This Enchanting Istrian Town Has Seaside Italian Vibes (with Croatian Prices!)

With all the charm of Italy’s top seaside towns and half the tourists, this picturesque Croatian village is the gem of the Istrian peninsula.

Located just across the Northern Adriatic Sea from Italy, the Istrian Peninsula is shared by three countries: Italy, Croatia, and Slovenia. Often described as a perfect blend of Italian and Croatian influences, Istria is famous for truffles, world-class wines, and olive oil.

Tucked away on the Istrian Peninsula, the picture-perfect coastal town of Rovinj feels like it belongs on a postcard.

With cobbled streets, colorful facades, and fishing boats bobbing in the quaint harbor, Rovinj is old-world charm meets Mediterranean vibes.

Easily holding its own among more famous destinations along the Dalmatian Coast, this former fishing village is one of Croatia’s best destinations for history, culture, and seaside bliss.

Pronounced “roh-VEEN,” this lovely Croatian fishing port has largely escaped the tourist crowds of Croatia’s southern towns and neighboring Italy.

And amazingly, all that beauty and charm comes in one of the region’s most affordable packages.

With luxury beach resorts just steps away from the city center, Rovinj delivers the best of both worlds for your next European vacation.

So when my husband and I set out on a week-long “North to South” road trip across Croatia, Rovinj seemed like the perfect place to start.

How to Get to Rovinj

Rovinj doesn’t have its own airport so the most common arrival airports are Rijeka or Trieste, Italy (both a 90-minute drive away).

There’s also an airport in nearby Pula, just 40 minutes away, but the flights are more limited.

Note: This post may contain affiliate links. If you choose to book through these links, I receive a small commission, which I will undoubtedly blow on more flights (it’s a vicious cycle). All of this internet voodoo takes place at no additional cost to you.

Tip: Pula is another great place to visit on the Istrian Peninsula!

Since both are small airports, the flight options are limited and don’t fit with our planned arrival date.

Enter the ferry…

After a little research, I discover a ferry option from Venice, Italy to Rovinj with Venezia Lines. Since flight options into Venice are frequent and Italy is always a good idea, we decide to throw in an extra day in Venice on the way.

We land in Venice at 9am with a scheduled ferry departure at 5:15pm later today. The ferry tickets are 94€ each (for VIP class, which is only slightly more than the regular fare and seems like a smart choice for a 3-hour ferry ride).

We grab a water taxi from the airport, store our luggage near the ferry terminal, and spend a lovely day enjoying Venice’s terrific spring weather and reminiscing about our honeymoon stay many years ago.

Gondolas docked near the Rialto Bridge in Venice Italy — Gondolas docked near the Rialto Bridge

At 4:00pm, we head to the ferry terminal and less than an hour later we’re Croatia bound.

The ferry ride is a pleasantly smooth 3-hour ride across the Adriatic Sea. After a quick stop in the summer resort town of Poreč to drop off passengers, we arrive in the port of Rovinj. The sun has just completed its dramatic descent and the entire town is basked in a dazzling pinkish glow.

Sunset Rovinj Croatia — Sunset views of Rovinj

It is love at first sight.

Where to Stay in Rovinj

Since light is quickly fading and we are starving, we head straight for our hotel to drop our bags, get our bearings and find someplace for dinner.

Our accommodation choice for our two nights in Rovinj is the Royal View Apartment. Small boutique hotels in the heart of the city center are the most common hotel choice in Rovinj. But there are also a few outstanding luxury hotels and resorts.

These are the two beach options for

Grand Park Hotel Rovinj – A great pick for luxury, this design-forward hotel has a full-service marina and spectacular views of the Old Town and the sea.
Amarin Hotel Rovinj – A full-service, family-friendly resort located directly on one of the best beaches in Rovinj.

Since we wanted a budget-friendly option in the city center, we chose the Royal View. And I’m so glad we did.

