Rabac

Rabac was a fishing hamlet in a bay below the mining town of Labin until the middle of the twentieth century, when tourism arrived and it became the main resort on the eastern Istrian coast - hotels along the bay, a promenade, and a run of white shingle beaches on either side which are the reason it works: the stone here is pale limestone, so the water reads bright turquoise in a way it does not on darker shores. Boats run from the harbour to Cres and along the coast. Labin, with its old town and galleries, is a short drive or a steep walk above.

What you actually see

• White shingle beaches - the pale stone that gives the water its colour.
• A hamlet turned resort - developed from the mid twentieth century.
• A promenade round the bay - linking the beaches and hotels.
• Labin above - the old mining town on the hill.

When to go

June to September. Half a day.

Honest expectations

It is a purpose-built resort, not an old town - the character is hotels and promenade. It is very busy in July and August and parking is difficult. Beaches are shingle, not sand, and shoes help. Winter closes most of it.

Nearby

Labin is on the hill above; Pula is south-west.