A chill weekend in PULA - Croatia
In front of the amphitheater in the old city center of PULA
If you’re looking to enjoy a relaxed seaside vibe — with fresh seafood close at hand and clear waters to float in — Pula is a great destination. Two days and two nights are enough to get a good feel for the city and its surroundings. The city has its own airport and is also easy to reach from Trieste in northern Italy or Ljubljana in Slovenia.
Pula is located in the Istria region of Croatia and was once part of the Roman Empire. Traces of its 2,000-year-old history are still visible as you wander through the old city center. The highlight is its impressive amphitheater, more than two millennia old. Though smaller than some of Italy’s famous arenas, it’s well worth a visit. Standing inside, it’s easy to close your eyes and imagine what life must have been like all those centuries ago.
Amphitheater of Pula
Some of the old streets of Pula
The historic center, with its romantic cobbled streets, has unfortunately been overtaken by countless tourist shops selling rather forgettable souvenirs.
For better food and easier access to the sea, it’s worth heading slightly out of the center, for example to Stoja. While many of these areas have lost much of their historic charm and still carry traces of their Soviet past, you can find some surprisingly nice spots.
One example is Restaurant Karlo, tucked beneath a modern building. It serves delicious, Italian-inspired dishes, and the friendly staff are happy to explain both the menu and the local wines. As a bonus, they make an excellent Negroni — perfect for ending a sunny day by the sea.
We sampled a variety of dishes, including homemade ravioli filled with fresh lobster, grilled tuna, grilled octopus, and a platter of local charcuterie and cheeses. The recommended local wines paired beautifully with each dish and were reasonably priced.
Grilled Octopus with local patatoes
Fresh ravioli with lobster
Tuna steak with spinach
Also be sure to try some of the local street food — a tasty mix between a falafel and a hamburger, served in a sort of (chewy) pita bread. And of course, pair it with one of the local beers, sold in cans with all kinds of creative labels.
All in all, Pula may not be the most unforgettable destination you’ll ever visit, but if you’re in the area, spending a couple of days there can be very enjoyable.
