A saint on a weathervane, a boat museum and a forest by the sea

All of this is on foot from Valdibora. If you have one afternoon: St Euphemia's, the Batana House, then the shore path to Zlatni rt.

1. Step inside St Euphemia's church

The Church of St Euphemia tops the old town. Legend says her marble sarcophagus washed ashore around 800. The sarcophagus itself is Roman, from the sixth century.

2. Check which way the saint faces

The bell tower is about 60 m high; sources give anything from 58 to 62. The 4.70 m bronze saint on top has turned with the wind since 1758. I'd look up before choosing a beach.

3. Walk under the Balbi Arch

The Balbi Arch dates from 1680 and leads from the main square into the old streets. Go through it and keep climbing.

4. See the Batana House

Batana House tells the story of Rovinj's flat-bottomed fishing boat. In 2016 it went on UNESCO's Register of Good Safeguarding Practices. Adults pay €5. I'd put it ahead of any gallery in town.

5. Walk out to Zlatni rt

Zlatni rt is a 52.4-hectare forest park on the sea, protected since 1948. Its biggest restoration in recent history was announced in June 2026 with no dates, so expect fences.

6. Picture an island on the main square

Rovinj was an island until 1763, when the channel was filled in. Stand on Trg maršala Tita and look back at what used to be across the water.

Skip the souvenir stalls on the waterfront; the climb to the church is the walk.

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Fuži, maneštra and a starred courtyard

1. Order fuži with truffles

Fuži are Istrian pasta quills, 3–5 cm long. Fritaja is an omelette with asparagus, truffle or pršut, depending on the season.

2. Start with pršut and maneštra

Pršut is Istria's dry-cured ham. Maneštra is a thick soup of potatoes, beans and cured meat. Supa is red wine, olive oil and toasted bread in a jug.

3. Eat at Veli Jože by the harbour

Veli Jože has a high-ceilinged room crammed with antiques and sea-going kitsch. Time Out names shellfish lasagne and baked lamb. It's the one I'd book.

4. Save Monte for one big night

Monte holds a Michelin star and opens daily 18:00–23:00, inside the pedestrian zone, so walk up. Drink Malvazija with fish.

My pick is Veli Jože; Monte is for the anniversary.

A choir week, a saint's day and Advent by the sea

1. Hear Musica Sacra in October

The Musica Sacra choir festival runs 15–18 October 2026 around Vrsar and Rovinj. The main concert is on the Friday evening in St Euphemia's church.

2. Expect a full town on 16 September

St Euphemia's day is also City Day. In 2026 the celebrations ran 11–17 September, with fireworks on the 15th. I'd park by mid-morning on the 16th.

3. Don't book around Advent dates yet

Advent in Rovinj ran from 29 November 2025 to 10 January 2026. The 2026 dates weren't published when I checked.

Venice for five centuries, and a resort that never was

1. Read the old town as Venetian

Rovinj was under Venice from 1283 to 1797, which is why the old town looks like a lagoon town on a hill.

2. Thank a Trieste businessman for the forest

Georg Hütteroth bought land at Lone, Montravo and Punta Corrente in 1890 and started planting. His spa resort, Cap Aureo, was never finished, and the estate was nationalised in 1945.