Pula walking tour & city guide

Roman Pula

The Pula Arena, built in the 1st century, could hold around 20,000 spectators for gladiator fights. It is one of the few Roman amphitheaters with all four side towers still standing, and today it hosts concerts and the Pula Film Festival in summer.

In the old town, the Forum still serves as the main square, with the elegant Temple of Augustus standing beside the town hall. The Arch of the Sergii, a triumphal arch from around 30 BC, leads into the main shopping street, and the Twin Gates and a small Roman theater are nearby.

Harbor and coast

The hilltop Venetian fortress, home to the Istrian Historical and Maritime Museum, looks over the old town and the shipyard. The cranes of the Uljanik shipyard are lit up in colors at night.

South of the city, the Cape Kamenjak nature park has wild coves, cliffs and clear water. Boats leave from nearby Fažana to the Brijuni Islands National Park, once the summer residence of Yugoslav president Tito.

Visiting tips

Visit the Arena early or late in the day to avoid the heat. Pula's airport makes it a convenient gateway to Istria, and Rovinj is just 40 minutes away.