The Old Town of Rovinj, Croatia

Jewel of the Adriatic. Old Town of Rovinj, Croatia

The beautiful Croatian city of Rovinj gently dips into the Adriatic on the western coast of the Istrian peninsula. Overlooking its historic centre is the 200ft (61m) bell tower of the Church of St Euphemia, built in the early 1700s. The towering church soars above the city’s skyline, acting as a beacon to welcome home the town’s fleet of fishing boats each evening.

Rovinj used to be an island but was connected to the mainland in 1763, when the narrow channel was filled in. Today the city’s economy comes from tourism, and the romantic cobblestone streets are home to numerous bars, restaurants and museums. It’s on the Unesco list of World Heritage Sites and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Istria.