How to Make the Most of One Day in Rovinj Old Town

Spend 24 hours in Rovinj Croatia. Explore Rovinj Old Town. Learn about things to do in Rovinj. Discover Rovinj Old town on a trip to Istria.

Rovinj Old Town is a top place to visit on the Istrian peninsula in Croatia. 

While Rovinj is most popular in the summer months, we spent 24 hours in Rovinj in September as part of a trip that included Ljubljana Slovenia, Trieste Italy, and Piran on the Slovene Riviera. 

Read on to learn more about things to do in Rovinj in a day.

Check into Hotel Angelo D'oro in Rovinj Old Town

It takes about two hour to get from Portorož on the Slovene Riviera to Rovinj. Time your arrival for mid-afternoon and proceed on foot to Hotel Angelo D'oro in the heart of Rovinj's pedestrianized Old Town. 

Settle in and perhaps take a few pictures from the upstairs terrace and then get ready to spend the next 24 hours exploring Rovinj.

Explore Rovinj Old Town on Foot

Rovinj is a historic town that is largely pedestrianized at its core. Spend some time walking Rovinj town center. Admire the pastel buildings and bell tower that shine in the sun.

Browse Rovinj Market

Take some time to browse the Rovinj Market. You'll find fresh fruits and vegetables (albeit at sky high prices) plus some fun souvenirs. 

Step Down to the Sea in Rovinj Old Town

The buildings of Rovinj Old Town back onto the sea. Take one of the narrow passages, climb down the stairs and look out at the waters of the Adriatic.

Stop for a Glass of Wine at Konoba Veli Jože

Rovinj is a town in which to relax. Stop into Konoba Veli Jože for a glass of Croatian wine. Drink your wine outside in the sun but definitely duck inside to check out the many items of flair inside the restaurant.

Climb To The Church of St. Euphemia

We enjoyed a lovely sunny afternoon walk in Rovinj Old Town climbing through the narrow pedestrianized streets lined with shops and restaurants to the very top of the town. 

We had fun getting lost while wandering around the streets of Rovinj. At the top of the Old Town sits the Church of St. Euphemia. Take a peek inside and then admire the views all around you.

Watch Amazing Sunsets in Rovinj

The sunsets over Rovinj Old Town are definitely amazing. Descend from the Church of St. Euphemia and stake out a place along the water facing west where you'll get panoramic views of the sun dipping below the horizon over the Rovinj archipelago.

Make A Booking and Eat Dinner at La Puntulina

Once the sun sets, head to La Puntulina for dinner. Make sure to book in advance since this Croatian seafood restaurant is extremely popular. Eat a fantastic meal with lots of local seafood dishes served beside the sea. 

Of course, a dinner like this goes well with some local wine. The Degrassi Teran was a perfect match for our meal at La Puntulina.

Take a Morning Photowalk in Rovinj

Take advantage of the morning light in Rovinj to go for a stroll. The town is at its most beautiful in the early part of the day. 

Velika Valdibora parking lot is the ideal spot to get some amazing photos of Rovinj Old Town in the morning.

SIDEWALK SAFARI SPOTLIGHT: Are you interested in visiting other places along the Adriatic Sea? Consider taking a holiday to Dubrovnik and then driving from Dubrovnik to Kotor, Montenegro for a day.

Cycle Rovinj's Coast on a Relaxing Day Trip

We decided to rent bikes and cycle along the coast near Rovinj (ask your hotel for bicycle rental recommendations). After getting a little lost, we finally found our way to a beautiful beach where we could dip our toes in the green water. 

Make sure to ask for helmets though (safety first). The coastal path is mostly flat but when we visited there were some detours due to construction works at the Grand Park Hotel Rovinj so expect to spend some time sharing the road with cars.

Photo opportunities abound along the coast outside of Rovinj Old Town. Be careful where you aim your camera though. Nude sunbathing is a popular pastime. 

Eat Lunch at Grill Lovor

On the return trip to Rovinj along the coast, take a break for lunch with sea views near the Golden Cape at Grill Lovor.

We enjoyed grilled meats and calamari while basking in the afternoon sun and a delicate breeze.

Unfortunately, our adventures in Rovinj were cut short due to a cycling accident not long after the pictures above were taken and we spent the last two days of our vacation at the hospital and in follow-up appointment with regional doctors. 

Things could have been a lot worse and I'm thankful that my husband Scott has made a full recovery. If you ever wondered what to do in a medical emergency while traveling, I can now offer first hand advice...

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