Your guide to Pula
Pula highlights
Explore Roman ruins
Up to 20,000 bloodthirsty spectators watched gladiators do battle at Pula’s Roman Amphitheatre. And you can follow in their footsteps. Clamber over stones, explore underground tunnels and visit chambers where lions and Christians were held captive. Then watch a live (but much more subdued) gladiator fight, which takes place every week from June until September.
Watch a light show
Not only is Uljanik shipyard one of the oldest still-operating shipyards in the world, but after dark, it also transforms into an incredible light installation. During summer, ‘Lighting Giants’ takes place every hour from dusk until midnight, lighting up the shipyard’s cranes in an explosion of colour. Check the calendar to catch the light show synchronised to music.
Hit the islands
Craving solitude on your stay in Pula? Leave the mainland behind and jump on a boat to the Brijuni Islands, a short journey from the city. Once the summer playground of a Yugoslavian president and now a national park, the islands are home to a jumble of beaches, forests, hiking trails and ruins. For amateur palaeontologists, there are even dinosaur tracks.
Pula: Know before you go
| Language | Croatian |
|---|---|
| Currency | Euro (€) |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) and UTC+2 (CEST) |
| High season | July - August |
| Low season | November - March |
Find the best time to go to Pula
Weather in Pula
March – May: Spring weather is moderate but can change in an instant — so you’ll want to pack layers. With the flowers in full bloom, this is a fantastic time to explore the Brijuni Islands.
June – August: Hot and sunny weather makes summer the peak tourist season in Pula. The Adriatic reaches perfect swimming temps, and it’s prime festival season.
September – November: Crowds disappear in September, but the weather is still warm and pleasant. Autumn can be rainy and unpredictable. Keep that umbrella close.
December – February: Winter gets chilly, with highs around 10°C. Expect occasional rain showers — a great time to duck into Pula’s museums and galleries.
Events in Pula
Pula Film Festival (July or August): Croatia’s oldest film festival takes over the Pula Arena for one week every summer. Watch screenings of Croatian and international films and enjoy a programme of themed events in a unique environment.
Visualia Festival of Light (September): Pula after dark is a magical place to be during the Visualia Festival. Brilliant displays of light and colour play across the city’s historic buildings. And interactive installations invite you to create your own designs.
Advent (December to January): Celebrate the festive spirit with concerts, Christmas market stalls and a sea of twinkling lights. You’ll find much of the action around Portarata Square and the Pula Arena. Don’t forget to say ‘zdravo’ (hello) to Father Christmas.
The best neighbourhoods in Pula
Pula City Centre
A stay in Pula’s City Centre gives you access to all the best museums, bars, restaurants and Roman ruins. Wander the pedestrianised old town, explore the harbour and nab an outdoor table in the Forum, a vast square that’s been the heart of the city for more than 2,000 years — and a perfect spot for people-watching.
Good for: Roman ruins, cafe culture, museums
Verudela
Are beachy vibes at the top of your list when deciding where to stay in Pula? Then base yourself in Verudela, a pretty peninsula dotted with upscale resorts and lined with shingle and pebble beaches. From Verudela, it’s easy to reach the city centre by bus. Or you could stay put, taste local wine and take in some impressive sunsets.
Good for: Beaches, resorts, sunsets
Pjescana Uvala
Pjescana Uvala is one of the best areas to stay in Pula for families. Its calm beach and the hiking and biking paths into the woods are perfect for active kids. You can also rent stand-up paddleboards or sign up for a paddleboard tour. For something more adventurous, visit the Cave Romanae, a Roman quarry that’s popular with climbers and used for atmospheric summer events.
Good for: Beaches, outdoor activities, summer events
Things to do in Pula
Family friendly things to do
For the best things to do with the family in Pula, look to the water. Try AquaPark Pula, an inflatable water playground, or head to Aquarium Pula, where you can see fish tanks inside a 19th-century military fort. Rather head out of town for some waterpark fun? Aquapark Istralandia has one of the largest wave pools in the region.
Shopping
The best shopping in Pula focuses on the taste buds. Find excellent gifts in the form of truffles, Istrian ‘prsut’ (ham) and ‘biska’ (Istria’s traditional mistletoe brandy). Then visit the famous House of Istrian Olive Oil, where you can buy from top local producers and tour the onsite olive oil museum.
Take in the culture
Museums in Pula are geared towards history buffs. Top picks include the Historical Museum of Istria, housed in a Venetian fortress, and Sveta Srca church, where you’ll find a museum, gallery and event space. Got something modern in mind? Hit Makina Gallery for experimental photography exhibitions, or see work by Croatian artists at the Museum of Contemporary Art of Istria.
Nightlife
Bohemian dive bars, raucous nightclubs and upscale wine dens all have their place among Pula’s nightlife. For a taste of the best, sign up for the Pula Pub Crawl, which takes place every night from June to September. Fancy something more low-key? Try sunset at a beach bar. The bars in Verudela are an excellent place to start.
Beaches
To find the best beaches in Pula, hire a car or hop on a bus and head south to the Verudela peninsula. The beaches here are lined with sun loungers, umbrellas and stylish restaurants. Closer to town, Valsaline and Lungomare beaches are low-key choices for picnicking and paddling. Most beaches are shingle or pebble, so don’t forget your beach shoes.
Places to eat
You’ll find lots of hearty Istrian cuisine here, but Pula’s best restaurants are all about fresh seafood. Run by a family of fishermen, rustic Konoba Batelina wins rave reviews, while Ribarska Koliba serves up refined Mediterranean shellfish and ocean views. Whatever you choose, you can wash it down with wines from local vineyards.
Get ready for Pula
Budget
It’s easy to explore Pula on a budget, which tends to have lower prices than heavy-hitters Dubrovnik and Split. You can find a meal in an inexpensive restaurant for around ten euros (€). Wash down your meal with a local beer for about €3, or sip a cappuccino for around €2. Need to catch a taxi? Expect a short journey to cost about €5.
Getting around Pula
Much of Pula’s historic centre is a pedestrian-friendly zone. So if you want to get to and from the main attractions, you won’t need much more than a comfy pair of shoes. There are also public buses to take you around and outside the city. Catch the Pula to Verudela bus to reach the beaches. For maximum flexibility, consider hiring a car.
Day trips from Pula
Just 40 minutes up the coast, charming Rovinj feels more like Italy than Croatia. Wander the cobblestone streets of its colourful old town or cool off in Baluota Beach’s crystal-clear waters. An hour north, Motovun is a pretty hilltop village overlooking the Mirna River Valley. See its ancient walls and enjoy a drink from one of the surrounding wineries.
