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15 Best Things to Do in Pula (Croatia)

Ruling the Adriatic from the southern end of the Istrian Peninsula, Pula has been a strategic prize for a host of power players, going back to the Romans. This city with its natural harbour was developed in Augustan times, and a breathtaking amphitheatre, temples and a collection of arches have survived for 2,000 years.

Later, the Venetians made it part of their Adriatic defences, enriching the city with yet more military heritage. But it was the Austro-Hungarian empire that really went to town in Pula, picking the harbour for their imperial maritime arsenal in the 1800s. What remains is a city jammed with majestic old buildings, but also in a stunning hillside location hemmed by natural parks.

Let’s have a look at the best things to do in Pula :

Pula’s emblematic Roman Amphitheatre is one of the most complete in the world.

It’s not just that the three storey-high arched walls and four towers around the perimeter are still standing; Pula’s Arena displays the incredible inner-workings of a Roman amphitheatre in vivid detail.

You can see the underground passages used by Gladiators, and the cisterns that channelled perfumed water to the 20,000 spectators.

This wonderful monument dates to the first century and one of the reasons it has survived is because medieval knights were still using it for tournaments 1,000 years after it was built.

Just like in Roman times, Pula’s forum is the city’s main square. So just as it would have witnessed important gatherings two millennia ago, whenever there’s a big event you can be sure something will be happening in the forum.

During the summer there are concerts and other cultural events here, as well as big crowds if the Croatian national football team is taking part in the Euros or World Cup.

It’s also a impressive setting, with other Roman monuments and the renaissance-style city hall providing a fitting sense of ceremony.

3. Arch of the Sergii

A slightly older Roman monument is this triumphal arch that was erected to commemorate the powerful Sergii family’s participation in the pivotal Battle of Actium in France.

It dates to about 30 BC and considering its great age is still in fine shape. When it was built the arch was a city gate leading up from the naval port.

Carved into the stone are friezes depicting cupids and garlands, and just beneath this you can still make out a relief of a horse-drawn battle chariot.

4. Temple of Augustus

Unmissable on the forum is the grand tetrastyle portico of yet another historic building that has been well looked-after.

The temple was built during the reign of Augustus, which makes it more than 2,000 years old.

This temple has survived so well because it was converted into a church when the Romans adopted Christianity, although later it became a granary before settling on its present role of lapidarium in the 19th century.

Step inside to see ancient pieces of stonework and bronze sculpture from around Pula.

5. Archaeological Museum

The Temple of Augustus became the city’s museum in the 1800s, but before long the city had more ancient heritage than it could display, and eventually this attraction was opened in 1925.

Today the Archaeological Museum showcases finds from across the Istrian peninsula, including busts, mosaics and ancient stone reliefs.

Exhibits here are being constantly updated due to the historical wealth of the region: They begin with artefacts recovered from Stone Age caves and finish up in with byzantine marble carvings found at the site of Pula’s first cathedral.

6. Church and Monastery of St. Francis

Located on the slope of the central hill leading up from the Forum, Pula’s Franciscan church is from the 1300s when this monastic order first arrived at the city.

In the century that followed a monastery complex was constructed around it. With its tall, slim-line windows and understated facade, the monastery is a classic piece of late-Romanesque architecture.

The best bit for most visitors is the cloister and courtyard, as the garden at its centre is a gorgeous little oasis of statues and palm trees. You can even see small tortoises sunning themselves here in the summer.

Set atop the rise in the middle of Pula, Kastel is a Venetian fortress from the 1600s.

You’ll notice that the powerful-looking walls are in a star configuration, which was a state-of-the-art design to repel artillery after the arrival of gunpowder.

Kastel was created to be the Venetians’ main stronghold, defending Pula’s harbour as well as the entire upper Adriatic.

If you’re into military history you should definitely climb the angular walls to see the cannons and watchtower.

Along with the arena  Kastel is one of the iconic venues for the Pula International Film Festival. every July

8. The Gate of Hercules

Although this landmark may seem modest, it’s one of the earliest pieces of Roman heritage still standing in Pula.

The arch has an eroded carving of Hercules, but you can also make out the names of two contemporary Roman officials: Gaius Cassius Longinus and Lucius Calpurnius Piso.

These two men were tasked by the Roman Senate with establishing Pula as a Roman colony in the middle of the 1st century BC.

On either side of the gate are medieval towers that made up the city’s defences on the original Upper Circular Street.

9. Small Roman Theatre

Complete your tour of Pula’s Roman sights at this theatre on the hillside. These evocative ruins are described as “small”, because Pula’s other, larger theatre was located outside the city walls.

The small theatre is the only one of the pair to have survived and you’ll get to walk along a large section of the tiered seating, as well as part of the stage and orchestra (where the Ancient Greek or Roman chorus would sing and dance).

It’s a low-key attraction that draws fewer tourists but is all the better for it.

10. Pula Aquarium

With a dramatic home inside the Austro-Hungarian fortress Verudela, Pula’s Aquarium is the largest in Croatia.

The aquarium is a useful option for rainy days or the hottest afternoons in summer.

Blending neatly with the fort’s stone architecture are tanks with freshwater and marine species native to Croatia and the Adriatic, together with tropical displays, a turtle rescue centre (the only one to be found in Croatia) and an entire room devoted to sea horses.

The centrepiece of the attraction is the shark tank, which is found in the former atrium of the fortress.

11. Pula Communal Palace

A town hall has occupied this spot next to the Temple of Augustus for 2,000 years.

This is because the Temple of Diana which stood here until medieval times, was actually put to use as the town hall for several centuries.

In the 13th century it was replaced by the current building, but stonework from the original temple is still visible to the rear of the current structure.

Due to a host of rebuilds down the years The Communal Palace is now a melange of different styles, from gothic to baroque.

12. Cape Kamenjak

A few easy kilometres down from Pula is Istria’s southernmost point; a craggy headland with a constellation of little islands offshore.

The scenery has a kind of stark beauty to it, with bare cliffs and otherworldly rock formations used by youngsters to dive into the Adriatic’s smooth, clear waters.

The best beaches are on the west side of the cape, which has a long sequence of shingle coves or rocky terraces that lead down to the water, like the sides of the world’s best swimming pool!

13. Brijuni National Park

The only way into this park from the mainland is to head to the town of Fazana a few kilometres north of Pula.

From there you can catch the regular boat service out to the archipelago, which will take about 20 minutes.

The park is absolutely stunning, with densely wooded islands ringed by narrow white beaches. Seek out the natural history sites on Veliki Brijun, where 200 dinosaur footprints from the Cretaceous Period have been found.

You can also see the remnants of a Roman villa and a Knights Templar church.

14. Local produce

For a real Istrian souvenir nothing beats a bottle of Rakija. This aperitif is distilled across the Balkans, but always with small regional distinctions.

In Istria Rakija comes in honey and mistletoe varieties. The latter is called Biska, with a sweetish flavour and yellow-brown tint.

If you visit a market or artisan shop in Pula also be sure to track down a bottle of oil made from Istrian white truffles.

These thrive in the humid oak forests at the heart of the Istrian peninsula, and are shaved onto steaks or grated onto fuži pasta (small rolled pasta sheets with veal sauce).

15. Austro-Hungarian Fortresses

Pula’s Austro-Hungarian era, during which it was the Empire’s main naval port, left the city with a striking set of coastal military defences.

There are 26 forts in all, together with batteries, trenches and tunnels many of which are slowly being reclaimed by nature.

All the of the fortresses have a circular form, designed to help deflect artillery. You can get hold of a map of these installations and track them down on a walking trip.

And what’s great is that many, such as Fort Bourguignon and Fort Punta Christo, have lofty hilltop positions where the vistas are fabulous.

15 Best Things to Do in Pula (Croatia):

• Arch of the Sergii
• Temple of Augustus
• Archaeological Museum
• Church and Monastery of St. Francis
• The Gate of Hercules
• Small Roman Theatre
• Pula Aquarium
• Pula Communal Palace
• Cape Kamenjak
• Brijuni National Park
• Local produce
• Austro-Hungarian Fortresses

The Complete Travel Guide to Pula Croatia

If you are visiting Pula Croatia, then this Pula travel guide will help you discover things to do, the best places to stay, eat and drink as well as provide all necessary travel information about Pula.

Pula is located at the southern tip of the Istrian peninsula. Pula is the largest town in Istria , and it has some of the best beaches in all of the region. The town also boasts a wealth of historical sites, and lovely examples of Roman architecture, while the town’s market, constructed in the late 19th century, is a beautiful example of the Vienna Secession architecture. Tourist infrastructure is excellent with a myriad of accommodations, good restaurants, bars, cafes, beaches, and walking and cycling trails.

Pula Colosseum, also called Arena, a Roman amphitheater dating back to the 1 st century AD is Pula’s most popular attraction.  It is well-preserved, and today it also serves as a venue for summer festivals and concerts.

Pula is a completely different town than all other towns in Istria, including Rovinj, Porec, and Novigrad. With its long shipbuilding and navy tradition, Pula has always had more of an industrial, urban vibe than the touristy, dolce vita style other towns in Istria have.

It’s a mishmash of styles with its Roman, Venetian, Austro-Hungarian, and socialist architecture. It’s rough around the edges, and it takes time to love and appreciate Pula. However, once you do, you will realize that this town has so much to offer, so many places to discover, and so many things to do.

Table of Contents

Where is Pula Croatia?

As we have already mentioned, Pula is the largest town in Istria and the region’s economic and administrative center.

The town is a bit rough around the edges, not as polished as Rovinj or Porec, but Pula is a bigger town where shipbuilding, fishing, and navy have always been more in the DNA of its citizens than tourism.

However, the town hides wonderful historical sites, as well as myriads of beaches in the southern neighborhoods.

The town is also less touristy than other Istrian coastal towns, and thus cheaper to stay in.

Below you’ll find the location of Pula on the map.

Best time to visit Pula

The best time to visit Pula is from June through September. Months of July and August are considered the top season in Croatia, and Pula isn’t different. June and September offer equal opportunities for swimming, sunbathing, and other experiences as July and August, but also fewer crowds, and more affordable accommodation prices.

Is Pula worth visiting?

Pula is a very interesting town and it is definitely worth visiting if you are already in Istria. I wouldn’t recommend going out of your way to visit Pula. But if you are already visiting Istria, then yes, make sure you also visit Pula.

The town’s main attraction is a well-preserved Roman arena and some other ancient remains. However, Pula is not as picture-perfect as Dubrovnik, or as charming as Rovinj. Pula is a shipbuilding town that’s becoming more and more touristy as the shipbuilding industry is declining. Pula has lovely beaches, good tourist infrastructure, good restaurants, and cheaper rates than other destinations in Istria like Porec or Rovinj.

Is Pula safe?

Croatia is generally a very safe country with a low crime rate. Actually, in 2020, research conducted by Global Finance magazine proclaimed Croatia the 22nd safest country in the world.

And Pula is a safe town too. In a survey conducted in 2018, Pula had 4 criminal offenses per 1000 residents. This is a very low score on a worldwide scale. So, you don’t need to worry much about theft, violence, or walking alone at night.

However, like everywhere, try to be mindful and careful in everyday situations. Don’t leave your car or accommodation unlocked. Hide your valuables from sight. Perhaps get yourself a travel purse where you can keep safely your money, credit cards, and documents.

Pula weather

The Pula weather in June, July, August, and September is normally hot and dry with the daily temperatures ranging from the mid-20°C (low 70°F) to low 30°C (mid 80°F). This is perfect weather for chilling by the beach. Not so much for exploring the town.

However, weather in early June and mid-September, with somewhat cooler days compared with the rest of the summer, is ideal for both: exploring the town, and the surroundings and enjoying the beaches.

April, May, and October normally offer mild daily temperatures, around low 20°C (mid 60°F). At this time of the year, the sea temperatures are low for swimming, but the weather is perfect for sightseeing.

April and May often show changeable weather conditions, where before you know it, the sunny and warm days can turn into cold and rainy. In any case, it never happens for the entire month. You should have nice weather for at least 50% of the time in these months.

Winters are mild and rainy. Temperatures in winter are above 0°C. It almost never snows.

Reasons to visit Pula

Since you are already considering visiting Pula, I don’t think you need much convincing. However below you’ll find a few reasons to visit Pula.

You don’t need to be a history aficionado to enjoy Pula’s historical sites. From the Roman Colosseum and Theatre, Temple of Augustus, and Arch of Sergii to Venetian palaces, and an extensive number of civil and military buildings constructed during Austria-Hungarian rule, Pula’s history is showcased in numerous monuments that can be seen throughout the town.

A coastline in and around Pula hides some truly lovely beaches . Whether you like pebbly beaches within tourist resorts that also come with lots of amenities, wild beaches of nearby Cape Kamenjak nature park, or sandy beaches so rare to find in Croatia, Pula has you covered.

And Pula beaches are just a quick hop from the center of the town and the port.

Great local produce

Chiavalon and Brist Olive Oil, Trapan Wines, and Kumparicka Cheese are just some of the many great local products you can find in Pula and its surroundings.

Affordable Pula accommodation

If you are planning your holidays in Pula, you will like to know that accommodation in Pula, Croatia tends to be cheaper than in other tourist destinations in Istria, like Rovinj or Porec.

So if you are trying to save some money, consider staying in Pula and making day trips to other Istrian towns and villages.

Things to do in Pula, Croatia

There are many things to do during your Pula holidays, and lazing at the beach with a cocktail in hand isn’t the only one.

Explore Pula amphitheater

A great example of Roman architecture, the Pula Coliseum is a must-visit site during your stay in Pula. Roam this ancient Pula amphitheater and don’t miss visiting the underground section with permanent exhibitions of olive oil production and amphorae.

Shop at Pula’s green market

First opened in 1903, Pula green market consists of two parts: the closed part where you’ll find a fish market, butcheries, bars, and like, and the open market where you’ll find stands with fruits and veggies. The market building is beautiful, made of steel and glass, and thoroughly renovated in 1997.

Have a drink at the art café Cvajner

This unique café bar is located at Pula’s main square – Forum. The interior is beautiful, with retro furniture and interesting art on the walls. The outside terrace is a perfect spot to enjoy Pula’s past and present, watching Augustus’ Temple and the world go by. If you like beer, they have a good choice of local and international craft beers.

Visit Aquarium

This is the only real aquarium worth visiting in all of Istria. It’s located in a former military fortress dating back to 1886 on the Verudela peninsula. The aquarium has over 100 fish tanks featuring over 250 species. The Pula Aquarium also houses a sea turtle rescue center.

In the vicinity of Pula, you’ll find some of the best restaurants showcasing the traditional cuisine of south Istria, above all amazing seafood. We highly recommend visiting Batelina in Banjole , Lanterna in Pjescana Uvala, Vodnjanka in Pula, and Alla Beccaccia in Valbandon.

Pula sightseeing

There are many things to see in Pula that are worth seeking out. And you should definitely take a day out to explore obvious and less obvious Pula sights.

Pula Colosseum

Constructed in the 1 st century AD, Pula’s Arena was once a place of gladiator fights. The unique feature of the arena, compared to other colosseums, is that it has 4 rectangular towers. It had four floors and could accommodate more than 20.000 spectators.

Arch of Triumph (Golden Gate)

Constructed in the 1 st century BC by a wealthy Sergii family, the Arch of Triumph was incorporated within the town walls and the town gate. However, both walls and gates came down in the 19 th century and today only the Arch remains in place.

Located in the western part of the town, Pula Forum has been the central town’s square since Roman times. Constructed in the 1st century BC, it had all elements of a typical Roman Forum: temples dedicated to Roman gods, in Pula’s case Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva but also a temple dedicated to Roman emperor Augustus, and a Temple of Diana. The Temple of Augustus is the only one of five that’s fully preserved.

Some of the things to see in Pula aren’t that obvious, and it takes some effort to find them. One such Pula sight is “The Punishment of Dirce” floor mosaic hidden next to a car park, in the middle of an unassuming residential building. However, the mosaic is well-preserved, almost intact, and well worth finding.

While almost everybody who decides to visit Pula Croatia knows about its 3.000-year-old history and roman heritage, very few people have such an in-depth knowledge of Pula’s more recent history, particularly during the time of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy. This era, from 1816 to 1920, has actually seen Pula develop into a large naval port of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The entire town with its surroundings has been fortified featuring as many as 26 forts, underground tunnels, and artillery batteries. Many of them are still perfectly preserved and although serving different purposes they are still in use. Fort Verudela today houses Pula’s Aquarium, Fort Punta Christo is a venue for many music festivals, and so is Fort Monteparadiso.

Food and Restaurants in Pula

Food in Pula is similar to other places in Istria and along the Croatian coast. Therefore, you’ll notice many restaurants offer typical Croatian restaurant fare: pizza, pasta, risotto, and grilled meat or fish. These restaurants are mostly aimed at tourists. Here, you can have a light lunch for as little as 10 € per person. However, don’t expect a great gastronomical experience.

But, you can also find some top-notch restaurants in and around town, if you are after a delightful feast. Central European and Venetian tastes influenced the food in Istria through the centuries. Today, the result is a sublime mix of hearty dishes from the land and delicate plates from the sea.

Some of our favorite restaurants in and around Pula Croatia include Batelina in Banjole, one of the best seafood restaurants in all of Croatia where simple, oily fish and other underrated Adriatic delicacies are the stars of the menu; then, Vodnjanka in Pula , a hidden gem where locals like to go for marenda (a mid-day meal).

Run by two fishermen (hence, the name!), the Hook and Cook attracts locals and tourists alike with its simple but tasty seafood like battered calamari, fried mixed fish and seafood, tuna burgers, and alike. Contrary, if you feel like having a light, healthy and affordable lunch, head to Kutak in Pula’s Veruda neighborhood. Whether you feel for an elaborate seafood dinner or just a couple of tapas, you’ll find them all in a restaurant and wine bar Lanterna in Pjescana Uvala , just 5 km south of Pula. For hearty meat dishes and yummy stews head to Valbandon to the restaurant Alla Beccaccia .

Accommodation in Pula

You will find various accommodations in Pula: from large hotels and resorts to small family-run boutique hotels, private apartments, campsites, and even glamping .

While you can find private apartments all over the town, Pula’s neighborhoods of Stoja and Verudela are home to large hotels, resorts, and campsites.

Arena Pula is the largest hotel company owning and managing the majority of hotels, resorts, and campsites in Pula. Some of Arena’s properties feature the Park Plaza brand.

The best place to search, compare and book accommodation in Pula is Booking.com . Here you will find the vast majority of all Pula accommodation. The website is easy to use, and it offers the most competitive prices and booking conditions. No prepayment and 48h cancelation policy are just some of them.

If you are looking for private apartments, and you don’t find anything suitable on Booking, then you might also consider using Airbnb .

If you plan to stay in Pula for a couple of days, consider staying downtown. Here you can check Hotel Amfiteatar , City Center Rooms , Casa Dei Fiori Studio Apartments , or Polai Center Apartments .

If you prefer to stay by the beach, consider the hotel Park Plaza Arena . It is a recently-renovated 3-star property that offers good value for money.

Here is our full post on the Best accommodation in Pula !

Pula Beaches

When you mention Pula, perhaps beaches aren’t exactly the first image that comes to mind. But funnily enough, Pula beaches are some of the best beaches in Istria. The majority of beaches in Pula are located in the southern part of the city, in Stoja, Zlatne stijene, and Verudela neighborhoods.

Just like other Istrian beaches, beaches in Pula are either rocky, pebbly, or cemented. Nearby Medulin has a sandy beach if you are after that kind of Pula beach.

The most popular beaches include Ambrela Beach , Saccorgiana Beach , and Hawaii Beach on the Verudela peninsula. Then, Valkane Beach, Gortan’s Bay, and Valsaline Beach along the Lungomare, a seaside promenade.

Other popular swimming spots for tourists and locals alike are beaches of the Cape Kamenjak Park, Fratarski Island, and beaches in and around the campsite Brioni (ex. Puntizela).

Bars, Clubs & Nightlife in Pula

If great nightlife is important for you when choosing your next travel destination, then you perhaps won’t come to Pula in the first place. That said, here are a few tips on where to find Pula nightlife.

Teens like to hang out in Titov Park while the older crowd prefers various bars in the town. Later on, the party crowds head to some of the nightclubs in Pula. Unfortunately, Uljanik , the oldest and most popular club in Pula, closed permanently in 2021, but Club Kotac took over some of the program, vibe, and crowd that once was part of Uljanik. It often features various live music events and concerts. Other clubs include Cargo and Pietas Julia . Cargo tends to play a lot of Balkan folk music.

We like to have a glass of wine and a few tapas in the Wine & Tapas Bar Lanterna in nearby Pjescana Uvala. If you are into craft beer, check out Shipyard Pub in Pula . For a day of swimming and chilling head to the Safari Bar in Cape Kamenjak Park, or Zeppelin Beach Bar in Saccorgiana Bay.

Events in Pula

Pula hosts many cultural, musical, and gastronomical events throughout the summer.

Arena and Kastel are especially popular venues for concerts, plays, shows, and various performances.

A fair of Istrian handmade souvenirs is held at the Pula Forum starting at 8 pm every Friday and Saturday from mid-June through August.

At Pula green market, on certain Saturdays (in June and July every second Saturday) you can attend a fair of Istrian homemade and homegrown foods and drinks.

Traveling to Pula

Pula serves as a main regional hub for a variety of public transit options. The airport is only 5 km from the city center. This is a small regional airport that gets busy only during the summer.

Many companies flying into Pula airport are charter companies. However, during the summer Ryan Air flies into Pula from Brussels, Dusseldorf, Katowice, London, Poznan, and Vienna.

Easyjet flies to Pula from Berlin, Amsterdam, Glasgow, London, Bristol, Paris, Basel, Naples, and Paris. The Norwegian flies to Pula from Kopenhagen, Oslo, and Stockholm, Eurowings flies between Pula and Stuttgart, Berlin, Düsseldorf, and Köln, and Aer Lingus connects Pula with Dublin.

Jet2 flies from a handful of UK destinations including Birmingham, Leeds, London, and Manchester. Other companies flying into Pula airport from April through September include TUI, Croatia Airlines, SAS, Lufthansa, etc. To check all flights in and out of Pula, consult the CheapOair website .

During the winter the only scheduled flight is from Pula to Zagreb .

Although Pula has a train station, traveling by train isn’t very practical in Istria. Regional railroads run west to Slovenia, and not east to Croatia. Also, the trains are old, slow, and infrequent.

