Beaches of Rabac

If you go down just a few kilometres from Labin, either by road or by a lovely footpath through the beautiful nature, you will reach the pearl of Kvarner. That's what they call Rabac due to its position at the entrance into Kvarner Bay. This once a small fishing village is nowadays the most important tourist centre of the eastern Istria. The history of the tourism here goes back to the second half of 19th century, when, due to its beauty, the place with only a few houses attracted its first visitors.

Among them was also the British writer Richard Francis Burton, who later described the beauties of Rabac in his book „Istrian Coast“. The place at that time gets its first villas, and, at the end of the century, it also gets its first smaller hotel with only a few rooms. At the beginning of 20th century, the Austro-Hungarian heir to the throne Franz Ferdinand also visits Rabac, and the first bigger hotel opens in 1925. This little town gains more tourist momentum in the sixties of 20th century, when tourists from the whole Europe start visiting Rabac in greater numbers.

Rabac is nowadays famous both for its numerous top-grade hotels and camping sites and for its crystal clear sea and beautiful beaches. Along the promenade stretching from the centre of the place along the coast, there is the St. Andrew Beach. Due to an easy access to the sea, the beach is suitable for families with children. However, anyone can find his/her piece of heaven here because, although the beach is predominantly pebbled, it also has its sandy and rocky parts.

The Lanterna Beach also attracts families with children and younger people. You can reach the beach by walking through a lovely pine forest that offers shade all day. Swimmers can protect themselves with parasols that may be rented here as well as deck chairs, pedal boats and other props to enjoy the beach. Besides bars, there are also organised eco-workshops and activities as well as various water sports, and everything is monitored by the rescue service.

Girandella is a beautiful pebble beach with rocky parts and concrete slabs situated next to the tourist resort of the same name. Also famous for its excellent quality of the sea, this beach offers many activities for young people and adults. Those of you who do not only enjoy lying on deck chairs under a parasol can try out water-skiing, volleyball, tennis and other sports.

You can also enjoy water sports on the Maslinica Beach, a 500 meters long pebble beach situated among the hotels next to a lush Mediterranean forest. This beach has been adapted for people with disabilities when it comes to the access to the sea and its accompanying objects.  

All beaches have got the Blue Flag, showing the impeccable quality of the sea water, and what is common to them all, is the magnificent view of Kvarner Bay and the island of Cres. Not only beaches are the asset of Rabac but also its fantastic underwater world rich in flora and fauna as well as the wrecks of sunken ships. Underwater sightseeing from a semi-submarine or diving among rock fissures with corals and sponges are the additional activities that confirm that Rabac is the right place for experiencing the joys of summer.