PULA
Area: Croatia


Location:
In the extreme W of Croatia, on the SW tip of the Istrian Peninsula. 21 miles SE of Rovinj, 4 miles from the airport.

Telephone code from UK:
385 52

Website:
http://www.htz.hr

Position:
The hilltop town overlooks a large commercial port. The heavily indented coastline is made up of a series of headlands and narrow channels to the S.

Description:
A busy commercial centre and Croatia's second major port, Pula itself is still worth visiting if only for its well-preserved 1st-century amphitheatre (now host to open-air concerts) and other fine Roman remains. The main holiday area, Verudela, lies on a large headland 3 miles S of the town. This self-contained development consists of various accommodation, campsites, shops, restaurants, marinas and sports facilities.

Suitability:
Generally middlemarket families, groups and more mature couples. Very popular with Italians, Germans and Czechs.

Accommodation:
Most is at Verudela, a few miles outside town. A handful of sizeable medium-quality hotels, an extensive villa complex and several campsites make up one vast holiday camp.

Shopping:
The town has a selection of work-a-day retailers, a few boutiques and some tourist-orientated outlets. Beach paraphernalia, cheap and cheerful handicrafts and trinkets available at Verudela.

Beach:
None in town. The Verudela headland is fringed by a poor rocky coastline equipped with tiered concrete bathing decks and numerous small jetties. Some water sports organised by the hotels.

Entertainments:
Daytime: hotel pools, sunbathing, waterborne activities including local boat excursions. Visits to Roman amphitheatre, Arch of Sergii and Temple of Augustus remains. Nightlife: reasonably lively with choice of unsophisticated discos, bars and restaurants at Verudela. The town has its own less frenetic alternatives. Amphitheatre hosts opera to rock concerts.

Eating:
Unremarkable but perfectly adequate fare. Locally-caught seafood particularly popular as well as Italian-style pizzas and pastas. Usual choice of grilled, fried, stewed and barbecued meat, burgers and chicken. Local wine and beer is quaffable.

Public-transport:
Efficient bus service links Verudela with the town centre attractions, commercial water front, railway station and airport. Abundant taxis.

Local-excursions:
Rovinj (half day); Porec (half day); Venice (long day).