Pula in Croatia

The Croatian city of Pula will surprise you! In this charming little seaside town, you can expect numerous lovely streets filled with great cafés and restaurants, and nearby you can swim in small coves with crystal-clear water. Here you will find everything you need to know about this beautiful city.

Croatia has long ceased to be a hidden gem and has been a popular trendy destination for summer vacations for years. No wonder, given the beautiful images that reach us from the Adriatic. Abundant sunshine, clear waters, and beaches that leave nothing to be desired - all of this brings wanderlust, doesn't it? Especially the city of Pula in Istria not only scores with a beautiful landscape but also with a very special flair and a rich cultural offering. So if you don't just want to lounge around on vacation but are keen on sightseeing and long afternoons in quaint cafés, Pula is the perfect place for you.

Getting There, Car Rentals & Accommodation Overview of PulaSights The Best BeachesActivities Istria Deals

Getting to Pula is easy and quite affordable: Depending on the season, you can fly from Germany to Pula for as low as €60 per person. Once you land, you should rent a car to explore the area. Driving in Croatia is not a problem; the roads are not too crowded, and since the city itself is not particularly overrun, you will always find parking nearby. From the airport, you can reach the center in just fifteen minutes and can immediately start exploring the city.

In Croatia, you are often quite pampered when it comes to a fair price-performance ratio for your accommodation. For a perfect one-week vacation, we recommend spending a few days in an apartment right in the city or in a central hotel, and then heading out to the countryside or to the coast to enjoy an extended nature vacation in a holiday home. Often, you can rent charming little stone houses with private pools just outside the center. Just browse through the lovely offers for vacation rentals and let yourself be inspired.

Pula is located on the Istrian Peninsula in northern Croatia and is about 270 kilometers from the capital Zagreb. From here, you can perfectly embark on a road trip to Zadar, Split, and Dubrovnik along the Croatian coast.

Pula is the oldest city in Istria - and yet it hasn't aged at all. On the contrary: While remnants from long-gone times remind us of the Roman era on every corner, the vibrant buzz of the present reflects in the restaurants and bars. Small boutiques line the streets, inviting you to stroll and wander. A cozy atmosphere prevails, especially in the evenings, when the restaurants fill up and the streets become busier.

Kod Kadre: Croatian cuisine - affordable and goodKonoba Batelina: Fresh fish and seafood - more on the expensive sideBOCA Bar: Good wines and tasty local snacksFresh Sandwiches and Salads: Perfect for a cheap, healthy lunchValli Fine Bistro: Small but exquisite selection of Mediterranean dishes

Pula is becoming a true alternative to the very touristy Dubrovnik. While day-trippers anchor in the morning with large cruise ships and explore the city there, it is much more relaxed here. You should take advantage of this, as it allows you to leisurely explore the city, wander through the streets, and try out the many restaurants it has to offer.

In Pula, there are certainly a few supermarkets, but there is also a large and highly recommended market hall. You will find it at Narodni Trg 9. Don't miss the opportunity to buy fresh local fruits and vegetables, acquire cheese and sausages, and choose your dinner for the grill night at the fish counter.

In Pula, it seems like time has stood still in certain areas. You will quickly notice this as you stroll through the city and explore the remnants of the Roman colonial period.

Hard to miss and of great importance is the massive amphitheater, also known as the Arena of Pula. This construction has quite a history; it was built in the 1st century and is today the sixth-largest amphitheater in the world. While various types of fights were held here during the Roman era and the Middle Ages, today the arena hosts numerous concerts and events. A true tourist magnet that you should definitely visit.

You can also find individual remnants of the past between the so-called Double Gate and Giardini Square. You should know that Pula used to be surrounded by city walls, and access was only possible through ten gates. However, during the 19th century, the wall was demolished due to significant construction defects. Today, only a few remnants of that time remain.

Passing through the "Golden Gate" is definitely on your to-do list when visiting Pula. Once, the city gate Porta Aurea stood here, but nothing remains of it today after it was completely destroyed in the 19th century. The triumphal arch, however, shines in all its glory and connects the old town with the popular shopping street. So, make sure to walk through and immerse yourself in the shopping paradise!

Not far from the shopping street, you will encounter the Temple of Augustus and the Forum Square. It is named after the then Emperor Augustus. It's no surprise that it stands on the Forum Square, as it was the place to be and home to important institutions back then. Take a moment to absorb this unique ambiance; the small houses around add a special charm to the scene.

Strictly speaking, there is actually no beach in Pula. But before you throw your hands up in despair, we can reassure you: to the east and west of the city, you will find several beaches.

For instance, to the east of the city lies Valkane Beach. Awarded a blue flag, it is known for its cleanliness. If you require barrier-free access, we highly recommend this beach. You can access the concrete areas laid out on the pebble beach via a small ramp. Various bars and restaurants await you for a little snack in between.

If you are staying in the west of Pula, you have the choice of various beaches - some are even interconnected. For example, Stoja Beach, a pebble and rocky beach, is particularly popular due to its proximity to a holiday resort. Here, you can easily rent sports equipment or use various sports facilities. If you walk further along the promenade, you will arrive at Valsaline Bay, which belongs to the Verudela complex. The great thing: here you can book water sports activities and have fun at your leisure.

Two beaches located close to each other are Brioni Beach and Ambrela Beach. While at Brioni Beach, you will encounter a rocky beach, at Ambrela Beach, you will feel fine pebbles under your feet. For the adventure seekers among you, we have three special beaches on offer. Divers will be thrilled at Kanion Beach, where mysterious caves await you underwater. Who dares to jump from the cliffs directly into the sea? You will also get to swim through a grotto at Valovine Bay, just like at Kolumbarica Beach, whose underwater world is also full of caves. So there should definitely be the right beach for every type of vacationer, right?

If you don't feel like sightseeing and hours of walking in the good weather, you can have plenty of action in Pula. Besides the classic water sports like diving and windsurfing, various other sports are also possible. Special hiking and biking trails will enhance your fitness, and you will also find tennis and other sports facilities aplenty. Or, you could plan an afternoon at the Green Garden go-kart track - on an area of 3500 square meters, you can really let loose.

If you want to experience and fall in love with Croatia, the best way is to go city hopping and drive along the entire coast to Dubrovnik on a Croatia road trip. In our travel magazine, we present various cities and highlights of Croatia. Rovinj, Split, Plitvice Lakes - which place do you like best? If you can't decide, perhaps a cruise is the right choice for you. That way, you can discover many different places and always have your accommodation with you. We wish you a lot of fun exploring the Croatian coast of Istria and Dalmatia! Pula is the perfect starting point for that.