Planning spending three nights of our Slovenia -Croatia trip in Istria. Leaning towards making Rovinj our base. If that's the case, leaning toward staying in Old Town. Any advantage or value in not staying in Old Town? Also considering Motovun as base as I think most of the towns we're planning on visiting are closer to Motovun than Rovinj. Any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks.
Posted by
State of Washington, USA
266 posts
My wife and I stayed in Rovinj for 3 nights in 2017, renting a car to visit Motovun and other areas. This worked very well for us. Our lodging was close to, but not in, the Old Town, with parking and a very easy fast walk to the Old Town. I posted a trip report with details; scroll down to "PART 3: ISTRIA". https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/croatia-road-trip-aug-2017-dubrovnik-and-drive-to-split
Posted by
Poreč Istria, Croatia
151 posts
If you will have a car, you should base in Rovinj old town or within walking distance.
Posted by
Ashburn VA
818 posts
Another vote for Rovinj's old town. Not only is it charming in its own right, but also it is convenient to the highway and the hill towns. I know I'm the odd man out here, but I think Motovun is boring. With a couple of restaurants and one or two expensive hotels, it will be deadly dull after dark.
Posted by
Massachusetts
847 posts
Totally agree Rovinj. Motovun was interesting for about an hour. Glad I visited. Real glad I didn't base there.
We stayed in the old town and had a car for the last two days. You do have to find parking which isn't easy, but it certainly is possible especially if you are ok with walking 10 minutes or so to get to your car.
Posted by
Ashburn VA
818 posts
We stayed at an Airbnb and the host was kind enough to valet park our car for free. If you're staying in an Airbnb, you could ask the host before committing if this service is available. It was a great help to us. He parked it in a church parking lot. It emerged unscathed. Totally worth the additional euros we gave him as a "tip". No criticism, please. In our book, a tip was warranted.
Posted by
OP
New York
317 posts
Thanks for all responses. Very helpful. Rovinj it is, and asking as Old Town is convenient to highway, I think we'll learn that way as well. We will have car in Istria. Thanks again.
Posted by
Hickory, NC USA
491 posts
We stayed in the old town of Rovinj and were given a pass to drive in much closer with our luggage when we arrived, then we returned our car to the big lots just outside of town. Not a bad walk at all. When we checked out, our accommodation host took us and our luggage in a golf car out to the parking. We loved Rovinj.
Posted by
OP
New York
317 posts
Thanks Tigerfan. Could you share your accommodation?
Posted by
Hickory, NC USA
491 posts
It was Residence Porta Antica. We had a very interesting room in an annex building from which we could see the harbor.