Let’s take a look at the best of what this gorgeous city has to offer in this sightseeing in Pula guide. So many of these sights are within easy walking distance of each other, so visiting most of these sights is easy to do in a day or so.
The Arena
The most famous sight in Pula is – of course – the Roman amphitheatre, which is called The Arena. Built during the 1st century AD and completed under the reign of Emperor Flavius, this amphitheatre is the sixth-largest in the world of those that still exist. The three-storey structure held 23,000 spectators in Roman times but for events today that has been reduced to around 5-7,000 people. During the summer months, numerous concerts and events are held here; recent concerts have seen the likes of Dua Lipa, Lenny Kravitz, and Duran Duran perform and in the past greats such as Luciano Pavarotti and Elton John have wowed the crowds in this amphitheatre. Every July, film screenings from the Pula Film Festival – one of the oldest such festivals in Europe – are held here too.
Take a walk through the internal part of the Arena to really get a feel for it and imagine what the amphitheatre must have been like all those many, many years ago. Be sure to climb the steps (which would have once been seats) up to get a better view all around, both looking inwards and out to the rest of Pula and to the Adriatic.
Head down under the main floor of the Arena for an exhibition on amphora (used for storing and transporting liquids such as olive oil and wine) which includes some amazingly well-preserved amphora. Some of the displays of the exhibition also contain more information about the Roman Empire when it controlled this part of Istria.
Do also take a look at our Spotlight On: The Pula Arena page for an in-depth look at this marvellous sight.
The Triumphal Arch of the Sergii
The Triumphal Arch of the Sergii was built between 29 and 27 BC in honour of the Sergi family who fought on the side of Octavian, who later became Emperor Augustus, in the Battle of Actium in present-day Greece.
Walk through the arch to the start of Sergijevaca ulica (which literally means Sergii Street), a charming fully pedestrianised street with plenty of shops, cafes and charming little buildings.
The Forum – Main Square
Sergijevaca Ulica will lead you to The Forum, the main square in the Town. This is another lovely spot in Pula, full of little cafes for a tasty iced coffee or a cold glass of wine, and just the place for some people watching. Pula’s tourist office is also located here and has a wealth of leaflets and brochures for you to pick up. Pop into the tourist office also if you have any local questions.
Just as it is Pula’s main square today, the Forum also played the same importance in Roman times.
On the main square there are also two important sights. The Temple of Augustus (Augustov Hram in Croatian), was built during AD 2-14 in honour of Emperor Augustus. It stands on a site next to where there was also an accompanying Temple of Diana (of which only a very small part remains). The Temple now contains Roman sculpture.
To the right of the Temple stands the Town Hall (also known as the Communal Palace). The first Communal Palace was constructed during the 13th century, with reconstructions taking place over the centuries. The present look is largely from the 19th and 20th centuries. The back part of the above-mentioned Temple of Diana – all that remains of it – can be seen as part of the Town Hall building.
Zerostrasse Tunnels
Something rather different now! The long and winding Zerostrasse Tunnels were constructed during World War I to shelter the inhabitants of Pula, as well as helping with communication during the war and for ammunition storage too. Stretching out for several kilometres, it is said that all of Pula’s 50,000 or so inhabitants could shelter in the tunnels if needed. Thankfully that’s not the case today.
The tunnels are now home to an exhibition on Pula’s old tram network which first came into service in 1904 (when the city was under Austro-Hungarian rule) but stopped operating in 1934.
The tunnels themselves are always remarkably cool – seeing as they are underground – and are a wonderful place to escape the summer heat. Partway through the tunnels, you will also come to a lift which will lead you to Pula Kastel/Castle (see below). An entrance ticket to the tunnels includes the Castle.
Pula Kastel
Pula’s Castle – or Kastel – is a 17th-century Venetian-built defensive structure that is located on a hill in the centre of the town. However, it is believed that some sort of fort may have been located here centuries earlier.
The Castle is well worth a visit for some simply stunning views of Pula in every direction – especially towards the Arena.
Sightseeing in Pula – Other Points of Interest
The cathedral contains parts from various centuries, with its rear wall from the 4th century; its sanctuary from the following century; the internal part from the 15th century; and the bell tower from the 17th century.
Hercules Gate (Herkulova vrata in Croatian; also known as Porta Ercole) is the oldest standing Roman monument, dating from the 1st century BC.
Museums and Similar
The Aquarium Pula is located in the impressive 130-year-old Fort Verudela and largely features displays of Adriatic sea life as well as fish and aquatic animals from Croatia’s rivers and lakes.
The Pula Olive Oil Museum showcases a product that Istria is famous for, explaining the history of its production (as far back as Roman times) and exhibiting modern-day production methods. You can also enjoy olive oil tastings here!
Tours for Sightseeing in Pula
Guided Tours
We can thoroughly recommend the highly knowledgeable Rossana (tel: +385 98 824 371) for a guided tour of Pula’s main sights. Whatsapp or message her to arrange a private tour! She also does tours of Rovinj, Motovun and Groznjan and offers olive oil tastings too.
Do also see below for some guided walking tours to make the most of sightseeing in Pula:
Sightseeing Bus
There is a hop-on/hop-off sightseeing bus that runs during the summer months. The bus operates an audio tour in numerous different languages and stops at the main sights in town. For more details, and to see a map of the route, please see the official website: Pula City Tour.