The town’s main bus station is 15 minutes walk from the town center. Although there are some intercity bus connections, they are still too infrequent to travel conveniently by bus. However, you can check the bus schedule and book your tickets online through the Bookaway website or through the Get By Bus website .

You can also arrive in Pula by ferry from Venice, and vice versa, depart Pula to Venice. Pula to Venice ferry runs from April to October. In high season, it sails every day. Get more info at the Venezia Lines website or book your ticket directly through the Bookaway website .

The best way to travel in and around the region is still in your own car or renting one.

Getting from Pula airport to the city center

Pula airport is a small regional airport, located a short 5 km away from the city center. However, it’s not always cheap or easy to reach the airport.

If you are looking for a Pula airport transfer, you have a few options: taking the Pula airport shuttle, or taxi from Pula airport to the city center. Pula airport bus is scheduled 30 minutes after the landing of any international flight. It connects the airport with the city center (station near the port authority building, in Ulica Svetog Petra), and a one-way ticket costs 6 €.

On the other hand, the cost of a taxi from Pula airport to Pula city center is around 10 €.

The shuttle also connects the airport with Verudela Peninsula, Fazana, Medulin, Rovinj, Porec, and Novigrad. This shuttle is run by different companies, and its schedule is adjusted to flight arrivals and departures.

The cost of a one-way shuttle ticket from Pula to Rovinj is 18 €, and the price of the ticket from Pula to Porec is a whopping 33 €. For this reason, if you are budget-conscious, rather take a shuttle bus from Pula airport to the Pula city center, and then just a regular bus from Pula to Rovinj, or Porec. You’ll save a lot of money. A regular bus from Pula to Porec costs around 7 €, while a bus from Pula to Rovinj costs around 9 €.

Transport in Pula

With a population of 60.000 people, Pula isn’t a particularly big town. This means that a large part of the town can be explored on foot.

The part of the old town, around the main sights dating back to Roman times, is a pedestrian-only zone. The same goes for a few other downtown streets like Flanaticka Street which connects Giardini with Pula’s main farmer’s market.

From here you can easily explore the majority of Pula’s sights (like Pula Arena) by walking.

However, if you aren’t a fan of long walks in the summer heat, you can move around Pula using city buses. The city bus system in Pula is pretty good and reliable. It is divided into three zones. Zone 1 covers the entire town, including the outer suburbs of Puntizela, Veli Vrh, or Stinjan. The single-ride ticket costs 1.5 €. The majority of buses within Zone 1 run from 5.30 am to midnight, more or less every 20 minutes. Zone 2 covers neighboring villages and towns, including Fazana, Vodnjan, Premantura, and Medulin. The single-ride ticket costs 2 €.  Zone 3 includes villages further away, like Barban, Barbariga, or Rakalj. A one-way ticket costs 2.70 €.

If you plan to use city buses extensively, you might consider buying prepaid cards. It costs 9.3 €, out of which 4 € is a cost of a card, while 5.3 € goes toward riding credit. The cost of a one-way ticket goes down to 0.9 € for Zone 1, 1.5 € for Zone 2, and 2.3 € for Zone 3.

Below you will find the map of Pula’s urban lines. A detailed timetable and price list you can check at the Pula Promet website .

Car rental in Pula

If you plan to stay in Pula for at least 3 days, and you don’t have your own car, we highly recommend that you rent one at least for a day or two in order to visit other sights in Istria .

Traveling in Istria by bus is doable, but not the best way to travel. In fact, if you would like to visit hilltop towns, you can’t even do it by bus.

And being in Istria without visiting lovely Rovinj , Basilica in Porec – UNESCO’s World Heritage Site , visiting a winery or two , and taking a scenic route to hilltop towns , simply makes no sense.

The majority of car rental companies in Pula have their offices at Pula airport, but many also have a branch office within one of the hotels on the Verudela peninsula.

We recommend renting a car through Rental Cars. Use the form below to check availability and prices.

Parking in Pula Croatia

Parking in Pula isn’t that easy to find during the summer, especially if you try to find one that you don’t need to pay for.

However, at least paid parking in Pula, isn’t that badly organized, and from our experience, you should be able to find your spot no matter what.

Parking in Pula is organized in five zones, depending on the location and proximity to downtown and the town’s main sights. In Zone 3 parking is limited to a max of 3 hours, and Zone 5 parking is for residents only. Parking includes parking lots and street parking. Pula Parking is in charge of parking lots.

From May, 1 to September, 30, the parking charges apply 7 days a week, from 7 am to 10 pm. For the rest of the year, parking charges apply from Monday to Saturday, from 7 am to 8 pm; while on Sunday and public holidays parking is free.

In the summer season, the parking costs from 1.2 € to 4 € per hour depending on the zone. At the majority of parking lots you can pay with coins, or by sending an SMS to the designated phone numbers. You send your full registration (without spaces) to the following phone numbers: 708521 for Zone 1, 708522 for Zone 2, 708523 for Zone 3, and 708624 for Zone 4.

Just below the town’s amphitheater, at the waterfront, there is huge parking with 200 parking spaces. It is convenient to park your car there if you are visiting Pula for a couple of hours. The amphitheater is just above, a 2-minute walk, and other historical sites are within a 10-minute walk from the parking.

You can find all of Pula’s parking lots on the following website .

Shopping in Pula Croatia

For locals, Pula is the center of shopping in Istria. Here you will find all large supermarkets, but also DIY, construction, car dealerships, furniture stores, and a few shopping malls with popular fashion retailers like H&M, Mango, Pull&Bear, Hervis, etc…

Downtown shopping in Pula

There are small grocery shops scattered all over the town. But Pula’s green market is our favorite place to shop for food in Pula. The green market consists of a closed and open part. Here you can find a fish market, various butcheries, charcuterie and cheese shops, vegetable, and fruit stalls, and even stalls selling cheap clothes. There are also bakeries and bars around. The market is housed in a beautiful historical building dating back to 1903. Don’t miss visiting a stand of the Kumparicka farm. They produce one of the finest goat cheeses in all of Istria.

The main downtown shopping streets are Ulica Sergijevaca, from Giardini to Forum Square; and Flanaticka Street which goes from Giardini to Pula’s green market. Both streets are pedestrian-only.

Supermarkets in Pula

All large supermarkets are located along Sijanska and Vodnjanska Cesta, two main roads leading into Pula either from a highway or an old state road. Here you will find the most popular supermarkets: Konzum, Kaufland, Plodine, and Lidl. Interspar supermarkets can be found in both, MaxCity and City, shopping malls.

Pula shopping malls

Max City shopping mall in Pula is the largest shopping mall in Istria. Open in 2019, and built within the former quarry, Max City spreads over 30.000 m2, and features over 60 shops, bars, and restaurants. Popular shops include H&M, Skechers, Mass Shoes, Mango, Intersport, etc. The shopping mall is next to the popular beaches of Valkane and Stoja.

Pula City Mall is a smaller mall on the outskirt of Pula, in Ulica Prekomorskih Brigada. It features Interspar supermarket; Mueller store featuring various cosmetics, perfumery, fashion, specialty food, sweets, over-the-counter drugs, household products, toys, stationery, and books; fashion stores like New Yorker and C&A, etc…

Money and ATM

As of January 1st, 2023, the Croatian currency is Euro.

For 1 $ you should get around 0.93 €; for 1 CAD about 0.7 €, for 1 AUD you get 0.65 €, and for 1 £ around 1.13 €. You can exchange money in many places all over the town: exchange offices, banks, hotels’ receptions.

ATM machines are scattered all over the town. In fact, there are too many of them in all Croatian towns, so the town officials started thinking of ways to limit the number of ATM machines, especially within old historical buildings as they ruin the look of the old towns.

ATM machines are operated by banks, but also by other money operators. We find that bank machines charge lower fees than the others. If you are budget conscious, avoid Euronet’s, Auro Domus’, and similar operators. Simply stick to the bank’s ATM machines. If you don’t mind a few euros here and there, go ahead and use any ATM machine. They are all safe to use, and some are located at more convenient locations than others.

Another thing to be aware of is the so-called dynamic currency exchange rate. When you pay with a credit card, you will be offered a choice to either pay in your currency, or in local currency. It’s a tricky question, as it might seem logical to choose your own currency. But more often than not, you’ll end up paying higher fees if you choose to pay in your own currency. So, we always choose to be charged in local currency.

Most of the hotels offer free WiFi connections, as well as many bars and restaurants. However, the connection is not open, and you’ll need to ask for a password in order to connect.

If you have any questions regarding travel to and around Pula, Croatia, leave them in the comments section below.

Frankaboutcroatia.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. This post might also contain affiliate links to other sites, like accommodation or activities. And if you purchase anything using these links, we earn a little commission with no extra costs for you. Thank you for supporting our blog! Read full disclaimer here.

Home / Destinations In Croatia / Pula, Croatia / The Complete Travel Guide to Pula Croatia

2 thoughts on “The Complete Travel Guide to Pula Croatia”

are there ride share companies (Uber, Lyft) in Pula and Rovinj? we will be on a cruise and stopping in Rovinj in late June. i’d like to travel to Pula on my own to explore, vs an expensive shore excursion. please let me know. thx

Thank you very much for your guide in Pula, it is really well written. We are travelling by car from Germany to Triest and then to Pula, Krk etc and in Pula would like to stay around 6 nights but I am not really sure where to book the appartment in the city center or in the near from the beach. Maybe you have a recommendation, I hop you do not mind my question. Thank you.

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The 41 best things to do in Pula

Discover the best things to do in Pula with our insider’s tips on sightseeing, dining and drinking

Istria’s historic main city of  Pula  is symbolised by its Roman amphitheatre, scene of a surprisingly wide range of outdoor events every summer. Festivals of film and electronic music , and concerts by everyone from Elton John to José Carreras, fill the 2,000-year-old arena, with its near intact walled ring. Roman remains also form Pula’s city centre, dominated by a hilltop Venetian fortress. With docks rather than beaches nearby, many head south for out-of-town seaside fun in Verudela and Medulin.

RECOMMENDED:   more great things to do in Pula.

Done something on this list and loved it? Share it with the hashtag #TimeOutDoList and tag @TimeOutEverywhere.

You can also find out more about  how Time Out selects the very best things to do all over the world , or take a look at our list of the  50 best things to do in the world right now .

The full list

1.  Explore Croatia’s Colosseum

It doesn’t require much imagination to conjure up the gladiatorial battles that would have taken place in Pula’s Amphitheatre 2,000 years ago. In fact, you can even stand in the tunnels and corridors where warriors and lions were kept before entertaining crowds of up to 25,000. Built over the course of a century, the Amphitheatre was given its final touches in AD81 by the Emperor Titus, also responsible for the Colosseum in Rome. Today Pula’s is more intact, boasting a near complete ring of walls. It is also in regular use, staging the Film Festival, the opening night of electronic music bash Outlook, Dimensions and big-name concerts.

2.  Enter Pula in triumph

Having helped win the Battle of Actium in 31BC, the high-ranking Sergii family built a triumphal arch to themselves in Pula. The Arch of the Sergii remains the main gateway into what is now Pula’s historic centre, virtually intact after more than 2,000 years. Today’s pedestrians walk below its portal to access ulica Sergijevaca, somewhat incongruously passing a branch of Spanish clothing chain Mango. Closer inspection of the historic landmark reveals details relating to the events of 31BC, the names of the Sergii clan inscribed on the columns, and a chariot on the frieze.

3.  Drink with James Joyce

Abandoning Dublin in 1904, writer James Joyce and his new love Nora Barnacle headed for the bright lights of Zürich. Instead, the couple would spend their first European winter in Pula, Joyce teaching English to Habsburg naval officers. He was hardly fulsome in his praise of the city, which he and Nora left for Trieste the following spring. Despite this, a convivial Pula café is keen to play up this historical circumstance, calling itself  Uliks  (‘Ulysses’) and placing a statue of Joyce surrounded by bar tables on its terrace.

4.  Hit the water at Medulin

The main destination in Istria for watersports, Medulin spreads out around a twisting promontory a short drive (or bus ride) south-west of Pula. Dotted with campsites and resort hotels, Medulin offers all kinds of activities on and, to a lesser extent, off the water. You can charter a boat or learn how to sail, dive with varying degrees of difficulty, windsurf, surf, waterski, jetski or just jump on an inflatable banana boat.

5.  Find Roman treasure in a car park

Conservationists were probably not on the municipal committee that decided to build a modern residential block over a fine Roman mosaic dating from the third century – and a car park beside it. Once impossible to find for the first-time visitor, this wonderful artwork six metres wide and 12 metres long has now been provided with a small sign, at least, saying, ‘Rimski mozaik Kažnjavanje Dirke’ and given the address of Sergijevaca 16 on google maps. Once the living-room floor of a well-to-do Roman citizen, the mosaic depicts the Legend of Dirce, a Dionysian niece-slayer.

6.  Admire photography at Galerija Makina

Calling itself ‘an exhibition space for contemporary photography’, the evening-only  Galerija Makina  near the Pula waterfront offers a regularly changing calendar of challenging art. Run by Hassan Abdelghani, a photographer himself, in 2017 the gallery staged shows with New York, a women’s prison and motherhood as their themes. Displays are not limited to photographic paper – video works are also included, such as ‘Nothing New Under The Sun’ by award-winning Austrian Michael Goldgruber scheduled in September 2017. Opening nights are key events in the local cultural scene.

7.  Sip coffee at Cvajner

With a prime location on the focal Roman forum,  Cvajner  does justice to its surroundings, filling a former bank with tastefully arranged retro furniture, objets d’art and bohemian finds. Its alternative name is the Kunstcafe. But there’s more to Cvajner than wacky design beneath high ceilings. Offering the best coffee in town, Cvajner also has the best selection of beers, from Belgium, Germany and beyond, and cooling fruit cocktails in summer. Throw in a shaded terrace beside the Renaissance City Hall and 2,000-year-old Temple of Augustus, and you several compelling reasons to start, or end, the day here.

8.  Party at Uljanik

Pula’s party venue of choice since 1965,  Uljanik  puts on DJs pretty much every weekend, offering affordable nights out to its fun-focused regulars. Sat near the shipyard of the same name, the club comprises a huge dance floor, and outdoor stage and courtyard for the occasional live act. If you’re after a sophisticated evening, this may not be the right choice, but for a messy night with a vague theme to it, Uljanik’s the one.

9.  Sample local wines at Enoteca Istriana

With 14 choices of malvasia alone, the Enoteca Istriana on the Forum is Pula’s go-to venue for regional wines. Sommelier Alena Stuparić has selected the red Teran range – from Marko Geržinić, Gianfranco Kozlović and Franc Arman – with equal care and attention. Both an outlet and a bar, the Enoteca is also the place to taste the famed Istrian prosciutto and olives. Knowledgeable staff are on hand to guide the uninitiated, and a small array of samples might be the way to start any visit.

10.  Fine dine at Milan

In a secluded spot by the naval cemetery outside of the city centre,  Milan   has been the gold standard for quality dining in Pula over many years. Reassuringly pricy but by no means extortionate, this family-run concern is the kind of place that allows you to indulge in one holiday splash-out. Shellfish is the way to go here, and most dishes involve the own-made olive oil produced within close range of the restaurant. Much like the menu, the wine list is extensive and focused on Istrian produce. Milan is also a three-star hotel, so if you’re making a night of it, you can even stay over.

11.  Go underground at Rojc

An arts and community centre set in a former military school for the Austro-Hungarian army,  Rojc  is Pula’s main venue for underground culture. Home of a myriad NGOs, Rojc initially became notorious for the rave parties that were held here, not long after it was abandoned by the Yugoslav Army and pressed into service to house refugees in the 1990s.Today there is a more organised feel to proceedings, an agenda, in fact, of exhibitions, films, talks and conferences, with a little music thrown in.

12.  Browse Pula Market

Unlike the main markets in major Croatian cities such as Split and Dubrovik, Pula’s is housed in a historic building with a distinctive architectural style. Constructed out of wrought iron by the Habsburgs,  Pula Market  was unveiled before city dignitaries on 18 October 1903. Around the impressive creation of metal and glass, they planted rows of chestnut trees to provide shade, where outdoor stalls were also set up. A complete six-month rebuild in 1997 remained true to the original while improving conditions of storage, refrigeration and ventilation. Traders still fill two floors with meat, fish and sundry local produce, while fresh fruit, vegetables, honeys, wines and oils can be found outside under the ever-present chestnut trees.

13.  Uncover local history

Home of fascinating Illyrian, Roman and medieval finds, the  Archaeological Museum of Istria   has a history all to itself. Originally set up in the 1800s as a Museum of Antiquities, the establishment went through several changes of location before settling here, in the shadow of Pula’s hilltop Venetian fortress. In the meantime, it also added a substantial prehistoric department, one that gives this three-floor collection a more rounded feel. Given Pula’s rich Roman heritage, the Amphitheatre-era glass, pottery and sculptures will always be popular, but leave time for the artefacts from the Bronze Age and beautiful medieval calligraphy in bizarre local   Glagolitic script.

14.  Investigate contemporary art

Located in this adapted space of a former printing works since 2011, the  Museum of Contemporary Art of Istria  has been staging regular exhibitions while working on setting up a more permanent home within the Venetian fortress. The latest date for relocation is 2020. In similar vein, the museum, known by its Croatian acronym of MSUI, has a somewhat flexible structure, broken down into four main areas. These include Designs & Posters, and Photography, Film & Video, as well as Contemporary Art and Foreign Art. Temporary shows tend to focus on Istrian artists, such as internationally renowned Zdravko Milić, by way of recent example.

15.  Scale Pula Fortress

When the Venetians wanted a defensive fortress built here, they turned to French military architect Antoine de Ville. Best known for his star-shaped citadel at Montreuil in the Pas-de-Calais, de Ville created a similar construction for Pula. On the lofty site where the ancient tribe of Histri built their fort, the four-pointed fortress now protected Pula’s port. Today it provides fine views of the historic centre to one side and the cranes of the nearby shipyard to the other. Sadly, you won’t be able to see much of the Roman theatre that once stood below – its stones were put to good use here in the 1630s.

16.  Save the sea turtle

Croatia doesn’t go in for hands-on, interactive aquariums. The ones you find are strictly old-school, concentrating on the sea life of nearby waters. Pula’s, however, is slightly different. Set in the echoing halls, corridors and even moat of the Habsburg-built fortress in Verudela,  Pula Aquarium  has made it its mission to save the endangered sea turtle. Numbers of the adult female green turtles in Mediterranean waters are said to be in the hundreds. Setting up a rescue centre, the museum runs educational programmes alongside its regular duty of presenting Adriatic, European and tropical marine and freshwater sealife to the public.

17.  Catch a game

Renovated in 2011, the venerable Stadion Aldo Drosina, close to the Rojc arts centre and Vodnjanka restaurant, is the home of local football club  Istra 1961 . Currently a top-flight outfit, Pula’s main team runs out in the city’s traditional colours of yellow and green. Russian ownership failed to work the kind of miracles witnessed at Chelsea, and now an American consortium is hoping to revive Istra 1961, inspired by Rijeka’s title win of 2017 that broke the Zagreb monopoly of Croatian football. For the time being, admission is laughably cheap, 40kn for the best seats, and availability is rarely a problem.

18.  Visit a Roman temple

Pula’s Roman Forum was once fringed by three temples. While it remains the main square of the city’s historic centre, car-free and dotted with café terraces, the Forum now only has one: the Temple of Augustus. Standing next to the City Hall, which ate up part of the Temple of Juno, the Temple of Augustus is remarkably intact and considered one of the finest of its kind outside of Italy. Supported by elegant Corinthian columns, it beckons to be explored but its later uses, once as a granary, have cleared its interior of much historic detail. What you see is a lapidarium, with a display of Roman sculpture – but the thrill of being inside such as stately landmark built for and during the time of Augustus should satisfy most curious visitors.

19.  Eat local at Vodnjanka

The checked tablecloths, the payments in cash only and the mid-afternoon (and Sunday) closing tell you that you’re at a restaurant favoured by wallet-conscious regulars. A look at the menu, and its traditional, seasonal Istrian cuisine, with plenty of game in autumn and winter, confirms it. Then your meal arrives, perhaps pasta  fuži twists with meat sauce, and you realise why locals come here – the food’s great.  Vodnjanka  is also close to the Rojc arts centre, so you might meet a few cultural types enjoying a similar cheap lunch.

20.  Sample classic Istrian dishes in 21st-century surroundings

Recently opened Epulon Food & Wine sits by Pula’s historic centre but this contemporary eatery is anything but staid. Smooth light wood and bare brick typify this open-plan, high-ceilinged establishment, offset by industrial-style lighting. Istrian tapas may be one way to describe the menu, although you may also find regional favourites such as fuži pasta with truffles, seafood spaghetti and the like. Portions are generous, particularly where burgers are concerned. Of the many Istrian wines, Tomaz from Motovun is the most prominent, rosé, Malvazija and Teran. Occasional live music augments your pleasant dining experience.

21.  Catch an affordable lunch at Hook and Cook

Istrian street food may be one way to describe Hook and Cook Pula, a convivial newbie right on the city’s main drag of Sergijevaca. As well as piscine renditions of quick-lunch favourites – tunasaurus, prawntilla, tuna steak burger – H&C offers marende, cheap lunches as once found all along the Croatian littoral. For under 40kn, you may be served sardines, tuna salad or brodet, best accompanied by a glass of equally affordable house red. The chips are also excellent – with a portion of fried calamari, your basic but delicious meal is complete.

22.  Party at Saccorgiana Bay

Open until 2am and 4am all weekend, the summer-only Zeppelin Beach Bar attracts regular revellers from Pula to a stretch of beach right in Saccorgiana Bay. A music policy of electronica-only usually involves house or dubstep, though the ZBB can also be patronised by day, when you can find a table and welcome shade under the trees. Cocktails are the way to go here, all reasonably affordable so you’ll have enough for the taxi back into town.

23.  Discover Istria’s oldest urban settlement

Past Pula Airport, some 10km north-east of town, Nesactium was the main settlement of the original Histri tribe who would give the region its name. When the Romans laid siege to the town, legend has it that its leader, Epulon, and local families killed themselves rather than be taken prisoner. The Romans duly destroyed what was left of original Nesactium and they created a new town on its site, with a forum, baths and temples. After the fall of the Roman Empire, Nesactium later fell into disrepair. Today the site is an archaeological park, with remains of the walls built by the Histri tribe and the Romans, of a necropolis and the private villas where the better-off lived 2,000 years ago.

