Homes with a private pool for 10 or more guests — for several families, groups of friends and clubs: enough bedrooms and bathrooms, and room by the water for everyone.
Sights and excursions
In summer, the streets, halls and shops of the town and its Roman amphitheatre host exhibitions, concerts, opera, ballet, theatre and a film festival, so Pula is well worth a day out or a warm summer evening.
The amphitheatre
Pula's landmark is its Roman amphitheatre, also known as the Arena. Work began under Emperor Augustus and it was enlarged under Vespasian in the 1st century, with room for up to 23,000 spectators. Its outer wall still stands all the way round, which no other Roman amphitheatre can claim. The passages below ground once used by gladiators now house a permanent exhibition on olive growing and winemaking in antiquity.
The Arena is also a remarkable setting for an event. International musicians perform here regularly, alongside the annual Spectacula Antiqua, the Pula Film Festival, opera, ballet and theatre. It is best to book tickets early.
The Forum and the Temple of Augustus
The Forum was the centre of Pula in antiquity and the Middle Ages, surrounded by the buildings of the public administration. The Temple of Augustus on the square was built during the emperor's lifetime, by AD 14 at the latest, and dedicated to the goddess Roma and to Augustus. After a bomb hit it in 1944, it was rebuilt in 1947.
The Franciscan church and monastery
Between the Forum and the upper ring road stands the monastery with its church of St Francis of Assisi. The church dates from 1314 and is a simple late Romanesque building with Gothic details, on the site of an earlier place of worship. The finely worked stone blocks of its walls show the skill of its builders.
The Cathedral of the Assumption
The cathedral stands near the Forum, next to the main road along the harbour. It dates from the 4th to 5th century and was repeatedly destroyed, rebuilt and extended, so early Christian and Gothic windows sit side by side. The bell tower was added in the 17th century, using stone blocks from the amphitheatre.
Pula Castle
The castle stands on one of the town's seven hills above the harbour. This polygonal fortress with bastions was built by the Venetians in 1630 to protect the town and port. Today it houses the Historical Museum of Istria.
The Arch of the Sergii
The “Golden Gate”, as the arch is also called, was commissioned by the Sergii family in 29 to 27 BC in honour of their relatives. It stood against the town gate Porta Aurea, which was demolished in the 19th century as the town expanded. Today the arch marks the entrance to the popular shopping street Flanatička.
The Twin Gates and the town walls
In antiquity and the Middle Ages the whole town was surrounded by a wall with ten gates. Most of it was pulled down in the 19th century, but remains can still be seen between the Twin Gates and the Giardini square.
The Lighting Giants
After dark you can watch a light show in the harbour. Designed by the Croatian lighting designer Dean Skira, it bathes the cranes of the Uljanik shipyard in many colours.
The Brijuni Islands
An excursion boat will take you to the Brijuni Islands, a group of 14 islands declared a national park in 1983. The largest, Veli Brijun, has hotels and a safari park.
Other sights in Pula include the Archaeological Museum of Istria, the Pula Aquarium, the Hercules Gate, the Orthodox Church of St Nicholas, the Chapel of St Mary Formosa, the buildings from the Austrian period, the small Roman theatre, the Naval Cemetery and the mosaic “The Punishment of Dirce”.
A selection of beaches and activities
Valkane Beach
Valkane Beach lies close to Hotel Pula and the Valkane sports centre. One part is sandy and suits families with small children, the other consists of concrete platforms, with some easy ways into the sea. With several cafés and restaurants nearby you can easily spend the whole day here, playing beach volleyball, tennis or football, hiring a boat or pedalo, or simply enjoying the clear water.
Havajka Beach
Havajka, Havajsko or Hawaii is the popular name for the beach in Principina Bay on the Verudela peninsula, below the Park Hotel. It is often busy in season, mostly with young, active visitors and locals. Pine trees give shade and food and drink are available. If you don't mind company and don't have small children to watch, you will have fun here.
Brioni Beach
This rocky beach with concrete sunbathing areas lies below the hotel of the same name on the edge of Verudela, about 4 km from Pula. It has a restaurant, café, kiosk, showers, public toilets and changing rooms, and you can hire sunloungers and parasols. It suits families with children, older visitors and anyone looking for fun and sport.
Ambrela Beach
Ambrela adjoins Brioni Beach on the edge of Verudela. This pebble beach is especially popular with families with small children because of its gently shelving entry into the sea. You can hire sunloungers, parasols and a wide range of water sports equipment, and there are showers, public toilets and changing rooms, a marked swimming zone and shady spots under the trees a few metres from the water.
Histria Beach
Histria Beach lies by the hotel of the same name near Pula. It is partly terraced with concrete platforms, while a flat stony section offers easy access to the sea. This section also has pleasant shady spots, ideal for a whole day outdoors. Water sports equipment is available to hire.
Stoja Beach
Partly pebble and partly rocky, this beach has easy access to the water. The holiday resort next to it has water sports hire, basketball, tennis and volleyball courts, minigolf, shops, restaurants, bars and bureaux de change. A long promenade runs from Stoja to Valsaline, ideal for an evening stroll.
More sports and activities
Windsurfing
Steady winds, ideal water temperatures and good waves make Pula and its surroundings a popular windsurfing area.
Diving
The underwater world around Pula is fascinating for beginners and experienced divers alike, with several wrecks on the seabed of particular interest.
Cycling and walking
A wide network of paths runs around Pula and the popular resorts of the Medulin Riviera, for touring bikes, mountain bikes or walking. The routes take you past historic sights and beautiful countryside to the bays of the Riviera.
You will also find go-karting, football and tennis, panoramic flights, nightclubs, restaurants, konobas, taverns and cafés.
