A Croatian city of roughly 13,000 residents has landed a spot in the top 20 cities in Europe in Condé Nast Traveller UK's Readers' Choice Awards for 2026 — sharing a list with Paris (number one), Rome, Lisbon and Madrid. Rovinj, on the Istrian coast, is the surprise entry, and anyone who has wandered its cobbled lanes probably won't argue.
Rovinj sits across the Adriatic from Italy, and centuries of Venetian rule left a mark that runs from the pastel-coloured houses to the menus — fresh pasta and seafood everywhere. It's nicknamed 'Little Venice' for good reason. Unlike Dubrovnik or Split, this stretch of the Croatian coast still feels calm, even in high season.
The food scene punches well above the city's size. Monte holds Croatia's first Michelin star, while Puntulina is the beloved local option. For a splurge, Grand Park Hotel has bay views, a spa and an infinity pool.
There's plenty to do, but Rovinj rewards a slow pace: hike up through the Old Town to the Church of St Euphemia, whose bell tower anchors the skyline, then head south to Zlatni Rt (Golden Cape), a forest park where pine-shaded paths lead to rocky swimming coves. The Batana Ecomuseum covers the city's fishing heritage and its traditional flat-bottomed wooden boats.
Wine lovers can venture inland. Meneghetti Wine Hotel & Winery, a Relais & Châteaux property, is about half an hour's drive away, and Kozlović Winery pours tastings on a terrace overlooking the Istrian hills.
For travellers, the takeaway is simple: this is one of Croatia's most rewarding escapes before it gets truly discovered — a compact old town, genuine restaurant quality, swimmable coastline and vineyard country on the doorstep, all without the cruise-ship crush of the better-known Adriatic hotspots.
