10 Best things to see in Pula, Croatia
Pula is the main city of the Istria region in Croatia. It is a beautiful town surrounded by incredible beaches, making it a perfect summer destination.
The biggest attraction in Pula is the Arena, with its famous colosseum-like structure. But, this is definitely not the only thing to do in Pula. The city has a lot to offer!
Since we live close by, we visit Pula and the Istrian region every year during the summer. This is one of our favorite regions in Croatia for enjoying the beaches because it is considerably less crowded than Dubrovnik or Split.
Top 10 Best things to see in Pula, Croatia
Here, we’ve put together a list of the top attractions that make Pula a destination worth visiting.
1. Visit the Pula Arena
I couldn’t possibly start this list in any other way. Visiting Pula and not seeing the arena is like visiting Paris and skipping the Eiffel Tower.
The Pula Arena was built during the Roman Empire, which is why it resembles a lot the Roman Colosseum (and every other Roman arena). It was built by orders of the emperor Augustus before 14 b.c.
Considering how many years it has been standing, I am always surprised to see the level of preservation of the Pula Arena. This is truly something that makes this arena unique compared to others, and why it is the best thing to see in Pula.
The arena was used in the past for gladiator duels, but nowadays the fights were replaced by concerts and events. The Pula Arena is the most prestigious stage in town and it has hosted important names like Alanis Morissette, Andrea Bocelli, and Foo Fighters.
Tickets: The tour costs 10 EUR per person and is available during the day – buy your tickets here
Pro tip: Make sure you go check out the arena by night as well as it looks even prettier with the night lights turned on!
2. The Twin Gates of Pula
Located very close to the arena, the Twin Gates are worth visiting because they are one of the symbols of Pula.
Dating back to Roman times, these gates were used to mark one of the entrances to the city. Nowadays, the gates are located in the middle of the city because Pula grew so much in the meantime.
Interesting fact: According to the rumors, the reason why this is the only double gate was to handle the massive amount of people who used to gather in the arena to see the gladiator fights.
3. Check out the Forum of Pula
Located in the main square, the Forum is an important landmark in Pula because it has hosted some of the most important events in the city’s history.
The Forum is also another example of the incredible preservation of historical buildings in Pula. It is not only in near-perfect conditions, but it is still the working place of the city’s authorities.
The square in front of the Forum is where some of the most important events and celebrations take place. During one of the years we visited Pula, there was a very cool exhibition of historical cars in the square – you can check it out below.
4. Augustus Temple
Located literally side by side with the Forum, this impressive temple was built over 2000 years ago and is still standing!
Augustus Temple is known as one of the most important things to see in Pula because it is still in a perfect state. You can visit it inside as well – they have some ancient pieces and sculptures on display. However, I find it more interesting from the outside from an architectural point of view.
Some people think that one of the reasons that helped Augustus Temple to be so well preserved is because it was converted into a church back in the day.
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5. Visit the Pula Citadel
Pula Citadel (also known as Pula Castel) is located on the top of a hill overlooking the city. It is surrounded by a fortress built during the XVII century when Pula was part of the Serenissima Republic of Venice.
The fortress was built in the shape of a star, which was a strategic architectural design to give them a broader view against their opponents and better protection.
You can go inside and walk around the fortress for free. At the entrance, there are a few cannons on display.
Pro tip: If you visit Pula in July, you can attend the Pula Film Festival and one of the main stages is right here, in the Citadel. I highly recommend it! Events like this are one of the reasons why visiting Pula is so worth it.
6. Arch of Sergii
The Arch of Sergii is one of the main things to see in Pula.
It is located in the heart of town, right before the main shopping street. There are a lot of restaurants and bars nearby as well.
The arch was built in 30 A.D. as a tribute to the Sergii family, one of the most important families in Pula, as a celebration of their participation in the Actium Battle in France.
For years, the Arch of Sergii acted as one of the main gates to the city of Pula (just like the Twin Gates we showed above).
Take some time to check in the surroundings as well because this is one of the most beautiful areas of Pula, in our opinion.
7. Visit Hawaii Beach
I am probably stating the obvious here but one of the best things to do in Pula is to go enjoy some beach time.
Hawaii Beach is one of the best places to go for a swim next to Pula. The water is crystal clear!
The beach itself isn’t big but the best part about Hawaii Beach is that it is surrounded by a park that has a lot of trees, which means you get natural shade. Natural shade is something very rare to find on the Croatian seaside.
Read also: Best beaches in the Balkans
Pro tip: Right next to the beach, make sure you visit Canion Verudela. You can reach it on foot, there is a small trail that will get you there. The canyon is very narrow but provides really unique views.
8. Spend the day in Kamenjak
Kamenjak is a national park located only 30 min by car from Pula’s city center. It is a national reserve located in the southern part of the Istria Peninsula.
This area is perfect to visit on a beautiful summer day. Here you will find some of the most incredible beaches and swimming spots. The watercolor has all shades of blue and there are a lot of spots for cliff diving.
Since this is a protected area, there aren’t a lot of constructions around. The park itself has a few restaurants and bars where you can stop for food, but a good option is to bring snacks with you for the day.
Entrance is payable. Tickets cost €10 per car in the shoulder season and €15 per car in the high season.
This is a great option of thing to do if you will be renting a car for your trip. The park is very large so things are quite far from each other, which means having a car comes in handy. If you won’t have a car for your trip, you can book a tour like this one.
