Rabac Holidays

Rabac sits on the eastern side of Croatia’s Istrian peninsula. It used to be a simple fishing village, but with its pretty white pebble beach it was only a matter of time before holidaymakers came to call. The waterfront promenade is a bit of a hub – by day, it’s used by roller-bladers and cyclists, while the evening sees the seafood restaurants here filling up.

Girandella Beach is set in a sheltered cove and proudly waves a Blue Flag along its white pebble stretch. It comes with umbrellas and deckchairs, as well as changing rooms and showers. Hungry beachgoers can get everything from ice-creams to à la carte meals, courtesy of the promenade. And along with the jet-skis and banana boats, there’s also an inflatable iceberg sea playground.

Boat trips sail from Rabac Harbour to the island of Cres, where you can see a 120-strong school of wild dolphins around the waters. Or within an hour, you can be in one of two places. At Rovinj you get a lovely Venetian old town where you can wander among the artists’ workshops on Grisia Street and take in the views from St Euphemia’s Cathedral. And at Pula, you’ve got an amphitheatre to rival Rome’s Colosseum.