• Menu
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Before Header

  • About
  • World Map
  • Work With Us
  • Disclosure/Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Budget Travel Talk

Road Trips Caravan Camping Australia

  • Home
  • Our Blog
  • Destinations
    • Australia Travel Blog
      • New South Wales
      • Queensland
        • Cairns
        • Sunshine Coast
        • Townsville
      • Tasmania
    • Asia
      • Cambodia
      • Japan
      • Laos
      • Singapore
      • Thailand
      • Vietnam
    • Americas
      • Canada
      • U.S.A.
    • Europe
      • Bosnia and Hercegovina
      • Croatia
      • Italy
      • Montenegro
      • Portugal
      • Slovenia
      • Spain
      • Turkey
        • Istanbul
    • Africa
      • Morocco
    • New Zealand / Pacific
  • Journey
    • Road Trips
    • Trains
    • Boat Trips
  • Travel Tips
    • Reviews
    • Destination Guides
    • Itineraries
    • Self Guided Walking Tours
    • Travel Resources
    • Budget Tips
    • Buying Guides
    • Interviews
  • Accommodation
    • Airbnb
    • Caravan Parks
    • Free Camping
    • Hotels
    • Housesitting
  • Experience
    • Food to Love
    • Festivals
    • Markets
    • Palaces and Castles
    • Ruins
    • Short Walks
    • Street Art
    • Bike Rides
  • Search
  • Home
  • Our Blog
  • Destinations
    • Australia Travel Blog
      • New South Wales
      • Queensland
        • Cairns
        • Sunshine Coast
        • Townsville
      • Tasmania
    • Asia
      • Cambodia
      • Japan
      • Laos
      • Singapore
      • Thailand
      • Vietnam
    • Americas
      • Canada
      • U.S.A.
    • Europe
      • Bosnia and Hercegovina
      • Croatia
      • Italy
      • Montenegro
      • Portugal
      • Slovenia
      • Spain
      • Turkey
        • Istanbul
    • Africa
      • Morocco
    • New Zealand / Pacific
  • Journey
    • Road Trips
    • Trains
    • Boat Trips
  • Travel Tips
    • Reviews
    • Destination Guides
    • Itineraries
    • Self Guided Walking Tours
    • Travel Resources
    • Budget Tips
    • Buying Guides
    • Interviews
  • Accommodation
    • Airbnb
    • Caravan Parks
    • Free Camping
    • Hotels
    • Housesitting
  • Experience
    • Food to Love
    • Festivals
    • Markets
    • Palaces and Castles
    • Ruins
    • Short Walks
    • Street Art
    • Bike Rides
  • Search
Port views from Pula's Arena

Pula a small Croatian town with a big Roman Amphitheatre

January 5, 2017 By Jan Robinson 20 Comments

This post may contain compensated links. We may earn a small percentage if you book through a compensated link, but it won’t cost you any more by doing so. You can read our full disclaimer here.


My interest in Pula came to life a few years ago when a friend visited on a month long trip through Croatia. He sent rave reviews -photos of tiny fish being cooked over the fire and served with a simple salad – the flavour divine. His stories of arriving in Pula by ferry and enjoying the laid back vibe of the town squares, hit a chord in my brain. It was summer and hot, so he swam at pebble beaches and rocky coves at the nearby Verudela Peninsula and then left to island hop down the coast. It sounded like the perfect holiday to me.

Our travel story years later was different, arriving by car as part of our Ten Weeks in Europe 2015, excited by the promise of Pula Arena, a still-standing Roman Amphitheatre. We were thrilled to discover the Arena was close to the marina and carpark and only minutes on foot from the centre of town, making it easy to see a lot in the short time available.

It is great to reflect upon how many different travel experiences the one destination can offer. Experiencing destinations in our own way means Lovin’ our Life. Of course this doesn’t rule out borrowing ideas from all over the place! We only had hours in Pula but we loved those hours.
[pinit] Pula A Croatian Town with a Roman Ampitheatre

What is an Amphitheatre?

In ancient greek Amphi means on both sides and theatron place for viewing. Two theatres placed back to back give the circular or oval shape of the Roman Amphitheatre. Pula’s is elliptical 130m by 100m.

Pula Ampitheatra or Arena

Why is this particular Amphitheatre so good?

It is the sixth largest remaining in the world today.

