Rabac, Istria

Rabac, a small town, on the east coast of Istria, gets quite busy during the summer. Rabac  has lots of little bars and cafes, as well as restaurants. In Frank’s opinion it is a typical tourist village, perfect for families with small children and senior citizens. If you are looking for nice beaches and crystal clear sea, swimming and sunbathing and other fun under the sun, evening promenades, ice cream and a boat excursion, Rabac should be fine choice for your holiday. If you are looking for anything else, you better choose another destination in Croatia.

Pebble Beach in Rabac

Rabac is an atypical Istrian town. Its coast and location reminds more of Dalmatia than Istria. Its beaches are probably the nicest beaches in Istria, and it is set bellow a mountain. But, on the other hand, from there to reach any other place in is kind of far. You need to take that curvy, mountainous road each time. Funny thing about the town is that it definitely attracts families and seniors, but in any bar you go, there is a house and dance music playing, just like the party is about to start. It is quiet grotesque. As much as the coast is really nice, the town itself, at least for Frank, is not so much. Town highlights are a seaside promenade full of cheap souvenir stands, ice-cream parlors offering weirdly colored ice-creams, and cocktail bars playing house music. Tourist train going up and down the promenade, and lots of people. Cheap if you ask Frank.

Take a Walk On Rabac Seafront Promenade

What to do in Rabac, Istria?

Boat excursion
Coast around Rabac is really stunning. There are many boat excursions either along Rabac Riviera or to the island of Cres. Boat Excursion along Rabac riviera will make you discover many cliffs, coves and little beaches. You will get a chance to swim away from it all in some remote bay along riviera. Boat excursions to the island of Cres usually take you to the town of Cres where you have a free time to discover this nice town. The excursion includes lunch.

Visit Labin
Labin is located 3 km from Rabac, on the hill, 320 m above the sea. It is nice historic town with colorful houses and lots of monuments. Today it is town of artists. Visiting it can make an interesting day out while you on vacation in Rabac.

Labin Istria

Diving
Coastline of Rabac provides really good diving opportunities. Waters are clear, depths rarely reach 70 m and there are many ship wrecks, colorful reefs and rich marine life.

Olive Oil Tasting
Definitely a must while in Rabac. Belic olive oil is one of the best in Croatia and his tasting room is in Rabac. Reservation needed.

Events in Rabac, Istria

Rabac Summer Festival
This festival takes place every year in July in Rabac. The party goes on 24h on Girandella Beach with international DJs playing house music.

Ca su kuhale nase none
Gastronomic event happening throughout the summer (once a month). Open air event with traditional cooking and regional specialties, celebrating genuine Istrian cuisine.

Rabac Adventure Race
This Race is organized by the Alba sports and recreation club and it takes place every August in Rabac. It starts at Girandella Beach at 9 am and lasts 6 to 12 hours. 70 km long Ultra race is really challenging, but there is also a 35 km long Light race ideal for amateurs. The race is for two-member teams. Disciplines included are hiking, mountain-biking, swimming, rowing, cliff climbing, etc…

Beach in Rabac

Restaurants in Rabac, Istria

Martin Pescador
Situated in a tiny fishing village Trget, not far from Rasa and approx. 10 km from Rabac, restaurant Martin Pescador is a real gem. It is a tavern type restaurant serving maybe the best fish in Istria. Dishes served are traditional, ingredients are fresh, fish offered is always a catch of the day. Fish is brought in by the local fishermen. Setting is nice, right at the seafront.

Restaurant Martin Pescador

Due Fratelli
Restaurant Due Fratelli is situated in a village Montozi, close to Labin. Due Fratelli serves indigenous Istrian cuisine: home-made pasta with meat and fish stews, polenta, etc. Their fish is also of an excellent quality as the owners have their own fishing boat. the restaurant has a nice, shaded terrace.

Bars in Rabac, Istria

Tropic Lounge Bar – perfectly located, right at the seafront, this is an ultimate cocktail bar to visit during your stay here. Tropic which has a raised seating area where you can sip a cocktail, watch the world go by and listen to music ranging from local favorites through to smooth jazz. Prices are reasonable.

Movie Lounge Bar

Movie bar – amazing cocktails and after beach parties are popular at this hip bar. Movie Bar organizes thematic evenings with DJs. Movies’ Bar resident DJ is Me. Marley. Last year the most popular parties were: Nothing Compares To Havana Party with Cocktails based on Cuban Rum and Rock This Friday Party with House music. Head waiter, Roberto Zuliani, is one of the best cocktail masters in the country.

Where to stay in Rabac, Istria

Two major hotel companies operate here: Maslenica hotels, Italian owned company, and Valamar Hotels & Resorts. Maslenica hotels, Frank wouldn’t recommend, except for the price (you can get a quiet good deal on these hotels).

Hotel Valamar Sanfior

Valamar Sanfior Hotel is a four-star hotel in Rabac featuring 150 rooms, an outdoor and indoor swimming pool, small wellness area and nice courtyard terrace. Many rooms have french window, so Frank would highly recommend to ask for a ground floor room as they have nice terraces.

Valamar Bellevue Hotel & Residence is a family hotel with 174 rooms. Standard rooms are quiet small (18 m2), so Frank would recommend you to ask for Twin with an extra sofa bed as they are bigger in size (21 m2), or just opt for the suites that are located next to the hotel, in the detached villas. Hotel has an activity and entertainment program for children and adults. There is an outdoor swimming pool.

Camping Oliva Beach

Campsite Oliva is the only campsite in the town. Campsite Olive is not one of the best campsites in Istria, but it is the only one in Rabac. So if camping is your way of vacationing, you can stay in campsite Oliva. The beach is nice. The capacity is 1.700 people. Beside camping plots, there are 150 mobile homes to rent available.

Hotel Villa Annette

Hotel Villa Annette is a small family run hotel with 12 suites. It is situated on the top of a cliff and it overlooks sea and Rabac harbor. Rooms are large with sleeping and sitting area and each of them having a large balcony with stunning sea views.

Rabac Vacation Rentals can be a really good choice for your vacation in Rabac. Rabac offers a good choice of vacation rentals, some of the properties are at the very seafront.  If you like to enjoy an authentic experience of living like the locals, you appreciate all the comforts of home even while on vacation, and if you are in search for international standards of comfort at the lowest cost, renting an apartment can be a way to go.

Rabac Photo Gallery

Rabac Video

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