Rovinj is a picturesque port town located in the southern part of the Istrian peninsula, where the ultimate holiday feeling can be matched. Beautiful sandy and rocky beaches with clear blue water almost evoke Caribbean scenes and are characteristic of the Istrian coast. Rovinj has many campsites, all of which are very suitable for families with small children. For those looking for a little more peace and quiet, local residents can rent out apartments in the heart of Rovinj.
History of Rovinj
The first written mention of Rovinj is from the book ‘Cosmographia’ by an unknown writer from Ravine . This book dates from the third century AD. During the same period, Rovinj was governed by the Roman Empire. This period has had a great influence on the appearance of Rovinj. Many buildings built by this superpower have been preserved to this day and some are even still intact. After the fall of the Roman Empire, the Byzantines invaded. After the fall of the Byzantine Empire in the year 788, all of Istria fell into the hands of the Franks, who after a short time had to cede it to the Venetian Republic. Thanks to Venetian knowledge of engineering, Rovinj developed into an indispensable maritime center. The old fishing port of Rovinj has retained these influences to this day. The Austro-Hungarian Empire came to power at the end of the 18th century. During this period, Rovinj experienced its economic and industrial growth.
Between 1918 and the 1990s, Rovinj was governed by Italy, Yugoslavia and Germany. Finally, in 1991, Rovinj became part of the Republic of Croatia.
Source: Lucky2013, Pixabay
Rovinj and its surroundings
The market in the center of Rovinj starts at exactly seven o’clock in the morning. Bunches of peppers, home-brewed liquors and wines and just-caught fresh fish are some of the products that local residents offer for sale. In the afternoon, when the sun no longer gives shade, the market disappears and makes way for the terraces of the many bars. These bars, beach bars, ice cream shops and clubs continue until the late hours.
Food and drink
It will come as no surprise, but for the ultimate fish dishes, Rovinj is the place to find them. Restaurants along the quay proudly show off their fresh fish, which can be admired in ice boxes at the entrance. But the Rovingos are also real connoisseurs when it comes to meat . The cevapcici , small sausages, are especially recommended.
If you are planning a visit to Rovinj soon, be sure to visit ‘La Perla’. Here you can enjoy a tasty and peaceful meal for not too much money. The house specialty is the squid salad. Afterwards you will be given the Croatian folk liqueur Kruškovac .
Campsites and apartment rentals
There are many campsites in the Rovinj area, as well as many apartments for rent. The best campsites are described below:
- Camping Polari . This campsite is hidden on a bay south of Rovinj. It has no less than two kilometers of beach and modern facilities and a large swimming pool. Very suitable for families with young children.
- Camping Vestar . This campsite is one of the most modern and best-equipped campsites in Istria, with camping pitches just a few meters from the sea or in the deep shade of the pine forests. The campsite has a very large swimming pool. Suitable for old and young.
- Camping Amarin . From Amarin there is a beautiful view of the St. Eufemia Tower and the old town of Rovinj. This campsite has an abundance of sporting and recreational options. Therefore, it is ideal for a camping holiday for families and those who love a holiday full of activity.
If you prefer to rent an apartment, the internet will be able to provide the necessary information. A good tip is to search for Rovinj holiday apartment.
Sights
Rovinj actually has little to offer in terms of sights. It’s the culture and the people that make Rovinj the ultimate holiday town. But once in Rovinj, a visit to St. Euphemia’s Church is definitely worthwhile. This church, located at the very top of the hill, was built by the Venetian Empire. This also explains why the church tower looks so much like St. Mark’s Square in Venice. The climb to this church takes you along Grisia , an artists’ street that characterizes Rovinj. You will undoubtedly come across this street in paintings and photos, wherever you are in Rovinj or the surrounding area.
Beaches near Rovinj
The coast of Rovinj is known for its variety and is characterized by pebble and rocky beaches. Each bay has its own characteristics and asks to be explored. When visiting one of the beaches, don’t forget to bring snorkeling gear or diving gear. See below a top 5 beaches that are more than worth a visit.
- Vestar . The bay is located just five kilometers from Rovinj. The bay has a beautiful 700 meter pebble beach and has been awarded a blue flag for its beauty, quality and clean sea.
- Skaraba . This bay is located in the Zlatni National Park and offers pleasant shade all day long. The beach can be reached via cycle paths through the forest.
- Lone . Lone Bay is one of the most visited beaches in Rovinj and is located at the entrance to the Zlatni National Park. The beach attracts many swimmers and families with small children. The center of Rovinj is just a 15-minute walk through the park.
- Kurent . There are beautiful pebble and rock beaches in Kurent Bay. The bay is often suitable for experienced divers and snorkelers. There is also a rock in this bay that children love to take advantage of by using it as a diving board. The rocks go straight down and end in a sea more than 12 meters deep. What is striking about this stretch is that the further one swims, the shallower it becomes.
- Kuvi . This bay is located two kilometers south of the city of Rovinj and is one of the most visited beaches in Rovinj. Equipped with fine gravel with rocky parts here and there.
Please note that during extreme weather conditions the sea can be very rough. Swimming during these weather conditions is entirely at your own risk.
Source: Aconcagua, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA-3.0) Limski Canal
The Limski Canal is a bay that extends no less than five kilometers inland. That is why people often speak of the Limski Canal than a bay. A name that is often used but is a misnomer is Limski Fjord. The Limski Canal is a so-called ‘Must-see’ when visiting Rovinj. The canal is home to many bird species, porcupines, deer, wild boar, turtles, dolphins, jellyfish, catfish and much more. Where the Limski Canal ends, the Limski Valley begins. This extends another 30 kilometers further inland and provides shelter for many animal and plant species.
