Pula

A Roman amphitheatre by the sea and rocky Istrian beaches.

Overview

Why go to Pula

Pula has one of the world’s best-preserved Roman arenas, a busy market and rocky bays to swim from. It is an ideal base for exploring Istria’s hill towns and truffle country.

Culture & historyBeachFamilyFood & drinkNature & outdoors

Where
Istria, Croatia
Recommended stay
3–4 nights
Best time to go
May–June and September–October.
Approx. daily budget
£55–110 a dayPer person, excluding flights. Indicative.

What does Pula cost?

Full cost guide
  • Budget traveller£50–70a day
  • Mid-range traveller£100–145a day
  • Luxury traveller£200+a day

Approximate per person per day, including a share of a twin room, and excluding flights. Not live prices.

Things To Do

Top picks in Pula

See all 9
Must See~£9

Pula Arena

Old Town

A remarkably intact Roman amphitheatre on the sea, still used for concerts.

  • Suggested time: 1h 30m
  • No booking needed
  • Suits: Culture lovers

Daily, roughly 8:00–20:00 in summer

Must See~£3

Temple of Augustus and Forum

Forum

A small Roman temple on the old forum square, surrounded by cafés.

  • Suggested time: 45 min
  • No booking needed
  • Suits: Culture lovers

Daily, roughly 9:00–20:00

Must See~£3

Kaštel Fortress

Old Town

A 17th-century star-shaped fortress with a historical museum and views.

  • Suggested time: 1 hr
  • No booking needed
  • Suits: Culture lovers · Photographers

Daily, roughly 9:00–20:00

Hidden GemsFree

Arch of the Sergii

Old Town

A triumphal Roman arch at the gateway to the old town, free to admire.

  • Suggested time: 15 min
  • No booking needed
  • Suits: Everyone

Open-air; always accessible

Hidden Gems

Beyond the checklist

See all 3
Hidden GemsFree

Arch of the Sergii

Old Town

A triumphal Roman arch at the gateway to the old town, free to admire.

  • Suggested time: 15 min
  • No booking needed
  • Suits: Everyone

Open-air; always accessible

Beaches~£3

Cape Kamenjak

Premantura

A wild peninsula of rocky coves, clear water and cliff-top paths at Istria’s tip.

  • Suggested time: 4 hrs
  • No booking needed
  • Suits: Families · Beach lovers

Open daily; small entrance fee

Day Trips~£30

Brijuni National Park

Brijuni (boat)

An island group with safari park, dinosaur footprints and a former presidential retreat.

  • Suggested time: 5 hrs
  • Booking recommended
  • Suits: Families · Culture lovers

Boats run daily in season; check timetable

View Tickets
Hotels

Best-value hotels in Pula

Well reviewed and fairly priced for what you get: not simply the cheapest.

All 3 hotels
Pula Arena, near Old Town in Pula (illustrative photo: example hotel)
Best ValueBest Mid-Range Hotel
Example listing

Arena View Hotel

Old Town, Pula

8.7Guest rating 8.7/10 · Excellent

Very good valueValue score 77 out of 100

Rated 8.7/10, priced in line with similar 4★ hotels in Pula, in a central location.

From £85 per night · check current availability
Temple of Augustus and Forum, near Forum in Pula (illustrative photo: example hotel)
Best Budget Choice
Example listing

Forum Guesthouse

Forum, Pula

8.5Guest rating 8.5/10 · Excellent

Very good valueValue score 70 out of 100

Rated 8.5/10, priced in line with similar 3★ hotels in Pula, in a central location.

From £55 per night · check current availability
Food & Restaurants

Where to eat

Food guide
  • Truffle pasta (fuži)

    Istrian pasta with local truffles

  • Malvazija wine

    A crisp Istrian white

  • Fritaja

    A local omelette with asparagus or wild greens

A suggested Pula itinerary

3 nights Couple

Pula · Highlights

Pula in 3 nights

A balanced first-visit plan built from our Pula picks: the headline sights, a local favourite or two and time to breathe.

  1. Day 1 · Pula Arena, Pula Market, Temple of Augustus and Forum
  2. Day 2 · Rovinj Day Trip, Kaštel Fortress
  3. Day 3 · Verudela Beaches, Arch of the Sergii

Plan Pula your way

Tell us your dates, who’s travelling and what you enjoy. We’ll build a first draft you can edit.