Rovinj Travel Forum

My wife and I are planning a trip to various parts of Europe this summer, and love the look of Istria. We've pencilled in four or five days in Istria, and Rovinj grabbed our eye. We're over-worked, and so travel to relax, not to party. So, old town, sitting on a beach, and visiting the neighboring towns are all we'd likely be into. So here are my related questions, and any help is most appreciated:
- If we found a place in the Old Town, how easy is it to get to beaches without a car? Do we need to stay outside the old town to enjoy the beaches without taxi and bus costs skyrocketing?
- If we wanted to visit other towns, is this quick and easy enough via bus? Any places you highly recommend?
- Or, are we wiser to spend a day per town?
Thanks in advance for help!

You can spend the time in Rovinj without a car. We found this website the best for beach info.
http://www.inforovinj.com/eng/plaze/searchKarta.asp

This website suggests hiring a pushbike which would make things easier and it is a pleasant ride around the bay to Villas Rubin.

The beaches are all stoney, gravel based with no sand but that makes for the famous crystal clear water. Make sure you take beach shoes but you can buy them there from many outlets.

Never went to Red island so cannot back up what has been said. The villas rubin area was the largest and busiest with people from the villas rubin resort. The small area valdibora bay - was pleasant for relaxing. There is one cafe there in 2005. This is about 20 mins walk from the old town. I love Croatia but the way they describe the smallest area of rock or gravel as a beach is an eye opener.

I hired a car so found it easy to travel around Istria but I will recommend Rovinj as the best town to stay in. Pula and Porec are both busier and larger Porec more touristy, Pula more industrial. The east coast is nice but Rovinj is the jewel of Istria in my opinion.

Other things that we enjoyed - an afternoon cruise to Limski Canal, a visit to Motovun (an excursion from atlas travel would be best for this). If you are looking for relaxation then you are bound not to see everything and Rovinj the best place to relax in Istria I found.

We saw the best of Pula and Porec in 1/2 a day in each place. Both have their own sights worth seeing. Porec was a more relaxing stroll through the old town, a few benches to sit on and a harbour to people watch.

Hope this helps

thanks so much for the help! I really appreciate it

honestly - I think if you are staying in Rovinj you are probably better of not having a car!
Have fun