The fourth edition of the GinIstra festival transforms the Old Tobacco Factory in Rovinj into a two-day hub for the regional gin scene right in the middle of autumn – on Friday and Saturday, October 17 and 18, 2025. The audience can expect an exhibition and tasting program with over thirty-five exhibitors and more than sixty gin labels and accompanying products, as well as expert-educational content and an evening music program. For those planning a trip and accommodation in Rovinj, this is an ideal weekend to combine hedonism and professional networking.

Several annual editions have made GinIstra a reference point on the map of Croatian and regional beverage festivals: a place where distillers, distributors, restaurateurs, tourism professionals, journalists, and enthusiasts meet. From a visitor's perspective, this means a rare opportunity to taste diverse styles in one space – from classic London Dry interpretations to citrus and Mediterranean variants, to contemporary experimental editions. If you are coming from outside Istria, we recommend booking accommodation in Rovinj in advance and using the weekend to tour the old town center, walk along the sea, or visit local taverns.

Venue and the atmosphere of industrial heritage

The spectacular backdrop for the festival is the Old Tobacco Factory, a spacious industrial complex that has established itself in recent years as a multifunctional cultural and event stage. High ceilings, brick walls, and an open layout of the halls are well-suited for a combination of exhibition stands, mixology bars, and stages for panels and musical performances. The space itself suggests a creative spirit and perfectly fits the philosophy of craft distillation. Right at the entrance, there will be an info point, sales of tasting glasses, and marked zones for workshops, while the central plateau will be reserved for the main exhibitors and B2B meetings.

Schedule by day

What makes GinIstra unique

As the largest international gin festival in Croatia and the wider region, GinIstra brings together a carefully curated selection of producers from the country and abroad. The focus is on small and medium-sized distilleries that cultivate authenticity – whether it's an interpretation of classics with juniper in the main role or a terroir approach with Mediterranean herbs like rosemary, lavender, immortelle, laurel, and citrus. Year after year, there are more labels that explore the influence of different waters in distillate rehydration, experiment with wood aging, or emphasize Istrian botanicals. For all the above reasons, Rovinj is the logical choice for these two days for anyone who wants to immerse themselves in trends, taste novelties, and meet the people behind the brands – and for practical travel planning and accommodation in Rovinj, there is a separate section in the article below.

Educational program: panels, workshops, and masterclasses

The expert part of the program is conceived as a guide through the entire value chain – from the idea and recipe to production, branding, bar application, and the destination's tourist attractiveness. Panels address topics such as sustainable distillation and waste reduction, selection and maceration of botanicals, the importance of water and controlled dilution, and analytics in quality control. At workshops, bartenders demonstrate modern techniques – from precise measurement of dilution in a gin and tonic to carbonation and the creation of signature cocktails for hotel and beach bars. Masterclass lectures are intended for professionals but are also open to enthusiasts who want to understand why the same gin in different tonics and with different ice can leave a completely different impression.

B2B meetings and networking

The official B2B zone is intended for presenting portfolios to distributors, procurement for hotel and catering businesses, travel agencies, and event managers. The term structure allows for short "speed networking" meetings followed by more concrete conversations at the stands. Rovinj restaurateurs thus get an insight into novelties before the peak holiday season, and distillers get the opportunity to arrange premieres and guest appearances. The organizers have confirmed that the schedule of business meetings will be coordinated with the educational blocks, so participants can combine learning and agreements – another reason to organize accommodation in Rovinj in a timely manner.

Music program as an extension of the experience

The evening hours are reserved for concert performances that elevate the festival atmosphere and extend visitors' stay in the hall. On Friday, the audience will be warmed up by Mateo Pilat, and the evening's highlight belongs to the group Dalmatino. Saturday brings the distinctive vocal of Maria Meden, after which Marko Tolja takes the stage. The idea is simple: after a full day of discovering new aromas, the audience transitions into the rhythm of the concert, while the exhibition zones transform into a vibrant lounge.

Who the festival is for

• Restaurateurs and hotel F&B teams looking for new labels, staff education, and inspiration for seasonal cocktail menus.


• Distributors and retailers specializing in premium beverages who want to expand their offering or arrange exclusives.


• Tourism professionals and destination managers looking for projects to combine the eno-gastro story and the destination experience.


• Journalists, bloggers, and content creators whose focus is gastronomy, lifestyle, and travel.


• The general public who love to explore the craft scene and learn by tasting.

How to get the most out of your visit

Plan your time in blocks: first a light tour and introduction to the offering, then participation in one workshop or masterclass, and then a targeted return to favorites for a more detailed tasting. Note your impressions – what botanicals you recognized, what the texture is like, how dry or aromatic the distillate is. For a gin and tonic, ask for different tonics and ratios, try with cubes and with "plugs" of ice, and test a garnish that emphasizes but doesn't overpower the aroma. In between, drink water and refresh your palate with simple snacks so the next tasting is fair. If you've come to Rovinj for the weekend, we suggest a morning coffee on the waterfront before heading to the festival in the afternoon – the music part awaits you in the evening hours.

