The Old Town Is Pedestrian

First things first: the old town of Rovinj is a pedestrian zone. No cars. The streets are narrow, cobblestoned, and made for walking. This is a feature, not a bug — it's one of the things that makes Rovinj so charming.

The entire old town peninsula is walkable in about 15-20 minutes end to end. You really don't need any transport to explore it. Just wear comfortable shoes (cobblestones can be unforgiving in heels).

Parking

If you're coming by car, you'll need to park outside the pedestrian zone. There are several paid parking lots around the edges of the old town and along the waterfront.

Don't stress too much about memorizing the parking zones and prices — they change seasonally anyway. For up-to-date info on parking locations and rates, check Komunalni Servis Rovinj (the city parking authority).

Good to know: Most hotels and apartments outside the pedestrian zone have their own parking. If you're staying in the old town center, your host will typically arrange a parking spot for you outside the zone and offer an electric cart transfer to get you and your luggage to the door. Ask about this when you book — it's standard practice in Rovinj and usually included in the stay.

Bikes — The Smart Choice

Once your car is parked, the smartest thing you can do is rent bikes. Rovinj and its surroundings are perfect for cycling — flat coastal paths, pine forest trails, and short distances between beaches, restaurants, and the town center.

There are several bike rental shops in town, and many hotels and apartments offer bikes to guests. You can rent regular city bikes or e-bikes if you want to explore the hillier inland areas.

The cycling path along the coast towards the Zlatni Rt (Golden Cape) forest park is especially gorgeous and totally flat — perfect for a lazy afternoon ride to the beach.

On Foot

For the old town itself, walking is all you need. The main promenade along the harbor, the climb up to St. Euphemia's church, the market square, the tiny side streets — it's all within a few minutes' walk.

Even the beaches closest to town (Lone, Mulini, Škaraba) are walkable from the center in 10-15 minutes along pleasant seaside paths through the forest park.

Taxi

Taxis are available in Rovinj and work fine for airport transfers or getting back to your hotel after a late dinner. There's a taxi stand near the main square, or you can call one. Rates are metered and reasonable by European standards.

For airport transfers, it's worth booking in advance — especially in peak season. Your hotel can usually arrange this for you.

Driving Around Town

Just don't. Driving in Rovinj during summer is a frustrating experience — narrow streets, one-way systems, pedestrians everywhere, and no parking. If you need to go somewhere that's not walkable or bikeable, take a taxi.

That said, keep your rental car for day trips. Istria has so much to offer beyond Rovinj — the Roman amphitheatre in Pula, the hilltop town of Motovun, the Brijuni islands, the wine roads of central Istria. For those, you'll want a car.

Boat Taxis

In summer, small boat taxis run from the Rovinj waterfront out to the islands and up and down the resort coast:

• Sveta Katarina — 5-minute crossing from Mali Mol.
• Crveni Otok / St. Andrew — about 15 minutes from Mali Mol.
• Amarin (Maistra's family resort, north of town) — taxi boats run from the harbour in summer.
• Villas Rubin, Polari, Vestar (south-coast resorts and campsites) — seasonal taxi-boat links in and out of town.

Roughly every 30 minutes in high season, every hour in shoulder season. Buy a ticket at the kiosk on the waterfront — no need to book ahead, just show up. For the full boat scene (archipelago tours, fjord cruises, batana nights), see our boat tours guide.

For general tourist information, visit the Rovinj tourist office on Obala Pina Budicina 12.