Summer 2025 may already be history, but if you have saved all year round and still dream of sun -drenched Mediterranean coasts and an idyllic outing over the pond, you can catch the last pair of sunshine stripes here … without The crazy crowd:
If you are obsessed with in the Roman Empire, and your personal idea of pleasure is exploring 2000-year-old arenas, ranging on homemade pasta and enjoy your lemon orbet while walking a picturesque promenadePula in Croatia Is where you have to go this season.
We know, you probably think: ‘Why Croatia‘If it looks like we have just described somewhere in Italy.
It appears that Rome is not the only European gem that is a well -preserved Colosseum and Old heritage:
Did you know that Croatia has its own Colosseum?
Pula is a city-loaded city on the edge of the Istia-P and Persons of Croatia, as well as that of Europe Most underrated outing This fall.
In the words of the travel moguls from Lonely Planet it is a ‘Premier September destination‘Because of the pleasant weather, which is reminiscent of the summer, fewer crowds and an abundance of ancient wonders. The most striking is that the impressive Pula Arena, a Colosseum-look-Alike, is only a few steps from the sea.
The latter are probably what you are most interested in, if you have clicked on this head.
The Pula Arena is a Roman amphitheater built that about 1,998 years ago, during the regime of Augustus, along the road that once connected Istria to Rome, in the heart of the empire.
It was a whole look then, and it is still quite a view now.
In contrast to the Colosseum, whose elliptical walls have not survived intact in the modern era, pulas are complete, making it one of the best preserved structures of its kind.
Moreover, it continues to serve its goal as a center of entertainment. But don’t worry: no animals or gladiators are damaged. Pula’s current day Panem et circus Involved largely DJ sets, electronics festivals and Dua Lipa concerts.
Roman ruins in abundance
The Arena is quite impressive, good, but it is it Not the only spiritual link between Pula and the Italian capital: the old city, or Stari Gradis literally sown With Roman monuments.
You could walk with the narrow, paved streets and hidden Piazzettas For hours no millennia-old stone leaves unaffected and still not all shows it, but if you are looking for the most emblematic sites, then start with the cathedral of Pula:
The best known for its detached, baroque bell tower, it was built on the site of a former Roman bathhouse.
In the heart of the historic center there is also an almost intact Temple of AugustusAll the way back in the 2nd century BC, and often considered one of the ‘best complete Roman monuments’ outside of Italy.
An equal triumphant bow, the Sergii bow is the only connecting structure of once in order of Marine-Vestingwerken, built 29-27 BC. And guarding the entrance to the old city, Porta Gemina is the last of the ten city gates of Pula.
Rome by the sea
Of course, part of the profession of Pula is the proximity of the sea. Although it is true, Rome is also close to the Mediterranean, and a short train road away from Ostia, it is not exactly known for Turquoise seas and picturesque bays.
Pula has a countless of them, starting with Valkane Beach, directly in the city center. Mixing concrete areas with pebbles, the green -blue colored Adriatic hugs it and his wheelchair access, presence of lifeguards and countless cafés make it the most family -friendly swimming place in the city.
On Gortanova Uvala, or Gortans Beach, you will find smaller crowds, and a White-pebble bay supported by a lungomare (or Promenade). The small cliffs tend to put on adventurous cliffjumpers, and the beach is usually littered with sunbathing that bring their own umbrellas.
Our third choice is Ambrela Beach, awarded blue flag status because of the cleanliness and the wide range of tourist -friendly facilities, including snack bars and tanning beds for renting. The waters are shallow and warm, even in the fall, and this is a particularly transverse beach for paddleboarding.
How affordable is Pula?
Croatia is no longer the ultra-thoral outing of the coast that it once was, especially after the introduction of the euro as an official currency a few years ago.
Tourists have now described it as as expensive as Italy or luxury parts of Greece, but you can still find great deals from the Dalmatian coast of tourists, and guess, once Pula is hundreds of kilometers to the north From the cruising hotspots of Split and Dubrovnik.
If you have a limited budget, but still do not go home without tasting part of the local cuisine, you do not have to spend more than $ 50 in a single meal in a restaurant on the water.
Check out Plocica CevapiUp Narodni TRG (number 9): It is a well -known cabin near the green market with savory meat dishes, especially the traditional Croatian ćevapiAnd they usually cost less than $ 10 (although it depends on fillings).
For pizza, Bistro Pizzeria Caruso (Gortanova 12) has daily lunch specials, with margheritas below $ 9, and even City of old barIn the heart of the historic city, has reasonably priced meals: getting a dish with seafood spaghetti and a glass of Istrian wine will give you less than $ 18-20.
Anyway, feel free to be your tourist dollars with stretch A lot Further in Pula compared to the Italian capital.
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