Rovinj
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| Rovinj
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 Rovinj old town from marina |
The picturesque and popular town of Rovinj is one of the most visited in Istria and lies 12 miles S of the harbour of Porec and 18 miles N of Pula. Originally established, like many of the ports along the Istrian coast, on a small offshore island, the town lies today at the end of a small peninsula at the NW end of a shallow bay protected from N and W by the island of St Katarina. Originally settled by Illyrian tribes, the town was later incorporated into the Roman province of Illyria under the name Ruvinium. Like most of Istria, Rovinj passed through various hands until pirate raids led it to seek the protection of the Venetian Republic in 1283, a situation which lasted until Napoleon’s forces invaded Istria in 1797. It was during this period that the town enjoyed its heyday, with the construction of the town walls and numerous impressive buildings. The town’s attractive location and well-preserved old town made it an important tourist destination during the period of post-war Yugoslavia and since the establishment of the independent Republic of Croatia in 1995, Rovinj has reputedly become Istria’s second most popular tourist destination. Visiting yachtsmen can berth temporarily on the customs quay to clear in but must then seek a berth in the ACI-owned Marina Rovinj, which has 386 berths for yachts up to 25 metres. It is also possible to anchor in an emergency in the bay S of the marina, although depths are considerable and shelter indifferent here.
Charts
- British Admiralty
- 201
- 204
- Croatian charts
- 100-15
- 100-16
- 11
- Italian charts
- 924
- 39
- 6002
- Imray Nautical Chart
- M24
Weather
See Croatia.
Passages
See Croatia.
Islands
- Sv. Katarina
Communication
Also see World Cruiser's Nets
Sitting high on its peninsula and topped with the spire of the Church of St Euphemia, Rovinj is unmistakable from several miles off. The rocky and forested island of Sv. Katarina in the centre of the bay is also conspicuous. A yacht arriving from N or S can pass either side of the island (although note that a reef extends for around 100 metres on the E side of the island, marked with an E cardinal mark).
The customs quay for clearing in or out, is on the N side of the bay immediately below the town. Tie up alongside (not stern to as the Pilot Guide suggests). The Harbourmaster is on the first floor of the building at the end of the quay. Enter by the door on the street facing the cafe. The police office is through the ground floor door facing the quay. Police are meant to be open 24 hours, but the office may be locked up if they are called away. There is no separate customs office. The ACI marina of Marina Rovinj is on the S side of the bay. Shelter is good in all conditions except strong SW winds, when berths in parts of the marina can become dangerous.
Limski Kanal
Contrary to a common belief a navigation in Limski Kanal 
45°7.933333′N, 013°37.383333′E is allowed (see [1] and [2]).
A 5 kn speed limit is in effect there. Reportedly there is a tavern at the bottom of the bay and a few mooring buoys.
Entrance
Yachts arriving directly from Slovenia or Italy can check in at the customs quay, which is at the N end of the bay below the old town next to the ferry berth. Yachts are not permitted to tie up here except for the purpose of clearing in. If not clearing in, go straight to the marina, which offers 386 berths for yachts up to 25 metres in depths of up to 15.0 metres. See Marina Rovinj for full details.
Berthing
Marinas & Yacht Clubs
- Marina Rovinj is an ACI run marina
- You can moor up on the town quay north of the old town. There are about 16 bright yellow buoys to which you tie a bow line. Then take a stern line to a ring on the quay. The cost in June 2013 is 16 kunas a metre.
Anchorages
Anchoring in Rovinj Bay is prohibited except in case of emergency.
In the south bay there are now about 30 mooring buoys run by the port authority. In contrast to other buoys in Croatia, they are with a long line on the top, they are easy to pick up. You make fast to the line on top. Cost (in June 2013) 12 kunas per metre boat length - in contrast to town quay of 16 kunas per metre boat length.
Yacht Repairs and Services
Marine Stores
Submit addresses and contact details of marine related businesses that are of interest to cruisers.
Repairs/Yards
See entry for Marina Rovinj for details.
Fuel, Water, & Electricity
Fuel dock at N end of the bay, near the town. Water and electricity in the marina.
Tourism and Things to do Ashore
Tourism
The old town of Rovinj is one of the most charming in Istria, with steep and narrow cobbled streets winding through the town past mediaeval houses up to the high platform of the church of St. Euphemia, with superb views from its bell tower over the town and the Adriatic Sea. St. Euphemia is a local saint who was martyred by being thrown to the lions during the reign of the Roman emperor Diocletian in the 3rd century AD. As one would expect from such a popular tourist destination, the streets are lined with craft shops and atmospheric bars and restaurants. The main Venetian entrance to the town, the Balbi Arch, remains as the land gate into the old town. If you are fortunate enough to be in Rovinj on a Sunday in August, you may see the main street of Grisia turn into an open-air art exhibition, when artists from all over Istria and further afield exhibit their works. For those of an energetic disposition, the Zlatni Rt forest park to the south of the harbour has lovely forest walks and pebble coves for cooling off. Cycle hire is easy in Rovinj and offers another way of seeing some of the outstanding natural beauty of the coastline. By boat, it is also possible to visit Sv. Katarina island (which is packed in summer) and its lovely gardens or take a trip into the unusual fjord-like Limski Kanal three miles N of the town.
 Old town of Rovinj |
 Mediaeval streets of Rovinj |
 Old town gate, Rovinj |
 The Grisia art festival in Rovinj |
Grocery & Supply Stores
- Good provisions shops in the town. Excellent bakery close to the customs quay.
Eateries
- Numerous bars and restaurants in the town.
Internet/WiFi
None.
Laundry
None.
Motorbike & Car Rentals
Rental outlets in the town.
Garbage Disposal
Bins in the marinas and near the town quay.
Transportation
- Buses to Rijeka, Trieste, Ljubljana and Zagreb
- International airports at Pula 35 kms, Trieste 110 kms and Rijeka 130 kms.
- High speed ferry (summer only) to Venice.
Friends
Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.
Forums
List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)
Links
- Rovinj at the Wikipedia
- Rovinj travel guide
- Municipal website
- Istria Tourism website
For other useful websites, see Croatia.
References
See entry for Croatia.
Comments
We welcome users' contributions to the Wiki. Please click on Comments to view other users' comments, add your own personal experiences or recommend any changes to this page following your visit.
=6270&postcount=33] and [3], 5 kn speed limit is in effect there. Reportedly there is a tavern at the bottom of the bay and a few mooring buoys -- V_S_S 16:37, 19 October 2014 (BST)
Verified by
Date of member's last visit to Rovinj and this page's details validated:
- August 2004--Athene of Lymington 15:11, 11 February 2011 (UTC)
- June 2013 --Zebahdy of London
- June 2010 --V_S_S 16:39, 19 October 2014 (BST)
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