Pula has been the cultural center of the Istrian peninsula since Roman times, so it is not surprising that this city radiates such energy and has attracted numerous movie stars, famous musicians and tourists in search of a unique experience for centuries
Unveiling Pula’s Treasure Trove of Historical Sites
Pavarotti, Sting, Leonard Cohen, Tom Jones, David Gilmour, Elton John, 2Cellos are only part of the galaxy of world music stars who held unforgettable concerts in the Pula Arena, the sixth largest in the world, and Pula – that port city full of history – permanently marked as a world ‘must see’ destination. To fully appreciate Pula’s captivating charm, consider chartering a yacht and embarking on a personalized sailing adventure.
Pula’s Premier Yachting Experience: Unravel the pinnacle of luxury voyages
Noor II
The 31 meter long luxury yacht San Lorenzo ‘Noor II’ offers flexible accommodation for up to 11 guests in 5 luxurious cabins. A truly avant-garde yacht, Noor’s award-winning asymmetric design is a product of Sanlorenzo’s partnership with American car design guru Chris Bangle, refined by the masterful eye of Zuccon International Projects.
The Mediterranean climate, an excellent location within a large and wide bay, according to archaeological finds in the nearby Šandalja cave, made Pula interesting to people already at the dawn of civilization, some, you would not believe, almost a million years ago.
The magnetic charm of this unique place continuously attracts merchants, after the conquerors, since Roman times, and today especially tourists from all corners of the world, therefore it is not surprising that Pula is the cultural center and largest city of Istria even in the 21st century.
Exploring Pula’s Vibrant Culture and Culinary Delights
Historical walks along ancient pavements, excellent Istrian gastronomy, plenty of adventure tours through unique natural landscapes or nightlife known for its rocker wire, which has been vibrating for decades, all of this is intertwined in one epicenter of the southwestern part of the beautiful peninsula of Istria.
Whether you approach the city from the sea, by road or by plane to the nearby Pula Airport (Trieste and Ljubljana airports are also nearby), Pula is definitely a city that will permanently fascinate you.
The fantastic geographical position was used by the Illyrian tribe Histri, and then by the Greeks, but with the Romans, the real flowering of Pula began, which reached its zenith during the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy.
Then, in the 19th century, this city becomes the main war port of the Empire, and this ‘melting pot’ of nations and customs in the years to come will make Pula the way we know it today – a beautiful and vibrant destination that truly has no equal.
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Must-see attractions in Pula
Roman Amphitheatre
The Vespasian Arena is certainly the ‘epicenter’ of Pula, and the ‘Spectacvla Antiqva’ is a staging of gladiator fights that can be experienced every week during the warm months in the Arena, where you will have fun, but sometimes also learn with a lot of action and magnificent scenography.
But before you visit this amphitheater preserved in its original form, which was built when the Roman Colosseum was, step into the hustle and bustle of the city through one of the city gates. The Double Gate and the Hercules Gate were the entrances to the city, but the Arc de Triomphe with the carved names of the Sergius is still the most impressive gate, so much so that Michelangelo himself sketched it.
Golden Gate
Next to the gate itself, also known as the Golden Gate, is a statue of the Irish writer James Joyce, who lived in Pula and even taught for a time, next to which many tourists take photos, and nearby are popular places for drinking the first morning coffee.
Joyce is by no means the only writer associated with the city, because Pula was mentioned by Dante himself in one of the most significant works of the Renaissance – the Divine Comedy, and for all literature lovers, every autumn whose Pula lives with the Sa(n)jam book fair.
Pula lives for music, so numerous cafes and clubs maintain the tradition of live music and good times, such as Rock Cafe, rock bar Mimoza, bar Pietas Julia, beach bar Zeppelin, DC Rojca, Stella club, Circola… But, apart from numerous musicians, Pula is since 1952, it has hosted a large film festival in the Arena itself, so many film stars paraded through these streets.
Although the side streets, and especially the many parks with an Austro-Hungarian flair, invite you to take a look, a leisurely walk to the south leads to the main square – the Forum.
With the remains of the Temple of Augustus, this square, with its openness and close to the sea, is a favorite place for locals to drink morning coffee, but also a beautiful place surrounded by galleries and restaurants for a good time both in the morning and at night.
Not even a five-minute walk from the Forum, the Venetian fortress from the 17th century offers a perfect vantage point on the nearby Roman theater, as well as on the entire city and the surrounding water area. Inside the fortress is the Historical and Maritime Museum of Istria, where you can learn almost everything about the history of Pula and Istria.
The deep bay and the natural protection of the harbor created ideal conditions for the construction of a defense system with as many as thirty forts, which made Pula impregnable and the development of the city unhindered.
The circular fort of Maria Luisa on the Muzil peninsula is one of the most interesting, so it is really worthwhile to walk to it on the peninsula and along the way discover the famous city beach at Stoja, Valkane or Galebove stijene, or rent a kayak and row along a 30 km stretch of coast and visit Štinjan and Fort Punta Christo.