24.  Follow a Mediterranean diet

Tucked away amid a scattering of holiday homes some 2km from the sea, Farabuto takes some finding – but local taxi drivers are pretty familiar with it by now. The reason is seasonal – here, the menu changes according to the time of year. The team at Farabuto rely on small-batch local producers to supply meat, cheese and vegetables, the fish landed close by and within a relatively short time of it being treated to Belci or Šlajner olive oil. This is the place to try the famed langoustines from Kvarner Bay or, a rarity in these parts, goat – according to season, of course.

25.  Enjoy Istrian family hospitality

In the homely surroundings of the Konoba Boccaporta, the motto in the local vernacular is Lipa besida dopire saka vrata – ‘A nice word opens the door’. Braised on hot coals, boškarin beef and octopus are deliciously succulent and served with seasonal vegetables, all the kind of quality you might find at dining establishments that can and do charge more. Despite the rustic setting, Boccaparta only dates back to 2014, Toni Draguzet and his family setting the tone with a roaring fireplace and wooden beams. It’s all a fair stroll south-east of town but worth the taxi journey.

26.  Do your drinking at the docks

Facing the ACI Marina, the recently opened Shipyard Pub is helping bring to life Pula’s rather moribund waterfront, staging regular parties, live music and DJs in a stylish, tastefully post-industrial setting. Celebrating the history of the Uljanik shipyard through a chronological photographic exhibition, this popular pub allows students, young professionals and everyday locals to mingle around a long bar counter or outside in summer. It’s a huge space – but was packed to the gills for the World Cup in 2018.

27.  See how Romans fought, dressed and groomed

Running weekly over the whole summer except during the Pula Film Festival, Spectacvla Antiqva uses Pula's venerable amphitheatre to bring Roman history and civilisation to life, and use it as the backdrop for gladiator fights with real weapons, workshops and displays of ancient clothing and hairstyles, all with narrative explanation. Admission is 80kn, 40kn for children. 

28.  Discover the secrets of the Mediterranean diet

The Ancient Romans processed olive oil in Pula and here, at the House of Istrian Olive Oil near the Arena, you can see how this was done 2,000 years ago. Compared with production today, the only difference is in the technology – the tastes, aromas, chemical compositions and health benefits remain pretty much the same, as a visit here will reveal. Find out from an expert as they show you how to recognise top-quality extra virgin olive oil, an Istrian speciality. Leading brands are available in the museum shop, along with truffles, lavender and Mediterranean plant-based cosmetics.

29.  Admire art and party in a war-time shelter

Pula's latest and perhaps most unique attraction is so-called Zerostrasse, accessed at Carrarina Nos.1 and 3. A series of tunnels built to protect Pula citizens during air raids – originally for World War I but also for World War II – these passageways are some three to six metres wide and 2.5 metres high. If you're visiting in summer, you might enjoy the cool – the temperature never rises above 20oC. Today a part of the tunnel is used for exhibitions, cultural gatherings and parties.

30.  Take in art at a sacred site

On Kaštel, the hill dominating Pula, stands the newly renovated Museum and Gallery Sveta Srca, named after the Holy Order who built this church of the same name in 1908. Closed after World War II, the church was eventually taken over by the Archaeological Museum of Istria. Its long renovation eventually provided Pula with one of Croatia’s most spectacular and prestigious exhibition spaces for high-profile, temporary shows. The stunning light-filled interior plays host to a rich menu of special-interest history exhibitions, contemporary art installations and other cultural events.

31.  See how cranes light up a whole shipyard

Lighting Giants is the unique work of creative designer Dean Skira, who brings Pula's Uljanik Shipyard to life by illuminating its cranes. A sophisticated remote control system governs the lighting and scenography, and involves some 16,000 different color combinations.

This spectacular show and lighting display runs every evening from dusk until 10pm, and until midnight in summer, with different combinations for special occasions, holidays and events.

32.  Walk through history in a hilltop citadel

At the highest point in Pula, the Historical & Maritime Museum of Istria has occupied this adapted Venetian fortification since 1955. Several departments – Pula, medieval and modern Istria and maritime – do a comprehensive job of explaining local and regional development. What makes this institution stand out is its niche collections, of old photographs, coins, insignia and uniforms, among other things. With a fascinating trove of photographs, videos and maps, and given the patchwork past of this port, ruled by Habsburgs, Italians and Socialists in less than 50 years, this makes for a very worthwhile visit indeed.

33.  Explore Brijuni

The Brijuni archipelago lies off Istria’s west coast, a 15-minute boat journey from Fažana, just north of Pula. Most of the 14 islands are off limits to the public. Luckily, there is so much to see on the other two that you’re unlikely to feel hard done by.

Veliki Brijuni is the largest and contains the vast majority of local treasures. Beautiful and vaguely surreal – English country estate meets Jurassic Park – it consists of hectares of well-maintained, green parkland surrounded by the dazzling Adriatic and planted with avenues of prehistoric-looking pines. This is where you’ll find a golf course, bird sanctuary, botanical gardens, zoo and safari park, three museums and the main archaeological sites. A map of the islands is posted at its harbour – including details of where to find the dinosaur footprints that dot the shoreline.

Brijuni had to wait until 1893 before it was rescued by Austrian steel magnate Paul Kupelwieser. He excavated Roman treasures, built villas, planted trees, landscaped gardens, built the first 18-hole golf course in continental Europe and even established a zoo. Kupelwieser had, in fact, created his own Xanadu – but he died in 1918.

Brijuni later passed into the hands of Mussolini’s Italy. After World War II the Brijuni archipelago, along with the rest of Istria, became part of Tito’s Yugoslavia. The Yugoslav leader used Brijuni as his base, conducting diplomacy with the Non-Aligned Movement and inviting the world’s rich and famous to his idyllic playground. As you step onto Veliki Brijuni’s quayside you are following in the footsteps of Haile Selassie, Queen Elizabeth II, JFK, Sophia Loren – anyone who was anyone in the 1960s. You can see them documented in the ‘Josip Broz Tito On Brijuni’ exhibition.

A tourist train pootles around the main island for you to see most of the attractions at one go.

The archipelago and surrounding waters were proclaimed a national park in 1983, served by a frequent shuttle boat from Pula 6km away.

34.  See Roman Pula in virtual reality

As a new feature, a walking tour has been devised for you to experience how Pula would have looked like 2,000 years ago. Equipped with VR glasses and a digital map, you stroll through the old city centre, stopping at seven viewpoints to don your VR glasses and immerse yourself into the visual and auditory experience of Roman Pula. Points include the Triumphal Arch of the Sergi, the Forum and the Arena. VR tours come with a specialised guide (360kn), or self-guided (190kn) versions are available. Tours run from May to October, booked through the website or from the Dolija Olive Oil shop at Narodni trg 3.

35.  Indulge in a Roman feast

Running over four Saturdays from May 25, the annual Days of Antiquity - Pula Superiorvm festival transforms Pula into Ancient Rome, with gladiators in the Arena, attractive women wandering around the Forum in Roman dresses and hairstyles, and indulgent gastronomy, all backdropped by imaginative displays of sound and light.

36.  BOCA Bar

• 4 out of 5 stars
• Bars and pubs
• Cocktail bars
• price 2 of 4
• Recommended

37.  Kod Kadre

• price 3 of 4

On a quiet street behind the Pula Arena a short walk away, Kod Kadre serves massive, but massive, portions of classic Balkan meat dishes, with all the trimmings. Prices are fractionally higher than you’d pay at a completely rock-bottom local corner grill, but you’re also getting a little extra quality in terms of salads, ajvar and comfort. The menu is also a little more extensive, with schnitzel and mixed grill options. Come with an appetite.

38.  Konoba Istriana

39.  Old City Bar

40.  Piazza Nove

41.  Restaurant Oasi

• 5 out of 5 stars

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13 Great Things to Do in Pula, Croatia

Last Updated on 22/04/2024 by kami

Visiting Pula, Croatia is one of the best things to do in Istria . The city is one of the main highlights of this wonderful region, most tourists come here to see the incredible Pula Arena. And while this landmark is certainly amazing, there are even more great things to do in Pula, making this place a wonderful destination.

I visited the city on a day trip from nearby Rovinj and while one day in Pula was enough for me to see all the Pula attractions, spending more time wouldn’t be so bad either (I just based myself in Rovinj in my Croatia itinerary , hence I did it that way). Pula monuments turned out to be a great mix of ancient remnants and some 19th-20th century greatness (from the time when the town was part of the Habsburg Empire) and this diversity makes Pula such a great place to visit.

Below you will find my list of the best things to do in Pula that will help you enjoy this interesting city. And if you still have any questions about visiting Pula, feel free to join my Facebook group about traveling in the Balkans where I’m sure fellow travelers will help you out.

Pula essentials

• Airport transfer: Pre-book the airport transfer from Pula airport to your accommodation in Pula here .
• Where to stay in Pula: Guest House ZoNa (9.5/10) / Preziosa (9.3/10)
• Best Pula tour: Pula walking tour
• Best day trip from Pula: Highlights of Istria from Pula
• Get insured for your trip to Croatia with SafetyWing

Table of Contents

Where is Pula, Croatia

Pula, a city of over 57 thousand inhabitants is located in the northwest part of Croatia , on the very east of the Istrian peninsula on the Adriatic Sea coast. Zagreb , the capital of Croatia, is located 270 km away from Pula.

How to get to Pula

The best way to reach Pula is by bus. You can get here from Zagreb , Rijeka , Rovinj, and numerous other destinations in Croatia and abroad (I took the bus from Trieste, Italy to Rovinj that continued to Pula; I also saw there a direct bus all the way to Krakow, Poland ). You can check the bus connections and buy tickets in advance (which is highly recommended especially in the high season) on this website . The bus station in Pula is located not far from the city center, near the Pula Arena.

Pula also has a train station but it only serves regional connections and you will most likely not use it during your trip to Pula.

Pula has its own regional airport too, located only 8 km away from the center. Numerous airlines from other places in Croatia as well as from Europe fly here, however many of them only in the season. The shuttle bus can take you from the airport to the bus station in Pula.

How to get around Pula

Fortunately, all of the best Pula attractions are located in the center, within walking distance from each other so you won’t have to go big distances during your Pula sightseeing. If you need to go a bit away from the center there are city buses as well as taxis that you can use.

Where to stay in Pula

If you decide to stay in Pula overnight, there are plenty of accommodation options to choose from. Here are the best ones:

• Guest House ZoNa (9.5/10 on Booking)
• Preziosa (9.4/10 on Booking)
• Polesana Rooms (9.3/10 on Booking)
• and many more!

Things to do in Pula

And finally, let’s talk about the best things to do in Pula!

Visit Pula Arena

The Roman Arena is probably the biggest of all the Pula attractions and one of the most known landmarks in Croatia. This impressive structure dates back to B.C. times, works on it started in the year 27 BC and finished in 68 AD.

Pula Arena is one of the largest and best-preserved Roman amphitheaters in the world and the most impressive ancient monument in Croatia. Back in the day, the Pula amphitheater was used for gladiator fights and the arena could fit up to 23 thousand people! Even if today the building is in a much poorer state, it is still used for numerous events. Some of the world’s biggest names, such as Elton John, Sting and Luciano Pavarotti performed here.

But even without the event, it is worth visiting Pula Arena inside. While the structure looks already outstanding from the outside, it’s nothing in comparison with what you can find when you enter the place. You can wander around the ruins, sit in the spectators’ seats or stand right in the center of the arena to look around and imagine how the place must have looked like all these centuries ago.

It’s easy to spend hours there, wandering around all the ancient remnants and soaking up the unique atmosphere of the place. Don’t also miss the exhibition in the lower parts of the arena where you can learn more about the wine and olive oil production in the area and see the original ancient instruments used for those.

Since the lines for the entrance tickets can get long, especially in the summertime, I recommend getting your ticket in advance – you can do it here.

See more ancient remnants in Pula

While the amphitheater is the main ancient monument in Pula, there are even more remnants of these old times that can easily compete with those you can find in Italy.

There are three ancient gates: Arch of the Sergii (the triumphal arch built in 29-27 BC, today it is a gate to the Old Town in Pula), Twin gate (from the 2-3rd century), and Hercules gate (from the 1st century BC). These are easy to find and you will surely see them during your trip to Pula. The most impressive one is of course Arch of the Sergii, with rich decorations and columns in the Corinthian style, but two other gates aren’t bad either.

Another remnant of Roman times is the little Roman theatre, hidden behind the Archaeology museum. Unfortunately, during my visit, it was going through renovations but I could see a bit through the gate and it looked pretty fine too.

Go underground at Zerostrasse

Zerostrasse is a bit different than the rest of the top Pula attractions. The complex of underground corridors dates back to World War 1 and stretches across almost the whole city. They were built as shelters in case of air raids so local people could have a safe place to hide.

Today you can visit one of the tunnels, located below the Kastel fortress, with the entrance next to the Twin gate. The length of the tunnel is around 400 meters, with the central hall and tunnels going in different directions. Only the tunnel under the Kastel could serve as a shelter for around 6.000 people while the underground complex could hide around 50.000 people, all the inhabitants of the city.

When I visited Zerostrasse there were exhibitions about trams in Pula in the first half of the 20th century (they operated between 1904 and 1934) and some interesting pictures of the city from that time. But Zerostrasse is used for different events and exhibitions so besides the tunnel itself you might find something cool taking place there.

Have a drink with James Joyce

Next to the Arch of the Sergii, you will find the “Ulysses” bar. The name of the place isn’t random – the bar is dedicated to the famous Irish writer and the author of “Ulysses” – James Joyce. He spent a few months in Pula in 1904-1905 where he worked as a teacher to the officers of the Austria-Hungary army.

Today you can find his monument in that same bar, where Joyce occupies one of the tables outside. You can sit down next to him and have a drink with the famous writer while watching the world go by.

Wander around the Old Town

The Old Town in Pula might not be as pretty and charming as the one in nearby Rovinj but it still has its moments. Picturesque winding lanes are perfect for wandering around, the higher on the Old Town you get, the calmer the place becomes.

Don’t stick only to the main pedestrian streets leading to the Forum but every now and then take right or left to get a better feel of Pula’s Old Town.

Find the hidden mosaic

One of the best hidden (literally) gems of Pula is the ancient floor mosaic – “The Punishment of Dirce”. You can find it on the side of the parking lot, behind the buildings on the main pedestrian street ( here is the exact location ).

The mosaic most likely dates back to the 2nd or 3rd century and was part of the Roman house from that period. The mosaic was uncovered after the WW2 bombing in Pula and still today it impresses greatly. It is rather large, 12 m x 6 m, well-preserved, and contains 40 decorated areas, mostly geometrical patterns. Seeing the mosaic is free of charge and it is definitely a nice addition to your Pula itinerary.

Visit Church and Monastery of St. Francis

If you are looking for a small escape from the busy Old Town, head to the Church and Monastery of St. Francis, located in one of the backstreets, between Forum and Kastel fortress. This beautiful place dates back to the early 14th century and was built in the Romanesque style, with some Gothic additions.

The church is rather simple but the real reason to visit the place is to see the Gothic cloister that feels like time has stopped there. In one of the rooms there, you can find remnants of the ancient mosaic with an “interesting” motif.

Enjoy Forum

Forum – the main square in the Old Town – is such a unique mix of ancient architecture and a bit newer additions. The square dates back to the 1st century BC and, as the name indicates, was built on the site of the former Roman forum and still today is the administrative and commercial center of the city.

Back in Roman times, there were three temples on the square, and only one of them – the Temple of August – survived until today. Next to it, you will find the medieval city hall (although parts of it are from the 17th century and one wall of the building comes from the remnants of the ancient temple), decorated with an old coat of arms and sculptures.

A forum is a lively place, with numerous cafes that bustle with conversation and laughter. It is probably the nicest spot in Pula to sit down and relax.

Stop at Cvajner Gallery

Of all the cafes surrounding Forum, Cvajner Gallery is the most unique one. From the outside, it looks pretty random and nothing indicates what a truly wonderful place it is inside.

The place was opened in 1998 and since then has been operating as a mix of cafe and art gallery, showing the works of local artists (both well-known and those who just start out) mixed with the original wall paintings from the Italian Villa.

The only downside is a rather slow service but the interesting and colorful interior makes up for that. If you decide to sit down here for a drink, be sure to choose the seat inside to enjoy this art extravaganza.

Admire the view from the Kastel fortress

Kastel fortress, located on top of the hill in the Old Town, was built by the Venetians in 1631 in place of the ancient Roman fort. The strategic location was the reason why the fortress has always served defense purposes for the city and the harbor.

Since the place lost its significance after World War 1 and 2, the Kastel fortress is used as home to the Historical Museum of Istria, with an impressive collection of various artifacts from the region. But the real reason to visit fortress hill is to admire the panorama of Pula. This is probably the best viewpoint in the city, with the vista of the Old Town, the Pula Arena, and the seaside.

Enjoy the maritime vibe

Pula is an important harbor and you can always feel the maritime vibe in the city. When wandering around it’s easy to spot impressive port cranes in the background, there is also a large marina just outside of the Old Town. From Pula, you can also go for a boat tour to the nearby Cape Kamenjak or the National Park Brijuni Islands.

Admire the beautiful art-nouveau architecture

In the 19th century, Pula was an important place in Austria-Hungary, the main port (together with Trieste) of the empire. That’s also when great development came to the city which resulted also in beautiful architecture typical for the lands that belonged to the Habsburgs.

Still today in Pula you can find some spectacular art-nouveau buildings, they are located near the train station. Unfortunately, I didn’t find more information about them but I assume they were built at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries and could easily compete with the impressive architecture of all the other major cities in Austria-Hungary.

Go for day trips

While Pula itself is a great place to visit, you can use it also as a base to explore a bit more of Istria. There are some perfect destinations you can easily go to as day trips from Pula.

Some of the best options are Cape Kamenjak, the National Park Brijuni Islands, Vodnjan, or even some awesome towns a bit further away: Rijeka, Opatija, or Rovinj.

Final thoughts on visiting Pula

As you can see above, Pula really has a lot to offer, and what makes it a great destination is the diversity of its attractions. Even if Pula wasn’t my favorite place to visit in Croatia (but I blame weather for that), I still really enjoyed the city and I’m glad I had a chance to visit Pula.

If you are planning your trip to Istria region in Croatia, be sure to include Pula in your itinerary, even if only t see the amazing arena! You will be impressed for sure!

Further reading

I published many articles about Croatia that you might find useful when planning your trip there. Here are some of them:

• 33 Best Places to Visit in Croatia
• 25 Wonderful Things to Do in Zagreb, Croatia
• The Bay of Abandoned Hotels in Kupari, Croatia – the Urbex Heaven
• 23 Amazing Things to Do in Dubrovnik, Croatia
• How to visit Krka National Park in Croatia
• 11 Perfect Day Trips From Split, Croatia
• 17 Fantastic Things to Do in Hvar, Croatia
• Visiting the Abandoned Željava Air Base in Croatia
• 19 Best Things to Do in Rijeka, Croatia
• Visit Opatija, Croatia – the Charming Seaside Town

If you are looking for articles about a specific destination – check out the map with all the articles I’ve published (and their locations). You can also join my Facebook group about traveling in the Balkans and ask your questions there.

Travel Resources

You can find the best accommodation options at Booking . They have many discounts and excellent customer service. Click here to look for the place to stay in Croatia

Never travel without travel insurance , you never know what might happen and better safe than sorry. You can check the insurance policy for Croatia here.

I recommend joining organized tours to get to know the place better and to visit more places during your trip. You can find a great selection of tours at Get Your Guide – click here .

For the end I left a few announcements that might interest you:

• Sign up to my newsletter or follow me on Bloglovin to get updates about the new posts
• Join my Facebook group about Eastern Europe, the Balkans and former USSR and connect with fellow travellers and enthusiasts of these regions – just click here!
• I’ve included a few handy links of services and products I personally like and use so you can plan your own trip to Croatia too. They are often affiliate links. This means I will get a small commission if you book/purchase anything through my links, at no extra costs for you. Thank you!

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Nice guide for Pula. It is great city to enjoy few days. When I visited it in 2020, I went to Arena and for 15 minutes I was totaly alone in the Arena. It was covid time so not many tourists around. It was beautiful moment of being alone without crowds. You covered most of Pula attractions. I haven’t been in all of them. But I would suggest Pula as a base for exploring all of Istria. Although every town is within 2 hours drive, one week would be not enough to see whole peninsula. Some of daytrips: Towns: Rovinj, Poreč, Motovun, Opatija, Pazin, Grožnjan, Buzet, Labin. Hum – smallest town in world. Fortresses: more then 20 in vicinity of Pula dates from Austria Habsburg times. Dvigrad is medieval ruin (still on my bucket list). Nature: lots of beaches around. Vela Draga – canyon. Učka – highest peak of Istria. I was 6 days in Pula exploring region and it wasn’t enough. I hope to come back.

I stayed in Rovinj as my base and to be honest I enjoyed it much more than Pula. And still everything was not too far away.

It must have been so amazing to have the arena all to yourself!

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20+ Amazing Things to Do in Pula, Croatia

Pula is a coastal city located at the southern tip of the Istrian Peninsula. It is the largest city in the region and home to Roman ruins and gorgeous beaches. We spent 3 weeks in Pula, experiencing everything we could and learning about the city.

There is so much to do in Pula and it is often overlooked by nearby cities. Don’t skip out on Pula and miss the amazing things there are to do here.

In this post we list a TON of things to do in Pula, for historians, nature lovers, and families. In case you aren’t in the mood to dive deep yet, check out the list below and then pin this post to save for later!

Planning a trip to Pula? Check out our Everything Guide to Pula, Croatia

Top 5 Must Dos in Pula

• Visit the Pula Arena (You can’t miss it)
• Relax at Cape Kamenjak
• See the Arch of Sergii, Forum, and Temple of Augustus
• Visit the Museum of Olive Oil (and do a tasting!)
• Take a boat tour or rent a kayak to explore the rocky coast!

Take in the History of Pula

Pula is filled with historical sites ranging from Roman times to their much more recent history. Our first recommendation to introduce yourself to the history of Pula is to take a tour, then dive deeper on your own!

Take a Tour

We took a tour with Fat Cat Free Walking Tour and really liked the amount of information our guide provided. Take the free walking tour with them or check out other options offered in Pula such as:

• Pula Walking Tour
• Pula Storytelling Tour
• History Tour of Pula

Roman Ruins

Pula was once part of the Roman Empire and still, today holds much of this history. The most famous site and reason to visit Pula is the Pula Arena . The Pula Arena is the most intact Roman monument that exists today. You can walk around the outside of the arena or enter it for a fee. The Arena also holds concerts and events so be sure to check the calendar when planning your visit.

