Pula

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Pula (“Pola” in Italian) is the largest city in Istria, western Croatia, located on the southern tip of the Istrian peninsula. Pula was once an Austro-Hungarian Empire major naval base. Nowadays, it is an important Croatian port and an industrial center being something in between a busy working port and an active Istrian Riviera town.

The Romans captured Pula in 178 B.C. where they built the most amazing and well-known Pula amphitheater, which remains still used as Pula’s summer stage for various opera and pop performances, as well as for the well-known Pula Film Festival, which is hosted there since 1953. The Pula amphitheater (“arena” in Croatian) was built at the end of the first century B.C. It is the sixth-largest amphitheater in the world, with a capacity of 22 000 people. The outer shell is almost complete, while inside seats are just partly remaining.

Throughout history, Pula was destroyed by Augustus, but was rebuilt by him and named Pietas Julia. Pula was taken by the Venice Republic in 1148, and 200 years later overtaken and destroyed by Genovese.

The Venetians continued to rule Pula until the Treaty of Campo Formio (1797) when Pula was transferred to Austro-Hungarian Empire. The city was surrendered to Italy after World War I. Since World War II, Pula belongs to Croatia, then one of the Yugoslav republics. As far as a holiday in Pula is concerned, Pula offers various options for a nice holiday. Hotels and apartments are spread out throughout and around the city of Pula as well as in smaller neighboring places. Many tourist facilities are located outside of the city on the various beaches that stretch 100km of the Istrian peninsula coastline so one can choose among the wide range of swimming spots. Just outside of the city center, there are good swimming spots of Verudela, Stoja, and Lungo Mare.

Hotels in Pula:

• Splendid Resort
  “In the area of Zlatne Stijene, 3 km from the city center of Pula, turned toward the sea, there is Resort splendid. Except the central reception desk, there is a restaurant, snack bar, tennis courts, mini golf, supermarket.” Prices from €32 – Number of rooms: 110 – Check Splendid Resort, Pula availability
• Verudela Beach and Villa Resort
  “With independent villas and residential units, this modern tourist complex is surrounded by abundant vegetation and is close to the seaside.” Prices from €33 – Number of rooms: 194 – Check Verudela Beach and Villa Resort, Pula availability
• Hotel Histria
  “Hotel Histria is situated in a wonderful location dominantly raised above the sea coast, only four kilometers away from the historic center of Pula, opposite Marina Veruda.” Prices from €53 – Number of rooms: 240 – Check Hotel Histria, Pula availability
• Horizont Resort
  Apartments can be reached through bike and walking paths from the central parking places. Prices from €30 – Number of rooms: 312 – Check Horizont Resort, Pula availability
• Punta Verudela Resort
  These apartments form a tourist complex consisting of residential units located in several independent two and three store buildings. The arrangement makes a typical Mediterranean settlement. The buildings are connected by bike and walking paths. Prices from €29 – Number of rooms: 447 – Check Punta Verudela Resort, Pula availability
• All hotels in Pula book here!
• List of all hotels in Pula
• List of all Hostels, Apartments, Pansions, Private Accommodation Pula

Arrival at Pula:

• Ferry Pula – Unije – Mali Lošinj – Ilovik – Zadar timetable and Info
• Ferry Venice – Pula – timetable, info, and booking
• Pula and Istria travel Forum – ask questions and find answers about travel to Pula
• Buses to and from Pula – see schedules and prices

Map of fast boat connecting Pula with Italy (Venezia):

Latest topics about Pula

• Pula to Hvar Ferry or Bus?
• Split to Pula train or bus or ferry?
• Venice or Pula to Zadar Ferries
• Pula to Zadar by Ferry, Car Ferry, Catamaran

More info about Pula and the surrounding area:

• Latest news about travel to Pula from Pula Travel Blog
• Temple of Augustus – Pula: The temple of Augustus is located on the northwest side of the forum. It is made up of a larger closed cellar and a smaller vestibule open towards the square and flanked with four columns with Corinthian capitals on the front side and with one column on each lateral. Longitudinal walls of the cellar end with fluted semi-columns in the vestibule.
• Archeological Museum Istria – Pula: The museum collection in Pula came into being when Marshal Marmont started collecting stone monuments in the Temple of Augustus in 1802. However, what gave rise to the foundation of the Pula Municipal Museum (Museo Civico) in 1902 was the discovery of stone, ceramic and metal objects in Nesactium…
• Map of Pula and the southern part of Istria – a map of Pula and the surrounding area including the Brijuni Islands
• Map of Pula – a map of the archaeological sites within Pula – Old Photos of Pula– photo album of some old photos of Pula – Istria.
• Ucka – Mountain and Nature Park near Pula
• Pula Tourist Board: tz-pula@pu.htnet.hr Telephones: 052 212 987, 052 219 197, Fax: 052 211 855