When we arrive at the apartment, we’re greeted warmly by the apartment owner, Xenia. She quickly gets us settled in and recommends what turns out to be an excellent restaurant just a few steps away for dinner.

The apartment is absolutely lovely, with stylish, modern décor and everything we need. But the real show-stopper is the million-dollar view of the harbor from the window.

Rovinj Royal View Boutique Hotel Croatia — Our charming room at the Royal View

A taste of Istrian Cuisine

Next up, dinner.

One of the highlights of visiting Rovinj is experiencing Istrian cuisine. Deeply influenced by Italian and Mediterranean flavors, the region is world-famous for its truffles. Especially the rare white truffle, which you’ll find shaved over pasta, eggs, and meats.

For dinner, I had an incredible truffle pasta and my husband ordered a filet topped with shaved truffles and a creamy truffle sauce. They were both absolutely delicious.

Rovinj is also a fantastic place to try Istrian wines, particularly Malvazija (a crisp white) and Teran (a bold red).

After a fabulous dinner, including a few of those Istrian wines, we call it a night. Eager to explore this lovely town in the daylight tomorrow.

Things to do in Rovinj

The next morning, we awake to an amazing sunrise view over the port from our bedroom window.

The busy working harbor is packed with colorful fishing boats returning from an early morning of fishing.

And the pastel-hued homes lining the sea are far more reminiscent of an Italian seaside town than what I’ve seen of the Croatian coast before.

It is absolutely brilliant.

Colorful cafe tables line the harbor in Rovinj Croatia with boats and the hilltop town in the background — Rovinj harbor

Quiet, colorful, oozing with seaside charm…and not a tour group to be seen for miles. In fact, it reminds us a lot of one of our favorite places in Italy, the practically undiscovered island of Procida.

Rovinj isn’t one of those destinations with lots of “must-do” activities. The town is all about slowing down and enjoying the quiet seaside charm.

Art students sitting by the sea sketching the colors of Rovinj — Art students sketch the colors of Rovinj

Wander through the narrow streets of Old Town, shop at local markets for truffle products, and admire the Venetian architecture. That’s really all you have to do for a perfect day in Rovinj.

A variety of truffle products and oils available in Rovinj Croatia — Truffle products in the market

But there are a few things to do if you’re so inclined:

The Church of St Euphemia – Climb the Bell Tower for spectacular views over the town and sea.

Take a Boat Trip to Nearby Islands – The Rovinj Archipelago is perfect for island hopping and swimming. If you’re interested in a more in-depth exploration of Istria, this Istria in 1 Day Tour (from Rovinj) is a great day trip.

Rovinj Beaches Croatia — Steps to the sea just outside of town

Enjoy Rovinj’s Beaches – Like much of this region, most beaches are actually pebbled shores or cliffside steps where you can enter the turquoise sea for a refreshing dip on a hot summer day.

Tip: For some of the best beaches in Croatia, head to the gorgeous island of Korcula!

Dive into Istria’s Culinary Scene – Go on a Truffle hunting adventure or sample Istrian wines on the Istrian Wine Express Tour.

People sit a sunny cafe tables in front of colorful buildings in the town of Rovinj — Cafe culture in Rovinj

We spend our entire day strolling the quiet streets, sitting in waterfront cafes, and just appreciating the beauty of the town.

We cap off a magical day with another gorgeous sunset, a delicious dinner, and an idle curiosity about the cost of real estate in town.

So don’t miss the charming Istrian town of Rovinj!

With sensational cuisine, historic charm, and seaside beauty, Rovinj is one of Croatia’s best (and most affordable!) destinations.

Whether you visit for a romantic escape, a cultural deep dive, or a relaxing beach vacation, this Istrian gem delivers on all fronts. Escape the crowds and add Rovinj to your Croatia itinerary this summer!

Next up for us, we’ll pick up a rental car today to begin the road trip portion of the trip. First stop, the seaside town of Pula to check out the incredible Pula Arena.

And then on to our primary objective for this Croatia trip, the beautiful Plitvice Lakes National Park.