Cost : To enter the Arena for 70 kuna (or roughly $10.50 USD) per person

Free Sites : Outside of the Pula Arena, Temple of Augustus in the Forum, Roman Mosaic

Tip for finding the mosaic: If using Google Maps, you may get confused as it seems like it is inside a building in the old town. However, it is actually behind the buildings and you can access it by walking behind the buildings and through a parking lot. Don’t miss it like we almost did!

Venetian Rule

In Pula, you will also find influences of the Venetian Empire. The Pula “ Kaštel ” is a fort built under Venetian rule and many artifacts can be found in Pula museums today.

Cost : Free to walk around the fort but to enter the museum it is 20 Kuna or $3 USD

Austrian-Hungarian Remains

There are so many cool sites to explore here, some more adventurous than others. We visited 6 of the rumored 26 abandoned forts from the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Found across the many peninsulas, forts from the times of the Austrian-Hungarian rule can be explored in Pula.

Some are accessible by car such as Fort Ovine and Fort Punta Christo . However, some require some walking and these were our favorites. Read more about the forts we visited here .

Cost : The forts are free to explore, including our favorites like Fort Grosso.

Many of the forts can be found on Google Maps and our favorites were found while exploring this section of Pula:

More Recent History:

Zerostrasse , Underground tunnels were built as a shelter during WWI and expanded during WWII. Now part of the tunnels is used to share history, hold galleries, and sometimes host events or exhibitions.

Cost : 15 Kuna or $2.25 USD

Soak up the Sun : Beaches in Pula

Pula offers many beautiful beaches and places to lay out in the sun. Most are rocky coasts or cliff-like, however, in some places you can walk down to the water on rocky beaches like on the Stoja peninsula.

Beach Tip for Non-Europeans: In Croatia, and Europe in general, it is not uncommon to find topless sunbathers. This might shock some, especially those coming from the U.S. When looking for a beach, avoid any that say FKK unless you are searching for a nude beach. FKK beaches are clothing optional.

Sea Gull Rocks

A popular beach for cliff diving. The water was too cold for us at the end of October, however, we still enjoyed the colors of the water and the beautiful coastline on our sunny days.

Cost : Free

Ambrela Beach

This picturesque beach can get crowded so make sure to head there early to claim your spot amongst the white pebbles and turquoise waters.

Cape Kamenjak

This peninsula is filled with beaches to relax at and they are all just as stunning as the next. Find a place to swim or go cliff jumping along the rugged coast.

Don’t worry these aren’t the only ones. Pula is filled with beaches, this list could go on forever. Many beaches can be found in Medulin or along the Stoja and Verudela Peninsulas.

Cost : Free to enter by foot or bicycle. By car 80 kuna or $12 USD

Water Excursions in Pula

Go kayaking and snorkeling.

You can use a company like Pula Kayak Rental to rent your own gear or go on a tour like these ones below:

• Kayak and Sea Cave Exploring
• Snorkeling and Boat Tour
• Clear Kayak at Night – Experienc e

Cost : Ranges from $20-$100+ USD

Along the harbor in Pula, you will find a ton of different boating companies going on tours throughout the day. From a day tour to Brijuni National Park to sunset dinner tours, you are bound to find one that fits your interests!

Cost : Range from $30-$200+ USD

Enjoy Istrian Food in Pula

From truffles to Teran, Istria has a unique cuisine you must get a taste of during your visit.

Visit the Museum of Olive Oil

This museum was recommended to us, not only by our tour guide but also the host of our cooking class with a vast amount of knowledge of the topic. Since he said it was done very well and worth a trip, we visited on one of our last days.

Cost : 3 different packages from 50 Kuna ($7.50 USD) to 130 Kuna ($19.40 USD). Also offers discounted rates for families.

Eat Istria – Cooking classes and Tours

Looking to truly experience Istrian cuisine? Eat Istria offers cooking classes and tours focused on local cuisine. We took a cooking class with Eat Istria and cannot recommend them enough. Read all about it here.

Local Restaurants to Try

• Restaurant Kantina – We ate here and tried the Pljukanci with truffles. It was delicious!
• Konoba Batelina – Run by a family of fishermen, this restaurant is a popular place in the city since it was featured on TV in No Reservations with Anthony Bourdain
• Hotel Amfiteatar Restaurant – This restaurant is located nearby the Pula Arena and offers dishes for everyone, including vegans with a whole vegan menu!
• Bistro Alighieri – Local cuisine with highly-rated seafood dishes and beautiful outdoor seating in Dante Square.

Looking for plant-based foods while in Pula? These may be hard to find but we wrote a whole guide here . In this post, you will find delicious vegan options for Pula and the rest of the Istria region!

Sip coffee at a cafe

One thing to know about Croatian culture is they love their coffee! Most people do but in Croatia, getting coffee at a cafe is a slow and social experience. We recommend the cafes along Giardini.

Cost : $2-4 USD

Experience Nature around Pula

Brijuni/bioni national park.

Take a ferry from Fazana or book a tour of this beautiful island. Go hiking, rent a bike, visit ancient ruins.

Cost : One Way Ferry during high season 210 Kuna per person or $31.35 USD

Verudela Canyon

Located at the end of Verudela Peninsula, this small canyon holds beautiful turquoise water. Be careful as you make your way down to the water, the trail may be slippery. You can walk along nearby cliffs too!

Bike around Kamenjak

We know we already mentioned this place, BUT it’s more than just beaches. Rent a bike or walk around the beautiful peninsula. The nature reserve is home to a large variety of plant life, undisturbed like nearby regions from campgrounds and hotels.

Cost : Bike Rentals start at $15 USD per day, Kamenjak is free to enter by bike

Galebijana Cave

Head to Stoja Peninsula and swim in a sea cave surrounded by rocky terraces!

Spend time at the Museums in Pula

Memo museum of good memories.

A museum filled with items from the good ole days. The MEMO Museum is filled with items from the 50s to 80s and has interactive exhibits of Pula from this time period. Whether you are visiting to bring back memories or spending time here on a rainy day, this museum is intriguing to anyone.

Cost : 40 Kuna per adult, ~$6 USD

Historical and Maritime Museum of Istria

Located in the Kastel, in the center of Pula. This museum is where you can tour the castle and the terrace of the adapted Venetian fort. There is a tower as well for a beautiful 360-degree view of the skyline. The underground passages also connect to this which you can take back to other parts of the city. It can be a great time for anyone!

Cost : 20 Kuna or $3 USD per adult

Archaeological Museum of Istria + Roman Ampitheatre

In a region like Istria, there are always remnants of the past to be found. This museum is constantly expanding and sadly was closed during our visit. If history interests you, make sure to check out this museum. Fingers crossed it is opened during your visit.

Cost : 70 Kuna per adult or  $10.45 USD

Crkva sv. Srca

A unique collection of prehistoric art. This place is a great way to cool down on a hot day and learn some interesting history of the area.

Fun for the Whole Family in Pula

Pula aquarium.

Normally, this is not something we would recommend (animals in captivity). However, the aquarium in Pula doubles as a marine life recovery center. The Sea Turtle Recovery Center within the Pula aquarium has recovered at least 170 sea turtles and returned them to sea. They also have other projects that focus on conservation and education about marine life. Read more here

Cost : 130 Kuna per adult or $19.40 USD

Adventure Park Pula

Rope courses and zip lines, with a range of difficulties to challenge the whole family. We did not get a chance to visit during our time in Pula but if you are visiting with kids, this place is perfect!

Cost : Course and Zipline 110 kuna or $16.45 per adult

Wrap Up: Things To Do in Pula, Croatia

In this post, we have listed things to do all over Pula. We’d love to hear which one you are most excited about, let us know in the comments! Did we miss something? Let us know so we can check it out next time we visit!!

Is Pula Worth Visiting? 15 Reasons To Visit Pula (2024)

Are you planning a trip to Croatia, or you saw a cheap flight to Pula, and now you’re wondering is Pula worth visiting?

You came to the right place!

As a Pula local, I will argue Pula is one of the most underrated coastal destinations in Croatia. 

Whether you’re looking for a relaxed beach holiday or you love exploring destinations with impressive monuments, Pula is the place for you.

This coastal town is often overlooked in favor of the more popular cities along the Dalmatian coast. I get it, it is hard to compete with the sheer beauty of Dubrovnik.

However, Pula offers some of the most impressive historical monuments in Croatia, beautiful beaches, and lovely day trips in the surrounding region.

Here’s why you should visit Pula on your next trip to Croatia!

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. I hope you find the information here helpful!

Is Pula Worth Visiting?

The quick answer is yes, Pula is worth visiting – It is a great holiday destination and a unique stop on your Croatia itinerary. 

Pula is located in the picturesque Istria region, home to several impressive Roman ruins and beautiful beaches. 

The city is very lively in the summer, popular with backpackers, budget travelers, and families.

Pula has a reputation for being not very tourist-oriented, which is simply not true. Maybe decades ago when several factories were running in the city, but nowadays it’s very tourist-friendly with plenty of things to do!

Top Reasons To Visit Pula

Pula is one of the most unique destinations in Croatia. From majestic Roman ruins to excellent beaches and lively nightlife, there are numerous reasons to visit Pula. 

1. See The Amphitheater

The Amphitheater is the most recognizable Pula landmark. 

This majestic Roman gladiator arena was constructed in the 1st century BC and is very well preserved. 

Pula Arena is considered one of the most beautiful Roman amphitheaters outside of Italy!

You can walk the grounds where gladiators used to fight, sit on the stone benches where spectators used to cheer on their favorite fighters, and imagine what it was like here 2000 years ago.

Pula Amphitheater is not just a historical monument, as Arena lives with the city. It hosts many events throughout the year, from concerts to cultural manifestations and National team football game screenings.

🏛️ Book your Arena Pula Entrance Ticket in advance and avoid the crowds!

2. Discover Pula Beaches

Pula is a coastal town, so the best place to be on a summer day is one of the pristine Pula beaches . 

You can’t swim in the city center of Pula, but less than 5km from the city center you’ll find excellent beaches with crystal clear sea.

Pula beaches are divided into several neighborhoods: Verudela, Stoja, and Lungo Mare. 

The most popular are Verudela beaches. That’s where you’ll find the famous Hawaii Beach, Histria Beach, and the picturesque Verudela Canyon.

Stoja is home to the famous Blue Cave and Seagull Rocks, popular for cliff jumping.

Lungo Mare beaches are the closest to the city center, and you can choose from several pebbled coves and rock beaches along the coastline.

3. Explore Brioni National Park

Brioni National Park is a string of islands off the coast of Pula. 

The most popular among Brioni islands is the largest island Veliki Brijun . That is where you’ll see the animals roaming around the island in an open-air ZOO and archaeological sites.

To get to Veliki Brijun, you’ll have to buy a ticket for a boat departing from Fažana. There are several daily departures, starting from 9 am, and a return boat ticket is included in the price.

Another popular Brioni island to visit is a smaller Sveti Jerolim island . You can take a boat to the island, but I took a kayak tour to Sveti Jerolim, and it was a fun and unique way to discover the island.

🛶 Kayak To Brioni Islands On This Fun Tour!

4. Admire Ancient Roman Ruins

Pula was a Roman settlement, and you can find evidence of Roman presence throughout the city center. 

Pula Arena is the best-known historical landmark in Pula, but it is not the only one!

Another place where Romans gathered for entertainment was the Roman Theater on Castello Hill.

There are 3 old gates surrounding the city center, signifying the borders of the ancient settlement: Arch of the Sergii, Gate of Hercules, and Twin Gate.

The Temple of Augustus is situated on Forum, the main square of the ancient Pula.

Well-preserved Roman Mosaic The Punishment of Dirce in the city center is a hidden gem.

🤩Cover all the must-see spots in Pula with a Historic Walking Tour with a Local Guide !

5. Take Day Trips Around Istria

Istria is nicknamed Terra Magica, and it is truly a land of magical beauty. Pula is a great place to base yourself to explore this beautiful region.

Istria is often compared to Tuscany, and you’ll quickly see why as you drive along the local roads passing by the vineyards and picturesque villages.

Some of the best places to visit from Pula are:

• Rovinj is a beautiful seaside town, often compared to Venice. Visit Rovinj and explore its charming cobblestone city center and colorful houses.
• Motovun is a hilltop village surrounded by vineyards. It features picturesque cobblestone streets and colorful houses.
• Grožnjan is another hilltop village known as the village of artists, as it’s a popular place for them to live and create.
• Poreč is another beautiful seaside town, popular for its beaches and incredible sunsets.
• Korita is my favorite hiking trail in the Ćićarija mountains separating the Istria region and the rest of Croatia.

6. See The Castello Fortress

Situated on the top of the hill in the city center of Pula, Castello Fortress is the best-known fort in Pula.

It was constructed during the Venetian rule but refurbished and used again during the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy. If you want to learn more about Pula’s history and its role as one of the most important ports of that time, visit the museum inside the fort.

Otherwise, it is completely free to walk around and admire how they built this fort to be almost unnoticeable from the sea it used to protect. 

Also, Castello Hill offers one of the most beautiful views of Pula and a unique perspective of the Arena. 

7. Walk The Tunnels Underneath The City

Zerostrasse is one of the newest additions to Pula’s tourist attractions, while it is in fact quite old!

The tunnels were built in the 1900s as part of the city’s defense system. There are 4 entrances to the tunnels, and the first one was opened to the public in 2011.

Fun fact: Sometimes techno parties are organized in the tunnel! I visited them for a New Year’s party one year, and it truly doubles as a unique music venue.

8. Watch A Movie Under The Stars

Pula Film Festival is a renowned movie festival taking place in Pula in July, with the main program movies shown inside Pula Arena.

Watching a movie inside an ancient Roman amphitheater under the stars is truly a bucket list experience. I highly recommend you get a ticket for one of the movies if you happen to be in Pula in July.

All movies have English subtitles, so you don’t have to worry about the language barrier!

9. Kayak Along The Coastline

The rugged coastline around Pula hides many interesting coves and sea caves. The best way to discover and reach these unique rock formations is on a kayak tour.

The most popular place to visit is the Blue Cave, but there are several other caves and hidden beaches to discover from the sea.

🛶 Discover hidden caves on this Kayaking and Snorkeling Sea Cave Exploration Tour !

10. Stroll The Streets Of Old Town

While you can’t compare Dubrovnik and Pula, when it comes to the Old Town, but Pula has quite a charming Old Town.

As you pass through the Arch of the Sergii, you’ll enter the streets of the Old Town.

Walk along Sergijevaca Street to the Roman Forum. This picturesque square used to be the center of social life in ancient Pula, and it is a popular place where locals gather for a drink on a sunny day. 

If you’re on the Forum on Saturday you might even see a wedding, as that’s where the city council is situated.

Continue walking along Kandlerova Street and make sure to look up and observe the unique architecture and decorations on the buildings.

11. Explore Abandoned Fortress

Do you like to discover hidden gems? Then you’re in for a treat!

Pula was an important port during the Austro-Hungarian Era. Yes, Croatia used to be a part of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy. 

To protect this important port, the Habsburgs built about 28 forts along the Pula coastline.

Most of these 28 forts were abandoned, while others are still used today. 

The best-known one is Fort Castello in the city center, one of the must-visit spots in Pula. Fort Verudela is home to the Pula Aquarium, while Fort Punta Christo and Fort Bourguignon host live music parties.

12. Hike Along The Rugged Coastline Of Kamenjak

Nature Park Kamenjak is in Premantura, a small town about 10km from Pula. 

This protected nature area is home to several endemic plant species and 

Nature Park Kamenjak is a great place to visit in summer or winter.

In summer, you can swim on one of many beaches, and join kayak and guided bike tours along the peninsula. 

In winter, it is a popular place for coastal walks. 

🚲 Explore Kamenjak Nature Park on a bike tour!

13. See Sea Turtles In Pula Aquarium

You know I don’t usually recommend animal experiences, however, Pula Aquarium is also an animal rehabilitation center and a business that invests a lot in sustainability. 

They do a lot of work on enhancing the conditions of sea animals in the Adriatic, treating injured animals, and providing a safe space for them to heal before returning to the wild.

The Aquarium is located inside one of the aforementioned  Austro-Hungarian forts, Fort Verudela. 

Visiting the aquarium is a fun way to see two Pula tourist attractions: old fortifications and a marine center.

14. Enjoy Delicious Food

Pula gastronomy is heavily influenced by Italian cuisine. If you like pasta and pizza, you’re in for a treat!

Pula offers some of the most delicious pizzas you’ve ever tried!

Regarding vegan options in Croatia , you’ll likely have to go for vegetarian pizza without cheese. However, the dough is delicious and the pizza is baked in real wood-fired pizza ovens so you won’t even miss the cheese!

Istria is well known for wine and olive oil production and you’ll see olive trees growing on fields everywhere you go.

If you’re taking a day trip from Pula to central Istria, don’t miss out on wine tasting!

15. Have A Budget Friendly Holiday 

Finally, you’ll be glad to know that Pula is one of the cheapest coastal destinations in Croatia. 

While Pula is not super cheap, if you compare it to Dubrovnik prices , prices in Pula will seem quite reasonable.

If you decide you’re visiting Istria, but you’re not sure whether to stay in Pula or Rovinj , accommodation in Pula tends to be more affordable. 

Pula is a big city, the largest in the Istria region. You’ll find every supermarket you can think of to get affordable groceries, so you don’t depend on restaurants.

As many companies offer boat tours from Pula , kayak tours, and other fun activities, competition lowers the prices, so you can enjoy these activities on a shoestring backpacking Europe budget . 

Best Time To Visit Pula

I lived in Pula for over 15 years, so I’ve seen the city every season. 

Despite high temperatures, summer is by far the best time to visit Pula.

Spring and autumn are the best time to visit weather-wise to discover cultural and historical attractions without crowds. However, the sea will be too cold for swimming. 

Winters in Pula are unpredictable. It does not snow in Pula (although we had a huge snowstorm in 2009!), but it is windy.

Pula From May To September

As the summer months roll around, Pula gets more and more lively.

Terraces in the city center are full of people enjoying their drinks in the sun, and beaches are the perfect place to be on a sunny day.

While it is possible to swim in Pula in May, most locals start going to the beach in June when the sea gets warmer. The weather is usually beach-friendly until mid-September. 

There are numerous concerts and events organized in Pula during the summer. 

The most popular event is the Pula Film Festival, where you can watch movies in Arena and several other locations around the city.

Pula is also well known as a music festival destination.

How To Get To Pula?

Pula is easy to reach by air or land from several neighboring countries. 

If you’re arriving by plane, you’ll land at Pula Airport.

Pula only has international flights during the tourist season, from April to October.  Outside that period, you can only take domestic flights.

Once at the airport, you’re just a 10-minute drive away from the city center of Pula. There is a shuttle bus to the city center synced to flight arrivals, so it’s a cheap option if you’re accommodation is in the city center. 

You can take a direct bus to Pula from Italy, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and even Germany. 

Of course, Pula is connected by bus to many other Croatian cities, and buses are the most common way to travel. 

The main bus station is in the city center of Pula, 10 minutes from all the main tourist attractions.

Taking a train to Pula is not the most common way to travel. I wasn’t even aware that the train station was functional for many years while living here!

However, there is a train station in Pula, and it connects the city to several smaller towns in central Istria. Technically you can also take a train from Ljubljana, Slovenia.

Finally, many people drive to Pula. The roads in Istria are great, and the best way to get around Istria is by car, so it is also a great road trip idea. 

You can take the paying highway or local road that is free. Local roads are well maintained and usually not busy, but there are many turns, so you won’t drive over 60km/h.

🚗 Renting a car is the best way to get around Istria. Check rates and availability here!

Where To Stay In Pula?

The best place to stay in Pula will depend on what kind of trip you’re on. 

If you’re visiting Pula as a stop on your backpacking Croatia itinerary, the city center is the best place to stay in Pula. That way you’re close to all the entertainment and tourist attractions.

The city center is not the best option for those coming by car, as parking in Pula city center is paid and very limited. You might struggle to find a parking spot if your accommodation doesn’t provide parking, 

Those coming for a beach holiday should consider places closer to the beaches. It is easy to take a bus to the city center on days you want to be in the city.

Budget-Friendly Options

Hostel Antique is the best place to stay in Pula for backpackers. This backpacker-friendly hostel has excellent reviews, a perfect location, and great facilities. 

Cosy Apartment Zupanic is a perfect option if you’re looking for budget-friendly family-run accommodation in the city center. 

Mid-Range Option

Park Plaza Arena Pula is a stunning seafront hotel in the Verudela area. It is situated next to Hawaii Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in Pula. Rooms are spacious and beautifully decorated for a perfect holiday. 

Apartments Forum is a perfect place to stay in the heart of Old Town. These Old Town lofts and studios are beautifully decorated, equipped with everything you would need for your stay, and close to all the attractions.

Pula is famous for its well-preserved historical monuments from Roman times, including one of the most beautiful Roman arenas outside of Italy, several ancient gates to the Old Town, and underground tunnels and forts from the period of the Habsburg Monarchy. It is a coastal city with excellent beaches, popular for summer holidays.

Yes, Pula is a very safe city, great for solo female travelers. I grew up and lived in Pula for over 15 years, and I never thought twice about walking home alone at night after a night out or after a long work shift. Of course, you have to be mindful of your surroundings, as nowhere is 100% safe.

Yes, Pula is a good holiday destination. It is a popular summer holiday destination thanks to its beautiful beaches and crystal clear sea. There are many tourist activities, from kayaking to boat tours and bike tours. The city gets very lively in the summer, with many events, bars, and restaurants to choose from.

Yes, Pula is a nice place to visit. This Croatian coastal town is home to some of the best-preserved Roman ruins in the country, including the majestic Arena which hosts numerous events throughout the year. If you’re visiting Pula in the summer, you’ll get to enjoy many beautiful beaches and a crystal clear sea.

Summary: Is Pula Worth Visiting?

And there you have it, everything you need to know for your next Pula visit!

So, what do you think? Is Pula Croatia worth visiting?

After living in Pula for over 15 years, I am so happy to see that the city is getting the recognition it deserves.

It is a great holiday destination, with impressive historical monuments, excellent beaches, and an abundance of things to do in Pula !

Natali is the founder of She's Abroad Again. She is a solo female travel and backpacking expert who traveled to more than 30 country over 3 continents, mostly solo and on a budget! She is a lawyer turned travel blogger as she traded long office hours in Croatia for a digital nomad life and currenly calls France her home.