In all periods of history, Pula was the epicenter of culture and development, but in the 19th century, it was connected directly to Vienna by railway, and the city became a modern polis where ideas, trends mix, and foreshadows the arrival of a new age.
In addition to the first cars, an electric tram runs through the streets of Pula, and Herman Potočnik, a native of Pula, writes the visionary work ‘The Problem of Space Travel – The Rocket Engine’. He is considered a pioneer of space travel who even predicted the International Space Station, in the form of a wheel, as depicted by Stanley Kubrick in the iconic ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’.
Unveiling Pula’s Hidden Gems
The former Arsenal, located on the southern coast of the Pula Bay, is a monument to one of the most advanced facilities for building (war) ships of that time. Even today, ships are built in the Uljanik shipyard, on the islet of the same name, and they made a breakthrough in production in 2018 with the launch of the world’s first luxury polar cruiser, the ‘Scenic Eclipse’.
The branched network of tunnels – Zerostrasse, was created during the First World War, and the hidden world under the entire urban fabric, which connects the seven city hills (Zaro, Ghiro, Serpente, Magno, Paradiso, Rizzi and Vidal) with the Castle, provided protection for about 50 thousand people . Today, the complex is open to the public, and in the cool corridors you can take refuge from the heat and discover an interesting past with an emphasis on the industrial age of the city.
However, so that the impressions of Pula are not created only from traces of the past, take a look at the Museum or the ‘House of Istrian Olive Oil’ just fifty meters from the amphitheater. An ideal place for all lovers of this divine liquid, in addition to the history of Istrian olive growing, it also offers a tasting of the best virgin oils, while the Gourmet tour takes you to places of autochthonous Istrian gastronomy, including the town market.
Pula Aquarium
Built in the height of Art Nouveau, all covered with glass and iron, it is not only one of the city’s landmarks, but is still the central point of supply for the people of Pula. A visit to the Pula Aquarium, located in the famous Verudela fortress, will delight the youngest, who have the opportunity to see Adriatic and tropical fish in more than a hundred pools. If you are on a group visit, try the Arena Mysterium game where teams solve different tasks and get to know Pula in a different way.
The Museum of Good Memories – MEMO also offers something unusual, which will certainly make domestic tourists smile full of nostalgia, and give foreign visitors an insight into what it was like to live in Pula during the prosperity of socialism from the 1950s to the end of the 80s.
Mystical Istria is full of beautiful places and nature, but Pula is a true city, which the greatest empires breathed timeless beauty into and designed for a comfortable life. Some of that beauty has been eroded in recent decades, but the essence is still there and offers a sea of ways to explore it and truly love it.
Day trips from Pula
After visiting Pula, you can set your sails to the north and visit the unique Brijuni National Park, which was also inhabited by dinosaurs, as evidenced by more than 200 of their footprints, and during the 20th century, marshal and bon vivant Tito often stayed in his residence and hosted numerous world statesmen and Hollywood actors.
You can continue sailing north towards charming Rovinj or, alternatively, turn the helm to the south and discover Medulin and its long sandy beaches, and explore the extraordinary Cape Kamenjak Nature Park and all of Premantura by walking, swimming and rowing.
Marinas in Pula
ACI Marina Pula
We can say without hesitation that Pula has one of the most beautiful marinas in the Mediterranean. Namely, from the ACI marina in the center of the harbor there is a view of the magnificent Arena, and with 190 berths it can accommodate yachts up to 55 meters in length. The marina has all the necessary nautical infrastructure, and in the restaurant you can enjoy gastronomy and a wonderful sunset.
The proximity of the gas station, but also the Port Authority and the customs office, makes this marina a truly great place to visit. If you want to reserve a mooring in the ACI marina Pula, you can do it via the ACI application, by e-mail at m.pula@aci-club.hr, or by calling the number 385 (0)52 219 142 and GSM +385 98 398 837. Port number captain’s office is +385 52 535 870.
Tehnomont Marina Veruda
Tehnomont Marina Veruda is a modern marina in a quiet bay, with 630 moorings on 18 piers, and can accommodate yachts up to 40 meters. Contact for reservations is +385 (0)52 224 034 or via e-mail: recepcija@marina-veruda.hr.
Marina Polesana
Marina Polesana is the newest marina in the Pula area, with 400 sea and 42 dry moorings. Facilities at the marina include a restaurant, cafe, nautical equipment shop, laundry and charter agencies. You can get all the information at +385 52 378 400 or polesana@marina21.com
Explore the unspoiled magnificence of the Adriatic waters as you uncover the enchanting city of Pula, all while relishing the luxury and comfort of cruising aboard exclusive yacht.
Book your luxury yacht charter today and create memories that will last a lifetime.
Text Filip Bubalo
Photos Boris Kačan, TZ Pula
Video Swan-Lein Stošić
