Labin in Croatia – old town, Istrian food and camping by the sea

Updated: August 2026 | Labin is a charming historic town in eastern Istria in Croatia, beautifully situated on a hill above the Adriatic Sea. Here, an old town center with stone houses and narrow alleys, fine views and local food experiences await.

We visited Labin during a campervan trip around Istria, had dinner in the old town, tasted the local specialty Labinski krafi and spent the night at Marina Camping Resort down by the sea.

Where is Labin located?

Labin is a historic town on the eastern side of Istria in Croatia, just a few kilometers from the Adriatic Sea and the seaside resort of Rabac. The old town center is beautifully situated on a hill about 320 meters high, overlooking the countryside and the coast.

The town has a long history and was formerly known as Albona. Labin also has a strong tradition as a mining town, which is still an important part of the town's identity. Today, visitors are primarily attracted by the charming old town, with stone houses, narrow alleys, historical buildings, small squares and art galleries.

We came to Labin during a campervan trip around Istria and were immediately captivated by the old town centre and the location high above the coast.

Things to see and do in Labin

Labin is not a large city, and the historic center is well suited to exploring on foot. Here, the experience is largely about strolling around old houses and alleys, but there are also several attractions to look out for.

Old Town of Labin

The old town is the main attraction in Labin. Here you will find narrow cobbled streets, colorful facades, small squares, churches and palaces from different eras. A good way to experience Labin is to simply walk around without any major plan and discover the alleys and details along the way.

We arrived here in the evening and were immediately enchanted by the small town, where the houses seem to climb up the hill towards the church and the bell tower.

Labin City Museum

The Labin City Museum is located in the Baroque Battiala-Lazzarini Palace in the old town. Here you can learn more about the history of the area, not least the mining industry that long played an important role in Labin. A special part of the museum is a model of a coal mine, where visitors can get a feel for what working underground was once like.

St. Justus bell tower

One of Labin's most prominent landmarks is the St. Justus Bell Tower, built in the 17th century and towering over the historic center. The 35-meter-high tower is located near the Fortica, on one of the highest points in the old town.

Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary

The old town also houses the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, whose history dates back to the Middle Ages. The church was built in the 14th century on the site of an older church and has been rebuilt and changed over the centuries. On the facade, among other things, you can see the Venetian lion, a memory from the time when Labin was under Venetian rule.

Fortica and the view of Rabac

Don't miss the view from Fortica, high up in the old town. From here you can look out over the green Istrian landscape and down towards Rabac and the Adriatic Sea. On clear days, you can even see the island of Cres out in the Kvarner Bay.

The combination of the old stone town and the view of the sea is a big part of Labin's charm - and a good reason to go all the way up to the heights.

Food in Labin

We had dinner at the Velo Kafe restaurant, where we had a fantastic 3-course meal. We started with toast with truffle cheese and figs and continued with pasta with small crayfish in wine sauce.

For dessert, we had a local specialty, ”labinski krafi”, small dough balls filled with cheese, which were served with caramel sauce. Similar balls are apparently made all over the eastern part of Istria, but often savory with chicken sauce or the like. In Labin, it is instead common for the dish to be served sweet. It was very tasty!

Labin with a campervan

Croatia is a great place to explore by motorhome. We have traveled here with our own motorhome several times, but this time we flew to Zagreb and rented a motorhome through the motorhome company Petroni. The little flatbed felt smooth and nimble to drive and was a great fit for two people on a holiday.

Camping Marina

During our visit to Labin we stayed at Camping Marina Resort in Labin – a fantastic campsite on the coast. We were given a spot overlooking the water, where we could enjoy breakfast with a sea view.

The campsite has a restaurant, tennis courts, a diving center, pebble beaches and nice pools, not least in the form of a lovely infinity pool with a sweeping view.

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