Labin in Croatia - on a motorhome trip around Istria

Labin in Croatia is a charming town on the eastern side of Istria. We started with an early flight to Zagreb where we picked up our motorhome. Then our motorhome journey around Istria could begin! Our first stop was in the charming town of Labin in Istria, where we had a fantastic dinner, before it was time to roll down to Camping Marina on the coast.

Table of contents

Motorhome pick-up in Zagreb

Motorhome company Petroni picked us up at the airport and drove us to the company, where we went through the motorhome and signed some papers. The motorhome feels smooth and lively to drive and is just the right size for two people. So far we have discovered both good and less good things about the car, but we will return with a full report when we have had time to test during the whole week. Now it will be motorhome around Istria!

Hyra husbil Kroatien — 'Our' plot outside the motorhome company

By motorhome around Istria

It's great to finally be on this motorhome trip! Of course, we needed to shop and started by driving to the grocery store Konzum, where we feel quite at home by now.

We bought some food and toilet paper and stuff (but forgot the dish brush and dish soap...). Then we got on the motorway and drove from Zagreb to Rijeka, past Opatija (where we admired the view) and on to the charming little town of Labin in Croatia.

Köket i plåtis och husbil runt Istrien — In the car park outside Konzum - Helena packs food in the kitchen.

Labin in Croatia

Labin in Croatia is the main town in the municipality of Labin, which also includes the tourist resort of Rabac. Labin is located on the east coast, about 4.5 miles from Pula and about 5.5 miles from Opatija.

Labin - a charming town

We arrived in Labin in the evening and immediately realised that this small medieval town, perched high on a hill, is very charming. At the top of the hill is a church, and all the houses seem to climb together towards it. We parked the motorhome in the centre and took a short walk before it was time for dinner.

Restaurant in Labin

It was dinner at a restaurant Velo Kafe, where we had a fantastic 3-course dinner. We started with toast with truffle cheese and figs and continued with pasta with small crayfish in wine sauce (Thank you!). Imelda for the tip!).

Tryffelost — Starter: toast with truffle cheese and figs in a restaurant in Labin.

Pasta med kräftor på en restaurang i Labin — Main course: pasta with small crayfish (and an awful lot of tools)

Dessert: Labinski krafi

For dessert there was a local speciality, "labinski krafi", small dough dumplings filled with cheese, served with cola sauce. Similar dumplings are apparently made all over the eastern part of Istria, but they are savoury and eaten with chicken sauce or similar. It's only here in Labin that the dish is served sweet, so it was really a favourite. local speciality. Try it if you come here, very good!

Camping Marina

Really satisfied after our good dinner, we then made our way down to the Marina campsites, located on the coast south of Labin. This is a super nice campsite with pitches right by the sea, an infinity pool and good diving opportunities.

See more around Labin in Croatia

There is a lot to see and experience in Croatia! Here are suggestions for some great places, not too far from Labin:

Opatija - Historic spa with turn-of-the-century charm
Fažana - A gem on the west coast of Istria
Pula - The city with an impressive amphitheatre

Facts about Labin in Croatia

What country? Croatia
County? County of Istria
Language? Croatian (many also speak English)
Residents? 11 000 (2012)
Currency? Kuna (HRK)
Price point? Cheaper than Sweden
Time difference? None

Travelling to Labin in Croatia

Car: It takes about 2 hours and 45 minutes to drive from Zagreb to Labin (toll road). Driving from Opatija takes about one hour.
Bus: There are buses from many locations around Croatia.

Helena

17 May 2016 8:17

Croatia

adventure

Helena

Administrator

26 Comments

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Role o Carina says:

It looks lovely, a "Plåtis" is probably a good accommodation there!

Take care and enjoy yourselves.......

17 May 2016 - 8:46

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Åsa says:

Sounds like a good start!

17 May 2016 - 8:51

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Ama de casa says:

What a cool motorhome! It almost looks like it can get around in narrow alleys. But only almost 😉 .

Smart to forget about the washing up - that way you don't have to do the washing up 😀.

Have a continued good trip in Plåtis! 🙂

17 May 2016 - 9:19

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snort says:

So beautiful nature and so good it looks! Will surely be a rewarding week for you 😀.

17 May 2016 - 9:23

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Comment by post author

admin says:

Rolle and Carina, the flatbed feels like a perfect way to drive around! Of course, it works with a larger motorhome too, but we have already experienced how easy it is to park in the cities with this little thing 😉.

Åsa, it feels like a great start 🙂 .

Ama de casa, the best thing is that it is easy to park! And yes, haha, it's great to not have to do the dishes, but I have a little feeling that we will have to do something about that little pile of dishes sooner or later... so it will be a visit to the store again today 😉.

Znogge, it is soooo beautiful here! More pictures are promised 🙂

17 May 2016 - 9:43

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Mr Lars Permelin says:

Probably both fun and interesting to compare how it is to travel with a flatbed, which some people switch to in order to get a more flexible car. That dinner at the restaurant looks delicious.

17 May 2016 - 10:21

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Jan and Marita Svensson says:

It will be fun to follow your journey.

17 May 2016 - 10:33

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Mr Steve says:

What a delicious meal, I'd love to try it. Good luck with your new adventures!

17 May 2016 - 10:35

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Motorhome internship says:

It looks delicious! Seems a bit like the food in Portugal: simple (no finery) but with good, fresh ingredients. Will be fun to follow your journey - greet Plåtis!

