Seeing and Doing
Rent a bicycle to cycle along the coast and into the forest. You can rent a bike almost everywhere in or close to the Old town of Rovinj and the marina.
Only a 20 minute drive away from Rovinj, Limski Kanal is a valley with emerald green water running for miles in between dramatic, unscathed cliffs (which are popular with some mountain climbers). Many would mistake a photo of the geographical site to be a Scandinavian fjord. Here you’ll find restaurants serving some of the best muscles in Istria. Stay for dinner to watch the sun set.
Buzet is an inland town of truffles, and it boasts fragrant fresh olive oils, delicate honeys and fruitful wines. Prodan Tartufi is a family-run business which organises truffle hunts with the help of their adorable dogs. Finish off with a gourmand truffle dish and a glass of wine. Some truffle ice cream for
dessert is the cherry on top.
Toklarija is a traditional Istrian restaurant in a 600 year old olive mill hidden away in the mountains. Most of the ingredients are sourced from the family’s own garden or locally. Make sure to book in advance. Look for the mint green panels against the white facade of Konoba Mondo, where you can indulge in delicious pasta dishes laden with grated truffles. The New York Times called it “the best little restaurant you may never reach” and “what eating in the old world should feel like”.
About a 30 minute drive south from Rovinj, you’ll land upon Pula, which is the capital of Istria. During the ancient Roman times Pula was an administrative centre and today it’s filled with ancient remains and old forts.
A few centuries later, from 1904 to 1905, James Joyce lived in the city with his wife and muse, Nora Barnacle and it’s where he taught English to Austro-Hungarian officers.
The Pula Arena is one of the best preserved ancient Roman amphitheatres in the world and a more peaceful alternative to the Roman Colosseum. In fact, it’s the only amphitheatre in the world with all of its orders and four side towers preserved. Today, you can simply stop by for a stroll, buy tickets for a concert, or even attend an ice hockey game in the middle of summer. Another well preserved archeological spot nearby is the Temple of Augustus.
Seagull’s Rocks is the most western beach in Pula, and it’s a great spot for jumping off the rocks, especially for daredevils who can choose to climb the big ones (some of which are up to 13 metres high). There are also secret caves and a magnificent sunset. Bring shoes for the rocky terrain!
At the most southerly tip of Istria, Cape Kamenjak is a national park with animals, wild orchids and seemingly untouched swimming spots, one hour’s drive south from Rovinj.
The archipelago is made up of 14 islands and one of them is in the shape of a goldfish, but you can only visit two of them – Veliki (which is the bigger one) and Mali (the smaller one). Here you’ll find a cornucopia of natural wonders such as exotic flora and fauna bought from far away throughout history, a
safari park, and even dinosaur footprints. You can easily get to the islands by taking a ferry just outside of Pula.
Eating and Drinking
Mediterraneo Cocktail Bar is cute, colourful and right on the water.
La Puntulina restaurant in Rovinj has some of the best seafood in town with a view to match.
Check out Michelin Star restaurant Agli Amici Rovinj and opt for their seafood or meat tasting menus!
Hidden in the old town centre is Sante Croce, open since 2004 and dedicated to providing authentic flavours.
Agroturizam Mekiši which is just 2km from Vižinada and great for rustic, diverse plates.
Café Lapidarium, if it’s open, is a great place to have a drink in palace Sinčić.
Where to Stay
Villa Angelo and Villa Garbizza are picture perfect villas on the hilltops with magnificent views.
Spend the night in Spirito Santo Palazzo Storico, a boutique-style hotel set within a beautifully restored townhouse on a narrow atmospheric lane in Rovinj’s historic old town.
Rabac, directly on the coast is an idyllic coastal town with plenty of hotels and apartments to choose from and not far from the town Labin (just five minutes by car).