Things To Do in Rovinj

Rovinj is a browser's paradise, with a labyrinth of streets and cubbyholes to explore. Most of the important sites are in the Old Town, but there are a few places of note outside the center. Zlatni Rt-Punta Corrente Nature Park is a fine reason to venture out: It's a densely forested park between the Hotel Park and the Hotel Monte Mulini that is rimmed with rocky beaches and full of hiking paths. Limska Draga Fjord is a flooded karstic canyon less than 16km (10 miles) north of Rovinj. It looks like a ribbon of clear blue-green water framed with forested walls on two sides. At least two caves with evidence of prehistoric habitation have been discovered there, and several local legends say that pirates used the inlet as a base for ambushing merchant ships. Mussels and oysters are farmed there and you can sample them at any of the restaurants along the road that skirts the area. Excursions to Limska Draga leave from Rovinj and Porec daily and often can be booked directly at seaside or from any travel agency in town for about 190kn per person.

Grisia Street Standout -- Rovinj's main street is really a steep, cobbled passageway that runs from the main square all the way up to St. Euphemia Church. It is lined with shops and galleries and buildings that still sport vestiges of the town's medieval roots. Galerija Peti-Bozic at no. 22 is one of the most pleasant and most interesting. This tiny shop specializes in Croatian naive art created by Marija Peti-Bozic, who has shown her work in galleries and museums in Zagreb and elsewhere in Europe. Most of Peti-Bozic's work is oil on glass, typical of the Hlebine School. The shop is run by the artist's jovial husband, who will proudly rattle off his wife's accomplishments as well as wrap your purchases securely for packing.

August is officially the month of Grisia's art celebration; during this month, shops and restaurants remain open as long as there are people in the streets.