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History Travel + Local Experiences

February 24, 2023 By Lyndsay

30+ Amazing Things to do in Pula, Croatia

• 1.1 1. Visit the Pula Arena
• 1.2 2. Walk around Pula Old Town
• 1.3 3. Explore Forum Square and see the Temple of Augustus
• 1.4 4. Take a walking tour of Pula
• 1.5 5. Walk around Tito’s Park by the harbor
• 1.6 6. Visit the Pula Cathedral 
• 1.7 7. See the Arch of the Sergii
• 1.8 8. Sit by the James Joyce Statue
• 1.9 9. Walk around the Church and Monastery of St. Francis
• 1.10 10. Climb to the top of the Kaštel
• 1.11 11. Walk through the Gate of Hercules
• 1.12 12. See the remaining chapel of the Basilica of Santa Maria del Canneto
• 1.13 13. Check out the Kažnjavanje Dirke Mosaic
• 1.14 14. Visit the Pula Aquarium
• 1.15 15. Take a boat tour through Brijuni Islands National Park
• 1.16 16. Relax on one of Pula’s beaches
• 1.17 17. Stroll through the Twin Gates to reach the Archaeological Museum of Istria
• 1.18 18. Learn to taste at the Museum of Olive Oil
• 1.19 19. Visit one of Pula’s other incredible museums
• 1.20 20. Go underground at Zerostrasse
• 1.21 21. Visit the remains of Agrippina’s House
• 1.22 22. Grab a bite at the Gradska Tržnica
• 1.23 23. See The Lighting Giants
• 1.24 24. Attend the Vinski Grad this summer
• 1.25 25. Watch for dolphins in the water while enjoying the sunset
• 1.26 26. Take a guided tour to Istrian cities near Pula
• 1.27 27. Visit Cape Kanenjak on the Premantura peninsula
• 1.28 28. Explore outside the city center on a Pula Highlights Bike Adventure
• 1.29 29. Go on a Pula kayaking adventure
• 1.30 30. Take a day trip to another Istrian, or Italian, city
• 2.1 What are the best things to do in Pula, Croatia?
• 2.2 What country is Pula in?
• 3 Pula Croatia Things to do: Wrap-Up

This post may contain affiliate links! I will receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you purchase something recommended here.

The largest city in the Istria region and the eighth-largest in Croatia, Pula is an incredible city that history buffs will be absolutely fascinated by. 

Artifacts from the earliest humans in ancient history have been found on the hills around this charming city, dating back over one million years.

In marginally more modern times, Pula has been conquered and ruled over by the Romans, the Ostrogoths, the Byzantines, and the Venetians.

And in the last 250 years, the French, the Austro-Hungarians, and the Italians, before becoming part of Yugoslavia–and now, Croatia.

I spent some time exploring this port city when I lived in Croatia with a local family, and I can’t wait to go back! Beautiful beaches, natural park areas, and incredible ancient architecture surround you, all making my list of the best things to do in Pula.

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What to do in Pula Croatia

1. visit the pula arena.

Built within the 1st-century C.E. during the reign of Roman Emperor Augustus, the Pula Arena is an incredible example of Ancient Roman architecture.

One of the largest surviving Roman amphitheaters left, it’s the only one with all four sides of its top intact.

It could accommodate about 23,000 spectators at once and hosted festivals, gladiator fights, and a host of other events throughout its history.

Interestingly enough, even though the Pula Area is very well preserved and included on Croatia’s own national landmarks list, it’s not considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site .

The decision to grant it UNESCO status was “postponed” in 2000. 

However, the UNESCO List loss is really our gain!

The Pula Arena has been used for outdoor film festivals, concerts, and every summer–gladiator fights.

Spectacvla Antiqva is an incredible production performed in English and explains the history and chronology of the different levels of fighting and gladiators as it happens.

It was SO COOL–definitely one of my favorite Pula activities!

Once you’ve finished walking around the different areas outside, make sure you head underground to see the small museum located underneath the Arena.

Grab your Pula Arena entrance ticket here!

2. Walk around Pula Old Town

When you look at Pula on a map, the distance to walk around the city center is a little misleading.

The streets are laid out in circles that stem from the fortress.

But, the fortress is at the top of a hill, and the city spirals down from around the top.

Today, when you’re walking down the street, you might notice that every street sign is listed in both Croatian and Italian. 

The Austrian-Hungarian Empire took charge of the region from 1797 to 1918 (with a small break during the Napoleonic years,) but in the intervening years through World War II–until the area joined Yugoslavia–it was controlled by Italy.

This means Istria has two “national” languages, Croatian and Italian. 

3. Explore Forum Square and see the Temple of Augustus

Where Ancient and Medieval architecture meets. Forum Square–also known as Trg Forum or Piazza Foro–has been the center of the city’s political and social spheres since ancient times.

Initially, there were three temples here, but unfortunately, only the Temple of Augustus still stands. 

Since its origin as a temple in ancient times, it’s been used as a Christian church, a storehouse for grains, and then as a museum for stone monuments.

It was totally destroyed during a World War II bomb raid but restored to its original glory by 1947.

You can go inside the Temple of Augustus, but there’s honestly not much to see inside, and it costs a few kuna for an entrance fee. 

Next to the Temple of Augustus, you’ll find the City Hall Building (Zgrada gradske vijećnice.)

If you’re thinking that it was built in a different era than its neighbor, you’d be right.

Completed in 1296 in the Gothic style, the building was added to several times over the centuries to include elements of the Renaissance and Baroque styles. 

Fun Fact : The Temple of Diana, one of the original three temples that stood in the Square, was incorporated into the building; if you head to the back, you’ll be able to see it.

4. Take a walking tour of Pula

As you might know, if you’ve been here before, I was (and still am) a licensed New York City tour guide. So you could say, taking tours is my thing!

When I was visiting Pula attractions, I took a phenomenal free walking tour by Fat Cat Walks .

Since it’s a one-man operation, you have to check the Facebook page to find out when Saša is offering tours, but if your schedule lines up–G.O.! 

If you’re visiting the coastal town and Fat Cat Walks isn’t offering a tour within your schedule, take a look at this other guided walking tour around Pula .

Pro Tip : Remember to tip your tour guides! Especially when you take a free walking tour, your tip is how the tour guide gets paid. And positive reviews on places like TripAdvisor or GetYourGuide go a long way!

5. Walk around Tito’s Park by the harbor

Pula has several parks that run along the water where you can spend some time wandering around.

Tito’s Park is where you can find a memorial to deceased soldiers and ten bust monuments dedicated to Croatian heroes.

And make sure to check out the scale model of the city depicted in bronze!

6. Visit the Pula Cathedral 

The earliest pieces of the Pula Cathedral (Katedrala Uznesenja Blažene Djevice Marije / Cattedrale di Pola), fully known as the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, were built from the late 4th century through the early 5th century C.E. 

If you walk to the back of the church, you can actually see part of an original wall!

Although the church had initially been adorned with beautiful floor mosaics and frescos inside, it has been reconstructed several times over the centuries; now, only a tiny piece of a floor mosaic is still visible.

The Cathedral still offers mass at least once every day; you can check the schedule on their website .

7. See the Arch of the Sergii

Standing on what was once the outskirts of the city, the Triumphal Arch of the Sergii (Sergius) was originally a city gate to get into Pula.

It was paid for by the wife of Lucius Sergius Lepidus to honor his victory in Battle at Actium and is thought to have been built between 29–27 B.C.E.

8. Sit by the James Joyce Statue

Right next to the Arch of Sergii, you might recognize the man commemorated in bronze.

There’s a statue of James Joyce sitting on a ledge, overlooking the arch and the walkway below.

The famous Irish writer lived in Pula for about six months in 1904-05, teaching English to Austro-Hungarian naval officers at the Berlitz School. 

Even though he famously didn’t enjoy his time here–calling the city “ a naval Siberia ”–the city decided to immortalize him as a bronze statue looking towards the Arch of Sergii.

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9. Walk around the Church and Monastery of St. Francis

Once Pope Innocent III approved the Franciscan order, an outpost was established in Pula.

The Church and Monastery of St. Francis was built around the turn of the 13th century with a simple rectangular floor plan.

Inside, the beautiful golden altar dates back to the 15th century, and you can find a Roman mosaic on the floor of an interior chamber. 

Fun Fact : Relics of the Franciscan priest Blessed Oton are on display inside. He was credited with performing several healings but never received beautification recognition from the Catholic Church.

10. Climb to the top of the Kaštel

Standing at the top of the hill in Pula, the Kaštel (Pula Castle) was designed by a French military architect named Antoine de Ville for the Venetians in the 1630s as a way to defend the coastal city and its vital harbor.

Now, the Historical and Maritime Museum of Istria (Povijesni i pomorski muzej Istre / Museo storico e navale dell’Istria) is housed inside. 

Once you finish walking through the museum, walk around the top of the fortress for fantastic views of the Pula Arena and the rest of the city.

This is one of my favorite places to catch the sunset over Pula!

11. Walk through the Gate of Hercules

If you look closely at the top of the arch, you’ll see why it’s called the Gate of Hercules.

Up in the center, you can find the Ancient Greek demigod there with his infamous club.

Along with the carving, you’ll find the name of two Roman officials inscribed on the gate.

Lucius Calpurnius Piso and Gaius Cassius Longinus established the original colony in the 40s B.C.E. 

If you walk through the Gate of Hercules–flanked by two simply designed Medieval-era towers–and head up the stairs, you’ll come to Circolo , a nice restaurant with a great rooftop terrace. 

12. See the remaining chapel of the Basilica of Santa Maria del Canneto

The Basilica of Santa Maria del Canneto, also known as Santa Maria Formosa (Crkva sv. Marija Formoza), was a Byzantine-style church built in the 6th century.

When the Venetians ransacked the city in 1243, they destroyed everything except for one of the church’s three chapels.

You can still see the outline of where the magnificent church once stood, along with the remaining chapel.

Fun Fact : Some of the original Basilica’s stones were transported to Venice, Italy and used to build the Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana and Basilica di San Marco. The four alabaster columns above the high alter in San Marco’s are thought to have been taken from Santa Maria del Canneto, too.

13. Check out the Kažnjavanje Dirke Mosaic

You can see a beautifully preserved ancient Roman floor mosaic if you know where to look.

Near the Chapel of Santa Maria Formosa, the estimated 3rd-century mosaic depicts a scene from The Punishment of Dirce myth.

It’s a free landmark in Pula to visit!

14. Visit the Pula Aquarium

Housed in one of the 130-year-old Austro-Hungarian fortresses that made up the city’s defense complex, the Pula Aquarium is an excellent activity in Pula for kids and adults!

It’s the largest and most visited public aquarium in the country, beating Aquarium Terrarium, one of the best things to do in Šibenik , and others for the title.

You’ll find more than 200 species of fish and marine life here, as well as a turtle rescue center.

I spent a few hours roaming the tanks and exploring the different fish on display before taking the stairs to walk on top of the old Fort Verudela.

You’ll get panoramic views of the sea and the city from up top. Then walk over to Histria Beach or Ambrela Beach to relax in the sun.

15. Take a boat tour through Brijuni Islands National Park

Like its more famous cousin Kornati National Park and Archipelago, Brijuni National Park is also an island archipelago off the coast of Pula.

Largely uninhabited throughout history and most famous for their stone quarries, the islands were transformed into a popular holiday destination at the turn of the 20th century. 

Following World War II, Yugoslavia’s President Marshal Josip Broz Tito used the islands as his summer residence.

When Croatia gained its independence in the 1990s, the archipelago was deemed a national park and international conference center. 

If you decide to explore Brijuni National Park on your own, you need to visit Veliki Brijun Island.

Here you’ll find the Safari Park, a Dinosaur Park, the Brijuni Golf Course , Muzej Josipa broza Tita, and a few hotels where you can stay overnight.

Although you can rent a boat and visit the national park yourself, I highly recommend this guided tour I took when I last visited Pula.

It left right from Pula’s harbor and stopped at several of the islands around the national park (but not Veliki Brijun Island.)

The tour also included lunch and a guide who pointed out the different islands and landmarks as we passed them by. 

And yes, there are gorgeous peacocks strutting right up to you on the beaches!

16. Relax on one of Pula’s beaches

One of the most famous characteristics of any Croatia beach is its blue waters–and the lovely beaches in Pula are no exception!

I have a whole guide to the best beaches in Pula if you want to learn more, and my favorite Pula beaches include:

• Ambrela Beach
• Histria Beach
• Cyclone Beach
• Saccorgiana Cove

Insider Tip : If you’re visiting in the summer, you need to check out Zeppelin Beach Bar ! Located next to Saccorgiana Cove, the bar is a favorite for locals and tourists in the summer. It has a great restaurant on-site, and you can rent cabanas, boats, jet-skis, and other water sports during the day–and party at the lounge bar at night.

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17. Stroll through the Twin Gates to reach the Archaeological Museum of Istria

The Twin Gate was another entry point into the city of Pula.

Built in the 2nd century, the walls on either side of the gate were knocked down in the early 19th century to accommodate the expanding city.

Once you walk through the Twin Gate, you’ll find yourself standing in front of the Archaeological Museum of Istria (Arheološki muzej Istre.)

Here, you can see artifacts and relics from the many different ancient societies that lived in the region, all throughout various points in history. 

The Archaeological Museum is also excavating and restoring the Small Roman Theater found on the museum’s grounds.

18. Learn to taste at the Museum of Olive Oil

The region of Istria is affectionately referred to as Croatia’s “Tuscany.”

Along with the beautiful sweeping hillsides you’d find in its Italian neighbor, you’ll also find an exceptional tradition of wine, olive oil, and other foods. 

Although Pula has several fascinating museums, the Museum of Olive Oil (Museum Olei Histriae) was my favorite!

They have rooms of exhibits showcasing the history and artistry behind olive oil production in the Istria region and information on how the practices have been adapted for modern times. 

There are two different entry options. You can purchase a ticket to only explore the museum; or, you do want I did and include an olive oil tasting in your price of admission.

This was one of my favorite things to do in Pula! 

After I finished exploring the museum, we went into their tasting room for a presentation on different types of olive oil, what is actually “extra virgin,” and how to differentiate the tastes between true versus fake extra virgin olive oil.

19. Visit one of Pula’s other incredible museums

Aside from the Museum of Olive Oli and the Archaeological Museum of Istria, Pula has several other interesting museums you need to check out if you have time:

• Istrian Museum of Contemporary Art
• MEMO Museum
• Galerija ROCK

20. Go underground at Zerostrasse

Several underground passages are running all underneath Pula created by the Austro-Hungarian Empire during World War I as a shelter for Pula’s residents during air raids and ammunition storage. 

Today, a portion of these tunnels have been transformed into Zerostrasse . People can walk through to get from one point in Pula to another, as the space often hosts contemporary art and music events.

21. Visit the remains of Agrippina’s House

Around the corner from Forum Square, you’ll find the remains of an Ancient Roman estate.

The estate was originally ornately decorated with marble, facing the direction of the Square.

Part of the site is actually visible inside the OTP Bank office on the Square, while the rest is exposed outside. 

The most notable artifact discovered at the site is a bust of Empress Agrippina Minor.

Agrippina was the sister of Roman Emperor Caligula, wife of Roman Emperor Claudius, and mother of Roman Emperor Nero–three of the most infamous Roman rulers. 

22. Grab a bite at the Gradska Tržnica

Opened in 1903 using newly available materials like iron and glass, Pula’s Market Hall is where you want to go to grab a quick bite from a local vendor.

Reconstructed in 1997, the lower level has a fish market and fruit market, and you’ll find sit-down restaurants on the second level. 

Fun Fact : Pula’s Gradska Tržnica is similar to other food markets like Mercato Centrale in Florence, Italy, or Chelsea Market in New York City !

23. See The Lighting Giants

It’s no surprise that the seaside city was a hub for shipbuilding.

Opened in 1856 for the Austro-Hungarian empire, Uljanik was one of the oldest shipmakers in the world and operated out of Pula’s harbor.

Although the industry carried Pula throughout the 20th century, the Uljanik factory now sits unused.

Instead of dismantling all of the out-of-use machinery, the city decided to turn them into the Lighting Giants.

Every evening, the unused machines light up the sky from the water in technicolor for 15 minutes every hour.

You can see the Lighting Giants as you walk by the water in the evening or from a lookout point above the city, like from the Kaštel.

24. Attend the Vinski Grad this summer

Vinart is a Croatian organization dedicated to promoting incredible wines produced throughout the country.

In the summers, they organize several wine festivals in cities around the country, showcasing fifteen quality winemakers and their vintages–and Pula hosts one every year! 

You can find out more about this year’s Vinart wine festivals schedule around Croatia on their website.

25. Watch for dolphins in the water while enjoying the sunset

I don’t know about you, but going on a dolphin-watching adventure is an absolute dream come true. And where better than Croatia?

Obviously, there’s no guarantee you’ll see dolphins on your evening out, but the experience is more than worthwhile.

This three-hour boat tour leaves Pula in the evening, where a guide will explain dolphin behavior, local marine life, and show you what to look for out in the water.

Dinner and unlimited drinks are also included on this romantic evening out. 

Enjoy the open Adriatic Sea with a great dinner, a beautiful sunset, and hopefully some dolphin sightings! You can make your reservation for this dolphin-watching experience online.

26. Take a guided tour to Istrian cities near Pula

As much as I love Pula, there are some incredible cities in the region too!

If you don’t have enough time to explore some of the other towns on your own, check out this Istria in 1 Day Tour for some great things to do near Pula.

They’ll pick you up in Pula in front of the Amphitheater and facilitate your transportation to several of the most beautiful towns in the Istria region–like Rovinj, Poreč, Grožnjan, and Motovun. 

27. Visit Cape Kanenjak on the Premantura peninsula

Cape Kamenjak is another beautiful place to visit near Pula. The area is a nature reserve that protrudes off the southern tip of the peninsula of Premantura. 

There are eleven uninhabited islands off the coast, about twenty different species of orchids along with other indigenous plants, and dinosaur footprints along the peninsula.

Take a Caves and Canyons speedboat tour instead of renting a car and driving there (which you’ll have to pay a fee since the peninsula is vehicle-free).

You’ll leave right from Pula’s harbor and head over to see the cliffs and caves before stopping to swim. 

28. Explore outside the city center on a Pula Highlights Bike Adventure

Ready to go on a Croatia road trip?

If you’re looking for a way to get out and explore the hidden gems of Pula, then this Pula Highlights Bike Adventure is just what you need.

On this guided 3-hour bike tour, your guide will show you all the best that the area has to offer.

You’ll start off by biking past the Arena, along the old town and seafront promenade, then over to Pigeon’s Cave to cool off with some swimming, snorkeling, and optional cliff jumping.

After, continue along the coastline with magnificent coves, beaches, views, and sea caves before cycling through Verudela Canyon, where you can experience more breathtaking views with a stunning sunset and go cliff jumping again if you want.

29. Go on a Pula kayaking adventure

Enjoy some of Pula’s most popular beaches from a new perspective–the water!

On this kayaking adventure , you can explore spots that you’d probably never find alone.

Follow your knowledgeable guide as they take you around Seagull’s Rocks and its cliffs, grottos, and coves.

At each stop, you’ll learn more about Pula’s geology and history.

You’ll even get to snorkel in multiple caves and take part in some thrilling cliff-jumping. 

And don’t worry if you didn’t bring any gear with you; all the necessary equipment you’ll need to stay safe and have fun on this adventure is included with your booking.

30. Take a day trip to another Istrian, or Italian, city

If you have other Croatian cities on your bucket list, it’s so easy to visit other towns from Pula using public transport options like the ferry. 

If you take a look at CroatiaFerries.com , you can see the ferry schedule for the nine different ports you can travel to from Pula. 

Other beautiful Croatian cities like Rovinj and Zadar, and even Italian cities like Trieste and–my favorite–the Medieval town of Venice. 

Did you even imagine that taking a day trip from Pula to Venice is possible?!

What to do in Pula Croatia: FAQs

What are the best things to do in pula, croatia.

1. Visit the Pula Arena 2. Walk around the Pula Old Town 3. Explore Forum Square and see the Temple of Augustus 4. Take a walking tour of Pula 5. Walk around Tito’s Park by the harbor 6. Visit the Pula Cathedral 7. See the Arch of the Sergii 8. Sit by the James Joyce Statue 9. Walk around the Church and Monastery of St. Francis 10. Climb to the top of the Kaštel 11. Walk through the Gate of Hercules 12. See the remaining chapel of the Basilica of Santa Maria del Canneto 13. Check out the Kažnjavanje Dirke Mosaic 14. Visit the Pula Aquarium 15. Take a boat tour through Brijuni Islands National Park 16. Relax on one of Pula’s beaches 17. Stroll through the Twin Gates to reach the Archaeological Museum of Istria 18. Learn to taste at the Museum of Olive Oil 19. Visit one of Pula’s other incredible museums 20. Go underground at Zerostrasse 21. Visit the remains of Agrippina’s House 22. Grab a bite at the Gradska Tržnica 23. See The Lighting Giants 24. Attend the Vinski Grad this summer 25. Watch for dolphins in the water while enjoying the sunset 26. Take a guided tour to Istrian cities near Pula 27. Visit Cape Kanenjak on the Premantura peninsula 28. Explore outside the city center on a Pula Highlights Bike Adventure 29. Go on a Pula kayaking adventure 30. Take a day trip to another Istrian, or Italian, city

What country is Pula in?

Pula is a city located in the country of Croatia. It’s situated on the Istrian Peninsula in the northern part of the country.

Pula Croatia Things to do: Wrap-Up

No matter what your preferences are, you’re sure to find tons of fun activities in Pula.

Whether you want to marvel at its Roman ruins, explore the lively markets and cafes, or take part in water sports on the Adriatic side—there are plenty of things to keep you busy on your visit.

And let’s not forget about the natural beauty of this incredible city. From the crystal-clear waters of the Adriatic Sea to the lush green forests that surround the city, Pula is a place that will leave you in awe of the world around you.

What historical sites and activities will make your list of the best things to do in Pula, Croatia?

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Home > Top 10 Things To Do In Pula, Croatia

Top 10 Things To Do In Pula, Croatia

Written by our local expert Ana

Croatian born Ana is an avid traveler who is always looking for the next travel story from the Balkans to share. Her passion is creating travel itineraries and in-depth guides.

Travel writer Laura Lynch shares her suggestions for the 10 best things to do in Pula, Croatia. What else would you add? as written by travel writer Laura Lynch from Savored Journeys.

One of the main reasons people flock to Croatia is the beautiful Adriatic and the dramatic coastline. While most tourists will head to Dubrovnik or inland toward Zagreb , the Istrian Peninsula remains one of Croatia’s less touristy places. However, that is starting to change as more tourists discover the  beautiful gems of Istria and tell their friends and family about them.

