10 Awesome Things to Do in Rovinj for First-Timers

10 Best Things to Do in Rovinj

1. Check Out the View from Rovinj Marina

One of the first things I highly recommend you do in Rovinj is to check out the view from Rovinj Marina, a narrow harbor for small yachts stretching out into the Adriatic Sea providing us with an incredible view of Rovinj and its dynamic cityscape.

From this viewpoint, you will be able to see just how beautiful Rovinj's old town really is. From the colorful houses, all packed and stacked up onto the small hill while being towered by the Venetian bell tower of the Church of Saint Euphemia, it reminded me so much of places in Italy like Cinque Terre or Amalfi.

If you are into photography, I highly recommend you check out the viewpoint at either sunrise or sunset when the light is best. The sun casting shadows across the colorful buildings in Rovinj's Old Town is quite a sight to behold.

There is also another viewpoint located along a promenade on the other side of the Old Town you should check out. From this viewpoint, you will get a clearer view of the Venetian church as well as the colorful buildings surrounding it. Definitely one of the best things to do in Rovinj, so be sure to check it out.

2. Go For A Swim at Plaža Balota

Rovinj is home to some of the nicest coastal areas with the clearest water you can swim in, and it would be a shame if you travel all the way here without swimming in the Adriatic Sea.

A great place you can swim in Rovinj is at Plaža Balota, a coastal area that had been converted into a small recreational area with stairs and stone walking paths, allowing you to get to the crystal clear water from the Old Town and have a swim.

You'll find some lovely spots to sunbathe along the walking path, but be warned, it can get pretty crowded at times. To have this slice of paradise all to yourself, I recommend setting your alarm clock and visiting early in the morning.

There's nothing quite like taking a refreshing dip in the peaceful solitude of Plaža Balota before the hustle and bustle of the day begins. So, don't forget to pack your swimsuit for this trip!

3. Stroll Along the Street Through Balbi's Arch

If you are not sure where to begin when you arrive in Rovinj, I highly recommend you start from Balbi's Arch, an old town gate featuring beautiful carvings that marks the entrance to Stari Grad, Rovinj's Old Town proper.

As you pass through the town gate, you'll find yourself on Grisia Street - a lively hub that's bursting with cafes, restaurants, and souvenir shops you can check out.

But that's not all! Grisia Street is also famous for its picturesque houses and buildings that adorn both sides of the street, which makes for great photo opportunities, so be sure to get your camera ready while you are here.

The street will lead you directly to the Church of Saint Euphemia, a prominent Venetian church that you saw from the viewpoint and another awesome place you shouldn't miss while you are here.

4. Admire the Stunning Venetian Architecture at the Church of Saint Euphemia

One of the most prominent buildings in Rovinj's Old Town is the Church of Saint Euphemia, a stunning Baroque-style church, built in the 18th Century by the Venetians who brought their skilled architects with them and built this in dedication to the town's patron saint, Saint Euphemia.

One of the most striking features of the church is its towering bell tower, which stands at an impressive height of 60 meters and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding town and sea if you don't mind climbing around 200 wooden steps to get to the top.

Once you step inside the Church of Saint Euphemia, you'll be greeted by a stunning baroque-style nave. The space is adorned with magnificent stone columns and the ceilings and walls are painted in a soft, warm yellow hue that adds to the peaceful ambiance.

You will also find intricate frescoes and sculptures inside, as well as the sarcophagus of Saint Euphemia herself. The church is open from 9 AM to 12 PM on weekdays only, so be sure to align your visit carefully. The entrance to the church is free, but if you wish to climb the tower, you are going to have to pay 3 EUR to get access to it. Definitely one of the best things to do in Rovinj, so be sure to check it out.

5. Get Lost In The Narrow Streets of Stari Grad

Despite all the pretty tourist attractions you can see here, one of my favorite things to do in Rovinj is in fact, to get lost in Stari Grad and explore all its beautiful narrow crisscrossing streets.