17 May 2016 - 11:05

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Comment by post author

admin says:

Lars Permelin, yes, it's interesting for those of us who have travelled a lot with larger motorhomes. So far we can say that it is much easier to park in cities with this one. Of course, the interior is a little more cramped, but for a week's journey it doesn't really matter.

Jan and Marita, glad you are following us on the journey! 🙂

Steve, it was really good, and thank you! 🙂

The motorhome practice, yes a bit like that we usually perceive the food in Croatia, Solid and good ingredients, but usually not so advanced. At this restaurant it was really good, we must say!

17 May 2016 - 11:42

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Ida says:

What fun!
You would have liked to try that dinner...
Have a great trip!

17 May 2016 - 12:09

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nils-åke hansson says:

What nice food you start the trip with. Have a good trip

17 May 2016 - 14:27

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FANTASYDINING-A blog about themed restaurants and travel says:

You seem to be having a really good time! The food looked good. Curious about their food.

17 May 2016 - 15:09

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BP says:

What a nice car - a Citroën:-) Hope you like most things about the "Frenchman";-)

The food - yummie, yummie. That pasta is to die for. Oh, since you forgot to buy a dish brush and dish soap, you'll have to eat out the rest of the week. It's not a sport otherwise;-)

17 May 2016 - 16:05

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Lennart says:

Looks like you are doing well!
Keep them that way!

17 May 2016 - 16:18

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Ika in the United States says:

Oh how wonderful! The food in Croatia is some of the best I've had, loved everything they served (but especially the seafood!).

17 May 2016 - 16:31

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Imelda says:

What a wonderful first day you had! I myself don't eat pasta with the crayfish but just dip bread in the sauce, so good! I usually make this dish here at home and in the motorhome sometimes? This is a must to eat in Croatia during the crayfish season.
If you liked the crayfish, you must also try the mussels in wine sauce if you like mussels ? They are served in a white wine sauce unlike the crayfish.
Following you and looking forward to the continuation of the journey! Hugs

17 May 2016 - 16:57

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Ditte says:

It feels like a good start with beautiful nature, good food and a nice motorhome.
The "tin" looks handy and smart with the kitchenette at the door. (Maybe????)

17 May 2016 - 17:19

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Matts Torebring says:

It is a mighty road through the mountains, travelling from Zagreb to Rijeka. It will be exciting to hear what you think of the car. Have a good time.

17 May 2016 - 20:00

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towe says:

What fun it will be to follow this journey!

17 May 2016 - 20:47

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Comment by post author

admin says:

Ida, very good dinner, and thank you very much!

Nils-Åke, the food was a pleasant surprise. Thank you very much!

FantasyDining, we will continue to report on the food during the trip!

BP, the man at the campervan company apparently doesn't like the Fiat Ducato (on which campervans are often built) 😉 Haha, yes we get to drive to restaurants (but maybe not three times a day) 😉

Ika in the US, glad you liked the food in Croatia! We have not always been so impressed, although we have had good grilled fish and good lamb. But this was great! 🙂

Imelda, interesting to hear! It sounds good to eat the crayfish only with bread too. We like mussels, so we'll keep an eye out for that! 🙂

Ditte, yes, we like the kitchenette by the door. It feels airy and open and it's easy to get in and out.

Matts, we have both pluses and minuses to say about the car, we will return to it in a separate post! In any case, it is smooth to drive and easy to park! 🙂

Towe, glad you're following along! 🙂

17 May 2016 - 21:04

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Anonymous says:

What a delicious meal you had. It will be interesting to hear what you think about travelling in a "Plåtis". We will join you. ?

17 May 2016 - 23:33

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Ulla Widing says:

What a delicious meal you had. It will be interesting to hear what you think about travelling in a "Plåtis"...we will follow you ?

17 May 2016 - 23:39

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Comment by post author

admin says:

Ulla Widing, it was very good! And fun that you follow along! 🙂

18 May 2016 - 7:12

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Mr Jan Roth says:

Great to follow you! Croatia is high up among our motorhome goals, feels like a must - it will be really interesting to read your evaluation of the Compact Car after the week. We sold our traditional motorhome and bought a compact car with a strong engine. We're a bit jealous of the freedom.

Thank you for your inspiring blog.

18 May 2016 - 7:32

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Comment by post author

admin says:

Jan Roth, what fun that you are considering Croatia, this is a country we can really recommend to visit with a motorhome! Nice to hear that you got such a small motorhome! We like the concept, we must say, even if we don't like everything in this car. We will return shortly with a more detailed evaluation! 😉

18 May 2016 - 8:01

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Labin in Croatia - on a motorhome trip around Istria

Motorhome pick-up in Zagreb

By motorhome around Istria

Labin in Croatia

Labin - a charming town

Restaurant in Labin

Dessert: Labinski krafi

Camping Marina

See more around Labin in Croatia

Facts about Labin in Croatia

Travelling to Labin in Croatia

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26 Comments

Role o Carina says:

Åsa says:

Ama de casa says:

snort says:

admin says:

Mr Lars Permelin says:

Jan and Marita Svensson says:

Mr Steve says:

Motorhome internship says:

admin says:

Ida says:

nils-åke hansson says:

FANTASYDINING-A blog about themed restaurants and travel says:

BP says:

Lennart says:

Ika in the United States says:

Imelda says:

Ditte says:

Matts Torebring says:

towe says:

admin says:

Anonymous says:

Ulla Widing says:

admin says:

Mr Jan Roth says:

admin says:

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