Rovinj Honestly - My local tips for a memorable stay in Rovinj!

In case of need for emergency medical service, please head to Tourist Ambulance in Rovinj, address Trg na Mostu 2, near Rovinj bus station and at the end of the long street Carrera - only max 3 to 5 min walk from any of our apartments. Emergency number is 112 for severe and very urgent cases. If going there directly, the building can be recognized due to a large green cross ( sign for pharmacy too). Have your passports and insurance docum. with you. Tourist Ambulance is open 8 to 14h daily, and at all other times operates as ER. They may refer patients to Pula General Hospital.

In 2021 there are free guided tours of the historical centre of Rovinj, on Tuesdays from 10 to 12 am, with certified local guides! . pre-booking neccessary at info@rovinj-tourism.hr, or phone 00385 52 811 566 an hour earlier. For those that prefer be faster and more active, there is a free guided bike tour on Sundays, from 9,30 until 12 am. Bikes can be rented at any of the local bike rental offices, already at 300 meter from the apartment!

An experience not to be missed! Only 400 eters away, in the old city, below the church there is a beach Monte with amazing rocks and crystal clear Adriatic. Perfect fir an early morning swim with a view!

My favorite. Red Island is not the island visible from the square, however it is only 10 min boat ride away! From the small jetty next to the main square you can visit this small hidden gem . It consists of two islands, one with a hotel so may be a bit busier but the other one (attached) is called Maskin and you simply walk to it! It has splendid beaches with crystal clear sea. Bring a hat or other sun protection gear and plenty of water! It si also possible to have a lunch/snack and refreshmets drinks at hotel Istra on the island.

The small number of beaches in Rovinj area that are directly reachable by car are usually the busiest for obvious reason. So we like to mention our guests that the best, hidden and more secluded Rovinj beaches with crytsal clear sea are in the nature reserve Punta Corrente. It a huge green area of protected forest, unique in Croatia with at least of 7 miles of beautiful beaches. Traffic is not allowed in, therefore people either walk or cycle to the desired beach, and those that want to come closer by car have to park by Eden hotel or Monvi area. Absolutely a must see when in Rovinj!

One of the most lively places in town - Rovinj green market includes fish market where you can buy fresh fish from Rovinj archipelago. Avoid buying fruit or veggies from first 3 rows next to the sea, these are re-sellers unfortunately and have extremely high prices. Marketplace is great area to have a mroning coffee too and get an insight into a local life. A secret - they have one of the best coffees to go and are basically just below your apartment! Our favorite bakery is just next door. Enjoy :)

The nearest ATM is just below our house, on the green market, for Sea view Casa Bella and Xenia apartment. Also, an ATM on the main square Marsala Tita, 100 meters away from Arco Vecchio. The best exchange rate in town was actually spotted by my father Zeljko. He noticed a steady and excellent rate at the small exchange office right before restaurant Lili near the square. We bear no interest nor know the owners, so please check for your safety before any exchange.

I highly recommend option for a bike ride in Rovinj unless a health reasons are preventing you. The town is flat and the beaches and the vast green area surrounding the town are best explored by bike or on foot. Again, my parents and I do not cooperate with any of the bike rentals in town and I cannot make any guarantees, but can point out the bike rental offices based on experience of our previous guests : Bike Planet at Trg na Lokvi and bike rentals by the CASSA at Valdibora parking, Obala Palih Boraca 15.

Lately a friend recommended a new specialty coffee shop Augusto in Daveggia street, 3 min walk from the apartment. They made an art of coffee making, they have as many sorts and types as there are islands in Rovinj archipelago (more than 25 for sure...) Enjoy and I hope to be there soon to try it myself.

As you may have noticed Rovinj has a vast of restaurants with quality local cuisine in beautiful settings..you can't really make a mistake. If I would have to name a few, our guests always have a great dining experience at Scuba, La Vela, Kantinon, Balbi, Tipico..all very reasonably priced and for indeed special occasions in a little bit more expensive La Puntulina ( tables on the rocks below the church, overlooking the Monte beach..). All of them are cca 3 minutes walk from your apartment. I hope you find your favorite!

Always call 112 and they will direct to a necessary service ( police, ambulance, fire protection)

In Rovinj, I definitely recommend Dobravac wines across Bosket restaurant in Valdibora harbor, as well as family Vivoda in Cramelo street. Both are quality Istrian wine producers. Other excellent and renowed one can be found in nortern Istria such as Cossetto, Kabola, Kozlovic, San Tomaz -all near Motovun and Groznjan.