Rabac, Croatia: The best things to see and do

White pebbly beaches, a mountainous backdrop, and the incredible blue of the Adriatic: it’s not hard to see why the small resort town of Rabac on the Istrian coast is so popular with holidaymakers. If you’re lucky enough to be visiting this summer and want a few pointers for your itinerary, keep reading to find out about our favourite things to do in Rabac, Croatia.

1. Hike from Rabac to Labin

Hiking is a wonderful way to explore Rabac, Croatia and the surrounding area, and one of the most popular trails takes you through a scent-filled pine forest from Rabac to the fascinating and colourful hilltop town of Labin. This well-marked 5km trail is a straightforward route despite being uphill, and along the way you’ll cross little bridges, catch sight of waterfalls and pass by the mysterious Negri’s Cave.

2. Indulge in Istrian cuisine

From award-winning olive oil to traditional desserts, there’s lots of incredible food to be sampled when you’re in Rabac. Taste olive oil at the home of one of the most popular local producers, the Belic family, and linger over Istrian seafood dishes on the roof terrace at Nostromo, overlooking Rabac Bay’s Maslinica beach. Finish up with a real local speciality, Labinski krafi, a sort of cream cheese and raisin-filled sweet ravioli.

3. Have a wander around Rijeka

Croatia’s largest port town, Rijeka, is under an hour from Rabac by car, and it makes a great day trip destination if you fancy some shopping or just a change of scene. It’s less touristy than other Istrian towns, which means you’ll get more of a flavour of local life as you browse the shopping malls or sit down to a meal in one of the restaurants on Korzo, the main pedestrian thoroughfare.

4. Explore the island of Cres

If you feel like getting out into the wilderness, head from Rabac to Cres, an unspoilt island where you’ll find an interesting north/south divide in the landscapes you’ll see: green and fertile in the north, arid in the south. Cres is home to the rare griffon vulture, of which there are dozens of breeding pairs, along with plenty of other flora and fauna for you to spot if you head out for a hike. Down in the old town of Cres, sip coffee in the cafes around the harbour and explore Instagram-friendly winding streets lined with pastel-coloured buildings.

5. Hit the beach

Finally, there’s no better way to soak up the Istrian sun than hitting the beach, and you have several to choose from in Rabac, which boasts no fewer than four gorgeous Blue Flag beaches. Our top pick is Girandella, part of Kvarner Bay, where you can seek shade under the pine trees. St Andrea is another local favourite, while Maslinica and Lanterna are also beautiful spots to top up your tan.

Finally, don’t forget that if you’re staying in Rabac, Croatia to Venice ferry services make it easy to hop across to Italy to spend the day in Venice!