Photo gallery and social media content

The festival traditionally publishes a photo gallery with the best moments: creating cocktails on stage, distillery teams, and audience reactions. If you are an exhibitor, prepare short stories about your brand (founder, key botanicals, production philosophy) and a visual identity adapted for photography – contrasting labels, a tidy stand, clearly highlighted awards. Visitors will easily share their impressions, and festival tags will make it easier for both media and the public to find content.

Tickets, information, and contacts

Online purchase is recommended to avoid crowds at the entrance. Current information about tickets, applications, and the program is available on the official channels: ginistra.hr. For additional inquiries, media accreditations, or participation in the B2B program, contact the organizer, MEDIA PROMOCIJA, obrt za usluge (owned by Igor Franković) – email info@media-promocija.hr, and updated contacts can also be found at the link Contact. If you plan to stay longer, check out accommodation in Rovinj and book on time.

Rovinj as a stage for experiences

Few cities merge so organically with the idea of hedonism as Rovinj. Street after street, ateliers, wine bars, and small restaurants alternate, and along the sea, it's easy to find the perfect shot for a photo of a glass of gin and tonic with citrus at sunset. After a festival day, extend your walk along the coast, stop by the viewpoints on the old peninsula, and end the evening with a concert in the hall. For the entire stay plan and options for accommodation in Rovinj, see below.

Practical: arrival, stay, and responsible enjoyment

• Arrival and parking: In the center, traffic zones are denser; arrive a bit earlier, follow official parking signs, and walk to the hall.


• What to bring: ID card (age verification), a refillable water bottle, a notebook or note-taking app.


• Responsible tasting: Tastings are small, but cumulatively they can be demanding. Combine with water and food; if you are driving, plan to return by taxi.


• Accessibility: The hall has wide aisles; if you need additional assistance, contact the info point at the entrance.

Trends worth following

This year's edition, with its emphasized educational part, particularly highlights three trends. First, terroir gin which authentically interprets Mediterranean flora – from immortelle and rosemary to laurel and mountain plants – and seeks a precise balance between aromatic expressiveness and dryness. Second, subtle aging in different types of barrels (e.g., ex-wine or ex-whisky) which adds a layer of complexity to the distillate without losing the freshness of the juniper. Third, low & no approaches in bar application, where carefully designed non-alcoholic "highballs" and low-calorie mixes allow for a long stay at the festival without palate fatigue. These trends are then reflected in the tourist offer of Istria and stay in Rovinj, where hotel bars and restaurants are increasingly building a recognizable cocktail signature.

Culinary and pairing

Gin rarely comes alone: in combination with citrus, spices, and tonic, it opens the way to local bites. In breaks between workshops, look for pairing ideas – from marinated anchovies and olives to Istrian cheeses and cured meat delicacies. The goal is not to overload the palate, but to rhythm the experience so that curiosity for new labels is reawakened in the evening hours. If you are staying in Rovinj for an extra day, ask about the seasonal menus of restaurants that like to use truffles in the autumn – an intriguing partner for gin in some modern interpretations.

For media and exhibitors

Media outlets can request accreditations in advance and book times for interviews with producers and lecturers. Exhibitors are advised to prepare samples for workshops, short technical sheets (ABV, botanicals used, style), as well as promotional materials that will help visitors later find the labels in retail or in bars. If you are planning a premiere of a new label, we recommend highlighting it in the program so that visitors can include your masterclass in their schedule.

Rovinj: planning your stay and accommodation

To make it easier to organize your weekend in Rovinj, below we provide a guide to neighborhoods near the hall, tips for walking, and an overview of the offering. The advantage of a smaller perimeter around the Old Tobacco Factory is that most of the content is within a comfortable walking distance, and the evening return from a concert to the apartment or hotel is simple.

Accommodation in Rovinj – overview of zones and tips

The most practical accommodations are in the central area and along the coastal belt towards Zlatni Rt, while a stay in quieter outskirts of the city attracts those who want silence. When booking, pay attention to the distance to the hall, breakfast options, and availability of late check-in (especially important after the Saturday concert). For those arriving by car, information about private parking spaces or public garages nearby is useful. If you are just planning accommodation in Rovinj, consider the schedule: arrival on Friday by noon, festival from 3 PM, evening concert, a leisurely Saturday morning, and return after the second day of the program.

Step-by-step: how to taste like a professional

1. Start with a clean gin in a tulip glass: swirl briefly to open the aroma, but don't force the alcohol.


2. Take a small sip and evaluate the texture – oiliness, dryness, the balance of juniper and citrus.


3. Add a little cold water to "unlock" a hidden layer of aromas; then compare with the variant in tonic.


4. Explore the garnish: lemon peel for freshness, rosemary for a herbal note, juniper berries for emphasis – always in moderation.


5. Take notes and photograph the labels for later recognition in shops and bars.

Useful links

• Official festival page: ginistra.hr


• Information and contacts of the organizer: Contact


• Tourist information about the city: TZG Rovinj-Rovigno (for a general overview of the destination and useful tips before accommodation in Rovinj)

Note for visitors who combine business and pleasure: B2B sessions start at 4 PM on both days, so with a good plan, you can structure your day around key meetings and schedule tastings and workshops in between. For all logistical details and schedule changes, follow the official festival announcements on ginistra.hr, and for the daily rhythm of the city and inspiration for excursions, we recommend a short tour of the old town before entering the afternoon program and checking for accommodation in Rovinj near the hall.