Just over half an hour of pure Istrian elegance.
This one’s not about distance — it’s about density. If you manage to drive it outside of the season, you’re in for a short and sweet treat you’ll remember for a long time.
- Route Type: Micro Route
- Start: Labin
- End: Opatija
- Distance: ~36 km
- Drive Time: ~40 min
- Best Vehicle: A small coupe or roadster
- Season: All year
- Vibe: Coastal curves, sea glimpses, Opatija is old money
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Road Metrics
- Twist Factor: Medium, with many sweeping corners and a handful of tight ones
- Traffic: Moderate, but heavy during tourist season
- Surface: Excellent asphalt
- Safety: Great during the day, caution is advised at night
I remember the first time I drove this road. I was going from a conference in Labin in the middle of the night and mistakenly took a wrong turn in Plomin. Deciding to just go with it, I was met with some of the best corners I’ve ever seen and a fast, curvy, and genuinely scary road.
The shot of adrenaline lasted me the entire trip home to Osijek, some 500km away. I drove it in a 2013 Kia Ce’ed, not a performance car by any metric, and had tons of fun. If I ever come back to this region, there is no way I would miss the experience.
Driving it during the day, you’ll be greeted with great views of the Kvarner Bay, which is on the right side when going towards Opatija. The road is raised, and there’s quite a drop down on one side and a mountain on the other, so caution is advised – especially since this particular road is a popular destination during the tourist season.
Fun facts
- Opatija is the home of Croatian motorsport. Between 1931 and 1977, its Opatija Circuit hosted dozens of motorcycle and car races, including eight World Championship races, before being retired for being unsafe. During that time, it earned the reputation of the Isle of Man TT of Europe.
- Plomin Power Plant’s central chimney is the tallest structure in Croatia.
Recommended Stops
- Mošćenička Draga: Quick swim stop
- Opatija Promenade: If you’ve never been to Opatija, just go there – trust me.
Route Overview
📍 Start: Labin
🏁 End: Opatija
🛣️ Distance: ~36 km
⏱️ Time: ~40 min
🧭 Want to follow the same route?
👉 Open this drive in Google Maps
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Let’s Drive
🧰 Plan Your Drive
Before you go, here are a few tools that help you read the road ahead.
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