Top 5 sights to visit
01 – Rovinj Old Town
The Old Town of Rovinj, the historic heart of this stunning shell-shaped peninsula in northern Croatia, is undoubtedly its most charming area. This medieval stone town, designed to protect its inhabitants from conquerors, has preserved its old fishing village spirit. Visitors can still see remnants of the ancient walls and three of the original seven gates: The Gate of St. Benedict, The Portica, and The Gate of the Holy Cross. Narrow alleys and stairways lead to small squares, transporting you to a bygone era.
Rovinj’s Old Town dates back to the 3rd century when it was an island, later connected to the mainland in the 18th century. Its Venetian heritage is evident in the architecture and narrow cobblestone streets.
The Old Town is bustling with vibrant cafes, restaurants, and shops. The local market near Valdibora Square offers fresh produce and souvenirs. Stroll along the waterfront promenade or visit the nearby Golden Cape Forest Park for a blend of history and nature. Rovinj’s Old Town is a living museum, where every corner tells a story of its rich past and vibrant present.
02 – Lim Fjord & Pirate Bay
On the western coast of Istria, between the towns of Vrsar and Rovinj, lies the Lim Fjord. With a length of 12 km and 100m steep slopes surrounding it, this fjord is one of the most stunning things created by nature. The beautiful green landscape is very inviting for hikes or bike rides, but most tourists prefer to explore it via boat. Wide blue water, peace and calmness – no wonder dolphins made it their home! With a little luck, they will greet you with a welcome splash. And if this isn’t enough, you can even book panoramic flights to delight your eyes from above.
The Bay reveals some secret spots and interesting climbing areas. One of them is St. Romualdo’s Cave, also known as the Pirate Cave. According to a legend, the cave was named after the medieval priest who built the St. Mihovila monastery 5 km away from the cave, in the year 1001. After he finished the construction, he turned to a life of solitude and lived in the cave till the rest of his life. The second legend says that the cave is called the Pirate Cave, after the pirate Henry Morgan. Henry Morgan was born in 1635 in Wales. He gained treasure plundering around Cuba, Carthage, Granada etc. In one stage of his life he incurred the wrath of Englishmen, so he had to hide in the secret caves of Lim Bay. The nearby Mrgani village (old name Morgani) is believed to be the settlement of his descendants. We are certain that this will inspire some of you to go on an adventure and try to find Morgan’s treasures.
03 – Brioni Islands
Brioni Islands are a group of 14 islands, located in Istria, at the northwestern outskirts of Pula. This archipelago has a total area of 36 km² covered with magnificent trees, meadows and washed by the deep blue sea. The biggest island is called Veli Brijun/Brioni Grande and lies just 2 km off the coast. This is the only island open for public. All the other islands are not available for visits, as they are mainly private property. Apart from being a famous holiday resort, Brioni are also one of 8 Croatian National Parks.
Right after the World War I, Brioni were part of the state of Italy. In 1945 they became part of Yugoslavia and a beloved summer residence of President Tito, along with numerous great movie stars: Sophia Loren, Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton. The island is also home to various exotic animals, gifted to the park from diplomatic partners from Inida, Guinea and Ethiopia. They are all gathered in a spacious 9 hectares Safari Park – refreshment for all animal lovers. The island is a residence for over 600 indigenous plant species. The most interesting inhabitant is however a magnificent 1700-year-old Olive Tree. And as if this wasn’t enough: Over 200 dinosaur footprints dating from the Cretaceous Period have been found on this island! Worth mentioning are also important archeological findings – Bronze Age settlements, ancient Roman and Byzantine palace remains.
As you can see, Brioni are much more than noble hotels, wild parties, yachts and rich jet setters…
Image copyright: Museo del mare Trieste
04 – Baron Gautsch
Baron Gautch was a beautiful Austrian passenger ship built in England in the year 1908. With a length of 84.5m and 11.8m wide, it was gracefully sailing on the route from Kotor to Trieste and transporting members of officer’s families. Now it is looming 40m under the sea surface, as a reminder of the greatest nautical tragedy on the Adriatic and continues to compel public interest in the sad fate and shipwreck exploration in general.
August 13th 1914, World War I. The wheatear was sunny, the water was calm, and all the passengers heading north were on deck. The captain had a map of all sea mines near the major harbors and no new mines were reported. The circumstances are still unclear, but on the open sea near Rovinj the ship hit a mine and sank within minutes, taking at least 270 soles with it. Those who survived the initial explosion and had not been pulled into the depth had yet to face a new problem. People watching from the coast couldn’t offer any help, as only the military had maps on how to cross the minefield safely. The tragedy took an even bigger turn when the bunker fuel leaked to on surface. It was preventing survivors from swimming and the rescue ships weren’t fast enough to save them all. In honor of the victims, on the anniversary of the sinking, people lay wreaths into water and divers organize a dive to the wreck.
Today Baron Gautsch is an artificial reef and home to corals, sponges and numerous sea creatures. If you are interested in seeing it, get in touch with the local diving centers that have the permission to take you to the first two decks. The best time to dive is from May to September, as the visibility and water temperature are optimal.
05 – Red Island
If you want to experience a Robinson Crusoe-like day, you should definitely “get stranded” on the Red island. The island actually consists of two islets, St. Andrew’s and Maškin , connected with an artificial embankment. Despite being only a 15-minutes boat-taxi ride from Rovinj, it is one of the least visited islands in the Archipelago. Tourists probably think that on such a tiny area is not much to see. But boy, are they wrong! Just choose a path and there will be a lot to explore!
If you are hoping to find a quiet place with a cool breeze, dense Mediterranean forests and cultivated parks provide much needed shade. In 2002 the trees had been hit hard by a storm, which made them develop funny shapes. If you stumble across a free-standing circular building – that’s the Maškin Family Mausoleum. Next you could see the central part of a 6th century Benedictian monastery with a pretty interesting storyline. After the Benedictines left, Franciscans kept it intact, but the French conquerors in the 19th century found a more practical purpose for the church tower… They converted it into a chimney for a growing lime factory. Later the church became a part of Castle Hutterott, a popular high-end rustic wedding venue. Nearby is an elevated observation point, which allows you to get a 360 degree view over the islets. Among many rocky beaches and crowd-free bays, you can find your own private spot from above and enjoy its intimacy to the fullest! On the Red Island you can find Island Hotel Istra.