Rovinj is one of the most mysterious, romantic and intriguing cities of Croatia. It is not for nothing that Rovinj is the best sightseeing, which is recommended in the TOP 10 places for visiting in Croatia.
The Old City is the historical center of Rovinj, which is situated on a peninsula in the center of which there is Cathedral Church of St. Euphimia.
Rovinj water area is very spectacular and has 22 islets. A new part of the city was built on the continent seaside to the south and north of the peninsula. Rovinj is a modern resort with developed tourist infrastructure such as modern hotels, sports facilities, night clubs and restaurants.
History Rovinj
According to ancient documents pioneer settlements in place of Rovinj and the beginning of Rovinj’s history date from the 3rd and the 5th centuries. Archaeological finds in Rovinj have an even older age, some of the excavations date from the Iron and the Bronze Ages.
Rovinj was conquered and destroyed more than once during its long history. This city attracted many empires because of its attractive and strategically important location. In different centuries Rovinj was under different empires’ domination such as the Byzantine Empire, Austria-Hungary, France, Germany, Venice.
When Rovinj was under the Venetian Republic domination, it became famous as sea port and commerce center, commodity market was built here, fishery and farming were developed.
In the 18th century Rovinj became a famous commercial and sea center and prospered as a city. Many people arrived to Rovinj, construction developed rapidly, houses were rebuilt and the streets became more narrow. In the 19th century schools, a pasta plant, the chamber of trade, the lighthouse of the Island of St. Ivan, the theatre were built, railway service with other cities started in Rovinj. In 1905 Rovinj was lightened by gas lamps and the city telephone net was established.
After the Second World War Rovinj was made part of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. And in 1991 Rovinj became a city of the independent state Croatia after Yugoslavia’s dissolution.
Nowadays tourism brings the main part of income in Rovinj. There are a lot of hotels and private houses with apartments in the city.
Sightseeing in Rovinj
The main sights of Rovinj are located in its historical center on the peninsula — the Old City of Rovinj.
Each epoch in a long Rovinj’s history left its own trace on architectural look of the city. The uniqueness of Rovinj is in combination of styles from different epochs — Gothic, Revival style, Baroque, Neo-classicism.
Among great amount of Rovinj’s sights it is possible to point out the main ones:
- Cathedral Church of St. Euphemia was being built during 26 years from 1651. It can be seen far from the city and it is its essential part. The bell tower of the Cathedral, which is 62 meters high, is the highest bell tower in Istria. The spire of the bell tower is crowed with a copper statue of Saint Euphemia (the statue is 4.7 meters high). Saint Euphemia was a Great Martyr and her relics are kept in the sarcophagus in the Cathedral.
Every year on the 16th of September thousands of faithful pilgrims from all Europe gather together to bow unto Saint Euphemia’s relics.
- The Holy Trinity Church with heptangular chapel, built in Gothic and Romantic style, is one of ancient constructions, which is in a good state of preservation;
- Church of Merciful Virgin Mary, built in Baroque style, was consecrated in 1487 and it symbolizes a great naval past of the city. There is the tombstone of Countess Elizabeth Angelini – Kaliffi, who was buried here in 1762;
- The Palace of the Kaliffi family, built in Venetian style, is a city museum today – www.muzej-rovinj.com;
- The town gates preserved till nowadays are Gate on the coastline, Gate under the wall and Saint Gate;
- City Hall on the central square of Rovinj;
- The Doctor Martin’s hospital on the green peninsula Muccia, opened in 1888, specialises today in orthopedic surgery
- The Franciscan monastery, built in Baroque, is a functioning monastery.
- The museum of the Hatterot family offers bicycle excursions and seeing the animal world in the nearest forest.
- The museum of batana, where it is possible to find the history of wooden fishing boat, which is the symbol of Rovinj. www.batana.org
- Rovinj’s Aquarium represents a rich fauna of Adriatic Sea.
- The pedestrian street in the Old city of Rovinj, which is called Carera, attracts visitors with its shops. During summertime the shops work here till the late night.