Who knows? As you wander through the streets of Rovinj, you might stumble upon hidden gems and beautiful corners that you might have missed otherwise like the Altelier Charm, a small little outdoor art installation where you can take photos, or an alley full of cats, etc.

It is also a surprisingly therapeutic experience as you meander through the winding alleyways and colorful streets while being surrounded by stunning architecture, picturesque vistas, and the soothing sounds of the sea. It is a great way to experience Rovinj and see what life is really like for the people living here, so be sure to let yourself get lost on purpose while you are here.

6. Shop for Souvenirs at Rovinj Market

If you are looking for a lively place to go people-watching and buy some fresh products or homemade souvenirs in Rovinj, I highly recommend you check out Rovinj Market.

The market operates from 8 AM to 9 PM every day, and you will find many vendors selling all kinds of fresh products like fruits, vegetables, and fish, as well as homemade products that are perfect for souvenirs like olive oils, honey, and more.

You will also find several small souvenir shops along the buildings surrounding the market if you wish to buy your typical souvenirs like magnets, handmade goods, and more, so be sure to look around here while you are in Rovinj.

7. Learn More About the History of Rovinj at Rovinj Heritage Museum

The fact that you can find a Venetian church goes to show just how rich the history is in Rovinj and if you wish to learn more about it, there is no better way to be than Rovinj Heritage Museum.

Houses in this stunning 17th Century Baroque-style palace, you will find a valuable collection of both modern and old art, as well as archaeological findings, ethnology, books, documents, and photos of partisan battalion Pino Budicin, a military battalion that fought against German and Italian Republican Fascist forces during WW2.

Clearly, there is a ton of history to be discovered here, and if you want to learn more about it, be sure to drop by Rovinj Heritage Museum while you are here. The museum is open from 10 AM to 3 PM and again from 6 PM to 10 PM in the summer every day except on Mondays. Reduced business hours are expected off-season. The ticket price is 2 EUR per person.

8. Hang Out By the Promenada

Rovinj is surrounded by beautiful crystal-clear water, and if you wish to find a nice restaurant to sit and relax by the waterfront, be sure to stroll along Rovinj Promenada and check out some of the restaurants there.

Starting from Republic Square all the way to the parking lot on the opposite side of the harbor, you will find plenty of restaurants and cafes you can choose from, all lined up along the waterfront.

There are also free park benches scattered along the waterfront area that you can sit and relax at while enjoying the view from the harbor without paying a dime which is awesome. If you are looking for a place to hang out in Rovinj, be sure to check out Rovinj Promenada.

9. Watch the Sunset at the Bunker

One of the best places to watch the sunset in Rovinj is surprisingly at the Bunker, a wartime remnant of Croatia's troubling past when it was occupied by the Germans during WW2. The bunker was built by the Germans during the war to defend the city from naval attacks.

Due to its location facing west towards the horizon, the bunker today, although abandoned and left to ruin, has become a popular spot for tourists to hang out as they watch the sunset dip behind the horizon by the Adriatic Sea.

Since the bunker is located up on a rock with barely any obstruction, you won't find a better sunset view than here. If you want to see the sunset from here, be sure to align your time carefully.

10. Visit Pula and Its Roman Ruins as a Day Trip

Did you know that there is a well-preserved Roman ruin in Croatia? I definitely did not know that until I arrived in Pula and saw its incredible ancient arena and other structures that are considered to be the most well-preserved Roman ruins outside of Italy.

One of the first things you will see the moment you arrive in Pula is Pula Arena, an ancient amphitheater built in the 1st century AD by the Romans who, after years of conflicts, finally conquered the Istria region, and in typical Roman fashion, they started converting the towns and villages in the region to their design and built this massive structure.

Back in the day, the arena was used for gladiator battles and other public spectacles, and it is said to have been able to hold more than 23,000 spectators. The arena is so big it is considered to be the sixth-largest surviving Roman arena in the world.

