Pula

Day 1: Old Town pulse and the Lungomare ritual

Ease into Pula’s rhythm: a morning of Roman stones and markets, then join locals for a restorative swim on the Lungomare. Aim for shorter swims and long shade breaks rather than a full beach day.

• Morning: Wander the Old Town for the Arena, Arch of the Sergii and the market; grab fruit, water and a simple picnic. Pick up sea shoes and a cheap foam mat at a supermarket to upgrade comfort on rocks; sunscreen and a hat are essential in July–August.
• Midday: Walk or bus to Gortanova uvala on the Lungomare for a first dip in a sheltered pebble cove with pine shade. May–June and late September are quieter and cooler; the water warms up by early afternoon.
• Afternoon: Stroll the promenade to Valkane (Blue Flag, showers, cafés, accessible entry). If a brisk bura is blowing, choose the more tucked-away coves; watch for slippery algae on rock steps and always wear sea shoes for urchins.
• Evening: Embrace the “after 5” swim locals love as the light turns golden and the heat eases. Return to town for dinner on the Forum; in peak season check if there’s a concert or film night at the Arena.

Day 2: Verudela peninsula – pebbles, turquoise coves and open-sea views

Today balances family-friendly coves with photogenic rocky shelves. Verudela can be crowded in high season, so time your beach-hops early and late.

• Morning: Take bus 2a/3a to Ambrela and arrive before 9:00 for space on the fine pebbles; it’s shallow and lifeguarded (Blue Flag), perfect for children and easy snorkelling along the sides. Parking is paid and fills quickly in July–August.
• Midday: Walk 10 minutes to Havajska plaža (Uvala Saccorgiana) for vivid turquoise water and smooth rock shelves; bring water shoes for urchins. Grab a light lunch from nearby kiosks or picnic in patchy shade; the afternoon maestral breeze often makes it pleasant.
• Afternoon: Continue to the tip at Plaža Svjetionik for dramatic, rocky swimming with stronger currents—only for confident swimmers. If winds pick up, swap to a protected cove or visit the nearby aquarium in the old fort as a cool-down plan.
• Evening: Do a leisurely loop of the peninsula and watch sunset near the lighthouse or hotels’ seafront bars. Opt for a calm-night night swim, then bus back; pack a light layer as sea breezes can feel cool after dark even in summer.

Day 3: Wild coves day trip to Cape Kamenjak (Premantura)

Trade city beaches for Istria’s raw edge: a protected park with dozens of coves, flat rock plates and crystal water. Go by bicycle if you can; cars pay an entry fee and the unpaved roads are dusty.

• Morning: Set off early to the park gate at Premantura; stock up on water and snacks beforehand (limited services inside). Choose a western-side cove first for morning sun; sturdy sandals/sea shoes help on jagged limestone.
• Midday: Base yourself around Kolumbarica for cave swims when the sea is calm; cliff jumps only after watching locals, checking depth and avoiding swell or jugo days. Respect signed FKK sections and pack out all rubbish.
• Afternoon: Beach-hop until you find “your” slab of rock; snorkel over seagrass and rocky ledges, or pick an easier pebble bay on the east side for families. In peak heat, rest in natural shade and resume the “after 5” swim when the sun softens.
• Evening: Return to Pula for a slow dinner, or if winds made Kamenjak choppy, finish the day at the spacious, newly landscaped Hidrobaza north of town for sunset over the Brijuni channel. Emergency number is 112; lifeguards are absent on wild beaches, so swim within your limits.

By Air

• Pula Airport (PUY): 8 km from the city centre; 15–20 minutes by taxi. A shuttle bus meets many flights and drops near the centre/ferry port.
• Mostly seasonal flights from UK, Germany, Netherlands, Scandinavia, Austria, Poland, etc. Limited year-round services; check current schedules.
• Nearby airports (driving times): Rijeka/Krk (RJK) ~1 h 45 min; Trieste (TRS) ~2–2.5 h; Ljubljana (LJU) ~2.5–3 h; Zagreb (ZAG) ~3–3.5 h; Venice (VCE) ~3–3.5 h; Treviso (TSF) ~3–3.5 h; Zadar (ZAD) ~4–4.5 h.
• Buses run to Pula from many of these airports (direct or via Trieste/Rijeka); frequency is highest in summer.

By Train

• Pula railway station is near the harbour, walking distance from the centre.
• Services are limited to slow regional trains within Istria (e.g., Pazin, Buzet). There are no direct trains to Zagreb or other major Croatian cities, and cross-border links via Slovenia are infrequent.
• In practice, most travellers use buses rather than trains for intercity travel to/from Pula.

By Bus/Coach

• Main hub: Pula Main Bus Station (Autobusni kolodvor), close to the centre and ferry port.
• Key routes (typical durations): Zagreb 4–5 h; Rijeka 2–3 h; Trieste 2.5–3.5 h; Ljubljana 3–4 h; Venice 4–5 h (often seasonal/direct, otherwise via Trieste); Zadar 6–7 h; Split 9–11 h (often overnight); Rovinj 40–60 min; Poreč 1–1.5 h; Medulin 20–30 min.
• Operators include Arriva Croatia, Brioni, and FlixBus. Summer timetables have the most frequency; buy tickets online or at the station.

By Car

• Well connected via the Istrian “Y” (A9/A8). Typical drives: Zagreb ~3–3.5 h (A1/A6 then A8 through Učka Tunnel); Ljubljana ~2.5–3 h (via Koper and A9); Trieste ~2–3 h; Venice ~3–3.5 h; Rijeka ~1.5–2 h.
• Tolls apply on Croatian motorways (A8/A9). Slovenia requires a vignette if transiting. As Croatia is in Schengen, there are usually no routine checks at the Slovenia–Croatia border.
• Parking in central Pula can be tight in peak season; use marked car parks near the centre or beaches.

By Sea

• Pula ferry/catamaran port is beside the city centre.
• Seasonal fast catamarans link Pula with Zadar (via islands such as Unije, Susak, Mali Lošinj, Ilovik, Silba) and with Venice (often via Rovinj/Poreč). Typical journey times: Zadar 3.5–5.5 h; Venice 3–4 h.
• Services are highly seasonal; check current schedules and book ahead in summer.