Rovinj Islands

The Rovinj Archipelago is formed by twenty islands, St. Andrija and St. Katarina are the largest and include tourist facilities.The natural sights including the Rovinj islands and coastline with forests has been described as "outstanding scenic wonders". This area of "outstanding natural beauty" extends from St. Ivan promontory to Barbariga.The island of St. Andrija, also known as the Red island and St. Katarina island are accessible by local ferries that leave from the dock in front of the central square M. Tito. The two islands besides tourist facilities have many attractions like Hütterott's castle (once was a monastery), the Baron Hütterott’s mausoleum on the neighboring Island of Maškin, connected with the Island of St. Andrija by a path or the prehistoric building on St. Katarina island that is the first inhabited place in the Rovinj region.

Zlatni rt and Škaraba Park Forest

The Zlatni rt (Golden Cape) Park Forest is the most significant park area on the north-eastern Adriatic coast. This is the oldest protected site in Istria, having a high botanical value. It is an inevitable destination for enjoying a walk or biking in nature and it's easy accessible. It's situated south, only 15 minutes walk from the town center. Rock climbers will also enjoy the cape's rocks.

There are also nice bathing places suitable for children and families. Take a look at our beaches section to find out more information about the best beaches in the area.

If You continue your walk by the sea, south, just adjacent to the Zlatni rt Park Forest, you will enjoy the Škaraba Park Forest. This is an area of exceptional aesthetic-landscape value and it represents a continuation of the Zlatni rt-Punta Corrente Park Forest.

Palud Ornithological Reserve

More south there is the Villas Rubin Resort, Polari and Veštar camping spots followed by an area that is characterized by a diverse and rich bird life, especially wetland birds during nesting, winter stays and migrations: the Palud Ornithological Reserve. It is situated only 10 km from Rovinj, easily accessible near the Veštar campsite facility and defined by brackish wetlands with interesting flora and vegetation, including several rare plant species. The pedological, microclimatic, hydrologic and other factors result in a high biodiversity.

Lim Fjord and St. Romualdo’s Cave

Lim Fjord is situated north between Rovinj and Vrsar, just a 20 minutes ride by car. It's one of the most beautiful natural sites in Istra and represents a sunken canyon valley in karst. It's 10 km long, with an average width of 600 m and the deepest point of 33 m is located at the entrance near the border of Valalta FKK campsite. The water in the fjord is less transparent and less salty than the open sea due to many springs and the temperatures of the water in the fjord fluctuate. The water here also contains a large amount of planktons and oxygen so it provides abundant flora and fauna. The area is a natural hatching site for many fish species. 

If you're a rock climber and you are visiting the fjord, on the northern side there is a suitable cliff where you can do some nice climbs.

The best way to visit Lim Fjord is by boat. There are plenty of organized daily excursions of the costal area, Lim Fjord and Romualdo's cave departing from the town center and turist resorts and facilities around Rovinj. 

Romualdo's cave got the name from Saint Romualdo who used to live in the cave for three years, praying and meditating. Bones of Pleistocene animals were found in the cave such as bones of bear, cave lion, leopard, cave hyena, wild horse, big deer, snow hare, etc. There is proof of humans living in the cave - the Paleolithic hunter from the late Stone Age. 

For more information on organized tours to the Lim Fjord visit our excursions section.