Pula, an ancient vibe in Croatia

Pula sits at the bottom of the Istrian Peninsula, surrounded by blue sea, pine trees, and ancient Roman stones. I spent just a day there, but it was enough to quickly became one of my favorite stops in Croatia.

THE PULA ARENA

You can’t talk about Pula without starting with its crown jewel: the Pula Arena. It’s one of the world’s best‑preserved Roman monuments, and it’s impossible not to feel tiny standing beneath its limestone arches. In terms of its size, the Arena in Pula is the sixth among the known and preserved amphitheaters. Larger are the Colosseum in Rome and the ones in Capua, Verona, Arles and Pozzuoli. You can read about its history on the official site.

We all know what the arena was used for in the ancient times. Nowadays, you can also be a part of the performance. Spectacula Antiqua is a program led by the Spectacula Gladiatoria school, an exciting performance of modern gladiators. The show takes place weekly in the Arena during the summer season. It’s better to book in advance.

Entrance fee:

• Adults: 10 EUR
• Reduced tickets available for students, children and seniors

Opening hours:

• April: 08 – 20h
• May: 08 – 21h
• June-August: 08 – 22h
• September: 08 – 21h
• October: 09 – 19h
• November-March: 09 – 17h

Free audio guides in multiple languages are available by scanning QR codes at the entrance and at specific positions in the amphitheater.

THE OLD TOWN

You can’t leave Pula without wandering around its streets. You’ll find here a beautifully preserved Roman temple right on the main square. Small, elegant, and surprisingly peaceful. Or the beating heart of the old town: forum square. It’s perfect for people‑watching with a gelato in hand.

TUNNELS

Like many towns in Croatia, Pula also has its undergrounds! There’s a network of underground tunnels built during WWI. No accessible to public, just in case you need some break from the sun.

KASTEL FORTRESS

If you have time you can also climb up to grab panoramic views of the city. The walk is short but steep, and the reward is huge.

PARKING IN PULA

It’s always complicated to go by car to unknown place. Parking in coastal towns can be a sport of its own. Try this site to help you finding a perfect spot for you. We managed to park for free, however it was around 20 minutes walk from the center.

Tip: Blue lines = paid parking. White lines = free.
Always double‑check signs, especially in summer.

ARE YOU VISITING SOON?

To end this article, I just want to say: do it. Pula is authentic, and full of small surprises. If you need more tips for Istrian adventure read my other articles.