places, not too far from Rovinj:

• Porec
• Vrsar
• Fažana
• Pula Arena