Pro tip: If you will be traveling during the summer, we recommend booking your tickets a couple of days in advance because only a certain number of vehicles are allowed per day in the park.
9. Walk through the underground tunnels of Zerostrasse
This is quite a unique recommendation of things to do in Pula.
Below the city center, there is an underground tunnel that crosses almost the entire city of Pula. This tunnel is known as Zerostrasse.
The tunnel was built during WWI and was intended to provide shelter in case of air raids.
This attraction is a fairly new addition to the touristic scene in Pula. There is a part of the tunnel that is used for cultural events and even parties.
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10. Go on a day trip to Rovinj
Rovinj, one of the most beautiful cities in Croatia, is located only 40 minutes away from Pula, making it the perfect day trip destination!
We recommend leaving in the morning so you can arrive in Rovinj while it is still early and explore the city center. Rovinj’s Old Town is beautiful, it looks like it came out of a movie. We highly recommend stopping at a café by the water for a drink or a snack.
After lunch, spend some time at the beaches around Rovinj. This area is great for swimming and snorkeling.
More options of things to do in Pula
So, is it worth visiting Pula?
Now that you know how many incredible things there are to do in Pula, there is only one way to answer this question:
Yes, Pula is absolutely worth visiting!
Pula combines ancient history and architecture with incredible summer and beach destinations.
And if this is not enough reason for you to include Pula in your itinerary… Pula is also a place where you eat incredibly well! You can try out different specialties the Istria region is known for, such as truffles and calamari.
We really like this region, which is why we visit it every summer, so we can definitely recommend a visit as well.
How to get to Pula
Depending on where you will be coming from, you can pick between different transport options to make your way to Pula. Here are the main ones:
Getting to Pula by car
The easiest way to get to Pula is by driving if you are traveling by car because the city is easily connected with the highway.
If you will be staying in Pula, just make sure you get accommodation with parking included because finding parking places around the city center can be quite challenging.
Read also: Driving in Croatia as a foreigner
Do you need to rent a car for your trip?
We always use DiscoverCars to rent our car. So far it has proved to be not only the cheapest option but also the most reliable one. We used DiscoverCars to rent our car for our trips through Slovenia, Montenegro, Serbia, Italy, and so many other countries, and we never had any issues. We even convinced all of our friends and family to use it. So that’s why we are also recommending it to you!
Getting to Pula by bus
There are many options for buses going to Pula from other Croatian cities and from neighboring countries. From Zagreb, for example, there are daily bus lines that run all year. The bus ride from Zagreb to Pula will take you around 5 hours.
You can use Omio to check bus options and buy your ticket.
Getting to Pula by plane
Pula has a small international airport with flights from a few low-cost European airlines. You can find flights from London, Vienna, Copenhagen, and other destinations in Europe.
If the tickets to Pula Airport are too expensive, you can also consider landing in Zagreb and taking the bus or car to Pula.
Where to stay in Pula
For exploring the city, the best area to stay in Pula is as close as possible to the Old Town. It is quite easy to identify the area using Google Maps because the Old Town is a pedestrian-only zone (colored yellow).
The last time we visited, we stayed right in the heart of the city center, in a building with the back to the main street called Castropola ulica. We really loved it because everything was immediately accessible. We were lucky to have an apartment that faced the back of the block, though, so it was nice and quiet.
Here are a few other options for places to stay in Pula:
- Boutique Suites Joyce – A modern boutique hotel, just meters away from the city center. An interesting historical fact, James Joyce, an Irish novelist, taught English for a short period in this building.
- Monvidal Residence – Adults Only – A stunning property, a bit outside of the city center, that can offer everything you need for perfect summer relaxation.
- Apartments INCIS next to the Pula Amphitheater – Very well-furnished and spacious apartments, just minutes away from Arena Pula.
When is the best time to visit Pula?
Even though you can visit Pula all year round, the city is at its best during the summer months. Due to its strategic position by the water in the Istrian Peninsula, the weather gets warm already in early May and stays nice until late September.
The other months are considered shoulder or low season in Pula. This means the city will be quieter and you will probably find cheaper prices. But, on the other hand, some restaurants or places might be closed or operate at limited hours.
We highly recommend visiting between May and September. My favorite month to visit Pula is June, we go almost every year around this time.
Read also: The best SIM cards in Croatia
Events and festivals in Pula
Pula is a very young and lively city, there are always things happening in town. Make sure you check the schedule of events happening in Pula as soon as you have the dates for your trip to see if anything is happening.
One event that is worth mentioning is the Pula Film Festival which happens in July.
It’s also worth keeping an eye on the schedule of concerts happening in Pula Arena. They often host big names and very incredible concerts. Experiencing a concert inside an ancient Roman Arena is truly special. I’ve been to a couple of shows already and I keep going back because it is really unique.
Other Balkan destinations worth visiting
Organizing your trip
To help you plan your trip to Croatia, we have put together our favorite planning resources:
- Flights: Get affordable flights to Croatia on Skyscanner.com.
- Travel insurance: Make sure you are protected during your trip. We use SafetyWing whenever we are traveling abroad.
- Renting a car: We always use Discover Cars to get the best car deals.
- Accommodation: Find the best hotels and apartments on Booking.com.
- Activities: Get fun ideas of what to do and buy unique activities with Get Your Guide.
- SIM Card: Stay connected during your trip with Airalo.
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