Getting to Rovinj
The closest airport to Rovinj is in
Pula—approx 25 minutes away. It is served by Ryanair (www.ryanair.com) on a Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from London Stansted. You can also fly with Ryanair to Trieste (1 1/2 hours away) or Venice Treviso in Italy (2h 45 mins away)Pula is also served by Thomson from Glasgow, Manchester, Birmingham, Bournemouth, Bristol and London Gatwick (in the summer season). See
www.thomsonfly.com for more details. fly to Rijeka from London Luton 4 days a week. Rijeka is about an hours drive from Rovinj.From Pula a taxi is the best option. We will be happy to put you in touch with a driver locally who speaks English and will not rip you off.
Hiring a car is another option with all the major companies represented at the airports. The centre of Rovinj is pedestrianised to help preserve the wonderful old-world charm, and parking near the centre can be expensive in the summer months. For hiring a car try www.uniline.hr (who may well deliver you a car) or Ventura car hire (10 minutes walk from the apartment) both of whom are reputable and reasonably priced.
Things to do in and around Rovinj
The weather in Rovinj is generally warm and sunny. The latest forecast is
here.St Katarina island is a two minute boat ride from the small pier (it’s the Island you can see from the harbour) for a few Kuna. There is a large hotel, beach and other things to help pass the day. It also has wonderful views back across to Rovinj.
Venezia lines runs ferries to Venice taking about 3 hours direct from Rovinj. Their website is here.
One of the best ways to get around is by bike. There are numerous bike hire places all over town at relatively reasonable prices. Alternatively you could hire a boat or a jet ski for the day—or just an hour—from underneath the Hotel Park. Continuing to walk past the Hotel Park brings you to Rovinj’s beach. It’s not sandy, but it is quiet and secluded and the water is warm and gently shelving.
On the subject of boats there are a seemingly endless array of vessels offering boat trips by the hour, half-day, day, or more presumably. They are all round the harbour and we would particularly recommend a trip to the
Lim Fjord which stretches some 10 km in land, and where there is also a beach.Eating and drinking in Rovinj
One of Rovinj’s principal attractions is it’s food. A unique blend of Italian and Istrian, with some of the finest seafood you will find anywhere. Some of our favourite restaurants include:
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¨ Maestral (try the barbequed sea bass) a 5 minute walk towards the Hotel Park out of town
¨ Veli Joze (anything fishy is wonderful here) situated on Criza in the heart of the old town
¨ Pizzeria Roma (errr, pizza’s good) situated just behind the many bars on the far side of the harbour
¨ Al Gastaldo (most things are great) for a romantic meal, or a wonderfully cosy meal in Winter
As far as drinking goes there are seemingly endless choices. There is a wonderful selection of prices from fantastic Croatian beer (think Bitburger or Budwar) for 80p a pint, to cocktails at EUR10 each!
One of our favourite places, where prices are the latter rather than the former, is Valentino bar along from Veli Joze on St Criza. It’s worth it though, as you are seated on the rocks and treated to a stunning sunset almost every evening.
Zanzibar is rather more easily found and has a laid back feel to it, and high prices. Similar, but slightly further out is Havana which has cigars to match the name.
For an authentic (ish) Croatian pub experience try Bethlehem bar (off Carera).
No piece on eating in Rovinj would be complete without mention of the numerous ice cream parlours around town. It may look slightly synthetic but it tastes fantastic to even the most hardened anti-sweet tooth, and there are enough flavours to keep you coming back for “just another small please” (about 50p).
Finally, coffee. Served as espresso it is fabulous quality and, at less than £1 a cup, plentiful.
Further afieldDay trips to Pula, Motovun, and Rijeka are 30, 45 and 60 minutes away respectively by car. Pula is the largest city in Istria and remains a large naval base today. Much of the old town is over 2000 years old and it is home to the amazing amphitheatre. Motovun is a artisan citadel sitting atop the highest point around. Visible from many miles away it’s a wonderful place to spend a day. Rijeka has great shopping at City Tower, and the old town is as beautiful as any in Croatia.
One of the many National Parks and a UNESCO World Heritage site
Plitvice Lakes is a stunning collection of 16 interlinked lakes which are the most incredible turquoise colour. 4 hours drive from Rovinj and worth every second when you arrive.For a fuller description and guide to both Rovinj, it’s foods, and things to do check out
www.putnikrovinj.com It’s the best £5 you can spend ahead of a trip to Rovinj.