Rovinj is possibly an overlooked destination in Croatia. It’s hard to stand out against the Dalmatian Islands or Dubrovnik, but little Rovinj does just that. Welcome to my Eat+Stay+Play: Rovinj travel guide! If you’re curious about any of my other E+S+P guides, you can check them all out here.
As part of our Balkans trip, Rovinj was the next stop after our stay in Ljubljana. We used Octopus Transfers for a private van to drive us from Ljubljana to Rovinj.
I was on the hunt for something that felt mediterranean, and even a little like Italy’s Cinque Terre. Rovinj manages to capture a bit of both of those worlds.
When visiting Croatia, Rovinj should definitely be a planned stop. It has all the charm and seaside splendor of a slightly undiscovered European city. Tourists? Yes, but not nearly as overrun as other mediterranean towns. In three days, you’ll discover there’s plenty to see, do, and eat. And you’ll have time for a day trip to Pula (more on that in a future post).
Speaking of Pula, many travelers choose to stay there and make a day trip to Rovinj. Pula is a much larger city, and we preferred the quiet beauty of Rovinj as our “home base.”
Rovinj is a city to be explored on foot. There are many streets winding their way all over. It can be a bit confusing at first, but try not to get frustrated. Just enjoy the colorful buildings and quiet paths as you get acclimated. Practice the art of getting lost. It’s worth it!
Where to Eat
Rovinj has many waterfront restaurants and cafes. If you want a guaranteed table outside with a great view for dinner, I recommend reservations. But you can pop into pretty much any place for lunch.
Brasserie Adriatic (the cafe at the Adriatic Hotel) – This is a great spot for a casual but elevated feeling lunch. It feels fancy but you can wear your sundress or shorts and sandals. Sitting outside affords you a view of the marina and town square. It’s a great people watching spot as well. The food is inexpensive and delicious, and the cocktails are made right. We opted for sandwich and salad with a side of fries served in a miniature dutch oven. Pop inside for a look at the elegant and modern decor.
Torkolo – For a nice casual dinner, try Torkolo. It’s a family-owned establishment serving fresh seafood and local wines by the carafe (I think we actually had a liter of wine in ours). So yeah, it’s a great place for a yummy romantic dinner for two and a boozy walk back to your Airbnb. The octopus salad was delicious!
Pizzeria Da Sergio – A fantastic casual lunch spot and amazing pizza! No matter what mood you’re in, this place has a pizza for you. Seriously, the menu is enormous. Pizzas are huge and can easily be shared. We sat inside at a table by two open double doors. It was cool inside and we still felt like we were sitting on the sidewalk where we could people watch. If you haven’t noticed by now, people watching is one of my favorite things to do.
Monte Carlo Bar – For an elegant cocktail experience on the water without breaking the bank, head to Monte Carlo Bar. And when I say it’s on the water, I mean it is literally right on the water. Seats are built into the shoreline and the water pretty much laps and curls at your feet. This is an excellent spot for watching the sun go down without being baked to death. Cushions make seating comfortable. I could have spent hours here.
Valentino Cocktail & Champagne Bar – For a more upscale and expensive experience, go to Valentino. We had a couple of glasses of Moët here for the experience alone (well, I mean, Moët is always a good idea), but you have to experience something like this at least once in your life. Just like at Monte Carlo Bar, seating is built into the shoreline. You’ll be seated right on the rocks! Couples and small groups are all lounging about as blue lit waters crash at your feet. Liberace approved candelabras are placed here and there and house music gently beats while you sip your cares away. Be gone, plebeians, I’m super important! 😉
Revera – This place has great sea views, inexpensive drinks, and friendly service. I was surprised that we could walk up and get the best seat in the house, but I think it’s because not many people know about this place. It’s another fun spot to watch that beautiful Croatian sunset.
San Tomasso Vinoteka – The San Tomasso Winery is located just outside of Rovinj. If you can’t make it there, be sure to stop here for a taste of their Istrian wines. There’s a small tasting room but it’s best to have a glass outside along the water. It’s located on a lively part of the marina in a row of other restaurants and bars.
Piassa Granda da Miro – For those who prefer a wine bar tucked away on a rustic cobblestone street that screams “you’re in Europe,” go to Piassa Granda da Miro. Great wine and beautiful architecture just go together. The staff is also very friendly and helpful when choosing an Istrian wine.
Where to Stay
We opted for an Airbnb in Rovinj because we wanted to feel like locals. With the availability of local fish and produce at the nearby market, my husband really wanted to cook. We also had an amazing terrace with an ocean view to take in our meals.
Our Airbnb had plenty of room for a couple to stay, with a loft style bedroom on the second floor. Having two floors also meant having two outdoor terraces. The bottom floor terrace was a great spot for breakfast and wine while my husband cooked. We ate our meals on the top terrace to take advantage of the incredible view.
You can book our exact Airbnb here.
Where to Play
If you only do 4 things in Rovinj they should be: get lost, wander, people watch, and have cocktails. Oh, and don’t forget the beach!
You’ll find plenty of spots to walk down to the ocean and take a dip. Do as the Croatians do and just bring a towel to lounge on the rocks. Water shoes might also be a good idea, as there can be sharp or rocky spots in some places. I went barefoot, however, and was fine.
So many of you loved this bathing suit when I posted it on Instagram and bought it for yourself! I bought it in yellow but it comes in 9 other colors and fits so well. I felt very 60’s glam in it. I think it’s the official one-piece of the summer!
If the beach isn’t your thing, there are plenty of shops with souvenirs to local artist boutiques, as well as plenty of small cafes and wine bars to take a break and soak up that Croatian sun. Rovinj is very romantic, especially in the evening. Stroll through town along the marina and find a little place for some local wine.
At the top of the hill is the Church of St. Euphemia. It was built in the 18th century and honors Euphemia, the patron saint of Rovinj, who was arrested and martyred by Diocletian’s soldiers for refusing to give up Christianity. The church is beautiful and worth the walk up to it.
Would I come back to Rovinj? Absolutely! You can see more videos and photos of our experience on my Instagram. Just tap the “Istria” highlights.
Have you been to Rovinj?
xo – Erin
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