Pula

Roman ruins, beaches and Istrian spirit

Pula stands on Croatia’s northern coast as a port city with ancient roots and modern energy. Its history stretches back to Roman times, visible in stone amphitheaters and well-preserved walls that once protected the harbor. Today, the city balances heritage sites with lively markets, fresh seafood restaurants and nearby beaches where locals swim during summer months. The surrounding hills produce wine and olives, adding flavor to regional cuisine. Pula’s compact size makes it easy to explore on foot while still providing access to broader Croatian attractions by train or bus.

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City in Croatia

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 8.0

General Safety:	8
Health & medical:	8
Accessibility:	7
Tap water:	9

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4/5

English is widely spoken in hotels, restaurants, and tourist spots. Most menus and signage are bilingual. Locals are friendly and helpful, but a few Croatian phrases are always appreciated.

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Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Pula Summary

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Famous for Roman ruins and seaside relaxation. Visit the well-preserved amphitheater, explore old streets and swim in clear Adriatic waters.

Place score

7.3

Best at:

Walkable

Beaches

Spotless

Architecture

Historic sites

Personal score

Suited for

👶 8

Families

🧓 8

Seniors

🛡️ 8

Travel Beginners

❤️ 8

Couples

Croatia – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type F Type C: Type F: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Euro (EUR) £1 ≈ €1.19
Cashless info:	Rating 4/5 Cashless payments are widely accepted, but some smaller businesses may prefer cash. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory. Leaving 5-10% in restaurants is common.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is generally allowed, especially in tourist areas.
Public smoking:	Smoking is restricted in public places but allowed in designated areas.

Statehood Day (May)	Events and closures occur.
Easter (March/April)	Religious observances and closures.
Christmas (December)	Markets and celebrations.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 112
Taxi apps:	Uber, Bolt, Cammeo
Other:	Island-hopping and exploring the Adriatic coast are highly recommended. Summer can be crowded.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Pula, Croatia

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Jan

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Feb

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Mar

🌤️

Apr

☀️

May

☀️

Jun

🔥

Jul

🔥

Aug

☀️

Sep

🌤️

Oct

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Nov

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Dec

High season:	June - Sep.
Shoulder season:	April - May, Oct.
Crowdedness:	7 (Many tourists)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Many hotels, campsites, beach bars and boat trips close October to April

Pula Film Festival in the Roman Arena, mid July, plus summer concerts in the amphitheatre

Bora wind in winter can bring strong gusts and occasional ferry cancellations

Don't miss

🏟️ Marvel at the ancient Roman Amphitheatre overlooking the sea
🏛️ Explore Pula’s Old Town and its cobbled medieval streets
🏊‍♂️ Swim and snorkel in the clear waters of Kamenjak National Park
⛪ Visit the Temple of Augustus and admire its Roman columns
🎶 Watch an open-air concert under the stars at the Arena
🍤 Taste fresh Adriatic seafood at a harborfront restaurant

You've been here?

Why travel to Pula?

Pula is perfect if you love a mix of history, sea and local life. The city’s Roman Arena is one of the best-preserved in the world and still hosts concerts and festivals. You’ll find an atmospheric old town, bustling markets and a working port with a gritty, authentic edge. The beaches range from lively to secluded coves and the surrounding nature is great for walking or cycling. Downsides? Pula is more urban and industrial than other Istrian towns, so don’t expect a picture-perfect resort everywhere. Some beaches are rocky rather than sandy and the city can feel rough around the edges, but that’s part of its charm. In summer, crowds swell and parking can be tricky. Still, Pula’s blend of Roman grandeur, local food and Adriatic views make it a memorable destination.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
2 Arena
3 Aquarium Pula
4 Temple of Augustus

🎡Places for activities

1 Arena
2 Zerostrasse
3 Archaeological Museum of Istria

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Šijana forest

🎈Events

Pula Film Festival (July)
Outlook Festival
Dimensions Festival
Arena concerts
Istrian Wine Festival
Summer music events
Local food fairs
Christmas Market
Carnival (February)
Marathon of Istria

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Knowledge before you go

Visit the Roman Arena early to avoid crowds.
Stay central near the Old Town; major Roman sights are walkable from there.
Bring water shoes for rocky coves; many best swim spots aren’t sandy.
Take a boat day trip to Brijuni Islands for nature, history and a quieter break.

How to travel to Pula

Pula Airport is about 8 km from the city, with buses and taxis to the center. Ferries connect Pula to other Adriatic ports and nearby islands. Trains and buses link Pula to other Istrian towns and cities in Croatia and Slovenia. The main bus and ferry terminals are close to the old town.

Access summary

From Pula Airport (PUY): shuttle bus or taxi about 15–30 min.
From Zagreb: intercity bus or car via motorway about 3–4 hours.
From Trieste: cross-border bus or car to Pula usually around 2–3 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Pula

Pula offers everything from boutique hotels and apartments in the old town to beachside resorts and budget hostels. Most accommodations are near the center or Verudela peninsula. Book early for summer festivals. Some hotels are in older buildings-check accessibility if needed.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Grand Hotel Brioni Pula, A Radisson Collection Hotel

9.8

Hotel Galija

8.2

Pula City Center Accommodation

8.5

Park Plaza Histria Pula Hotel

9.0

Park Plaza Arena Pula Hotel

9.5

Park Plaza Verudela Pula Hotel

Family Resort del Mar

7.7

Park Plaza Belvedere Medulin Hotel

8.1

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Pula

Pula’s Old Town and main sights are walkable, but beaches and some parks are farther out. Local buses connect the city center with beaches, Verudela peninsula and suburbs. Taxis and rideshares are available, but parking in the center is limited – leave your car outside if possible. Cycling is popular, especially along the coast.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-49 %

Daily expenses in Pula are around 49% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-3 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to EUR) is 3% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£38	£81	£209
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£14	£41	£90
🍝 Food per day	£17	£31	£90
🚕 Transportation per day	£8	£9	£29

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£10
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£6
🍟 Fast food combo	£4.90
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£6.50
☕ Cappuccino	£1.40
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£2.60

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£1.80
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£17
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£1.30

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£3.90
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£33
🤧 Cold medication	£7
💇 Basic haircut	£5.50

Safety information overview

General safety

Pula is very safe, with low violent crime. Petty theft can occur in crowded areas or on beaches — keep valuables secure. Some streets are uneven or cobbled, so watch your step, especially after rain.

Health & Medical

Medical care is good, with clinics and pharmacies in the city. Tap water is safe to drink. Bring any needed medications, especially for allergies or chronic conditions. Sunburn and dehydration are the main risks in summer.

Accessibility

Most main attractions, hotels and public transport are accessible, but cobbled streets and some old buildings can be tricky for those with mobility issues. The city is flat and easy to navigate overall.

Tap water

Tap water is safe, clean and widely available. Public fountains are found in parks and squares — refill your bottle as you explore.