Pula holidays
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Pula holidays deliver on the best of both, combining the atmosphere of ancient Rome with the buzz of modern Croatia.
Old meets new
Pula is nestled beneath seven hills on the southern tip of Croatia’s Istrian peninsula. Modern bars, pavement cafés and boutiques sit happily among ancient Roman ruins – the first-century amphitheatre and the Temple of Augustus are some of its top sights. As for beach action, the town is set to the side of the horseshoe-shaped Pula Bay, where calm turquoise waters are hugged by rugged terrain.
Beach options
About a kilometre south of Pula is the start of the Verudela Peninsula, where you’ll find 190 kilometres of mixed rocky, pebbly and shingle beaches. They shelve jaggedly into the crystal-clear Adriatic, and are backed by fragrant shady pine forests. The beaches and coves offer shallow waters which are great for snorkelling. Or, if you’d prefer to go diving or sea kayaking, the big hotels along the coast bolt on watersports centres and scuba diving schools.
Daytrips to Rovinj
It’s less than an hours’ drive to Rovinj from Pula. The Venetians built this place, as you’ll see from the way the town spills down to the sea. At its heart is the Cathedral of Saint Euphemia, with its 60-metre-high bell tower and fabulous pine forest views. You can amble around the cobbled Italianate streets for shops and artists’ workshops, and make a stop at one of the many trattorias for a pasta and truffle lunch.