Istria's Painted Harbour Town on the Adriatic
Rovinj is a historic coastal town on the western shore of the Istrian peninsula in Croatia, known for its pastel-coloured old town, its Venetian heritage and the baroque Church of St Euphemia, whose bell tower rises above the harbour. The old town was once an island and now sits on an oval peninsula, with narrow cobbled lanes known as grisia climbing from the waterfront to the church at the top. Italian remains an official minority language alongside Croatian, a reminder of centuries of Venetian influence.
The harbour is the town's stage. Fishing boats and yachts line the quay, cafe tables spill onto the stones and, at the golden hour, the buildings glow orange against the sea. Art galleries and studios fill the lanes, and the setting has drawn painters for generations. Travellers who love Adriatic towns often compare it to Venice Lido and the coastline of the Veneto, yet Rovinj has its own unhurried, human scale and a strong sense of everyday local life.
Golden Cape, Truffles and Malvazija
Outside the old town, the Zlatni Rt or Golden Cape forest park wraps the shore in pine and cypress, with paths and pebbly coves ideal for walking and cycling. A scatter of islands lies offshore, reached by boat for a day of swimming and lunch. Inland, Istria is a landscape of vineyards, olive groves and hilltop villages, and the Lim Fjord, a long flooded valley to the north, is known for its oysters and mussels. For active visitors, the peninsula's cycling routes are a major draw.
Istrian food is a gift. Truffles from the forests around Motovun, extra virgin olive oil, handmade fuzi pasta, cured ham and fresh Adriatic fish are staples, accompanied by Malvazija, a crisp white wine, and the red Teran. Konobas, small family taverns, serve all of these in relaxed settings. A hotel group can showcase Rovinj as a base for gourmet touring, pairing a boutique harbour stay with vineyard visits and truffle hunts.
Read the full Rovinj guide on Visit Travel Group, or see VisitRovinj.co.uk on Visit Travel Group.