What to See in Rovinj, Croatia: Free Audio Guide

Rovinj is a picturesque coastal town on Croatia’s Istrian Peninsula, known for its Venetian‑style old town, colorful harbor, and artistic vibe. Discover why it’s worth visiting, from its historic basilica to its lively waterfront. Neywo offers a free audio guide for Rovinj with 4 narrated places, available in 11 languages.

Explore Rovinj’s Highlights

St. Euphemia’s Basilica

At the highest point of the old town stands St. Euphemia’s Basilica, the city’s most famous monument. The present Baroque Venetian building was reconstructed between 1725 and 1736, replacing an earlier tenth‑century three‑nave church and a still older shrine to Saint George. Measuring 51 metres long, 30 metres wide and with a central nave 17 metres high, the basilica houses the sarcophagus of Saint Euphemia, a Christian martyr brought to Rovinj in the year 800.

Ecomuseum Batana

Opened in 2004 as Croatia’s first ecomuseum, the Ecomuseum Batana is devoted to the traditional batana boat and the fishing community that shaped Rovinj’s maritime identity. Inside Kuća o batani (the House of the Batana) you can see a wooden batana frame, old fishing tools, a recording of boat‑building, video stories and publications that together preserve both artefacts and the intangible skills passed between generations. Mali škver nearby safeguards the living tradition of batana construction.

Balbi’s Arch

Balbi’s Arch serves as one of the graceful gateways into Rovinj’s fortified old centre. Built between 1678 and 1679 to replace the former Fish Market Gate, it features a winged lion of Saint Mark holding an open book inscribed with the Latin phrase “Victoria Tibi Marce Evangelista Mevs.” Below the lion are the coats of arms of the Balbi family, added about a century later, and a dedication to Mayor Daniele Balbi. One side of the arch shows a Venetian‑style head, the opposite side an Ottoman‑style head, and the structure underwent a thorough restoration from 2018 to June 2019.

Saint Andrew Church

Saint Andrew Church is one of the several churches scattered throughout the Rovinj municipality. Though modest in size, it contributes to the town’s layered religious heritage and sits quietly among the narrow streets of the historic core.

Experience Neywo in Rovinj

Download the free Neywo app and let the audio guide accompany you as you walk through Rovinj at your own pace. With no group and no schedule, the app tells the story of each of the four narrated places the moment you reach them, available in 11 languages. Whether you’re admiring the basilica’s baroque façade, exploring the batana museum, passing under Balbi’s Arch, or pausing at Saint Andrew Church, Neywo turns a simple stroll into a rich, self‑guided discovery of the town.

For more context on the region, see the Istria County page or the country overview at Croatia. If you have time to venture farther, nearby destinations such as Pula, Poreč, Umag, Motovun and Bale each offer their own Istrian charm.