The internal walls of Pula's Arena

The Romans built 230 Arenas! Pula’s was constructed in the 1st Century AD by Emperor Vespasian, who also directed the building of Rome’s Colosseum. Built to accommodate 25,000 it seats 5,000 today. Although Rome’s Colosseum held twice as many people, I didn’t think it twice as impressive.  Rome’s is immaculate with an intricate exposed Hypogeum (underground) and interesting supporting exhibits, but tackling the crowds can be exhausting.

Pula’s Arena – Just me and you.

Pula Roman Ampitheatre Croatia

Our photos of Pula are taken in early Spring approximately one month later in the season than our visit to Rome’s Colloseum yet with far fewer crowds.

Pula Arena Few Visitors in Spring

Pula’s Arena is rated the fourth most famous of those remaining. Ahead of it are:

3. Verona, Italy  2. El Djem, Tunisia  1. Rome, Italy.

Rome’s Amphitheatre for comparison purposes

Although the crowds in Rome do not seem excessive in this photo, they were by comparison, large.

Colosseum Rome

OK Rome’s Coliseum is pretty amazing and now I am seriously tempted to add El Djem and Verona’s amphitheatres to my wish list.

Pula’s Amphitheatre has port/marina views.

Port views from Pula's Arena

If your budget doesn’t run to the entry fee, the arena can be viewed up close from the outside, a trick which tourist operators have embraced, giving their spiel on a rise with a view down into the arena.

Pula Arena Outside the Walls

Pula Arena Outside In

Looking into Pula's Arena

A caffe/bar with a small seating area overlooks the arena.

Pula Arena Cafe View

Pula’s amphitheatre remained in use till the 5th Century when gladiatorial matches were banned. From then until the 13th Century locals used it’s stone as a easy source of building material. Again in 1709 and for the last time, stone was removed and used for the foundations for the belfry of Pula Cathedral.

General Marmont, the same General whom Split named their wide pedestrianised shopping street (Marmontova) after, started the restoration of the Arena of Pula. In 1932 the Arena became a theatre production venue and has hosted concerts from a wide range of artists from Sting to Pavarotti.

 

Budget Tip

Adult entry is a very reasonable 20 kuna or $3.60AUD.

Pula Arena is very close to a 200 place car park on the waterfront.

*The arena can be viewed easily and F.O.C from the outside.

Underground gladiator passages (not visible from above) contain an exhibition of viticulture and olive growing in Istria in ancient times.

Pula is on the southern end of the Croatian Istrian Peninsula. Time permitting, choose a town to base yourself in and explore the many interesting Istrian towns from there. We stayed with relatives in Umag in the north and made exploratory trips each day. Pula was on the top of our list and being furthest from Umag we chose it for our first day, returning home through the towns of Rovinj and Vrsar. Why not choose Pula as a base and explore the Istrian Peninsula from there? The options are endless!

 

 

Thanks for reading and commenting – we really appreciate it. If you have a blog we would love you to add your travel post to the link below for Nancie’s Travel Photo Thursday which we co-host with Ruth from Tanama Tales and  Rachel from Rachel’s Ruminations. 

 

An InLinkz Link-up


More from my site

  • Palm Creek Folk Festival Townsville (2020 Cancelled)Palm Creek Folk Festival Townsville (2020 Cancelled)
  • My Top Travel Memories – First TimersMy Top Travel Memories – First Timers
  • An Interview with Danielle EslerAn Interview with Danielle Esler
  • Best Temples in Kyoto to visit on the historical Randen TramBest Temples in Kyoto to visit on the historical Randen Tram
  • Trapani in PhotosTrapani in Photos
  • Our New Turkish FriendOur New Turkish Friend

Filed Under: Budget Travel Tips, Croatia, Destination, Ruins, Ten Weeks in Europe 2015

About Jan Robinson

Jan Robinson writes about travel on her Budget Travel Talk blog. A solo traveller in her teens, for the last 40 years Jan has travelled through Australia, Asia, Europe, Turkey and New Zealand with her husband. They specialise in road trips, caravanning and Independent travel without spending a fortune. Her favourite destination is Turkey and she is currently dreaming of Myanmar and Mexico.