- Narrow, nice, cozy streets of Rovinj, paved with a stone, deserved the love of visitors. Walking in the shadow from unusual buildings in the center of Rovinj, shopping in many shops and a cup of coffee in the cozy outdoor café are the favourite activities of the citizens and visitors.
The symbol of the city is antique window shutters on the great variety of different houses in the Old city of Rovinj.
St. Benedict Monastery from the 6th century on the island of St. Andrew.
The variety of the most beautiful islands in the archipelago refer to the natural attractions of Rovinj: from the island of St. Ivan to the island Dvije Sesrtice, the Lim Channel, the forest Punta Corrente, the cave Romualds, swamp Palud, full gallop Monfiorenzo.
Rovinj is called “small Croatian Venice” as house walls in the Old City rise right from the water.
Many ancient houses of Rovinj, which are 300-400 years old, are reconstructed into the modern hotels and houses with apartments, but at the same time they could keep the appearance and atmosphere of an Old Fairy Tale.
Destinations of a Lifetime: 225 of the World’s Most Amazing Places
The National Geographic included Croatian Rovinj town in the latest book “Destinations of a Lifetime: 225 of the World’s Most Amazing Places”.
Rovinj is describes as a small medieval town in the Mediterranean with an old town center still radiating the Venetian atmosphere. The guests of Rovinj have a unique experience knowing with Mediterranean vibe and strolling down the stone paved alleyways of old town Rovinj.
In Rovinj and its suburbs there are a lot of hotels of very good level
In the oldest center of Rovinj on the central square there is a hotel Adriatic 3* Rovinj, which works all year around.
The most popular hotels are Monte Mulini 5* rating according to the guests’ reviews is 9.3 from 10), hotel Eden 4* Rovinj (rating according to the guests’ reviews is 8.3 from 10), hotel Park 3* Rovinj (rating according to the guests’ reviews is 8.0 from 10).
Photo hotel Monte Muline 5* in Rovinj Croatia
Not less popular among visitors are the hotels on the islands, surrounding Rovinj,
such as hotel Istra 4* Rovinj on the island of St. Andrew (rating according to the guests’ reviews is 8.5 from 10)
and hotel Katarina 3* Rovinj on the island of St. Katherine (rating according to the guests’ reviews is 8.3 from 10).
What to see next to Rovinj?
8 km – Limsky channel
29 km – Brijuni national nature park
41 km – Baredine cave
47 km – город Motovun city of truffles
54 km – Groznjan city of artists
76 km – Hum town the smallest town in the world
It is very easy to get from Rovinj to different cities such as Pula city, Porec city, Zagreb city, with all their popular and not so popular sights.
Video about Rovinj:
Beaches on Istria peninsula Croatia
Beaches of Istria peninsula formed of picturesque coastline, bays and coves.
There are rocky and pebbly beaches. Beaches of Istria peninsula have 44 beaches which are awarded the Blue Flag.