Brijuni Islands
The Brijuni Islands, also called the Brijuni Archipelago, consists of 14 islands located off the west coast of Istë. The most famous and beautiful islands are Veliki Brijun, Vanga, Kozada and Mali Brijun. The archipelago was declared a National Park in 1999 and now has a total area of 33.9 km². There is a daily ferry from Pula to the islands every 15 minutes. Renting a boat yourself is also possible. The reason why the island group is so famous is because of its mild climate and the rich vegetation of flora and fauna. Many islands make you feel as if you are walking through a tropical rainforest. When you arrive at the edge of the island on white sandy beaches with palm trees and a clear blue sea, it looks like a photo from a brochure about the Bahamas. Many special fish species occur around the Brijuni Archipelago. Tropical birds, deer and many special lizard species live on land.
But in addition to flora and fauna lovers, the islands also have a lot to offer in the archaeological field. Historical traces are found everywhere on the islands. For example, entire villages from the Neolithic period have been excavated (177 BC), but more than 200 dinosaur footprints can also be admired.
Brijuni also offers the option of overnight stays. However, a significant amount of money must be paid for this. A night in one of the hotels can easily cost 1200 euros. This is also what characterizes Brijuni: luxury and money. No wonder that world-famous artists reside in this National Park. For example, one of the islands is owned by Johnny Depp. Brad Pitt and Elton John once said the Brijuni Islands were their favorite holiday destination.
Vrsar
Vrsar is a municipality and a town on the Istrian coast located between Poreč and Rovinj. Vrsar used to be the holiday home of various bishops and popes and the famous Casanova visited the city twice. Nowadays Vrsar is known for the tranquility that prevails in the village and the authentic harbor that has remained completely intact. Just like in Rovinj, this harbor was built in the Venetian era. Off the coast of Vrsar there are 18 uninhabited islands covered with rare Mediterranean plants.
Porec
Poreč is a town and port on the west coast of Istria. It is the most touristic city on the peninsula. Poreč is almost 2000 years old. There is a small island in front of the harbor that protects the city. About 12,000 inhabitants live there, more than half of whom depend on the holiday season. Poreč is best known for its beautiful boulevard and historic center. Large parts of the city have remained intact over the centuries. This makes the Roman and Venetian buildings look authentic.
The most famous building in Poreč is the Euphrasius Basilica. This basilica was built in the sixth century AD and is named after the Byzantine bishop Euphrasius. In 1997, this building was placed on the World Heritage List by UNESCO. This underlines the historical value of the building.
Pula
Pula is located the southernmost of all major cities in Croatia. It is one of the larger cities in Croatia. In addition, the city is more than 3,000 years old, making it one of the oldest cities.
History
Pula is first mentioned sometime in the fifth century BC. The city fell under the Histria people. Pula (and all of Istria) belonged to the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1848. Like Rovinj, Pula was a maritime center. Pula even became the main base for the shipyard. Finally, in 1918, Pula fell into the hands of the Italians. During the war, Pula was occupied by Yugoslav troops, after which in 1991 Pula became part of the new state of Croatia.
Sights
A number of buildings from Roman times can still be found in the city. The most intact are the Temple of Augustus, Roman facade stones and the Forum. The largest and most famous sight of Pula is the Amphitheatre. In terms of size, this theater is the fifth best preserved amiftheater. It could accommodate approximately 23,000 spectators. Now the theater can accommodate more than 6,000 spectators. The arena mainly hosted gladiator fights. Nowadays the Arena lends itself to concerts, operas and films. In the past ten years, Anastacia, Elton John, Eros Ramazotti and Sting, among others, have given a concert here. The Croatian Film Festival takes place here every year. This is definitely recommended to visit. Both Croatian films and foreign films are shown here. With a bit of luck, this festival will also be attended by famous actors. The past four editions have welcomed special guests such as Johhny Depp, Brad Pitt, Christopher Lee and Leonardo Dicaprio. Pula has an airport and offers boat trips to Brijuni and Venice.
Plitvice
Plitvice is the furthest attraction. It is about a four-hour drive from Rovinj. It is best to allow two days for this. This can be done, for example, at the beginning or end of the holiday.
National Park
The Plitvice Lakes National Park is a national park in the Lika-Senj county near Plitvička Jezera in Croatia. A complicated deposition process in which limestone plays an important role has created a gigantic complex maze of lakes, caves and waterfalls in approximately 2,000 years. The park currently consists of 16 lakes with approximately 90 waterfalls between them. The height difference between the highest and lowest lake is 168 meters. The deposition process has turned the water crystal blue. The largest lake is the Jezero Milanovac lake. This lake is approximately 470 meters long, 90 meters wide and over 20 meters deep.
Unesco
The park was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979. This is because the park is one of the oldest parks in Europe. But the kilometers of forests surrounding it, which provide shelter for wolves and bears, among others, also contribute to this distinction”. All these things together are the reason why Croats call this nature reserve their ‘Green-blue pride’.
Flora and fauna
Plitvice National Park has a rich flora and fauna. The forests are mainly formed by beech and conifer trees. The most famous ‘bay’ of Plitvice is Čorkova. This is located next to the Dinarides forest. This forest covers an area of over 80 hectares that develops completely under natural conditions