Tiny “Croatian Venice” and one of the most romantic corners of the country, Rovinj will make you fall in love with itself from first sight. But this gem of the Adriatic also has its treasures, which have been perfectly preserved within its historical center, the Old Town. Vivid red-brown tiled roofs, old wooden shutters, and narrow streets paved with white stone, with the Church of St. Euphemia perched above, are as if designed for leisurely walks, gatherings in cozy cafes over a cup of fragrant coffee, and conversations about the beauty, rich history, and culture of the fantastic Croatian people.

The best way to start your discovery of the Old Town is from the central town square named after Marshal Tito and with a study of the Town Hall with a slender clock tower that was once part of the medieval defensive walls. The ancient Balbi’s Arch, crowned with the winged Venetian lion of St. Mark, will lead you from the square to the Old Town. The majestic stone arch is all that remains of one of the town’s seven gates dating back to the Early Middle Ages. Pay special attention to the stone statues of the heads of an Ottoman Turk in a turban on one side and a Venetian on the other side of the arch.

Through the Balbi’s Arch, travelers enter the most famous street in Rovinj, Grisia. It is safe to say that the old street is a hangout spot for all fans and connoisseurs of art. There are many small art galleries and exhibition centers, lovely gift shops, and cozy cafes for young people. Scenic Grisia Street will lead you to the top of the hill along the mighty defensive walls past narrow old lanes that even a single traveler will find hard to walk, past a lighthouse, towering over a pillbox and a small wild beach, up to the main shrine of the city, the Catholic Church of St. Euphemia. Having visited the temple, you should climb the bell tower, which offers a fantastic view of the Old Town of Rovinj and the scenic sea harbor.