Beaches of Istria peninsula are famous for their hotels, variety of services and facilities
…more about beaches of Istria peninsula
Hotels in Rovinj
Hotel Lone 5* Rovinj
SUPERB rating 9.2 / 10
The rating is based on the reviews by 3050 hotel guests
Distance to the nearest beach: 20 meters
Distance to the center of Rovinj: 15 minutes of walking
Distance to the Pula airport: 40 km
Additionally: the hotel is located in a surrounding of a natural park the “Golden Cape”; there is a terrace for the hotel guests, a wellness center with a swimming pool and a SPA; the rooms are modernly designed and equipped, and have balconies; there is a free Wi-Fi
The price of the room for two persons: from 85 euro
Photos and discription of hotel Lone 5* Rovinj
Hotel Eden 4* Rovinj
FABULOUS rating 8.8 / 10
The rating is based on the reviews by 2885 hotel guests
Distance to the nearest beach: 200 m
Distance to the center of Rovinj: 15 minutes of walking
Distance to the Pula airport: 40 km
Additionally: there was an indoor swimming pool with a big resting zone and a beach bar opened for the hotel guests; there are the Wellness & Spa zona, the mini-club for kids, and the table tennis. Nearby, there are the tennis courts. An entire thing is located in about 100 meters from the nature park Zlatni Rt, with a 100-years-old trees
The price of the room for two persons: from 88 euro
Photo and the description of hotel Eden 4* of Rovinj
Hotel Monte Mulini 5* Rovinj
SUPERB rating 9.4 / 10
The rating is based on the 625 reviews of the hotel guests
Distance to the nearest beach: beach front
Distance to the center of Rovinj: 10 minutes of walking
Distance to the Pula airport: 40 km
Additionally: the hotel is surrounded with a centuries-old nature park with a great view onto the bay; there is a free Wi-Fi, and a modern wellness center that is 1000 squared meters big; there are the indoor and outdoor swimming pools available for the guests of the hotel
The price of the room for two persons: from 101 euro
Photo and the description of the Monte Mulini 5* of Rovinj
Apart hotel La Casa di Loreto 3* Rovinj
SUPERB rating 9.2 / 10
Review score based on 378 reviews
Distance to the nearest beach: 500 m
Distance to center of Rovinj: in the centre
Distance to airport Pula: 35 km
Add: set in traditional house in the historic centre of Rovinj, modern accommodation, some are decorated with stone wall elements, view of the port, free Wi-Fi
Cost room 2 per: from 37 euro
Photo and description of Apart hotel La Casa di Loreto 3* Rovinj
Hotel Katarina island 3* Rovinj
VERY GOOD rating 8.4 / 10
Review score based on 272 reviews
Distance to the nearest beach: sea front
Distance to center of Rovinj: opposite
Distance to airport Pula: 35 km
Add: situated on a wonderful island opposite the historical core of Rovinj, sharing island Katarina is the second biggest island within the Rovinj Archipelago, abundant Mediterranean vegetation, promenades and 19th-century parks boasting magnificent views of the town, of the Zlatni Rt park forest and the rest of the Rovinj Archipelago, distinctive for the historical remains of an old castle integrated in the hotel, giving it a touch of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy.
Cost rent room for 2 per: from 72 euro
Photo and description rooms of Island Hotel Katarina 3* Rovinj
Private apartments in Rovinj
Apartments Figarola Rovinj
EXCEPTIONAL rating 9.5 / 10
Review score based on 44 reviews
Distance to the nearest beach: 15 m
Distance to center of Rovinj: 2 km
Distance to airport Pula: 40 km
Add: overlooks the islet of Figarola, air-conditioned accommodation units, each with a furnished terrace, free Wi-Fi, hairdryer and free toiletries, restaurant and a bar are just steps away, the nearest grocery shop is 200 m, Rovinj Aquarium and the Cathedral of St. Euphemia are located in the town centre, free parking
Cost rent studio apartment for 2 per: from 83 euro
Photo and description of Apartments Figarola Rovinj
Apartments Villa Markiz 4* Rovinj
SUPERB rating 9.1 / 10
Review score based on 102 reviews
Distance to the nearest beach: 100 m
Distance to center of Rovinj: in the centre
Distance to airport Pula: 42 km
Add: offers luxurious, air-conditioned apartments, free Wi-Fi, kitchens, balconies and elegant, dark wooden floors, some of them have a hot tub and a fireplace
Cost apartment 2+2: from 55 euro
Photo and description of Apartments Villa Markiz 4* Rovinj
Apartments Villas Rubin 3* Rovinj
GOOD rating 7.7 / 10
Review score based on 193 reviews
Distance to the nearest beach: 50 m
Distance to center of Rovinj: 3,2 km
Distance to airport Pula: 27 km
Add: outdoor pool with sun loungers, on-site bar and restaurant, surrounded by a pine tree forest, numerous water sports facilities can be enjoyed on site, tennis courts, cycling, diving, billiards, children’s playground, all units are fitted with a terrace, air-conditioning, parking is free, airport shuttle can be organised for an additional cost
Cost rent studio apartment for 3 per: from 64 euro
Photo and description of Apartments Villas Rubin 3* Rovinj
Get to Rovinj
Rovinj is situated in the Western part of Istrian peninsula on the peninsula of the Adriatic sea coastline.