Slowly, holidays to Pula and Istria are getting increasingly popular.

One of Istria’s handful of impressive coastal towns , historic Pula has one of the main airports on the Istrian peninsula. Therefore, it’s often used as a launching point for travelers looking to enjoy the peninsula, while few people actually stick around and explore Pula itself.

What To Do In Pula, Croatia: Top 10 Attractions

So, what is Pula like? As the largest city in Istria, Pula has quite a lot to offer tourists who want to get a feel for what Istria is like historically, culturally, and culinary. It’s also a great place to visit with kids as well . Here are the top 10 things to do in Pula , Croatia, one of the country’s oldest cities.

Explore Pula Arena – The 6th Largest Roman Colosseum In The World

Pula’s history has a strong Roman influence, evidenced by the largely intact Roman Colosseum that dominates the city’s center. The Arena is an assuming presence in Pula, one of the absolute best things to see in Pula, its stone walls visible from almost any point in the city.

This three-level Colosseum may be much smaller than the one in Rome , but it is no less impressive. The Arena was built in the 1st century AD and was used until the 5th century for gladiatorial fights and other mass spectacles.

More than 26,000 spectators could fit on the terraced seating inside the Arena of the amphitheater in Pula. Although some of the structures were stolen over the years, the exterior remains one of the best-preserved Roman amphitheaters. Below ground is a series of tunnels and rooms where the animals and gladiators await their fights.

Today, the Pula Arena, the Croatia Colosseum, is used to host events and performances, indeed one of Europe’s most celebrated music and live arts venues. You can take a Pula Colosseum tour and learn a bit about it in the attached museum. A visit to the Pula Arena is, without question, one of those cool things to do in Croatia .

Admire The Temple Of Augustus

The Temple of Augustus was built in the 2nd century BC and dedicated to Emperor Augustus and the goddess Roma. It’s been used for many purposes throughout its long history (a temple, a church, and even a granary) and used to be part of a three-building complex. The main central temple is long gone, but the back wall of one of the other structures, The Temple of Diana, survived and was incorporated into the Communal Palace.

The Temple of Augustus remains the only surviving part of the original temple triad, a major highlight and one of the best things to do in Pula. During WWII, it was hit by a bomb that almost destroyed it. It has been mostly restored to what it was like 2,000 years ago and houses Roman sculptural artifacts. You can take a quick tour of the interior for a small fee (it’s a small space).

Visit The Triumphal Arch Of Sergius

Also built in the 1st century AD, the Triumphal Arch of Sergius is a monument erected to honor the Sergii family members. They fought and died in a battle between Octavian’s Roman army and Mark Antony’s Egyptian-Roman army, a battle in which Octavian and the Sergiis were triumphant.

One of the top attractions in Pula, the Arch leads into the old town center and has an ornate decoration with fluted columns and chariots engraved along the top.

Stroll Through The Twin Gate

Not far from the Arena is one of the old city gates that were built in the 2nd century AD. It’s called the Twin Gate because there are actually two gates side by side. Rumor has it that the double gates were necessary to allow more townspeople into the city during gladiator fights and other major town events.

The gates are well-preserved and open to a central part of the old town where people still hang out. In fact, it can get pleasantly crowded during the day when tourists are enjoying the surrounding shops and locals go about their everyday business.

See The Cathedral Of The Assumption Of The Holy Virgin

Don’t expect to find an ornate interior at this church. It’s not like the intricate catholic cathedrals you find in Italy . Built by the Christians during their persecution, the church is quite minimalist in design, but the architecture is impressive, nonetheless, and it’s worth a walk-by to check it out.

Sample Croatian Wine

While Croatia doesn’t export a lot of wine – most of its production is kept in the country – the wine’s quality often parallels that of neighboring Italy. Wine tourism is starting to catch on in Croatia , too. In Pula, there are a handful of opportunities to get a glimpse into the wine-making tradition of Istria . A tasting of the wines produced in the vineyards that dot the countryside is one of the most fun activities in Pula, Croatia.

Trapan winery is located just a few kilometers outside the city, one of the best places to visit near Pula, Croatia. Taste the white varietal, Malvasia, and red varietal, Teran, both unique to Croatia . You can take an organized wine tour with EatIstria or drive to the wineries yourself.

Editors note: If you love wine, be sure to add some of these tremendous Croatian wineries to your vacation checklist.

Taste Istria’s Bounty Of Incredible Foods

The food in Croatia has primarily been influenced by its inhabitants and rulers over the centuries, imparting the flavors of Italy, Greece, and French into the local cuisine. With its proximity to the sea, fresh fish and seafood are obvious specialties. You can find some of the freshest seafood in the restaurants bordering the waterfront and occupying the Verudela Peninsula to the south.

For fish, squid, and shellfish, visit Ribarska Koliba on the marina. Alternatively, splurge on a five-course feast from one of the area’s best chefs at Konoba Batelina. Istria is also well known for white truffles and olive oil. You can find both specialties in almost any restaurant (as long as the truffles are in season). You can also buy truffle paste and olive oil to take home with you, making for a fantastic souvenir .

So, from an immersion in Istrian cuisine, a food tour is one of the most fun things to do in Pula, Croatia.

Walk Along The Waterfront And The Old Roman Forum

With only about 60,000 inhabitants, Pula isn’t a large city, so it’s easy to walk around and enjoy the tranquil beauty. Take a stroll along the marina to see the boats bobbing in the calm water, watch as the sun falls in brilliant color behind the horizon, or just soak up the sea air.

If you’re wondering what to do in Pula, Croatia, this is a great way to spend an hour or two in this vibrant town. It can get pretty busy during high tourist season, but if you’re lucky to visit during a slower time , you may have the whole waterfront to yourself. If you’re trying to figure out where to go in Croatia in June or September, Pula would be an outstanding choice.

After a stroll along the waterfront, check out the town center that was once a Roman Forum. The piazza today is a pedestrian-only zone that contains plenty of cafes, restaurants, and shops.

Take A Gourmet Tour Or Cooking Class

I firmly believe that you can’t fully experience a culture without trying the food . A great way to learn about the food and try many different things you might not have known about otherwise is taking a food tour or cooking class. This may be one of the more unusual things to do in Pula, but it’s so much fun!

Every Wednesday, leaving from the Arena, a two-hour organized tour combines a little sightseeing with traditional Istrian food and wine tasting.

You can buy tickets at the Arena. If you’re not in town on Wednesday, you can still get in on the gourmet fun with a cooking class from EatIstria. You’ll have a chance to look around the food markets, buy local ingredients, learn to cook in the traditional style, and then enjoy the fruits of your labor.

See The “Lighting Giants”

The Lighting Giants is a relatively new form of entertainment for Pula. I’ve never seen anything quite like it, though it reminds me of a Christmas lights display that used to take place in my neighborhood growing up. A world-famous lighting designer, Dean Skira, decided to create the lights show on the dozen or so industrial cranes along the waterfront in Pula.

The more than 16,000 lights are hooked up to a remote control system and illuminated according to a dramatic musical sequence. The program changes frequently, and they have impressive displays around the holidays , so it never gets old. You can catch the light show every hour starting at 9 pm. It lasts for about 15 minutes.

These are just a few of the things to do in Pula. There are also numerous places to go and things to see outside the city that will introduce you to more of the Istria peninsula.

Here is a detailed list of where to stay in Pula, Croatia. We list the best hotels near Pula, Croatia, for you. We’ve covered all the bases from luxurious 5-star all the way down to the more budget-friendly apartments and hostels . Book your Pula accommodation right here!

Have you been to Pula? What things to do in Pula will you add to your list?

Comments (26)

I have probably said this before, but…. I know we need to visit Croatia, soon.

The Arena and the other ruins look impressive. Incredible how many of these survive since Roman times. To me, the mix of history and food make this city a must visit.

Pula is so on my list! It’s easy to get there, but for some reason I just haven’t yet. Love this list of things to do.

So much yes to all of these! I loved Pula, the food, the people, the architecture, so worth the visit!!

I’ve been to Rovinj and loved it and I hope to go to Pula and return to Rovinj in 2016. I would love to spend weeks making may way be ferry from Rovinj or Pula to Dubrovnik. I can’t seem to find much information about that online. Perhaps you could tell us more about the ferries, what their season is, where to find the schedules. Love you blog.

Ferries are tricky as the schedules are not easy to find. You can find links to some here http://www.chasingthedonkey.com/croatia-travel-guide-resources/ but as things change a lot each year, the ferries for this year may not be available in 2016. Hope that helps.

Pula is on my list for September! I love anything to do with ancient history

I think my favorite would be the water front part… I love being in and around any body of water! great shots!!

I definitely regret not taking a gourmet tour in some of the more foodie destinations we visited! Live and learn.

Wonderful post and lovely photos.

Before I started reading this blog, I had no idea how many Roman historical sites were in Croatia. They look like they’re in fabulous condition, too!

Yes, so many are – and sadly so many need protection. There are a bunch of them in Zadar that people SIT AND STAND ON! I always get sad when I see that.

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Things To Do in Pula: A Complete Guide To Pula, Croatia

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Pula, Croatia is one of the top destinations on the Istrian Peninsula. Located near the southern tip of the tear drop-shaped peninsula, Pula is both industrially important and historically charming.

Large cranes loom over the massive shipyard, while Roman ruins are scattered throughout Old Town Pula. Unlike some historic Croatia towns, Pula is not only a tourist destination, but a real working city.

Although it was mainly the historic aspects that prompted our visit to Pula, we discovered that there are many things to do in Pula, Croatia.

Best Things To Do in Pula, Croatia: Why Visit?

Pula (and the Istrian Peninsula) is one of the best places to visit in Croatia . Distinctly different from cities on the Dalmatian Coast and in the country’s interior, Pula and the region feature an Italian flair.

On our Istria Trip , we based ourselves in nearby Rovinj . We spent weeks exploring the region and traveled to Pula on a day trip, although we quickly realized that we could have stayed much longer. 

While the top sights can be seen with one day in Pula, there are numerous activities that can fill week-long holidays to Pula, Croatia, too!

What To Do in Pula For A Day

Visitors on a day trip to Pula can easily see the highlights on foot. 

We recommend using our list of things to see in Pula to create your own free Pula Walking Tour. The order of the Pula sights listed create a loop – from the Pula Arena around the city to the hill-topping fort. Use this link to a map of directions  for your Pula free walking tour. 

Travelers who would rather let a guide lead the way through Grad Pula can join a City Pula Walking Tour. Book a highly rated tour with a local guide online – Read Reviews !

Plan a Longer Pula Vacation

In addition to our top recommendations of what to do in Pula, Croatia in a single day, we include suggestions for longer stays, as well.

At the end of the post, we have provided a useful Pula map of attractions, tips for visiting Pula and pertinent information like where to stay in Pula and how to get there.

Planning a Trip to Pula, Croatia

Whether you are planning a Pula day trip or a multiday vacation, you can use our list of the best things to do and see in the city. 

Travelers coming from abroad, however, should first read our Top Tips for the Best Croatian Vacation . Additionally, visitors looking for a little direction on how to best plan their route through the country should take a look at our 2-Week Croatia Itinerary for ideas. 

As you plan your trip, staying organized is key! You can stay on top of all the essential trip details with our printable Travel Planner . 

Pula, Croatia History

Before we dive into our list of what to see in Pula, it helps to have a basic understanding of the city’s past. The history of Pula can be traced to ancient times.

Evidence of human settlements in the region date to the Neolithic Period – and there is proof that both the Illyrians and Greeks at one time occupied the land. However, it was in the year 177 BC that the Romans took control. Under the reign of Julius Caesar, the town flourished as a prominent trading port.

Pula 1st Century AD

In the 1st century AD, the Pula Amphitheater was built – which still stands today. Fortifications were erected and a few of the town gates remain in the city, even though the walls have long been torn down. During the 1st century, the Pula population was about 30,000 residents – and it flourished into the 2nd century. 

Medieval Times in Pula

After the fall of the Roman Empire, Pula was overseen by many different rulers – each one leaving their own mark on the city. Pula remained an important port, however, by the mid-1700s, it had been left in ruins. In the beginning of the 1800s, Pula town again shuffled hands a few times until coming under power of the Austro-Hungarians.

Pula, Croatia Today

By the 1900s, the town was thriving again and became a base for Austria’s navy and a center for ship building. The battered town was resurrected as a major industrial city.

In 1918, Pula became part of Italy (called Pola) and was then occupied by Germans during the end of World War II (which resulted in it being heavily bombed).

After the war, it became part of Yugoslavia (even though a majority of Italians lived in there); then – at the collapse of Yugoslavia in 1991 – Pula became part of The Republic of Croatia.

Today, Pula ranks as the largest city in Istria and the 8th largest in Croatia. 

9 Things To Do in Pula, Croatia

The top Pula attractions are remains from the city’s historic past. Our day of Pula sightseeing revolved around seeking out the still standing and unearthed Roman ruins, as well as gazing at more ‘recent’ architectural gems. We feature the top places to get a peek at the fascinating Pula history. 

Save, Pin or Bookmark our Pula Travel Guide so that you can plan your vacation to Croatia !

#1 Pula Amphitheater

{ MAP } The well-preserved Pula Arena was built in the 1st century AD. The Roman structure was completed in the year 80 AD and used for Gladiator battles until the 5th century. Competitions of Man-versus-Man, Man-versus-Beast and Woman-versus-Woman entertained crowds of 25,000 people.

Although only a shell of what it once was, we can imagine the arena filled with people cheering on the gruesome and bloody battles.

The fall of Rome – and the outlawing of gladiator fights – led to the disuse of the amphitheater. Materials from the amphitheater – like the interior stones – were swiped by builders to use in construction elsewhere in the city.

However, the majority of the structure is marvelously intact. Its position on a hillside near the water make it an even more stunning sight.

Did you know you can go inside the Pula Arena?! In fact, it’s one of the top Pula, Croatia things to do! Buy your ticket in advance online to gain access inside the city’s most iconic attractions.

#2 Pula Cathedral

{ MAP } From the amphitheater, a shop-lined street leads into the historic Pula Old Town, passing the stoic Pula Cathedral along the way.

Officially called the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the church is one of two cathedrals in the district (the other is the Euphrasian Basilica in Porec – which we visited on our Istria Day Trip ).

The Pula, Croatia church dates to the 5th century AD and occupies the site of a former Jupiter temple and Roman bath.

Over the many centuries, the church was renovated and expanded. Graves containing precious relics were discovered in the church in the late 1600s. In 1707, the bell tower was built next to the church…using stones from the Arena. The interior was once decorated with stone tile mosaics, but now is rather unadorned.

#3 The Pula Forum and Temple of Augustus

{ MAP } Stepping into the Pula Forum is like stepping back in time. The central Forum has been the city’s main square, gathering place and political center for 2,000 years. The oldest structure in the Forum is the Temple of Augustus – one of the most intriguing things to see in Pula, Croatia.

The fully preserved Temple of Augustus was built in the 1st century. The temple is dedicated to the Capitoline Triad of Jupiter, Juno and Minerva and once stood with other temples, which no longer exist.   

Next to the Temple of Augustus is the Town Hall – or Communal Palace – which is a mishmash of architecture (including portions of an original temple). Interestingly, there are five flags that fly from the Town Hall: one for Pula, Istria, Croatia, Italy and the European Union.

#4 Ancient Roman Floor Mosaic

{ MAP } A wonderfully intact floor mosaic is located along an inconspicuous city lane (through a gate at a residential building…don’t worry, it’s open to the public). The 2000-year-old mosaic tells the story of Dirce, a Greek legend.

The tiled floor was discovered in the 1940s after the area was bombed during World War II. The work of art is believed to have been the central floor of a Roman House that dates to the 3rd century.

The mosaic is on display in its original setting. It lies several feet lower than street level today as the city of Pula has grown up around it.

#5 Chapel of St. Maria Formosa, Pula, Croatia

{ MAP } Not far from the tiled mosaic are the remains of an early Basilica. All that is left standing is the Chapel, but an outline of the former Basilica can be seen in the field. It is believed that the Byzantine Basilica was built in the 6th or 7th century and that it was lavishly decorated.

The church was most likely built on the site of a former temple. Some of the stones from the Basilica were incorporated into the construction of the Communal Palace on the Forum in the late 1600s.

#6 Arch of Sergii, Pula

{ MAP } Once a grand city gate into the fortified Old Town of Pula, the Arch of Sergii is a triumphal arch dedicated the three Sergii brothers. The Sergii family was one of the most powerful and influential families in Pula. Built in 29 BC, the arch specifically celebrates the victory at Actium and was funded by the brothers’ sister.

Decorated with statues, inscriptions and columns, the archway has long held the fascination of artists – including famous Michelangelo.

#7 Market Hall, Pula, Croatia

{ MAP } Built in the early 1900s, the expansive Pula Market Hall was a modern marvel in its time. It was built using contemporary materials of iron and glass.

The two-level indoor market accommodated both the fish market (ground level) and produce market (second level). It has been more than a hundred years (and a major renovation) later and the hall is still used as it was originally intended.

Top Tip: Sample local fare from the market – like burek (a savory and flaky pastry) from a bakery or fresh in-season produce.

#8 Pula Fort Kastel

{ MAP } The Kastel fortress – built by the Venetians in the 1630s – was an integral part of Pula’s system of defense. The location atop a hill provided an advantageous viewpoint over Pula and the Adriatic Sea.

The original structure – a French design – was expanded on several occasions. No longer used to protect the city, the castle now houses the Historical and Maritime Museum of Istria. A fee is only required to enter the museum, the rest of the structure can be freely explored.

Top Tip: The Kastel Fort is one of the best places to visit in Pula at sunset! 

#9 Small Roman Theater, Pula

{ MAP } The final Pula must-see sight on our list is the Roman Theater. The 1st century AD theater was built directly into the slope of the hill (next to the fortress). Only a portion of the theater has been preserved – which in its day could accommodate 5,000 people.

Pula, Croatia Map

Use this link to Google Maps for our Pula sightseeing map online. Looking for a paper tourist map of Pula, Croatia? Inquire at the tourist information office (located in the Forum).

More Things To Do in Pula, Croatia

On our short Pula trip, we limited our sightseeing to the top historic sights. Visitors who are staying longer can check out more of the top Pula, Croatia attractions.

Pula, Croatia Beaches

The historic center lies near the shoreline on the bay, which is completely consumed by the Port. However, there are beaches in Pula, Croatia to the south of the city.

The southwest-facing coastline is punctuated by coves and bays – creating numerous Pula, Croatia beaches. Visitors will find the best beaches on the southern peninsula that dangles into the sea.

Best Beaches Pula, Croatia

Hawaiian Beach Pula: The secluded beach can get crowded, but it is perfect for sunbathing, swimming and Pula cliff jumping!

Zeppelin Beach and Lounge Bar: Relaxing beach bar with chill vibes for a fun day in the sun.

Boat Trips from Pula, Croatia

One of the best things to do in Pula is explore by sea! There are numerous Pula boat trips to choose from. Top-rated Pula boat excursions include visiting Venice, snorkeling, dolphin spotting and diving.

Boat: Venice to Pula

Depart from Pula and cross the Adriatic Sea to Venice, Italy on a one-day trip. Boats depart from Pula early in the morning and dock in Venice around 11:00am. Visitors have time to explore the fascinating city on their own before cruising back to Pula in the late afternoon. Find out more!

Pula Boat Tours to Cape Kamenjak Premantura

This southern Istria boat tour hosts a maximum of 12 guests and includes time for swimming, snorkeling and cliff jumping. Read Reviews!

Evening Dolphin Spotting Tour with Dinner

Dolphins are most active around the Brijuni National Park in the evening, which is the perfect time to see them in their natural habitat. Learn about the dolphins and marine life in the Adriatic Sea, then feast on a local meal and enjoy drinks from the open bar. Get the details!

Diving Pula

For serious exploration, go on a diving expedition in the Adriatic Sea! Geared toward beginners, this small-group diving tour includes diving instruction and two dives. Learn more!

Kayaking Adventure

Explore sea caves, hidden coves and secluded beaches on an exciting kayaking tour. Guests can snorkel inside a sea cave or jump from Pula’s highest cliffs. Book It Now!

Day Trips from Pula

Not every Pula tour heads out to sea – there are land adventures to be had, too! Check out these popular excursions from Pula.

Bike Tour from Pula on Kamenjak Peninsula

Explore the Kamenjak Peninsula on two wheels! Discover secluded nature reserves that can not be seen by car. Bicycle, helmets and transportation from Pula to the Peninsula are provided in this tour. Find out more!

Wine Tasting Pula, Croatia

One of the best things to do in Istria is taste the wine! Join a small-group tour to three wineries near Pula on the Istrian Wine Express. Book your spot!

Plitvice Lakes from Pula

Plitvice Lakes is one of Croatia’s most popular natural attractions. Visitors can see the lakes on a Pula day trip – either with their own transport or on a tour. 

Green Garden Pula

Green Garden is an entertainment complex in the city offering fun Pula activities – like Go-Karts, Paintball and Quad rentals (so you can tour Pula by Buggy!).

Pula Museums

Not all attractions in Pula are day trip adventures. Some of the best things to see are the museums in Pula that are right in the city center! 

Historical and Maritime Museum of Istria

We already mentioned the Maritime Museum; it’s located at the Kastel Fort in Pula. The small museum covers a mishmash of topics and exhibits of historical artifacts – including items like maps, photographs and old postcards. 

Zerostrasse Underground Tunnels

A subterranean network of tunnels that date to the early 1900s, Zerostrasse is an intriguing place to visit. Historical artifacts and informative plaques line the underground tunnels detailing their use. 

MEMO Museum of Good Memories

A small museum dedicated to life in Pula during the Yugoslavia years. The collection includes everyday items from the time period – and how they would have looked inside the home. 

Istrian Olive Oil Museum

The Pula Olive Oil Museum is a fun place to learn about and taste the local olive oil from Istria. Tours – which are aided by an audio guide – include the history, production and science of olive oil in Croatia and culminates in a fun tasting experience. 

More Museums in Pula, Croatia

A few other museums that fellow travelers might be interested in visiting are the Contemporary Art Museum of Istria, the Sacred Heart Museum and Gallery Space and the Archaeological Museum of Istria. 

Best Restaurants in Pula, Croatia

Visitors who stay more than one day in the city will likely be dining out in Pula, Croatia. There are many restaurants that will appeal to a range of tastes.

