Rovinj Travel FAQ: 12 Questions About Croatia's Prettiest Town
Rovinj punches above its weight — a town of 14,000 that regularly appears on "most beautiful" lists alongside cities fifty times its size. Here's what you actually need to know.
Getting There
Q: What's the nearest airport?
A: Pula Airport (PUY), 40 minutes by car. It has seasonal flights from European cities (Ryanair, EasyJet). For year-round connections, fly to Zagreb (3.5 hours drive) or Venice Marco Polo (VCE, 3 hours drive including the border crossing). FlixBus connects Rovinj to Zagreb for about EUR 25.
Q: Do I need a car?
A: In Rovinj itself, no — the old town is tiny and walkable. But for exploring Istria (truffle hunting, hilltop towns, wineries), a car is essential. Rental from EUR 30/day in Pula or Rovinj.
Beaches
Q: Are the beaches sandy?
A: No. Almost every beach in Istria is rocky — pebble beaches at best, flat rock platforms at worst. Bring water shoes or aqua socks (EUR 5-10 at any beach shop). Sea urchins are present in rocky areas — shoes aren't optional.
The best swimming spots: Zlatni Rt (Golden Cape) has pine-shaded rocky beaches with clear water. Lone Bay is more developed with sunbed rentals. Mulini Beach is the town beach — convenient but crowded in summer.
Q: Is the water warm enough to swim?
A: June through September, yes (22-26C). May and October are borderline (18-20C). Some locals swim year-round. I am not those locals.
Food
Q: Is Istria really like Tuscany?
A: The comparison has merit. Both have rolling hills, olive groves, vineyards, and truffle traditions. Istria is less polished and significantly cheaper. A truffle pasta that costs EUR 40 in Tuscany costs EUR 15-20 in Istria. The quality of ingredients is comparable. What Istria lacks is Tuscany's centuries of gastronomic tourism infrastructure — which some people consider a feature, not a bug.
Q: What must I try?
A: Five things, no excuses: (1) Fuzi pasta with truffles (EUR 14-20), (2) Fresh grilled fish from the morning catch (EUR 12-18), (3) Istrian prosciutto with olive oil and bread (EUR 8-12), (4) Malvazija white wine (EUR 3-5/glass), (5) Fritule — Croatian mini-doughnuts with powdered sugar (EUR 3).
Timing
Q: When should I visit?
A: May-June or September-October. July-August is peak season — crowded, hot (30-35C), and expensive. September is the sweet spot: warm water, thin crowds, truffle season starting, hotel rates dropping 30%.
Q: Do cruise ships visit Rovinj?
A: Yes, but less frequently than Dubrovnik. Ships anchor offshore and tender passengers into the harbour. When a ship is in, the old town gets noticeably busier for 4-6 hours. Check cruisemapper.com for schedules and plan around them.
Budget
Q: How expensive is Rovinj?
A: Mid-range by Croatian standards. Cheaper than Dubrovnik or Hvar, pricier than inland Croatia. Budget: EUR 70-100/day (hostel, konoba meals, free beaches). Mid-range: EUR 120-200/day (hotel, restaurant dinners, wine tasting). The biggest expense is accommodation in July-August.
Q: Cash or cards?
A: Croatia adopted the euro in 2023. Cards are accepted at most restaurants and shops. Some konobas and market stalls are cash-only. Carry EUR 50-100 in cash as backup.
Day Trips
Q: What day trips are possible?
A: Motovun (truffle town, 45 min), Pula (Roman amphitheatre, 40 min), Porec (Euphrasian Basilica, 30 min), Groznjan (artists' village, 40 min), and the Brijuni Islands National Park (boat from Fazana, 30 min from Rovinj). All accessible by car or organized tour.
Q: Can I island-hop?
A: Red Island (Crveni Otok) and St. Andrew island are accessible by boat taxi from Rovinj harbour (EUR 5-8 round trip, 15 min). Both have swimming spots and short walking trails. Not comparable to Greek island-hopping, but pleasant half-day excursions.
