The port town of Rovinj is located on the west coast of Istria, 35 km north of Pula and about 10 km south of Poreč. There are 13 islets scattered around the city, which are popular with boaters, fishers and divers. This is one of the oldest seaside towns in Croatia, with the first tourist establishment dating back to 1888. The local economy is still partly based on tourism, but also on agriculture, viticulture, fishing, and the food and tobacco industries.
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Rovinj, a tourist town
Rovinj has a wide range of tourist facilities, including many hotels and resorts, campgrounds and a marina. Visitors have access to several sports and leisure facilities (soccer, basketball, volleyball, bowling…), as well as an excellent gastronomic offer. Water activities include diving courses, an indoor outdoor pool, and water sports such as sailing, windsurfing, kayaking and water skiing. Joggers and bikers will enjoy the beautiful seaside trails and bike paths in the south of the city.
Rovinj is also a city with an important heritage, including cultural and historical monuments dating back to Illyrian, Roman and Venetian times. Cultural events are varied and mainly take place in the spring and fall. In mid-September, the locals celebrate St. Euphemia, the patron saint of the city, which has a cathedral in her name.
Rovinj’s cultural and historical sites
You should not miss a visit to Rovinj’s old town. It is located on a peninsula and is a testimony of the city’s rich past. In fact, Rovinj has been an island since its foundation in the 4th century until 1763! The available space was limited, which led to the construction of narrow buildings, steep alleys and small picturesque squares. Today, this unique feature makes the charm of the historic center. The city itself was declared a cultural monument in 1963.
If you want to learn more about the history of the city, we invite you to visit the municipal museum and the different chapels of the city, including La Punta. For a family activity in Rovinj, you can go to the city’s aquarium, which is the oldest in the Mediterranean and dates back to 1891.
The city walls and gates
In the 7th century, Rovinj was already surrounded by walls, which were later reinforced by the construction of towers. The old town had seven gates, three of which still exist today: the St. Benedict Gate, the Holy Cross Gate and the Balbi Gate. The Balbi Gate is an archway built in the Baroque style that now serves as the entrance to the old town. It was built in place of the old outer gate in the 17th century.
The Church of Saint Euphemia
The church is an imposing structure named after the patron saint of Rovinj. It completely dominates the center of the old town. The church of St. Euphemia was built in the 18th century, while its Venetian Baroque facade was added only in the middle of the last century.
Accommodations in Rovinj
You can stay in rented apartments in the historical center. If you move away from it, you will find hotels and vacation homes that provide more comfort (parking, easy access, shops…). There are many tourist attractions, especially on the seafront and in Obala and Carrera Avenue.