Get to Rovinj by plane
The nearest airport to Rovinj is airport Pula city – 39 km
Distance from airport Zagreb city to Rovinj – 255 km
Distance from airport Zadar city to Rovinj – 386 km
Distance from airport Krk to Rovinj – 118 km
Also You can rent a car in airport of Pula and get to Rovinj by car
Rent a car in Pula airport
Get to Rovinj by bus
Bus traffic connects Rovinj with major cities of Croatia – Pula, Porec, Rijeka, Umag, Novigrad, Zagreb (250 km), Zadar, Split, Dubrovnik, and Triest, Italy and Ljubljana, Slovenia (185 km)
Address bus station of Rovinj – Ul. Mattea Benussia, 52210 Rovinj
Phone bus station of Rovinj +385 060 333 111
Official web site of Croatian bus traffic www.autobusni-kolodvor.com
Photo Bus station in Rovinj
Get to Rovinj by train
The nearest railway station to Rovinj is in city Pula – 39 km, and in city Rijeka – 90 km
Get to Rovinj by car
Motorways connect Rovinj with cities Istria penninsula of Croatia – Porec, Pula, Umag, and Rijeka of Kvarner bay, and father with Croatian cities and regions.
Geographical coordinates of the city of Rovinj (WGS84) – latitude: 45° 4′ 48″ N (45.08), longitude: 13° 38′ 24″ Е (13.64)
Distance from Rovinj to cities of Croatia and Europe
Distance from Rovinj to Zagreb – 250 km
Distance from Rovinj to cities of Istria penninsula:
Novigrad – 52 km; Porec – 35 km; Umag – 64 km; Pula – 39 km; Medulin – 48 km; Rabac – 59 km.
Distance from Rovinj to cities of Croatia:
Opatija – 84 km; Rijeka – 90 km; Crikvenica – 122 km; Zadar – 328 km; Sibenik – 430 km; Trogir – 485 km; Split – 500 km; Makarska – 535 km; Dubrovnik – 690 km
Distance from Rovinj to cities of Europe: Triest (Italy) – 1018 km; Ljubljana (Slovenia) 185 km; Venice (Italy)- 264 km; Milan (Italy) – 519 km; Vienna (Austria) – 561 km; Munich (Germany) – 522 km; Bratislava (Slovakia) – 613 km
Map of Rovinj
Rovinj is situated in the Western part of Istrian peninsula on the peninsula of the Adriatic sea coastline.
Weather in Rovinj
The climate in Rovinj is Mediterranean.
Daily average temperature in January is +4.5 C; daily average temperature of July is +27-29 C; water temperature on the beaches of Rovinj from the middle of July to the middle of September is on average +24-28 C.
Annual rate of precipitations is 940 mm; annual average humidity is 72%.
Average monthly temperatures in Rovinj
January +9 С
February +10 С
March +12 С
April +16 С
May +22 С
June +26 С
July +28 С
August +27 С
September +24 С
October +19 С
November +13 С
December +10 С
Average monthly water temperatures in Rovinj
January +11 С
February +12 С
March +13 С
April +15 С
May +20 С
June +23 С
July +27 С
August +28 С
September +23 С
October +21 С
November +16 С
December +12 С
Local people consider Rovinj to be a charmed place. Very often when in seaside towns near Rovinj there are clouds and it rains, there is a sunny day in Rovinj.
On this page used photos from www.inforovinj.com, www.tzgrovinj.hr, sun-surfer.com, www.adrialin.co.uk, commons.wikimedia.org, www.rovinj.com, www.apartmani-jasmina-rovinj.hr, www.frankaboutcroatia.com, www.maistra.com