You can also get inside the area and walk around the interior, sit and relax in the cave, or you can check out the exhibitions often held at the underground museum located inside and learn a little bit more about this region of Croatia.

Another prominent structure you should check out in Pula is the Pula Fortress, an old fortress built by the Venetians, situated on a hill right at the heart of Pula's old town, offering an incredible view of the city and its coastline. You can see the ancient arena all the way from here.

Another important landmark to visit while you are in Pula is the Arch of the Sergii, an ancient Roman triumphal arch built between 29-27 BC dedicated to the members of a powerful family who run this newly formed Roman colony and retained their power over Pula for centuries.

The arch is connected to a pedestrian area with lines of shops, cafes, and restaurants you can indulge yourself in. There are also seating areas where you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the chill vibe of Pula to your heart's content.

Other notable tourist attractions in Pula that you should definitely visit are Forum Square, the ancient town square surrounded by beautiful old buildings, some of which are more than 2000+ years old like the Temple of Augustus, an extremely well-preserved ancient Roman temple dedicated to the first Roman emperor, Augustus, adorned with 4 stunning Corinthian columns standing around 14 m (46 ft) high in front of the temple.

If you have a day to spare in Rovinj and you are looking to explore an old city full of beautiful Roman ruins and Venetian structures, you are going to love Pula. To get there, you just have to catch one of the many buses operated by Arriva from Rovinj bus station which will take you to Pula in 30 minutes and costs around 7 EUR per person.

Arriva operates around 10 buses per day between the 2 cities from 6:45 AM to 10:45 PM every day. You can check the bus schedule and book the ticket online from the Arriva official website here.

Looking for a travel guide to Pula? Check out:10 Best Things to Do in Pula

Further Reading for Croatia

I hope you found this Croatia travel guide useful. If you want to read more about Croatia, here is a selection of articles you might like:

• For a complete itinerary to the Balkans, check out: 2 Months Backpacking Balkans Itinerary.
• For a complete Croatia backpacking itinerary, check out: 2 Weeks Backpacking Croatia Itinerary.
• Zagreb may not be on everyone's radar, but the city does have its charm, and it is a great place to see what life is really like in Croatia outside of touristy towns. Here are the 14 Best Things to Do in Zagreb.
• If you want to hike around Plitvice Lakes National Park, one of the best national parks in Croatia, be sure to check out: A Complete Hiking Guide to Plitvice Lakes National Park.
• Pula is a charming city in the beautiful region of Istria, home to some of the most well-preserved Roman ruins outside of Italy. If you are planning to visit Pula, be sure to check out: 10 Best Things to Do in Pula.
• Zadar is a great place to start your journey along the popular Dalmatian coast. Here are the 12 Best Things to Do in Zadar.
• Krka National Park is home to some of the most beautiful waterfalls in Croatia. If you want to visit the park, be sure to check out: A Complete Travel Guide to Krka National Park.
• Home to the stunning Diocletian's Palace, Split is one of the best places to visit in Croatia. For those who are planning to visit the town, here are the 12 Best Things to Do in Split.
• From swimming in the crystal clear waters to walking around the quaint town, Hvar is a great island to visit to escape the typical touristy towns in Croatia. Wondering what you can do there? Here are the 8 Best Things to Do in Hvar.
• You can't come to Croatia without visiting Dubrovnik, one of the most famous travel destinations in Europe, home to so many cool things to do and places to see. If you are planning to visit the town, here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Dubrovnik.
• Not convinced by my words? Here are 125 photos that will inspire you to visit Europe.
• To see all the articles about Croatia, visit the Croatia Travel Guide page.
• Traveling in Europe can be cheap, really cheap. These are the 12 Cheap European Countries to Visit.
• Looking for more travel guides for Europe? You can find more on my Europe Travel Guide page.
• Or if you want something more specific to the region, visit our Balkans Travel Guide, Eastern Europe Travel Guide, Western Europe Travel Guide, Southern Europe Travel Guide, or Central Europe Travel Guide pages.
• For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.