Visitors can choose from traditional konobas, Italian eateries or local fast food. Being along the coast, seafood is offered at most restaurants (and a must-try while in the city, in our opinion!). Find a list of top-rated restaurants on TripAdvisor .

Best Bars in Pula

During our trip to Pula, we discovered a bar dedicated to serving Croatia craft beer . Unfortunately, however, the bar has since closed its doors. We have not yet been, but one of the top-rated Pula bars is The Shipyard Pub – which also specializes in burgers.

How To Get to Pula, Croatia

Getting to Pula, Croatia is fairly easy. Visitors can reach the city by plane, boat, car or bus.

Pula Airport

Want to fly to Pula? No problem (as long as it’s summer!). The airport in Pula is located about 10km northeast of the city center. The airport code for Pula is PUY.

Flights to Pula are seasonal, but in the summertime the city is serviced by numerous European carriers. There are Pula flights from top European destinations, like Berlin , Paris , Dublin and Amsterdam . There are even direct London to Pula flights.

Search for the best deal on a flight to Pula on SkyScanner .

Ferries to Pula, Croatia

Just like flights, ferries from Pula are very seasonal. Ferry lines connect Pula to the nearby islands, Italy and Zadar (unfortunately, there is no Split to Pula ferry).

Get the most accurate ferry information at the Pula Port.

Driving to Pula, Croatia

Although we don’t like to drive in foreign countries, getting a car hire in Croatia ( check rates !) is a great way to explore…especially in Istria!

Unlike other coastal towns, there are parking lots in Pula, Croatia. The biggest parking area is near the amphitheater by the water.

Riding the Bus to Pula

Pula is well-connected to other Croatian destinations by bus. During our trip to Istria, we were based in Rovinj – and getting from Rovinj to Pula was as simple as hopping on a regional bus.

Bus Rovinj to Pula

The bus from Rovinj to Pula only takes about 40 minutes and there are numerous departures daily. It is best to get current and accurate information by inquiring at the bus station.

Bus Zagreb to Pula

The bus from Zagreb to Pula takes as little as 3.5 hours (but many routes take much longer) and there are several departure times (including one overnight bus).

Pula, Croatia Weather

Pula, Croatia weather tends to be mild, but can get hot and humid in the summertime. The winter Bura Wind comes from the north, while the Sirocco wind brings rain from the southeast in the summer.

Accommodation in Pula, Croatia

Guests have a wide range of options when it comes to places to stay in Pula, Croatia. Hotels, hostels, apartments and camping are all options for Pula accommodations.

Pula, Croatia Hotels

Guests looking for hotels in Pula, Croatia will find luxury resorts, boutique hotels and guesthouses. We are highlighting just a few of the top rated places to stay in Pula. 

Well situated close to the sea and the city, Hotel Pula features amenities, such as a pool, gym and sauna – but the rooms and hotel are quite dated. Check rates!

Histria Hotel

The Park Plaza Histria Hotel in Pula gets fabulous reviews! Located on the beachfront, Histria Hotel offers beach access, multiple pools, a spa and multiple on site restaurants. Check availability!

Hotel Brioni

The luxury Grand Hotel Bironi is a premier hotel in Pula offering exceptional service and amenities in a sublime atmosphere. The hotel features an indoor and outdoor pool, spa and restaurant offering local specialties. Check rates and availability!

Start your search for the best hotels in Pula, Croatia on Booking.com  – but first, read our tips on How To Get the Best Hotels at the Best Price .

Holiday Apartments in Pula

There are many vacation rentals in Pula. We like staying in apartments in Croatia, as they are often spacious and include a kitchen (and more affordable price than hotels). When we want to find the perfect apartment, we look on Airbnb  – but guests can find vacation apartments on Booking.com , as well.

Hostels in Pula, Croatia

Looking for a hostel in Pula? There are Pula hostels in the city center and near the beaches that offer private rooms and dormitory beds. Crazy House Hostel ( check rates !) gets rave reviews. Find available hostels on Booking.com .

Camping Pula

Visitors who want to go camping in Pula, Croatia have several options of campgrounds along the coast. Two popular campsites are Stoja Camping and Brioni Sunny Camping.

What To Pack for your Pula, Croatia Trip

It’s time to start packing your backpack or suitcase ! We have a few specific tips for items you will want to pack for Croatia, but you can find all of our advice on our Travel Packing Tips blog page. You can also snag a Free Packing Checklist here !

Walking Shoes

The city is very walkable, but you will still need a good pair of comfortable shoes for sightseeing. I like to wear versatile sneakers and Kris wears Merrell shoes for city walks. You can find more tips for the Best Travel Shoes . 

Travelers headed to the Pula beaches will want to pack a pair of flip flops – and water shoes for the pebbly beaches, too!

Travel Camera

Pula, Croatia is home to incredible historic sights, beautiful architecture and scenic views. Be sure to pack a real camera to capture the beauty of the city. 

We use a Canon Rebel DSLR camera with an 18-135mm lens . The camera takes quality photos, is easy to use and is an excellent choice for a budget travel camera . 

Whether you are traveling to Pula on a day trip or staying to spend long days on the beaches, you will want to make sure you pack a good travel day bag for your everyday travel items .

Croatia Travel Insurance

Consider protecting your trip with World Nomads , where they offer affordable rates for their robust coverage. 

Start planning your trip to Croatia ! Search for the lowest airfares , the best accommodations and fun things to do …then start packing !   Want more travel planning tips? Head over to our Travel Planning page for more information and tips on traveling – and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides page !

More Croatia Travel Tips

Visiting Other Top Destinations in Croatia ? Excellent! You can use our detailed guides and insider tips to get ready for your trip! 

• The Best Things To Do in Dubrovnik
• How To Spend 3 Days in Split
• Top Day Trips from Zadar
• What To Do in Makarska
• Things To See in Sibenik
• A Walking Tour of Zagreb
• Reasons to Visit Osijek  

Interested in Croatian Island Hopping ? Great choice! Read up on our amazing adventures to Hvar , Korcula , Brac and Vis ! Find more of our Guides to Croatia on our Croatia Travel Page . 

Pin it! See all of our travel pins on our JetSetting Fools Pinterest Board .

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• 15 Places To Visit In Pula To Experience The True Croatian Charm In 2024!

10 Apr 2023

Pula is the coastal city in Croatia overlooking the majestic Adriatic is known for its tremendous beaches! But there’s more to the magnificent city of the Istrian Peninsula and it is the majestic history of the place. Pula, even today, basks in ancient history and makes for an enchanting beauty located amidst all those imposing structures and crumbling walls.

There are popular places to visit in Pula from the times of the Romans, the Venetians, and the Austro-Hungarians , that thrive all along with the Croatian coastal city. The historical tourist attractions in Pula have witnessed and weathered many battles, power plays, and stood gloriously through time. But tales of war and rustic medieval architecture is not all that the city has to offer. It is also lined with beautiful beaches, natural parks, forests and a sprawling hillside. From nature lovers to history buffs, Pula has something to offer to everyone!

15 Best Places To Visit In Pula

Here is the list of most famous places that you ought to visit on your vacation. Keep scrolling down and read along

• Temple Of Augustus
• Archaeology Museum
• Pula Kastel
• Church And Monastery Of St. Francis
• Austro-Hungarian Fortress
• Pula Aquarium
• Cape Kamenjak
• Brijuni Islands National Park
• Austin Roberts Birds Sanctuary
• The Gate Of Hercules
• Small Roman Theatre
• Pula Communal Palace
• Galerija Makina

1. Pula Arena

Image Source Yes, the Romans were here performing epic fights right from the 1st Century. This mighty structure is the most well-preserved Amphitheatre in the world. Being one of the best places to visit in Pula, here you will see a still standing Arena, underground passages, cisterns etc. exhibiting the Gladiator’s ways.

Suggested Read: 10 Best Croatian Islands That Are Perfect For Your Beach Holiday!

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2. Temple Of Augustus

Image Source

Just another well-preserved beauty of Pula tourism. Constructed under the reign of King Augustus, the temple is roughly 2000 years old. First, a temple, then a church, later a granary and now a place for storing historically significant monuments and sculptures, this place has undertaken many roles.

Suggested Read: 10 Things To Do In Croatia To Treat Yourself With The Best Of Balkans’ Offerings

3. Pula Forum

The city’s main square plays host and celebrates every big occurrence since hundreds of years. During the summer seasons, you may get to enjoy the concerts and cultural events. Also, you may enjoy football matches with huge crowds whenever the Croatian team is playing in any important leagues. It will be the most magnificent setting you will enjoy football in.

4. Archaeology Museum

Though Pula already has Temple of Augustus, it is nowhere near sufficient to house the massive cultural heritage. They had outgrown the temple’s walls way before it was initiated as a museum. The museum houses the mark of all the empires the city has seen. Exhibits start from finds of the Stone Age and even today showcases have to be updated to encompass the historical richness of the Istrian Peninsula.

Suggested Read: 10 Croatia Beach Resorts For Everyone Planning A Lovely Adriatic Vacation

5. Pula Kastel

Placed in an uplifted center of the city, this is a Venetian military fortress built in the 17th Century. Proudly displaying militarily significant architecture, a watchtower and canons to scare off any spectators, the Kastel was built as a main footing of the Venetian’s to defend the city of Pula as well as the entire upper Adriatic. Together with the Arena, this structure is the proud host of Pula’s International Film festival.

6. Church And Monastery Of St. Francis

You can reach this place by continuing on the uphill path starting at the Forum. One of the popular places to visit in Pula, the Church and Monastery of St. Francis was built in the 14th Century and later was surrounded by a monastery complex. The architecture style is typically and classically Roman. The most striking feature within is its serene gardens, with tall palm trees and ancient statues. One can even find small turtles sunbathing in this garden during summers.

7. Austro-Hungarian Fortress

The Austro-Hungarian era of this town bequeathed it with various effective defenses along the seashores. It harbors 26 forts, all in circular form, for effective use of artillery. It also contains tunnels, trenches, and batteries for conducting warfare. One can secure maps of this monument and sight all the forts here. A few of them are located on hilltops, providing brilliant vantage points and view of the vistas!

Suggested Read: Honeymoon In Croatia: All You Need To Plan An Incredible Escape

8. Pula Aquarium

Found inside the Austro-Hungarian fortress Verudela, the town proudly homes the largest aquarium of Croatia. Along with many native aquatic species of plants and animals, the tanks and pools here have an architectural design to match the grandeur of the fortress. The aquarium also has an entire room for displaying Sea Horses and the only Turtle rescue center located in Croatia. However, the star of the show is the tank full of sharks placed in the first atrium of the fortress.

9. Cape Kamenjak

This is Istria’s southernmost point, located just a few kilometers south of Pula. With clear blue waters, neat cliffs, a collection of small islands in between, it surely is a thing of beauty and definitely, a must not miss! The rocks surrounding the west side beaches serve as natural stepping stones and sides, like in pools. One can also use them for neat dives into the ocean. The ocean also plays host to many water sporting and scuba diving activities for the marine side in you!

10. Brijuni Islands National Park

To reach Brijuni Islands National Park, head to ‘Fazana’, a town located 10 km to the North of Pula. Ferries ply in tandem from Fazana to the park. 16 minutes is the total time required to reach Brijuni. A massive dinosaur statue awaits you at the entrance.

Brijuni Islands National Park is a group of small islands with pristine white Pula beaches all surrounded by azure waters. Also, there are close to 200 footprints found of Dinosaurs from the Cretaceous period! One can also roam the remains of an old Roman villa and a church belonging to the legendary Knights Templar!

11. Arch Of The Sergii

The ancient Roman triumphal arch commemorates three brothers of the Sergii family, who were part of the pivotal battle of Actium in France. It dates back to 30 BC and it still stands tall and reflects the beauty and charm of a bygone era that counts as one of the best places to go in Pula.

12. The Gate Of Hercules

This Roman landmark is one of the earliest pieces of Roman heritage that is still standing in Pula and has eroded carving of Hercules and names of two contemporary Roman officials.

13. Small Roman Theatre

Pula has a Small Roman Theatre, located within the town hall, on the hill slope underneath the Castle dating back to the 1st century AD. The ancient architecture and the evocative ruins will attract you to witness this roman architectural marvel that was designed for the purpose of entertainment.

14. Pula Communal Palace

Built on the remains of a Roman temple, the Communal Palace has not changes its function throughout its long history, and it is one of the preserved older town structures with an exceptional architecture.

15. Galerija Makina

Makina is one of Croatia’s top spaces for photography displays and exhibitions with big names in the industry often featuring their work. Makina becomes a meeting point for art and culture for the locals as well as the tourists.

Further Read: 10 Artsy Places To Visit In Croatia To End One’s Quest For The Archaic And The Lively

Now that you have the list of best places to visit in Pula, the best you can do is plan a trip to Europe and find yourself lost in the ancient kingdom, amidst the world of stunning natural artifacts.

Disclaimer: TravelTriangle claims no credit for images featured on our blog site unless otherwise noted. All visual content is copyrighted to its respectful owners. We try to link back to original sources whenever possible. If you own the rights to any of the images, and do not wish them to appear on TravelTriangle, please contact us and they will be promptly removed. We believe in providing proper attribution to the original author, artist or photographer.

Please Note: Any information published by TravelTriangle in any form of content is not intended to be a substitute for any kind of medical advice, and one must not take any action before consulting a professional medical expert of their own choice.

Frequently Asked Questions About Places To Visit In Pula

What is Pula famous for?

Pula is famous for its ancient Roman architecture spread across the city. The most well known among them is the Pula Arena.

Is Pula a good holiday destination?

Pula is one of the most popular holiday resorts in Croatia. It is a coastal town and has an International airport.

How far is Rovinj from Pula?

The distance between Rovinj and Pula is 29 km and it takes around half an hour to travel between the cities.

Where can I swim in Pula?

The rocky beaches of Pula has many concrete terraces where one can enjoy a swim. Some of the best beaches are located in Punta Verudela, Banjole, Fazana and Premantura.

What is the best time of year to visit Croatia?

Apart from the monsoon season starting from July till September you can visit Croatia.

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On Croatia's Istrian peninsula, age-old traditions are securing locals' futures

Age-old traditions run deep on the Istrian coast in Croatia, with unique music, language and dance still in evidence today and its people proudly working to ensure their survival far into the future.

The roar of the crowd echoes against the 2,000-year-old arches of Pula’s Roman amphitheatre, cut through by the metallic screech of sword on shield. Two gladiators circle one another in the arena, kicking up dust with sandalled feet, sweat dripping onto the dry earth. They each take a few tentative swipes before one fighter connects with the crucial blow; his adversary staggers, clutching his side, then crumples in a heap of leather and steel on the floor.

For a split second the audience hesitates, unsure of what they’ve just seen. Then, the fallen warrior stands up, wipes fake blood from his brow with a grin and bows enthusiastically. “And now, we will enjoy a procession of the best haircuts in Ancient Rome!” the announcer proclaims over a crackling loudspeaker.

Proudly yet lightly — that’s how the Croatian city of Pula wears its heritage. “Back in the first century, Pula was known as Pietas Julia,” explains Vesna Jovicic, a local guide with long gunmetal hair and thick-rimmed purple sunglasses, when I meet her after the gladiator show at the arena. “Emperor Vespasian had a lover from Pula, called Antonia — a freed slave who became his companion after the death of his wife. He built the amphitheatre for her.”  

Much has changed in the intervening centuries. The amphitheatre now hosts the annual Pula Film Festival, while British band Florence and The Machine had graced its stage a few weeks before my arrival. In 2013, the arena even hosted the beatification of a saint, priest Miroslav Bulešić, who was murdered for his beliefs in the 1940s. Still, its ancient stones have stood firm while the political sands have shifted time and again around Pula and the wider region of Istria in which it sits. Despite, or perhaps because of, the mercurial political climate, Istria has developed vivid, proudly protected cultural traditions all of its own, in music, dance and languages. It’s these that   I’ve come to explore.

The Istrian peninsula is the largest in the Adriatic Sea, spanning Croatian, Italian and Slovenian territory, with a Croatian county, also called Istria, making up 90% of its landmass. It came under control of the Austrian Empire in the 19th century, and Italy between 1918 and 1947. It was then part of Yugoslavia before becoming absorbed into the newly minted country of Croatia in 1991.

“I have a friend whose grandfather was born in Austria, his father in Italy, himself in Yugoslavia, and his son in Croatia — all without leaving Pula,” says Vesna. “Governments come and go, but Istria just carries on being itself. Technically most Istrians are ethnically Croats, but other Croatians say we’re Italian. Both wrong — we’re Istrian!”

Pula is Istria’s largest city, and its naturally protected harbour has long made it attractive to invading forces, from the Romans and Franks to Napoleon and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Its streets are a picture book, telling the story of its varied history. Vesna points up a sloping street which leads south of the amphitheatre, where medieval houses covered in fading frescoes sit among Yugoslavia-era tower blocks and modern apartment buildings.

“This street has a rock music cafe, a church, a sex shop and an amphitheatre,” she says with a smile. “What more could you need?” Most of the buildings are hewn from gleaming white Istrian stone, an impermeable limestone which has been prized by successive invaders from the Goths to the Venetians. Around 90% of the buildings in modern Venice are made from it — a physical manifestation of what is, as I’m about to discover, a closely entwined cultural relationship.  

As we walk through the old town, Vesna reminisces about the celebrities she’d seen in Pula in her youth: Elizabeth Taylor walking arm-in-arm with President Tito of Yugoslavia, her husband Richard Burton (who was playing Tito in the 1973 movie The Battle of Sutjeska) trailing behind. Tito loved Istria, spending four months of the year in villas on the Brijuni Islands, around five miles from Pula.

Today, the islands are a national park, where peacocks wander wild and the rocky coastline is imprinted with the 130-million-year-old footprints of their ancestors, the dinosaurs.   Vesna takes me for lunch at the Amifteatar Restaurant — she wants me to try Istrian olive oil. “Pliny the Elder said it was the second-best in the Roman Empire,” she says, with a hint of pride. It’s aromatic and grassy, and, like all the finest olive oil, leaves a warming sensation in the throat. We enjoy it with bread and pršut, the jewel of Istrian cuisine: a cured ham dried by the bora, a northerly wind which buffets the Adriatic Coast in the winter months and lends the meat a soft saltiness.  

Emanating from the restaurant speakers is a soundtrack of bagpipes, recorders and voices, intertwining along unusual-sounding scales: Istria’s unmistakable brand of folk music. Keen to learn more, I arrange to meet Dario Marušić after lunch, a musician who’s been at the forefront of the Istrian folk music revival for decades. He’s a tall man, with white, spiky hair, his silver earring the only clue to a rock ‘n’ roll-tinged past. “When I was 15, a friend lent me records by two English bands, Pentangle and Steeleye Span,” he says.

“I was enchanted so I went to England to find out more. I was amazed that there were young people who looked like me, with long hair, rock musicians playing traditional folk tunes. I thought, why shouldn’t I do the same thing in Istria?”

Istrian folk music presents special challenges when it comes to fusion with Western styles, however. Unlike traditional Western music, which is based on the use of tones and semitones evenly spaced within a scale, Istrian folk makes extensive use of improvisation and microtones — the notes that would fall in between the keys of a piano. “This music is very free — it’s difficult to understand for formal musicians,” says Dario. Classical composers have attempted to codify Istrian music into formal scales but the inexact spacing of the notes means they defy easy categorisation.  

When Dario was asked to formally describe Istrian folk music for its inclusion on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2009, he settled on ‘two-part polyphony in narrow intervals’. “It’s a mouthful, but it needs to be to describe it!” he says with a chuckle. “The polyphony refers to the two singing voices, characteristic of our music.”

I had listened to some Istrian folk music on YouTube before my trip. Woodwind instruments wrapped around dual voices, improvising in the microtonal way Dario had described. To ears like mine, used to a rigid system of tones and semitones, the constant use of microtones can sound dissonant or harsh. That much was evident from the video’s comment section, where one rather ungenerous observer had suggested the music sounded like “someone stepping on a cat”.  

Istrian folk music is mainly found these days in its natural habitat, in the villages of the countryside. There are associations working to bring it to a wider audience, such as KUD Uljanik. I walk with Dario to Pula’s Forum Square, where the group is staging a performance. The artists — numbering around 20 — are dressed in traditional rural garb: the men in white shirts, leather waistcoats and knee-high boots, the women in flowing headscarves, white blouses and red pleated skirts. Musicians play bagpipes made from sheep stomachs and huge recorders called roženice, while occasionally breaking into microtonal polyphonic singing. As the music unfolds, it begins to make more sense to my untrained ears. “This is just music with a different ABC, a different grammar,” says Dario. “But anyone can learn to understand it.”

While the musicians play, the other performers dance, circling one another with arms linked, reminiscent of British country dancing. After the performance, I get talking to one of the dancers, Vanja Fornazar, a woman of around 30. I ask her why she does it. “‘It started out as something fun — I just liked dancing,” she says. “But then it started to feel like something important, to preserve this traditional part of our culture.”

Valorising the past

The next morning, I hire a car and drive 20 minutes north through forested countryside to Vodnjan, a pretty town of imposingly tall Venetian, gothic and baroque houses. I visit one, Istrian de Dignan Ecomuseum, a preserved 200-year-old home, whose rooms bear the relics of both settlement and migration. Gnarly looking agricultural scythes and pitchforks are arrayed on a back wall; in a corner sits a collection of 1950s suitcases, placed there as if in anticipation of the need for a quick getaway.

“A symbol of the people who went away when the countries changed,” says Rosanna Biasiol-Babić, the museum’s manager. “Émigrés to Italy, most of them.” Between the end of the Second World War and 1960, as many as 350,000 Italian speakers fled the new Federal People's Republic of Yugoslavia in fear of ethnic persecution by the government, an event known as the Istrian-Dalmatian Exodus. A silver statue of a Venetian gondola gleams on a cabinet. “Venice was always a dream for working people in Istria. They’d save up to go there on their honeymoon.”  

We sit at a heavy wooden dining table and sip vin de rosa , a sweet, pink wine made with dried grapes. On the table next to us is a copy of Vodnjan Tales , a new series of graphic novels bringing the region’s rich folklore to life, featuring stories of inter-village rivalries and fearsome devils. Rosanna tells me the museum was set up in 2014. “To valorise the past,” she says proudly. I sense a touch of defiance infusing the nostalgia. This seems to be a widespread impulse among Istrians: a desire to preserve those cultural traditions which transcend lines on maps. A result, perhaps, of disillusionment with the region’s constantly shifting national identity.

