Pula Holidays

Luxury Holidays in Pula

Imagine bunches of wild asparagus charring over hot coals in a secluded cove as the pink sunset reflects in the serene, Adriatic Sea. Scatter some locally grown olive oil and a shaving of indulgent white truffles over the top; a well-earned treat after a long day exploring Pula and its historic sights. Make this thought a reality and book now for 2024/2025.

5 Reasons to Holiday in Pula

The sun, sun, sun - Boasting thirteen hours of daily sunshine from June to August, there is no better bet for ensuring a deep, rich tan by the end of your summer holiday. Average highs of over 26 degrees Celsius for the same period guarantee a dose of vitamin D to last you through the winter.

The food - With its proximity to northern Italy it is no surprise that Istria is a paradise for culinary luxuries. From the rustic regional delicacies; njoki, (gnocchi) tartuffi, (truffles) and oštrige (oysters) to the abundance of high quality, jaw-droppingly good value restaurants, the area exceeds all expectations when it comes to gastronomic exploration.

The coastline - The Adriatic Sea is famously calm, making it ideal for relaxing bathing as well as water sports for the more adventurous. The magnificent shoreline of the Istrian peninsula boasts cove after cove of dreamy blue waters and excellent beaches. Explorers will be rewarded with their own personal bays; a chance to call a piece of heaven “home”, at least, for a week or so.

The charm - Those who can bear to say goodbye to the Adriatic for a day will be well compensated with a host of quaint hilltop towns. Venture out to picturesque gems such as Motovun, a terracotta village swirling its way up a hill, out of the Croatian countryside, into the pink sunset above. Alternatively, chat with the locals in the artists’ town of Groznjan about their work over a glass of locally grown, golden yellow Istrian Malvasia wine.

The culture - A broad spectrum of festivals and celebrations are held across the region; the Motovun film festival is a five-day showcase of independent film in a hilltop village and the Subotina festival to mark the beginning of the prized white truffle season comes at the start of September. From truffling to shuffling; Punta Christo fort, outside Pula, plays host to much-acclaimed electronic music festival Outlook in early September and Unknown festival, much in the same vein, arrives just after.

Things to See & Do in Pula

Wine Tasting - Croatian poet Tin Ujevic famously said: “not to taste wine is the same as not to see the colours.” Don’t let old Tin down, taste them for yourself and see why the wine world has just begun to recognise this ancient wine growing region with a host of awards. Oenologists claim that food tastes better with wine grown in the same terroir (soil conditions) so pair a chilled glass of classic, Istrian Malvazija white with a plate of decadent white truffle topped gnocchi drizzled with locally grown olive oil.

Amphitheatre adventures - Given it’s depicted on the 10 kuna banknote of Croatia, it would be criminal not to visit the extremely well preserved, spectacular Roman amphitheatre in Pula. So well preserved in fact one can imagine the gladiators of time past clashing swords in front of swaying crowds of spectators. You might be surprised to learn that crowds still fill the ancient walls since the amphitheatre has been repurposed as an excellent music venue for artists such as David Gilmour, Alanis Morisette, Jamiroquai and Norah Jones, who’ve all got the thumbs up to play in recent years.

Family fun at Aquacolours Waterpark - This multicoloured behemoth promises fun for all ages with a host of varied hair-raising slides and rides. While teenagers get their kicks on the purple “freefall” slide that drops vertically, younger kids can share a raft and speed down the adrenaline-pumping ‘family rafting’ orange slide and parents can relax on the lazy river, or even more slothfully at the bar. 

Take a day trip to Venice - On a high speed catamaran the short, 100km, hop from Porec to the famous canals of Venice, gives you just enough time to get some stylish photos. Once you’re there visit the inimitable Piazza san Marco and the Bridge of Sighs before turning sighs into smiles with a gondola trip followed by some cicchetti (sharing plates) watching the world float by.

The Weather in Pula, Istria

Pula, Croatia is the hottest part of the Istrian peninsula, which, with its mild, protected, Mediterranean climate, has warm, balmy summers without the overbearing heat of some of its neighbouring climes. Holiday makers can expect calm seas, very little wind and average highs of 26 degrees over the three summer months. You’ll see between 275 and 300 hours of sunshine a month in June, July and August. Medical professionals would advise seeking the cool of the shade for some of that time.

Interesting Facts about Pula, Istria

• The heart-shaped Istrian peninsula in Northern Croatia borders Italy and Slovenia; Pula is at its southern-most tip.
• Thanks to its fertile soil (terroir) and plentiful sunshine, Istria is the top wine-producing area in Croatia. The best known of which are honeyed, tangy Malvazija and fruity, ruby-red Teran.
• The three biggest towns in Istria are Pula, Porec and Rovinj whose standout landmarks are the amphitheatre, Euphrasian Basilica and St. Euphemia church, respectively.

2024/2025 Holidays in Pula

Kenwood Travel’s Pula holiday prices are already guaranteed for 2024 and 2025 so you can rest assured that you’re getting the best possible deal on fly-and-stay deals when you book in advance. For the best value experience, talk to our team of Croatia destination experts today on 020 7749 9235.