Beautiful seaside town in Europe dubbed ‘mini Saint Tropez’ but much cheaper

A beautiful seaside town in Europe that boasts rocky beaches and rich cultural heritage has been dubbed “mini Saint Tropez” but it is much cheaper.

Rovinj is a picturesque coastal town located on the western coast of the Istrian Peninsula in Croatia. Known for its charming old town, stunning Adriatic views, and rich cultural heritage, Rovinj is a popular tourist destination.

Rovinj has a long history dating back to Roman times when it was known as Arupinium or Mons Rubineus.

Throughout the medieval period, Rovinj was under the rule of the Byzantine Empire, the Frankish Empire, and eventually the Republic of Venice, which greatly influenced its architecture and culture.

In the 19th century, Rovinj became part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, adding another layer to its diverse cultural heritage.

One of the vibrant landmarks of the town is its Old Town which is characterised by narrow, cobbled streets, colorful houses, and a labyrinthine layout.

The town‘s most prominent landmark is the Baroque church of St. Euphemia, with its towering bell tower offering panoramic views of the town and the Adriatic Sea.

Rovinj hosts numerous cultural events and festivals throughout the year, including the Rovinj Summer Festival, celebrating music, dance, and theater.

The town has a vibrant art scene, with numerous galleries, studios, and the famous Grisia street, known for its outdoor art exhibitions.

It also offers a rich culinary experience, with a focus on fresh seafood, Istrian truffles, and local wines. The town’s restaurants range from traditional konobas to fine dining establishments.

Rovinj boasts beautiful pebble and rocky beaches, as well as access to the nearby Rovinj Archipelago, which includes 14 islands such as St. Catherine’s Island and Red Island.

Another tourist spot is the Golden Cape Forest Park. Also known as Zlatni Rt, this park is a protected area offering walking and cycling trails, as well as opportunities for rock climbing and bird watching.

A stunning natural attraction near Rovinj, Lim Fjord is a narrow, fjord-like inlet known for its lush greenery and oyster farms.

The beautiful town has been praised by several travellers who have been to the “unspoiled” location. One user wrote on TripAdvisor travel forum: “What a beautiful city! We were on our Eurotrip and decided to stop by Rovinj.

“I was amazed. It is like a little Venice. Everything is so ancient and mysterious. So many great stores. Walk up the hill through the small local streets to the very top (where the church is) to get a view from the top and then go down to the north shore they have beautiful rocky beaches and the water is crystal blue and see-through.

“You can also jump from the rocks if you are brave. I did! The stores are relatively cheaper than the ones in Dubrovnik, with a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables.”

A second user chimed in: “Just returned from a visit to Rovinj. The town is completely unspoiled with narrow cobbled streets leading up to the imposing Cathedral of St. Euphemia.

“There are beautiful walks on the headland around the bay through extensive woodlands with stunning views over the sea. The locals are very friendly and helpful – most speak some English. The cost of living is reflected in the prices in the town – we found it very reasonable compared with the UK.

“All signs are in Croatian and Italian as the town has a very high Italian population and is very popular with Italians in the summer. Menus in some restaurants are priced in euros although Croatia is not in the EEC. It is possible to take a trip to Venice or Trieste from Rovinj. We went on a small boat ride up the Lim fjord but it proved to be rather uninteresting unless you like looking a banks of trees and fish farms, however, it passed an afternoon.

“The boat stops at a pirates cave on the return down the fjord – a visit to miss – you can always stay on the boat as we did. There are plenty of restaurants in the town and ice cream cafes for that calorie top-up. All in all a very relaxing holiday in a totally unspoiled environment. Watch out for Pula airport – no computers so all check-in is done by hand.”