Rovinj

Rovinj is a coastal town in Istria, Croatia, known for its old town perched on a former island now joined to the mainland. Steep, cobbled lanes lined with colourful shuttered houses wind up towards the Church of St Euphemia, whose baroque bell tower crowns the peninsula and offers sweeping views over the Adriatic and nearby islands. The harbour, still busy with fishing boats, retains an authentic character shaped by its Venetian past, reflected in the architecture and the café-lined squares. The surrounding area includes several rocky beaches and coves, as well as the Zlatni Rt (Punta Corrente) forest park, well suited to walking or swimming among the pines. Local cuisine centres on seafood, Istrian olive oil and truffles, featured on menus across the old town. Rovinj also serves as a convenient base for exploring other Istrian towns such as Poreč and Pula, as well as the Brijuni Islands. The region enjoys a Mediterranean climate, with warm, dry summers well suited to sailing, swimming and exploring the coastline on foot or by bike.