Pula, Port city in Istria, Croatia
Pula is a port city at the southern tip of the Istrian Peninsula in Croatia, stretching along a sheltered bay. The old town sits on a hill while newer districts spread along the coast and around the harbor.
The settlement developed under Roman rule from 177 BCE into a major colonial center with numerous buildings. It later changed between Venetian and Austrian administration before becoming part of Yugoslavia and eventually Croatia in the 20th century.
The Roman amphitheater hosts open-air concerts and film screenings during summer months, with visitors sitting on the ancient stone steps. The city maintains its connection to the sea with an active fishing harbor where local fishermen sell their catch directly from the docks.
Visitors reach the center from the bus station in about 15 minutes on foot or by local bus lines. Most Roman structures lie within the old town and can be explored on foot.
Below some residential buildings in the old town lie Roman cellars that once served as storage rooms and are occasionally discovered during renovations. The city walls run partly beneath modern buildings and become visible when walking through certain lanes.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
