Things To Do In Rovinj, Croatia
Rovinj
If you’ve seen postcards or advertisements of the northwestern region of Croatia, chances are you’ve seen pictures of Rovinj. It’s the idyllic Istrian city with a tall bell tower standing over the seaside city like a knight in shining armor.
Rovinj, the beautiful port city located in the north of the Adriatic Sea on a picturesque oval-shaped peninsula was awarded the destination of the year for 2019 by the Croatian National Tourist Board.
The town was settled by Illyrian tribes before it was captured by the Romans and later incorporated into the Byzantine Empire. Rovinj remains a large port and fishing center and has become a popular tourist destination.
If you’re planning on visiting the picturesque city of Rovinj Croatia, which was named one of the most beautiful coastal towns of 2014 by Travel and Leisure Magazine, and you want to make the most of your vacation but aren’t sure where to start, keep reading. We’ve composed a list of the best things to do in Rovinj Croatia below.
We’ve wanted to share these ideas with you all since our very first visit. So, here you can find where to stay in Rovinj as well. Before heading off, make sure you have all the essential travel items, which will make your vacation that much more comfortable.
Visit Rovinj Old Town
Rovinj old town
One of the first things to do in Rovinj is wandering the cobbled streets of the Rovinj Old Town. It’s my one of my favorite Rovinj attractions. Beset by the remains of three town gates and remnants of the walls that used to protect this historic city, you’ll get to enjoy beautiful architecture that dates as far back as the early 1700s.
There’s a fantastic view from the town bell tower, while the small square is a regular tourist hotspot making this an ideal place to start off your holiday. Keep an eye out for Balbi’s Arch, the original entry to the town. We’ve stayed in a few hotels in the Old Town of Rovinj and love the vibe. The fact that there are no cars makes it an extremely kid-friendly destination.
While in Old Town, don’t forget to pick up one of our all-time favorite souvenirs from Croatia.
St. Euphemia Church
The Church of St. Euphemia is the first thing visitors will see when they get to Rovinj. This church, built in 1736, stands on a hill in the middle of the peninsula overlooking the rest of Rovinj. The Church of St. Euphemia is a beautiful representation of the baroque architecture that dominated the era it was built in.
The tomb of sweet 14-year-old St. Euphemia is behind the altar. According to local legends, the patron saint was tortured and thrown to the lions by Emperor Diocletian for her Christian faith. Her body disappeared on a stormy night and washed up on the coast of Rovinj, from where a little boy and two calves moved the Saint to where she lies now.
Shop For Truffles
It may not be the biggest truffle, but it was ours!
You simply can’t be in Istria and not eat (over and over again) truffles. Istrian truffles are truly world-class, with Mr. Chasing the Donkey claiming he can’t tell the difference between their Italian cousins. While you are shopping, also make sure to pick up some of Croatia’s best olive oil at the open-air market.
Valdibora markets are open from 7 am to 4 pm daily. If you do grab a truffle, here is a great truffle recipe to prepare, or try one of the local restaurants. Surprisingly (or maybe not), there are quite a few Croatian recipes that include the use of the Istrian truffle.
