Pula is a city in Croatia situated at the southern tip of the Istrian peninsula. It is the 8th largest city in Croatia. It is best known for its multitude of ancient Roman buildings, among which the most famous is the Pula Arena, it is one of the best preserved Roman amphitheatres. This city is very famous for its ancient monuments. It is often known as Little Rome, as it was an important Roman colony for many centuries. This city has a long tradition of fish along with shipbuilding and wine making. Now-a-days it is well recognized as a tourist destination because of its rich history and culture. This city has many places to visit along with its incredible beauty and amazing cuisine.

When to visit Pula, Croatia

Summer is the best time to visit this city. You can roam in the city comfortably and can explore the beautiful sites of the city in this pleasant weather. Beaches are warm enough to swim and to play games around it.  Various music festivals and events take place during this time of the year which attracts people from around the world. You can visit the historical sites with your family and friends and can also enjoy in the clubs and bars of the city.

What to know about Pula, Croatia

Climate

This city has a mild climate. The summer season is very dry and long, while the winters are cold and cloudy. The average temperature in summers is around 30. January is the coldest month of the year having an average temperature of 9, and an average low temperature of 1 In the month of December you can also see a good amount of seasonal snow.

Transportation

Public transport is the best possible way to visit the different places of this city and enjoy its beauty.

Buses

Car hiring

Metro

Motorbike hiring

Taxis

Trams

Currency

Croatian Kuna is the official currency used in the city. There are plenty of ATMs and exchange bureaus in the city’s main town. There is an exchange desk at the airport from where you can exchange your money as soon as you land. You should carry your cards with you; a mix of both cash and card gives you a little extra security and convenience. You’ll be able to use your debit and credit card in most of the places, but mostly cash is preferred by independent businesses.

Language

Croatian is the official and widely spoken language by the native people of the city. Italian is also a very common language to hear on the streets of the city due to its history. Many people also speak the English language, but it is advisable to learn a few phrases in their official language before visiting this city.

Places of attractions in Pula, Croatia 

The Pula Arena

The Pula Arena is a Roman amphitheatre located in this beautiful city, Pula. This is the most well preserved ancient monument of the country. It is circular in shape and is the six largest surviving Roman arenas in the world. It was built between 27 BC and 68 AD. Limestone is the material used for building the exterior wall, having a maximum height of 29.40 metre. It consists of two parts; one of it is facing the sea and has three stories while the other one has two stories. The Pula Arena has 64 rectangular openings at the top floor, and 72 arches in the first two floors. There are a total number of 15 gates in the arena. Underneath this arena, there is a series of underground passageways along the main axis from where civilians, animals and fighters were released. In today’s time, this arena is used for conducting many concerts and hosting operas, sports competition, ballets and the Pula Film Festival. This place is open to the public every day. This place is also used for shooting some scenes for a movie, such as Titus in 1999. Professional hockey games are also played in this arena and it has a capacity of around 5000 spectators. People from various places of the world visit this place every year and get to know more about the historical facts it holds. 

The Temple of Augustus

The Temple of Augustus is the centre of attraction to anybody in the city, Pula. It is a very well preserved temple and completely dedicated to the first Roman emperor, Augustus. It was built between 27 BC and 14 AD. When the Temple work was started Augustus was alive, but later he died even before this monument was completed. This temple has a length of 17.85 metres, breadth of 8.05 metres and a height of 14 metres. There are many visible damages on the walls from inside as well as from the outside which are caused by putting the new windows, rebuilding the temple into three floors and fire used for several occasions which has destroyed the construction and architecture of the roof. In the years 1945-1947, this temple was rebuilt and reconstructed by the Italian archaeologists. This beautiful temple of Augustus also had a twin which was built on the other corner of the northern part. This temple is the finest example of architecture of the early Empire and is definitely worth a visit.

The Pula Aquarium

This city holds the largest aquarium of Croatia and is found inside the Austro-Hungarian Fortress. This aquarium is home to around 200 species of animals and it has a mission to show the beauty and diversity of the underwater world and emphasise the need for its protection along with its architectural design which matches the grandeur of the fortress. The tank full of sharks is the star of the show in the whole aquarium.  It also has a sea-turtle rescue centre along with other water animals such as starfish, crabs, rays, seahorses, eels, octopus, caimans and a huge Indian python. In the ground floor, you can also see the living fossils and reptiles, cold freshwater habitats and red eared slider sanctuary. This aquarium is great to know about underwater animals and plant species.