It feels like walking through a set, along the colorful, winding, medieval streets of the old town in the Istrian town.
We are treated to a stunning panorama when we look down from the bell tower, which was built next to the Church of Saint Euphemia, located at the highest point of the small peninsula. We need to climb nearly two hundred steps to reach the upper part of the 63-meter-high structure. It almost serves as the town's observation point, from where we can gaze at the old town's interwoven, red-brown-roofed Mediterranean houses, which look like little models. The yachts gently rocking in the harbors appear tiny, and the long pier is merely a strip above the water's surface. At the top of the tower stands a statue of Euphemia.
According to legend, if the statue on its pedestal turns toward the land due to the wind, it means rain is coming, but if it faces Italy, there will be sunshine. The bell tower was built over a quarter of a century, and was completed in 1677. It was designed by the same Italian architect, Alessandro Monopola, who also designed the Basilica of Saint Mark in Venice. It is considered the largest Baroque cathedral in Istria.
The most romantic city
It’s no coincidence that Rovinj is called one of Croatia's most charming and romantic small towns, the jewel of the Adriatic, where it’s worth getting lost in the narrow, labyrinthine streets.
The cobblestone streets wind between colorful, painted, ornate houses and palaces, and if we turn our gaze toward the facades of the occasionally three- or four-story buildings, we often see clothes drying on ropes stretched between the houses. The streets are lined with cafes, bars, and small shops, while painters offer their works for sale. We can wander in a fairytale world. Eventually, we'll find our way out of the alley, usually toward the sea. The Bell Tower, visible from almost everywhere, serves as a compass for us.
Walking along the pier, the colorful houses, standing slightly askew side by side, appear tiny, as if they are gently swaying and stepping toward the sea. The fishing boats bring the fresh fruits of the sea to the fish market daily. If we want to take a dip, the white pebble beaches can be found outside the old town.
In the embrace of a nature reserve, by the seaside
In the beautiful town of Rovinj, with its charming old town, it’s worth choosing a seaside hotel. The Mediterranean climate attracts tourists as early as May, and the sea is pleasantly warm in early summer, perfect for swimming and refreshing.
One of the best choices is the five-star, adult-friendly Hotel Monte Mulini, located just a few minutes' walk from the bustling medieval old town. This hotel, exclusively for guests over 16 years old, is nestled within a nature reserve and directly on the seaside. The hotel complex offers 112 comfortable rooms and suites, from which you can choose the one that best suits your needs. All rooms come with a balcony overlooking the sea, the pool, or the pine forest park, and the surrounding Mediterranean gardens ensure peace and tranquility. The rooms are equipped with air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, satellite TV, and a minibar, while the bathrooms feature a shower cabin.
The beach, surrounded by the crystal-clear waters of Lone Bay, is perfect for daytime relaxation. Premium sunbeds, umbrellas, and towels are available free of charge for hotel guests. The Mulini Beach Bar takes care of refreshing drinks and light cocktails. For those who enjoy active relaxation, kayaks and SUP boards can be rented, while the calm waters invite splashing, swimming, and rowing. If you prefer not to dip into the saltwater, you can try one of the four outdoor freshwater pools. For a bubbly experience, the indoor pool offers a jacuzzi.
You can also retreat to the Art Wellness rooms, where, with the help of skilled hands, you can relax through treatments based on natural and healing ingredients. The 700-square-meter spa complex offers multifunctional therapy rooms for massages, body treatments, facials, as well as for manicures and pedicures. Hotel guests can also enjoy the wellness and spa services of the neighboring Hotel Lone.
Fine dining culinary theater
If you want to enjoy dinner in a cozy setting, several dining venues in the hotel beckon. Be sure to try the Wine Vault fine dining restaurant. The vaulted, stone-covered walls and the burgundy-upholstered comfortable chairs already hint that here, wine and art meet, and unique flavors await. On Mediterranean summer evenings, the restaurant's terrace invites you: the wine list features over 320 types of Croatian wines (including renowned Istrian wines) and wines from all over the world, carefully selected by the hotel's award-winning sommeliers for guests.
The chef of the Wine Vault is proud to use a variety of fresh, local ingredients—from olive oil and truffles to almonds—inspired by French cuisine for his unique fish and meat dishes. The well-known Austrian gastronomic magazine, Falstaff, has praised the restaurant to such an extent that it ranked the Wine Vault as one of Croatia's best restaurants. The restaurant team describes itself as a culinary theater, offering dishes that captivate our senses, such as raw shrimp with potato foam and fresh truffle, or quail breast rolls with quail egg, Jerusalem artichoke risotto, apricots, and goat cheese.
20 courses and a Michelin recommendation
If we want to step out of our hotel in the evening, we only need to take a few minutes' walk toward the old town and the harbor to reach the Maistra Group's other luxurious resort, the Grand Park Hotel Rovinj, where we can visit the Cap Aureo Signature restaurant. Along with its excellent value for money, the restaurant is expected to receive a Michelin recommendation and, potentially, a star in the future!
Located on the fifth floor of the hotel, the Cap Aureo Signature restaurant features a glass-walled terrace offering a magnificent view of the harbor and the old town, with the Church of Saint Euphemia's Bell Tower on the hilltop. The restaurant's chef, Jeffrey Vella, is famous for his vegetable-based dishes made from the finest local ingredients! You can sample his offerings through a tasting menu that features up to 20 courses! Here are a few tempting dishes: watermelon carpaccio, cacio e pepe with squid, local "lamb tour," Saint Joseph fig, and a summer carrot tartare combination with caviar and smoked apricot whey. Each gourmet dish comes with a unique flavor – and, of course, an Istrian story. The wine list is equally top-notch. From experience, we can say: if you plan to spend your evening at Cap Aureo Signature, it’s best to reserve a table in advance.
