Hotels in Pula, Croatia, are geared up to meet the needs of most holidaymakers, whether they're seeking a beach holiday or a city break. This part of Northern Croatia faces the Adriatic Sea. Its naturally protected harbour means it has been used by sailors since ancient times. It also accounts for much of the local beauty and calm waters of this part of the Mediterranean. Find out why booking a Pula holiday could be for you in our travel guide.
The most well-known image of Pula is its arena. This well-preserved ancient Roman ruin looks splendid and is among the best surviving examples of its kind. If you like exploring historic monuments, there's also a stunning Roman temple in the Old Town, which is dedicated to Augustus. The Old Town is worth heading to whatever your tastes. It is where Pula feels most lively, with restaurants, cafés and bars. Tourists and locals mingle, enjoying the relaxed way of life.
Another top site in Pula is the so-called Zerostrasse Tunnels. They were constructed during the First World War to provide shelter from bombardment. You can explore them and their other uses from the 20th century to this day. They're a good place to head to on a very hot day.
Brijuni National Park is a short boat ride from Pula Harbour and is popular among visitors. It's made up of a small archipelago of several islands. The main island, Veliki Brijun, boasts a safari park, but any of the islands are worth visiting, and guided tours are available.
Pula is home to several beaches that will suit most families. Valkane Beach is good for watersports, but it is pebbly. Ambrela Beach is perfect for families with younger kids because it is clean and has shallow waters. Bijeca Beach is out of the city and takes about 15 minutes to get to. The effort is worth it if you want a truly sandy beach, however.
Many of the larger hotels in Pula have swimming pools and play pools for younger ones. Typically, Pula hotels offer everything families might need, such as adjoining rooms and cots. If you want to book a Pula holiday during the school break, then book in advance. The most family-friendly ones can be fully booked by the time the holidays roll around.
Cape Kamenjak is a good place to head if you are feeling adventurous. This part of the coast, just outside the city, is good for snorkelling and cliff jumping. Make sure you only use the designated spots, though. Pula's Arena comes to life in the summer, and you can book tickets for events there. Sometimes, family-oriented re-enactments of gladiatorial battles are staged.
Dolphin-watching tours are a popular activity for couples and larger groups. You can never be guaranteed to see them, but the guides tend to have a good success rate. Adventure Park Pula is another good place to find some fun. There are many things to do, ranging from mini golf to zip-line runs.
Flights to Pula from Manchester Airport (MAN) can be among the cheapest options. However, also look for services operating from Birmingham (BHX), Bristol (BRS) and Glasgow (GLA). Four London airports offer flights to Pula: Heathrow (LHR), Gatwick (LGW), Stansted (STN) and Luton (LTN). All of these airports only offer seasonal services, though. As such, to obtain the best seat prices, you usually need to book as soon as flights are announced.
In the winter, direct services tend to be unavailable. Look for cheap flights to Pula via Zagreb (ZAG). Another low-cost option, which sometimes works out, is to fly from the UK to Frankfurt (FRA) and then to Pula from there. Whether you want to travel in summer or winter, cheap flights to Pula from Manchester and other UK airports tend to be available mid-week. Look for services on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays for the least popular travel slots.
All-inclusive Pula hotels include those with apartments and standard hotel rooms, so there are many options to explore. All-inclusive deals often only include local spirits, beers and wines. However, these are usually of a reasonable standard, so you won't feel the need to keep paying for a particular brand. Some all-inclusive Pula hotels offer fine dining experiences. It is worth checking whether they're included in the price of the holiday before booking, however.
Last-minute Pula holidays tend to suit lone travellers and couples more than families. Since this popular resort city gets booked up, you will have to rely on cancellations to get a last-minute deal. If you don't see one available, then check back in a day or two. These become available all the time, but there's often no way of working out when one will free up.
A: The high season in Croatia runs from June until mid-September, which is when most Pula holidays are booked. The peak coincides with the UK school holidays in late July and August. From November to March, British holidaymakers can expect the cheapest months to book flights to Pula.
A: You could easily spend several weeks in this resort city. However, if you're only looking for a quick city break, then a few nights are sufficient. Pula's historic city centre can be explored in a few days. You won't have much time for the beach with only a few nights of accommodation, though.
A: Pula Airport (PUY) serves the city, and transfers from it don't take long. Taxis take about 15 minutes to reach the city centre. However, the shuttle bus doesn't take much longer, and it tends to be cheaper unless you are in a large group. Look for the shuttle bus signs; the stop is just outside the terminal building.
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