Reasons To Buy Property in Pula
Pula is the largest city in Istria. It is also unlike anywhere else you will find on the peninsula. Thanks to its long history of shipbuilding and its naval heritage, the city has always had a more industrial, metropolitan character than the relaxed, tourism-focused atmosphere associated with many other Istrian destinations. Buying property in Pula therefore also means owning a small piece of this rich history.
With its Roman, Venetian, Austro-Hungarian and communist-era architecture, Pula is a fascinating mixture of different styles. It can take some time to fully appreciate the city, as it also has a rougher, more industrial side. Once you get to know it, however, you will discover just how much Pula has to offer in terms of attractions, places to explore and activities. By buying property in Pula, all of these experiences will be within easy reach, allowing you to discover this historically rich city at your own pace.
Properties in Pula
As you might expect, Eurovilla offers a wide range of properties in Pula. Alongside traditional seaside apartments, buyers can also choose from villas, new developments and building plots. Here are some of the property types worth highlighting.
Apartments
One of the first property types likely to catch your eye in our portfolio is the selection of excellent apartments. Pula is home to a growing number of modern, energy-efficient residential developments.
Whether you are looking for an apartment for your own use or a property with potential for tourist rental during the summer season, we are confident that you will find something in Pula that appeals to you.
Villas
Among our favourite property types, both on the coast and inland, are modern urban villas. Fortunately, Eurovilla’s portfolio in Pula includes both newly built and more traditional villas.
These attractive properties can be particularly interesting for buyers looking for a comfortable home, holiday residence or long-term property investment.
Land
Building land and development plots are an excellent option for buyers who want to create a property entirely around their own ideas and requirements.
Purchasing land can be an investment in itself, while also giving you the opportunity to develop a property designed specifically for your intended purpose, whether that means a commercial project or a home for personal use.
View the full selection of properties in Pula here.
About Pula
As already mentioned, Pula is the largest city in Istria and the peninsula’s administrative and economic centre.
Historically, shipbuilding, fishing and the navy have played a greater role in the everyday life of Pula than tourism, giving the city a less polished and more authentic urban character than destinations such as Rovinj or Poreč.
However, the southern part of the city is home to numerous beaches as well as impressive historic monuments.
The tourist season in Pula
The main tourist months in Croatia are July and August, and Pula is no exception.
June and September offer many of the same opportunities for swimming, sunbathing and outdoor activities, but with fewer crowds and generally more reasonable accommodation prices.
Buying property in Pula gives you complete independence from the city’s accommodation capacity, allowing you to decide for yourself when you would most like to spend time here.
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The climate in Pula
During June, July, August and September, the climate in Pula is typically warm and dry, with daytime temperatures frequently reaching the high 20s and 30s Celsius.
The weather is ideal for relaxing by the sea, although the hottest part of summer may be less comfortable for exploring the city on foot.
Early June and mid-September, when temperatures are slightly cooler than during the height of summer, are particularly pleasant for combining time at the beach with sightseeing in Pula and the surrounding area.
April, May and October generally bring mild daytime temperatures of around the low 20s Celsius. Although the sea may be too cold for most people to swim at this time of year, the conditions are excellent for sightseeing.
Winters in Pula are cool and rainy, but the influence of the Adriatic Sea generally keeps winter temperatures above 0°C. Snow in Pula is extremely rare.
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The history of Pula
You do not need to be a history expert to appreciate Pula’s historic landmarks.
The city’s past can be seen throughout Pula in monuments and architecture including the Roman amphitheatre and theatre, the Temple of Augustus, the Arch of the Sergii, Venetian palaces and numerous civilian and military buildings constructed during the Austro-Hungarian period.
Things to see and do in Pula
While enjoying your new property in Pula, there is plenty to do besides relaxing on the beach with a drink in your hand.
Eurovilla brings you some of the best-known attractions and activities you will have within easy reach if you decide to buy property in Pula.
Pula Arena
Pula Arena is an attraction you simply cannot miss and one of the finest examples of Roman architecture in Croatia.
Explore this historic amphitheatre and make sure to visit the underground section, where exhibitions provide an insight into amphorae and traditional olive oil production.
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Pula Market
Pula Market, which first opened in 1903, is divided into two sections: an indoor market containing a fish market, butcher shops, taverns and other businesses, and an outdoor market lined with fruit and vegetable stalls.
The market building was completely renovated in 1997 and is particularly recognisable for its steel-and-glass construction.
Cvajner Gallery
Located on the Forum, Pula’s central square, Cvajner is an unusual combination of café and gallery.
