Rovinj: My Favorite Croatian City
Pozdrav iz Rovinja, Hrvatska!
Possibly the most beautiful city in Croatia, the colorful Old Town looks like a cross between Venice and Dubrovnik. Located on the Istrian Peninsula, Rovinj features winding cobblestone streets on a sloped peninsula, with a backdrop of the Adriatic. This is a truly unique destination.
TO DO
Climb St. Euphemia's Bell Tower | The stairs are a bit nerve-racking because you can see between each rickety step, but the panoramic views make it worth the mental battle. Take 100 photos at the top because you earned them. Going down is somehow worse than going up.
Wander the Old Town | Get lost in the maze of winding cobblestone streets. Be sure to wander down Grisia Street, which has lots of little shops. The town gets busier as the day progresses, so if you can manage a morning meander, I recommend it.
Piazza Matteotti | Grab a seat at one of the colorful chairs and tables for an ice-cold refreshment and some people watching.
Walk to the Cannon Beach Area | Peaceful stroll along the water with great photo opportunities.
Sunset at Viva Eufemia | Even if you're not staying there, head to the lobby bar of the Grand Park Hotel for sunset drinks on the terrace. The views over Rovinj are absolutely stunning.
Day Trip to Pula | Just a 40-minute drive, this is the largest city in Istria, Croatia and home to the impressive Pula Arena, Temple of Augustus, and Fortress Kaštel. It’s a nice way to spend a half day and the ruins are well preserved. We probably ate lunch here, though I seem to remember it being a bit of a struggle to find a decent place. I could be wrong about that, though, so if you go and eat somewhere terrific, let me know.
TO EAT
Cap Aureo (Grand Park Hotel) | It’s an absolute must to try this inventive plant-forward menu. This restaurant has now earned its first Michelin star, so things may have changed, but we chose the seasonal prix fixe with pairings and had no regrets. A great place for a special occasion.
Pro Tips | Sit outside or request a seat by a window. If the menu includes homemade beignets, eat them sparingly. Take a few bites of appreciation and come back to them if you have appetite at the end. I had far too many and didn’t leave enough room for my meal. Rookie mistake.
Monte | The first restaurant in Croatia to receive a Michelin star, Monte delivers excellent modern Croatian cuisine just below St. Euphemia church. If the concept remains the same, we chose the Red Menu, and it was amazing.
Pro Tips | The walk is slightly challenging on an incline so I don’t recommend heels. Ask ahead if you can get a table on the balcony.
Giannino | Established in 1972, this staple restaurant in Old Town serves fresh seafood with both modern and rustic decor. Casual Italian - good food, good prices, good service, can’t lose. Grab a table on the terrace and enjoy!
La Puntulina | Amazing location with terraces that cascade down the rocks to the sea. Perfect for a romantic dinner. Very popular! Get a reso.
Da Sergio Pizza | Reviews here are hit-or-miss but we had some great pizzas, so give this no-frills place a try.
TO DRINK
Mediterraneo Cocktail Bar | The most well-known “secret” bar on the rocks where you can literally have waves washing over your feet while sipping cocktails. Limited seating, so arrive early for sunset. Very casual and cool.
The Melegran | This chic little bar is tucked away along a charming cobblestone street. Stellar spot for intimate drinks.
Havana Rovinj Cocktail Bar | Serving Cuban-style cocktails with tiki vibes and marina views. Not great...
View of Rovinj from St. Euphemia's Bell Tower
Posing at the Temple of Augustus in Pula
Cobblestone street in Rovinj Old Town
View of the sea from Rovinj Old Town
THE LOGISTICS
Travel Date | June 2020
Flights | AMS > ZAG on KLM
Accommodations |
Grand Park Hotel
Every aspect of this hotel is stunning: The lobby, the rooms, the views…
The lobby is on floor 5, with the lower floors built into the seaside cliff. Every room has a terrace and a view.
Very dog-friendly, which is great if you’re traveling with pets, or like to see pets while you travel
Viva Eufemia Lobby Bar for a drink at sunset is a must
Breakfast
Can be mayhem during busy periods, especially if there are a lot of children
Sit outside - it’s the only way to maintain some semblance of peace
Best cantaloupe I’ve ever had
Infinity pool overlooking the Adriatic is legit. And if you’re an influencer, you will be perched somewhere on this pool deck with a partner reluctantly taking your photo.
Cissa Pool Bar | Enjoy champagne in a stainless steel flute and an exceptional club sandwich: a solid choice for lunch or afternoon drinks.
The Melegran
We didn’t stay here but we did have a drink at their bar and it was very chic in a low-key way. I would def consider staying here for future visits.
Transportation | Rental Car
Pro Tips |
The Marina has THE BEST greeting card shop.
Rental cars often come with empty gas tanks, so be prepared to get gas upon pickup. I actually prefer this since I’m always in a scramble returning the rental car.
The driving here is clearly influenced by Italians: everyone is insane. You’ve been warned.
Croatian highways have 1,000 tolls; luckily all take cards
If you need to stock up on wine, and you have a car, stop by Cicibela. It’s in a residential part of town down a dead end with an extensive wine selection.
Rovinj is conveniently located if you want to couple it with other driving destinations, such as Trieste, IT (90 minutes), Ljubljana, SI (2+ hours), Zagreb (3 hours). Or you can ferry to Venice in about 3 hours.
#195Postcards