I step outside into Vodnjan’s main plaza, the People’s Square, where another traditional music and dance performance is taking place, courtesy of the folklore group of the Italian Community of Vodnjan-Dignano. During the period of Venetian presence in Istria between the 12th and 18th centuries, Vodnjan became a more significant settlement than Pula, which was ravaged by a series of invasions and epidemics; as a result, there’s still a greater proportion of people of Venetian descent in Vodnjan today. The costumes are influenced by Venetian dress from the 18th century; the men in black suits and red waistcoats, and the women in brocaded tunics, their hair carefully styled into waves.  

The songs, meanwhile, are sung in Istroveneto, a dialect of Venetian which many of the performers speak at home. It’s one of two Istrian languages influenced by the Venetian dialect; the other is Istriot, thought to be spoken today by only around 1,000 people, spread across six villages. I get talking to one of the performers, a man of late middle age with a magnificent white walrus moustache, named Livio Belci — the erstwhile president of the folklore group. I express admiration for his costume. “It takes us two hours to get ready,” he says. What’s the motivation to maintain these centuries-old traditions, I ask. He twists his whiskers and closes his eyes. “If a person   doesn’t know their past, they can’t look into their future,” he says, nodding sagely, before breaking into a wide grin. “Also, it’s fun!”

Saints & sea dogs

The last stop on my cultural tour is Rovinj, a half-an-hour drive north. It’s an impossibly pretty city of red-roofed Renaissance buildings, squeezed tightly onto a bulbous headland like the seeds inside a pomegranate.

As luck would have it, my visit to Rovinj coincides with the annual town festival — the feast day of St Euphemia — when traditional Istrian culture is at its most alive. Euphemia was a martyr from Asia Minor who was killed for her Christian faith in 303 CE.

Her statue, including the breaking wheel on which she was tortured before being thrown to the lions, graces the top of Rovinj’s baroque church. It sits on a rotating platform, doubling as a weathervane as it turns in the wind. Even here, in the realm of saintly meteorological reports, Istria’s Italianate cultural predilections are revealed. “When she faces east, it means wind and rain,” says my guide Mihaela Medić with a grimace as she shows me around the church. “But when she faces Italy, the weather is perfect.”  

There’s a religious zeal in the air today. Euphemia’s coffin, said to have washed up miraculously on Rovinj’s shores in 800 CE, is housed in the church, and this is the one day of the year when the public can view it. My   curiosity gets the better of me and I join the queue of devotees. I get to the front and peer into a stone sarcophagus, shrouded with red velvet; in the middle, lined with rows of flowers, lies Euphemia, her skeleton now covered with a wax effigy and dressed in robes of scarlet and gold. I then do as I have seen the faithful do before me: cross myself, drop a votive offering of a few euros into Euphemia’s collection box and raise my phone camera in salutation.

It’s late afternoon when I leave the church and the sun has warmed Rovinj’s white Istrian stone to a flaxen gold. I walk downhill along cobbled streets to the harbour, where another special festival event is taking place: a regatta of batanas, the traditional wooden boats which Rovinj’s fishermen used for centuries to haul in the crabs, cod and sardines for which this stretch of the Adriatic Coast is famous.

The boats are flat-bottomed — a necessity due to Istria’s hazardously rocky coastline — and their name comes from the Italian battere (‘to beat’), a reference to the characteristic slap they make on the surface of the water.

The regatta is a light-hearted affair, with no competitive spirit on show from the participating fishermen beyond a jovial play fight between the two frontrunners, who cross the finish line neck and neck. Many of the batana owners are former fishermen who offer tourist cruises to cover the cost of maintaining their boats. One of them is Edi Poropat, a grizzled sea dog with a chin dusted with salty stubble, who agrees to take me on a sunset trip around the harbour. I climb into his wooden boat and sit on a central plank as we head out on the water.

“Hand-in-hand with the batana goes the bitinada, a special way of singing for us fishermen, which made the time go quicker when we were working,” says Edi, standing up to man the oars. “Our hands were busy, so some of us imitated instruments with our mouths, then one of us would sing songs about the sea over the top.” He’s too shy to give me a demonstration, but no matter — this being festival time, there are groups of bitinada singers giving live performances in Rovinj’s bars tonight. I start to hear the music as we turn back towards the harbour; it sounds like a barbershop quartet, with the deeper voices, imitating basslines and drums, bouncing on the still evening air.

The sun sinks over the church as we row back into the harbour, with St Euphemia’s statue, gazing west towards Venice, a voided silhouette against the pink and gold sky. It’s the last night of the festival, and there’s a carnival atmosphere in the air. It’s a scene as timeless as the ancient stones of Pula’s amphitheatre: children playing in the squares; cats stealing away from restaurant tables with scraps of fish. All the while the plaintive melodies and rhythmic bom-bom-bom of bitinada emanate from the harbourside bars, the batanas bobbing in time on the Adriatic Sea.

Related Topics

• CULTURAL TOURISM
• MODERN HISTORY

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When is the best time to visit Croatia in 2024?

Mar 20, 2024 • 11 min read

Whether you want to avoid the hottest times or join the biggest parties, we can help you plan your visit to Croatia © Golden Hour999 / Shutterstock

Croatia has vibrant cities, tumbling waterfalls and rolling vineyards.

But most visitors are here for its 1800km (1120 miles) coastline, which tumbles down the Adriatic like a glorious, half-finished jigsaw puzzle.  Here you’ll find idyllic coves, sophisticated ports and ferries that glide from island to island.

Choosing the best time to go to Croatia depends on what you want from your visit. High season brings high temperatures and a party vibe, particularly on the Dalmatian Coast, home to highlights like walled Dubrovnik , its hip cousin Split , and Hvar Town ’s classy waterfront. Shoulder season is quieter, and great for hiking and watersports, while winter lets you experience culture and festivals at off-season prices in the capital, Zagreb .

The south of Croatia is a little warmer than the north, but the main difference in temperature is between the coast and the interior. By the sea, summers are warm and winters relatively mild, while in the interior, temperatures are more continental, with slightly warmer summer temperatures and colder winters.

Our guide to what's happening throughout the year in Croatia will help you plan the perfect vacation for your needs.

June to August’s high season is the hottest time to visit

Croatia’s tourism peaks between June and August, when the Adriatic’s warm waters charm countless visitors. There are boat parties and medieval fairs, the booze flows freely, and the smarter resorts fill with yachters. It’s great fun, though afternoons are roasting hot, the lines at attractions are at their longest, and accommodation costs rise. Inland, temperatures are higher, but crowds are less noticeable and Zagreb empties as locals head for the coast.

June is the quietest month of high season, but with clear skies, music festivals and the promise of early summer, it's a strong contender for Croatia’s best month. Ferries move on to their summer schedule, which makes heading out to islands such as pristine Cres , happening Hvar and forested Mljet a breeze. The cities are buzzing, and the LGBTIQ+ community lights up the streets during Zagreb Pride.

Visitor numbers really ramp up come July – you'll need to arrange accommodation well in advance and work harder to find a sunbathing spot. If the bustle gets too much, try touring the quieter Kornati Islands , hopping on a sea kayak from Dubrovnik, or exploring the vineyards and hills of the interior. The Dubrovnik Summer Festival kicks off in early July, and the International Folklore Festival brings a celebration of traditional culture to Zagreb .

The sea is warmest in August, beach bars hum with revelers, Zagreb empties out and festivals salute high summer. Sonus is a techno party on Pag, Špancirfest brings music and culture to Varaždin, there’s a fair dating back to Venetian times on Krk , and jousting in Sinj. Bookings are essential everywhere on the coast – festival-goers who try and make do with a tent will swelter.

May and September to October have sunshine and fewer crowds

Late spring and early fall are arguably the best times to visit Croatia. Sea temperatures are pleasant, and there’s plenty of sunshine, but the country’s pebble beaches and rocky coves are relatively quiet. With endless still seas, May and September are great times to sail in Croatia. Onshore, these are the best times to cycle, hike or visit the national parks . Better still, accommodations are also easier to come by than in high season.

The resort towns are warming up for the summer in May, making this a splendid month to wander squares and promenades and take short dips in the cool sea. Accommodation prices are lower, and bays and coves that are packed in summer have a tranquil feel. Rafting on the Cetina River or the Zrmanja (just east of Zadar ) is also a highlight. The summer party season starts to gear up at the Sea Star Festival .

Things start to quiet down a little in September after a hectic summer season, but there are still plenty of ferries and cultural events to transport body and soul. This is another great time for a Dalmatian beach trip , while truffle season comes to Istria.

By October, Croatia is in shoulder season proper, with kids back in school and some ferry services and hotels closing over the course of the month. The coast is fairly warm with cool evenings and a mellow vibe, and you can still get anywhere and do just about anything, whether it's feeling tranquil on the islands or exploring Dubrovnik’s walls.

Accommodations are cheapest from November to April

There’s a reason the crowds stay away between November and April. The interior can be freezing, and while the coast is milder, it’s still affected by the bura wind that whips across the European plain, canceling ferries and snatching hats off heads. But if you’re here for food and culture, you can still have a fine time. Rates at hotels and other accommodations are at their lowest, and you’ll be sharing the galleries and backstreets with locals. 

Temperatures can still be pleasant in November, but hotels and restaurants on the coast may be closed, and the waters are chilly. Instead, treat any sunshine as a bonus, use the lower prices and shorter lines to tour cultural sights, celebrate the silver screen at the Zagreb Film Festival and watch as the last leaves (and potentially the first snow) fall.

There's no way to sugarcoat it – December is cold, many tourist businesses are shut, and snow settles on high ground. It’s a good time to experience Dubrovnik's local life: bars and galleries are open, while the run-up to Christmas brings mulled wine and DJ sets to those prepared to brave the winter streets.

The mercury is still low in January, so why not stay indoors and discover Zagreb’s lively cafes, impressive galleries and museums – and you can get a late-night culture fix at the annual Night of Museums. Sljeme (near Zagreb) or Platak (near the coastal hub of Rijeka) offer reasonable skiing.

The days get a little longer in February, but tourists are rare, and accommodations remain heavily discounted. It’s an intriguing time to tour the coast – focus on sights like Trogir’s richly carved cathedral rather than the beaches. Rijeka’s carnival is Croatia’s biggest and wildest, with a costume parade, bell-ringing and bands. Brighter, drier weather makes March a good bet for mixing visits to churches and galleries with outdoor exploration. You can hike along the coast or hills, or take in the Krka and Plitvice national parks, where wooded slopes wind between lakes and waterfalls that thunder with meltwater.

The sea hasn’t yet warmed up in April, but trees are bright with blossom and sunshine is never far away – try Istria ’s hill towns (where asparagus season is in full flow) or the Samobor Hills near Zagreb. Parades liven up many towns over Easter and music fills every corner of Zagreb at the  Music Biennale .

New Year’s Concert, Dubrovnik . Dubrovnik ushers in the new year with a traditional annual concert by the Dubrovnik Symphony Orchestra on the Stradun at noon.

International Percussion Ensemble Week , Bjelovar . Bjelovar resonates to the rhythms of percussion instruments during this three-day festival featuring ensembles from across Croatia, Europe and further afield.

Museum Night , various cities . On the evening of the last Friday in January, museums across Croatia throw open their doors to visitors free of charge.

Feast of St Blaise, Dubrovnik . Dubrovnik’s patron saint is celebrated with much pomp on February 3rd with a procession of the saint’s relics through the city streets and other ceremonial rituals recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Rijeka Carnival, Rijeka. On the last Sunday before Ash Wednesday, Rijeka hosts Croatia’s biggest carnival with a grand colorful parade.

Split Marathon, Split. On the last weekend in February, running enthusiasts flock to Split to join in a 5k or 10k (3-mile or 6-mile) race starting from the seaside promenade through the streets of the old town and forested Marjan Park .

Oyster Festival , Mali Ston. The Pelješac peninsula’s local shellfish specialty has its own festival in March when restaurants serve up fresh platters of oysters accompanied by crisp Pelješac wines.

Life on Mars Trail Race , Pag. Avid trekkers can explore Pag Island’s stark landscapes via three different trails of varying difficulty, including a 100m-long (328ft) Via Ferrata trail for climbers.

Zagreb Festival of Lights, Zagreb . Light installations illuminate the capital’s upper and lower towns during this five-day festival combining art, design, architecture and spectacle.

Weekend Food Festival, Rovinj . Lovers of fine food and wine come together for three days to explore Croatian gastronomy via masterclasses and gala dinners with top chefs.

Music Biennale Zagreb, Zagreb . Every two years Croatia’s biggest contemporary music festival draws lovers of melody with an eclectic program of contemporary opera, jazz, electronic music, chamber ensembles, symphony orchestras, as well as multimedia installations and contemporary dance.

Istria 100, Istria . This annual trail race across Istria’s sublime landscapes draws runners from around the world who can choose from five scenic routes of different lengths and difficulty levels.

Sea Star Festival, Umag . This four-day beachside music festival is one of Croatia’s biggest with an eclectic lineup of some of the top names in electronic, techno, and trap music.

Sudajma, Split. Split celebrates its patron saint, St Domnius, on May 7th with a procession along the seaside promenade, open-air concerts, and a grand fireworks display.

Spring Procession , Gorjani. On Pentecost Sunday girls dressed in colorful traditional costumes sing and dance in a springtime procession through the village of Gorjani near the town of Đakovo.

Zagreb Pride, Zagreb.   On the second Saturday of every June, the capital’s LGBTIQ+ community takes over the streets with a colorful march and street celebration .

International Children’s Festival , Šibenik. Children are at the center of this week-long event filled with music, dance, theater, craft workshops, film, puppets and parades.

Sword Dance Festival , Korčula. Starting in June and continuing until September, visitors to Korčula island can witness performances of Moreška , a 17th-century mock battle tradition performed with swords by costumed participants.

Zagreb International Folklore Festival, Zagreb . Performers from across Croatia and around the world gather in Zagreb to present concerts and performances, as well as workshops on folkloric traditions.

Dubrovnik Summer Festival, Dubrovnik . In 2024, this cultural festival will celebrate its 75 th year with 47 days of theater productions, concerts, and dance and folklore performances.

Pula Film Festival, Pula . Over nine days every July, Pula’s first-century Roman amphitheater as well as other venues across the city host Croatia’s oldest film festival .

Sinjska Alka, Sinj . On the first Sunday of August , the 1715 victory over Turkish invaders is commemorated with a series of games played by costumed knights on horseback. Recognized by UNESCO, this tournament is the last remaining example of medieval knightly competitions.

Sonus Festival, Pag . Revelers gather on Pag Island for five heady days and nights of open-air beachside and boat parties to the pulsing sounds of techno.

Špancirfest, Varaždin . Over ten days at the end of summer, this family-friendly street festival delights with street performances, concerts and creative workshops.

Lovrečeva-Krk Fair, Krk . It's the 500 th edition of this fair in 2024, celebrated each year since Venetian times on August 8th, 9th and 10th with a large open-air market and live music.

Stories of Diocletian, Split . Over the last three days of August, Split goes back to its Roman past with Roman reenactments filling the streets and squares in and around UNESCO-listed Diocletian’s Palace .

Subotina, Buzet . This annual folk festival is kicked off with the cooking up of a giant truffle omelet on the square of this hill town in Istria, while its residents dress up in period costumes and the streets are filled with music and local specialties.

Goulash Disko Festival, Komiža . It’s all about peace, love and music on Vis Island over four days with a musical lineup of tropical grooves, Gypsy Punk, African Disco, Latintronics and more global beats.

Visualia Festival of Light, Pula . For three days Pula becomes the city of lights when its buildings and landmarks are lit up with 3D mapping effects and light installations .

Marunada Chestnut Festival, Lovran . This Fall festival is one for those with a sweet tooth – visitors are regaled with cakes, sweets, cocktails and ice creams made with sweet chestnut, a local specialty.

Autumn Music Variety, Dubrovnik . Hosted by the Dubrovnik Symphony Orchestra, this classical music festival showcases upcoming Croatian composers with guest appearances by celebrated conductors.

Istrian Grappa Fair, Hum . Sample locally produced Istrian rakija (grappa) infused with fruits and herbs in the world’s smallest town.

Zagreb Film Festival, Zagreb . Croatia’s largest international film festival showcases independent and debut films by directors from Croatia and around the world.

IstriaVirgin Olive Oil Festival, Vodnjan . Lovers of extra virgin olive oil gather to meet local producers and taste the season’s freshly pressed oils.

Zigante Truffle Days, Livade . Join in cooking shows, demonstrations of truffle-hunting, and sample Istria’s highly-prized black and white truffles at this annual festival .

Advent Zagreb, Zagreb . The capital gets decked up with plenty of Christmas cheer during this huge yuletide market that includes ice rinks, themed night walks, and stalls peddling mulled wine and sweet treats.

Dubrovnik Winter Festival, Dubrovnik. From the first day of Advent, Dubrovnik's squares and streets become the festive stages for concerts, performances and children’s plays as well as a Christmas market and gastro events .

Opatija Advent, Opatija . Romantic seaside Opatija dresses up in Christmas colors while its parks, squares and waterfront promenade transform into magical winter wonderlands .

This article was first published Apr 21, 2021 and updated Mar 20, 2024.

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20 magical places to visit in Croatia

Posted: October 27, 2023 | Last updated: October 27, 2023

Krka National Park

Elaphiti Archipelago

Zlatni Rat Beach

Historical walled city of Dubrovnik

Plitvice Lakes National Park

Mljet National Park

Gorski Kotar

Kornati National Park

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Places to Visit from Pula

Discover the wonders around pula.

Explore the diverse and enchanting destinations surrounding Pula, each offering unique experiences and breathtaking beauty.

Table of Contents

Brijuni islands, venice, italy, kamenjak national park, limska draga fjord.

Brijuni Islands : Explore the stunning archipelago of Brijuni, a national park known for its historical ruins, diverse flora and fauna, and the official residence of former Yugoslav President Tito. The islands are accessible via a short boat ride from Fažana.

A beautiful national park comprising 14 islands known for their natural beauty and historical significance. Easily accessible from Pula via a short boat trip from Fažana. Paid entry includes a boat ride and a guided tour.

• About: A beautiful national park comprising 14 islands known for their natural beauty and historical significance.
• Distance from Pula: As the islands are located just off the coast near the town of Fažana. To reach Brijuni from Pula, you typically travel to Fažana, which is about 8 kilometers northwest of Pula. From Fažana, you take a short boat ride to reach the islands. The boat trip itself takes approximately 15 minutes, making the Brijuni Islands easily accessible for a day trip from Pula.
• How to Get There: Short boat trip from Fažana, near Pula.
• Entrance Fee: Paid entry, includes a boat ride and a guided tour.
• What to See : The Brijuni Islands are renowned for their scenic landscapes, archaeological sites, and an open-air safari park that houses animals gifted to former President Tito.
• What to Do : Enjoy guided tours, visit the Tito Museum, explore Roman villa ruins, play a round of golf, or take a leisurely bike ride around the islands.

Venice, Italy : Discover the enchanting city of canals, famous for its historical architecture, art, and unique urban design. Venice is accessible by ferry, offering a blend of cultural heritage, fine dining, and shopping experiences.

The famed city of canals, rich in history and culture. Around 3 hours by ferry from Pula. Regular ferry services available. No fee to enter the city, but attractions within may have admission fees.

• About: The famed city of canals, rich in history and culture.
• Distance from Pula: The distance from Pula to Venice is approximately 215 kilometers by road, which takes around 3 to 4 hours by car. However, most travelers prefer to take a ferry from Pula to Venice, which is a popular and scenic route. The ferry journey offers a unique experience, allowing you to enjoy the beauty of the Adriatic Sea. The duration of the ferry trip can vary but generally takes about 3 hours, depending on the service and weather conditions. This makes Venice an accessible and attractive day trip or overnight destination from Pula.
• How to Get There: Regular ferry services available.
• Entrance Fee: No fee to enter the city, but attractions within may have admission fees.
• What to See : Famous landmarks like St. Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace, and the Grand Canal.
• What to Do : Take a gondola ride, explore the winding alleys and canals, visit art galleries, and enjoy authentic Venetian cuisine.

Kamenjak National Park : This protected nature reserve at the southern tip of Istria is known for its rugged coastline, crystal-clear waters, and diverse wildlife. Ideal for nature lovers, it’s a short drive from Pula and offers activities like hiking, biking, and swimming.

A stunning protected nature reserve known for its rugged coastline and biodiversity. A short drive from Pula and easily reachable by car or bus. Small fee for vehicle entry.

• About: A stunning protected nature reserve known for its rugged coastline and biodiversity.
• Distance from Pula: The distance from Pula to Kamenjak National Park is relatively short. Kamenjak, located at the southern tip of the Istrian peninsula, is approximately 10 to 15 kilometers south of Pula. By car, it typically takes about 20 to 30 minutes to reach Kamenjak from Pula, making it an ideal destination for a quick and easy day trip. The park’s close proximity to Pula allows visitors to effortlessly explore its natural beauty and enjoy outdoor activities.
• How to Get There: Easily reachable by car or bus.
• Entrance Fee: Small fee for vehicle entry.
• What to See : Rugged cliffs, crystal-clear waters, diverse plant life, and panoramic views of the Adriatic Sea.
• What to Do : Swimming, snorkeling, hiking, biking, and spotting dolphins. There are also picturesque bays and beach bars.

Limska Draga Fjord: A picturesque fjord known for its serene beauty, pristine waters, and oyster and mussel farms. It’s a great spot for nature walks and seafood tasting, easily accessible by car for a tranquil day trip.

A beautiful fjord known for its pristine nature and oyster farms. Relatively close, perfect for a day trip. Accessible by car or organized tours. No entry fee to the fjord area.

• About: A beautiful fjord known for its pristine nature and oyster farms.
• Distance from Pula: The distance from Pula to Limska Draga, also known as Lim Fjord or Lim Valley, is about 35 kilometers. By car, it takes approximately 40 to 45 minutes to travel from Pula to Limska Draga. This relatively short distance makes Limska Draga a convenient and popular destination for visitors staying in Pula who are looking to explore more of the natural beauty and attractions of the Istrian peninsula.
• How to Get There: Accessible by car or organized tours.
• Entrance Fee: No entry fee to the fjord area.
• What to See : The fjord is known for its stunning natural beauty, with lush vegetation and clear waters.
• What to Do : Kayaking, bird watching, and enjoying fresh seafood, especially oysters and mussels, at local restaurants.

Each of these destinations offers unique experiences, from historical and cultural exploration to outdoor activities and culinary delights, making them perfect day trips from Pula.

• Hrvatski ( Croatian )
• Deutsch ( German )
• Italiano ( Italian )