Its interior has plenty of character, with vintage furniture and intriguing artwork on the walls. The outdoor terrace is an excellent place to take in both historic and modern-day Pula, with views of the Temple of Augustus and the everyday life of the square.
The café offers a wide range of local and international drinks, with something to suit almost every taste.
Pula Aquarium
This is one of the attractions in Istria that is particularly worth visiting. Pula Aquarium is located inside a former military fortress built in 1886 on the Verudela peninsula.
It contains around 100 aquariums housing more than 250 species of fish. Pula Aquarium is also home to a sea turtle rescue centre.
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Arch of the Sergii
The Arch of the Sergii, also known as the Golden Gate, was built in the first century BC by the powerful Sergii family and originally formed part of the city gates and defensive walls.
During the 19th century, both the walls and the gate were demolished, leaving the Arch as a reminder of this important part of Pula’s history.
Pula Forum
Since Roman times, Pula Forum, located in the western part of the city centre, has served as the city’s main square.
Built in the first century BC, it contained all the main elements of a traditional Roman forum, including temples dedicated to Roman deities such as Jupiter, Juno and Minerva, as well as the Temple of Augustus and the Temple of St Diana.
Of the five temples, the Temple of Augustus is the only one that remains fully preserved.
Mosaics
Some of Pula’s attractions require a little more effort to find because they are hidden away from the city’s main tourist routes.
One example is an impressive Roman floor mosaic, tucked away between residential buildings close to a car park. The mosaic remains remarkably well preserved and is certainly worth seeking out while exploring the city.
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Pula’s historic fortifications
Most visitors who travel to Pula are familiar with the city’s 3,000-year history and Roman heritage, but considerably fewer know about its more recent past, particularly the period of Austro-Hungarian rule.
Between 1816 and 1920, Pula developed into one of the empire’s most important naval ports.
With 26 forts, an extensive network of tunnels and numerous artillery bunkers, the city and its surrounding area were heavily fortified. Many of these structures remain remarkably well preserved and some are still used today for completely different purposes.
Fort Verudela now houses Pula Aquarium, while Fort Punta Christo and Fort Monteparadiso have hosted numerous music festivals and cultural events.
Gastronomy in Pula
Pula’s food scene shares many similarities with the cuisine found throughout Istria and the Croatian coast.
Many restaurants offer familiar Croatian favourites such as pizza, pasta, risotto, grilled meat and fish. These restaurants are particularly popular with visitors looking for a quick and straightforward meal, and it is possible to eat relatively inexpensively. However, they may not necessarily provide the most memorable gastronomic experience.
If you are looking for something more distinctive, Pula and the surrounding area are home to several excellent restaurants.
Over the centuries, Istrian cuisine has been influenced by both Central European and Venetian culinary traditions. The result today is an appealing combination of delicate seafood dishes and richer dishes inspired by the inland regions of Istria.
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Some of our favourite restaurants in and around Pula include Vodnjanka in Pula, a hidden gem popular with locals for marenda, and Batelina in Banjole, one of Croatia’s best-known fish restaurants, where simple preparations of fresh fish with olive oil sit alongside lesser-known Adriatic specialities.
Hook & Cook, run by two fishermen, is popular with both locals and visitors for its simple but delicious seafood dishes, including fried calamari, mixed fried fish, shellfish and tuna burgers.
In Pješčana Uvala, only five kilometres south of Pula, Lanterna restaurant and wine bar offers generous seafood dishes alongside a selection of smaller plates.
For hearty meat dishes and traditional stews, Alla Beccaccia in Valbandon is another excellent option.
Owning property in Pula means all of these restaurants and gastronomic experiences can become a regular part of your time in the city.
Beaches in Pula
When you think of Pula, beaches may not be the first thing that comes to mind, but the city is actually home to some of the best beaches in Istria.
Most of Pula’s beaches are located in the southern part of the city, particularly around Stoja, Zlatne Stijene and Verudela.
Like many other beaches in Istria, Pula’s coastline is dominated by rocky, pebble and paved bathing areas. If you prefer sandy beaches, nearby Medulin offers a sandy option.
Some of the most popular beaches include Ambrela Beach, Saccorgiana Beach and Hawaii Beach on the Verudela peninsula, as well as Valkane Beach, Gortan Cove and Valsaline Beach along the Lungomare promenade.
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Other popular swimming destinations among both visitors and locals include the beaches of Cape Kamenjak Nature Park, Fratarski Island and the beaches in and around Brioni Sunny Camping.