Pula

PULA

Pula is the oldest Croatian city on the Adriatic coast that is defined not only by picturesque beaches and a well-equipped resort area, but also by historical monuments and cultural centers. It is interesting to spend holidays in Pula for those who love active entertainment, and fans of beach vacations and nightlife. But this does not interfere with the contemplative pastime among the ancient ruins. Founded by the ancient Greeks, it flourished during the Roman Empire, and this historical fact still attracts admirers of ancient monuments to the city.

When visiting Pula, you need to know that this is not just a city with a rich history and interesting sights, but also a surprisingly ecological corner for relaxation. The purest waters of the Adriatic Sea, coupled with pine forests, create ideal conditions for both physical recovery of strength and mental. Pula leaves no one indifferent - just buy tickets, book hotels in Pula and go on for a great trip to the wonderful region to truly relax!


Beachlife


One of the main advantages of a vacation in Pula is the variety of local beaches that are found both within the city and beyond. However, going to Pula, it is worth knowing that the beaches there are exclusively rocky. Therefore, vacationers have special shoes - often, in order to get to the equipped beach, you have to overcome rocky areas. The area where all the main beaches of Pula are located is called Punta Verudela. The entrance to the sea, if they are not gentle enough, are equipped with concrete steps and handrails. Such places aren’t for everybody, but in Pula there are also small pebble beaches in cozy bays, which are not so many. There are more than 40 beaches in the resort area, each of which is impeccably clean and picturesque. Most of them are equipped to the highest standards and marked with blue flags.

As for the fee, all beaches in Croatia are municipal and accordingly free, but sunbeds and umbrellas usually cost 2 euros, with the exception of some hotels that provide the necessary equipment to their guests. Almost all the beaches in Pula are well-equipped, have their own diving clubs, sports centers and children's entertainment.

One of the most popular and picturesque places surrounded by greenery is Stinjan beach, where there are many rental points, sports grounds and a diving center. The closest to the center of Pula is the beach of the Stoya area in Valkan Bay. Fans of sailing and lovers of peace and tranquility love to relax there because not so many people are on this beach as opposed to on most others.

Vacationers with children prefer Brioni beach because of the many entertainment programs and attractions. In Medulin, the area with the largest number of hotels, there are several nudist beaches located in beautiful small bays under cover of lush greenery.

A wide shallow pebble beach is located 4 km south of Pula in the village of the same name. Due to its good location between the two peninsulas, Pješčana Uvala is considered the best place to relax with children. The sea here is always clean and calm, and for small travelers a special gentle slope into the water is provided. In addition, the beach is suitable for those who want to dive from a height - in its western part there are small, but very beautiful cliffs.


Nightlife


For resort entertainment, Pula can offer not only walks to historical sites or relax on warm beaches. The nightlife in the city is very vibrant, there are discos, casinos, night bars, and many other entertainment programmes. The gayety of the night streets begins immediately after sunset, when numerous casinos, discos, cafes and terraces with live music that work until the morning open their doors.

The most modern and prestigious night club in the city is Aruba. It is located on the main street and occupies a large two-story building. Both the first and second floors are equipped with chic relaxation areas with designer decoration. This club is distinguished by first-class technical equipment. It has a huge dance floor, as well as a stage on which live performances are regularly held. This club operates seven days a week, and every day there are parties dedicated to a particular musical direction. The most famous club in the city is popular not only among tourists, but also among local youth.

In addition to the noisy nightclubs, one of the main features of Pula is the variety of modern casinos. Fans of classic gambling should look into the Luckia casino - it has card tables and various types of roulette, as well as a decent selection of modern slot machines. The casino is one of the oldest in the city and has a very attractive design in the style of past years. Those who prefer modern slot machines will like Arena Automat Klub more. The game club is relatively small, but there are absolutely suitable slot machines for absolutely everyone.


Good to Know


Airlines: Many airlines flying to Pula, including both budget and conventional airlines. We will always offer you the best price to buy flight tickets to Pula.
Airport: Pula Airport
Distance from airport: about 10 minutes / 7 kilometers.
Flight time: 5 hours.
Language: Crotian
Timezone: Central European Standard Time
Population: around 54.000
Passport: Valid passport is mandatory.
Currency: Croatian kuna (HRK) / Euro
Tipping: Not included. Customary to up to 10% of the bill.
Electricity: In Croatia (230V, 50Hz AC; the standard European(round-pronged) plugs)
Seat only: to book seats only – please find our link to great fares: www.aventura.is
Tourist tax: In Croatia, up to 25%.
Water: Safe to drink


Things to do


1. Saunter through the city studying the history of the given area. All historical sights of Pula are concentrated in a small space in the city center. So, you can examine them in detail in a day, bypassing on foot. It’s worth starting with the amphitheater built by the Romans in the 1st century BC. It deservedly received the title of the Croatian Colosseum, since it occupies the 6th place among the surviving amphitheaters of the world. You will be able to see the city from a height if you climb onto a tower in the Kastel fortress. It was founded in the 14th century, and now it houses the Maritime History Museum. Under the fortress, there is a cave, about the mystical inhabitants of which there are many amusing legends among the locals. The idea of ​​Roman architecture will help to make up the Gate of Hercules and the Arch of the Sergii. These are the oldest buildings in the city, built in 3-1 centuries BC. If you want to escape from antiquity, you should go to the Marine Park. It was founded in the 19th century and to this day has preserved almost all the features of the park architecture of that time. There are many exotic flowers and trees growing, in the shade of which you can relax from the beach heat. Man-made masterpieces of recognized masters of painting are kept in the collection of the Franciscan monastery of the 13th century, which in itself is a tourist attraction.

2. Walk for pleasure on the long promenade along beaches. One of the most favorite places for walking among Pula guests is the Lungomare. The length of this promenade is about 12 km, stretching along the entire coast. Throughout the promenade, at short intervals, special ladders are equipped that allow you to go down to the coastal areas accessible for swimming. Guests of Pula will have a great opportunity to combine walking with a comfortable beach holiday, and there are several beautiful parks along the promenade.

3. Go to restaurants on the beach to taste oysters and lobsters of the first freshness. Pula is distinguished by Italian and Istrian cuisines, but special emphasis is placed on seafood. Fish markets deserve special attention in Pula. The seafood assortment in the fish market is simply overwhelming: crabs, squid, octopus, mussels and other species of marine life. Even if you are not going to buy anything, it's still worth visiting them. At the farmers' market, you can buy local olive oil, butter, honey, sweets, as well as fresh vegetables and fruits.

4. Explore the underwater world of Pula. The Adriatic Sea is considered one of the best diving sites for both professionals and beginners. Unusual and diverse flora and fauna in combination with clear blue waters make diving sessions unforgettable. The diving season in Pula is long - from May to October - almost all this time, visibility under water is from 20 to 30 m. The abundance of caves, picturesque reefs and sunken ships near the coast make diving very popular in this area. On the outskirts of Pula, in Verudela, dives are conducted on the Home Reef - this is an ideal place for diving for beginners. The depth of immersion here does not exceed 18 m, but you can see live electric ramps and sea spiders. A place called Canyon will appeal to experienced divers. It is also located on Cape Verudela. It allows you to dive 30 meters and see several tunnels and caves.

5. Visit aqua parks. If you are on family holidays in Pula, you should definitely look into the city aquarium - Aquarium Pula. It introduces visitors to the diversity of marine life that can be found in local waters. Here you can see rare species of jellyfish and electric stingrays, as well as observe the most dangerous marine predators. Informative excursions are organized in the aquarium every day, and you can also walk on it yourself.

Pula on map