The town began life as a romantic island before being joined to the coast. This resulted in a compact centre with houses hugger-mugger, narrow streets and small squares, still untouched by modern urbanism. These charming thoroughfares lead you into a distant past and will have you reaching for your device to capture its beauty. On the seaward side, the town is shielded by the shaded coast and the walls of the houses built on the cliffs – on the mainland, by strong defensive walls. Chimneys are another characteristic feature around the Old Town, declared a monument of culture in 1963. All of this is preserved to this day.
Rovinj was originally the isle of Mons Albanus. The first archaeological traces of civilisation date back to the Bronze Age and the Old Town started to develop as far back as the 3rd century AD. At the beginning of the 18th century, the town started to expand beyond its walls to the mainland and the decision was made to fill in the channel between island and mainland in 1763. The Old Town is therefore a witness to times gone by and the invaluable achievements of its artisans.
![]()
Streets of Rovinj © Barat Roland
Once you step through the Balbi Arch and enter the Old Town, you find yourself in a different dimension. Picturesque streets take you to the top of a small hill, where you find the largest and most significant monument in town – the Church of St Euphemia. This Venetian-style Baroque building is dedicated to the saint and martyr whose sarcophagus, according to revered legend, was miraculously washed ashore somewhere around AD 800.
The Rovinj Heritage Museum, located in the Baroque Palace of the Counts of Califfi, exhibits priceless works by Old Masters, archeological finds from prehistoric, Roman and medieval times, examples of Rovinj’s rich maritime and fishing traditions, and works of contemporary art.
![]()
Grisia © Rovigno Tourist Board
Narrow streets then head towards Grisia, a paved and winding thoroughfare transformed into an outdoor art gallery every second Sunday in August, a cultural tradition dating back more than 50 years.
During the rest of the year, numerous artistic and sports events take place, such as the Rovinj Polo Beach Cup, the Summer Salsa Festival, the Baroque Music Festival of BaRoMus, St Lawrence’s Night and the Summer Festival, with classical music concerts and exhibitions in several museums and galleries.
Rovinj also provides a wide range of water and land-based sports and leisure activities such as cycling, swimming, surfing, sailing, diving, climbing, Nordic walking, tennis, horse-riding and spa treatments.
![]()
Palud Swamp © Rovigno Tourist Board
You’ll find numerous natural wonders and cultural gems in such a surprisingly small area. The coastal zone between Rovinj and the Lim Canal, the nearby islands and hinterland, create a landscape of beautiful oak and pine forests. Here, the Golden Cape, Zlatni Rt, also known as Punta Corrente Forest Park, is a significant tourist and natural attraction. The Palud Swamp is a special ornithological reserve with more than 200 bird species, while the Monfiorenzo Quarry is a protected geological monument of global value.
Fascinating traces of history can also be found around Rovinj. The archaeological site of Monkodonja is a hill-fort settlement inhabited between 2,000 and 1,200 BC. Don’t miss, either, the burial mounds of Mušego.