Previous Post: «Jellies on Coolum Beach Jellies at Coolum Beach
Next Post: Pula its More than a Roman Amphitheatre Pula Street and Ship»

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jackie Smith

    January 6, 2017 at 12:13 am

    Oh my goodness, loved the photos, the angles and lighting of this post. I love amphitheatres and this is no exception. You continue to tickle my travel bug with your reports from Croatia! Happy New Year!

    Reply
  2. Pinky Poinker

    January 6, 2017 at 8:39 am

    They should restore it and use it as a soccer stadium. Just joking. I’m surprised they took stones from it to use in other buildings. But I supposed that was before 1300. It’s interesting that our sports arenas today are pretty much the same shape as what they built 2000 years ago.

    Reply
    • Jan

      January 6, 2017 at 1:55 pm

      I never thought about our modern day sports arenas being the same Pinky!

      Reply
  3. Kathy Marris

    January 6, 2017 at 1:56 pm

    This is a very impressive Amphitheatre Jan. I think it is even better than the ones I visited in Turkey. I haven’t been to the Coliseum yet however I will be remedying that this year. Lovely photos.

    Reply
    • Jan

      January 6, 2017 at 3:07 pm

      Thanks Kathy. I have some tips about visiting the Colloseum is this post, but if you’re on a tour you might not have to bother about the logistics. https://www.budgettraveltalk.com/2015/07/16/ten-weeks-europe-2015/

      Reply
  4. Ruth

    January 7, 2017 at 1:42 am

    Jan, your photos are beautiful! I can feel how excited you get about this town. I would too since I can’t see myself skipping the town if I am traveling in the area. There is no way I am going to miss that beautiful arena. To me, it looks very well preserved (I mean, it is almost two thousand years old). Did you checked out other parts of town? #TPThursday

    Reply
    • Jan

      January 7, 2017 at 1:59 pm

      Yes there will be another post on Pula soon Ruth.

      Reply
  5. Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit

    January 7, 2017 at 6:11 am

    Wow. That is magnificent!
    Thanks for joining the Lovin’ Life Linky! We look forward to your continued participation.
    #TeamLovinLife

    Reply
    • Jan

      January 7, 2017 at 1:58 pm

      I hope to be able to do so more in the future Leanne!

      Reply
  6. Paula McInerney

    January 8, 2017 at 11:01 am

    What a spectacular amphitheatre, and who would have thought there would be on so spectacular in Pula. Great discovery and share.

    Reply
  7. Nancie

    January 8, 2017 at 12:10 pm

    Hi, Jan. I’ve only been to the Rome Colosseum many years ago, and I was awed. Pula is a beauty. Your photos are gorgeous. I would love to hear a concert there. Thanks for co-hosting this week. #TPThursday

    Reply
  8. Lyndall @ Seize The Day Project

    January 8, 2017 at 3:21 pm

    Thanks for sharing this beautiful amphitheatre with us Jan. I haven’t been to Pula, but this looks like an awesome place to visit 🙂 #TeamLovinLife

    Reply
    • Jan

      January 8, 2017 at 6:55 pm

      Pula is one of those kind of places I think I could live in!

      Reply
  9. Lyn @ A Hole in my Shoe

    January 8, 2017 at 10:43 pm

    What a great discovery, Pula looks like a great place. Who’d have thought they’d have such an impressive amphitheatre.

    Reply
    • Jan

      January 9, 2017 at 9:48 am

      Those Romans got around lol. I didn’t realize how much until we travelled through Croatia and Turkey.

      Reply
  10. Michele {Malaysian Meanders}

    January 9, 2017 at 5:11 am

    The lack of crowds would be a big plus for me. In your Rome photo, I can see the crowd on the viewing platform across the way and remember having to wait to have my few moments at the railing for an unobstructed view across. It’s so much nicer when the people are sparse. The building itself looks architecturally interesting. It may not be as grand as Rome’s but I can see why you like it so much.

    Reply
    • Jan

      January 9, 2017 at 9:49 am

      It was such an easy and pleasant experience Michele.

      Reply
  11. Mary {The World Is A Book}

    January 15, 2017 at 2:23 pm

    I love this! What a beautiful architecture and such great history. Now, you’ve ignited my wanderlust too to visit this one, Verona and Tunisia. I remember being so in awe of the Colosseum but it was crowded. I love that you almost had this to yourselves.Beautiful photos!

    Reply
    • Jan

      January 15, 2017 at 2:31 pm

      I was all ready to go to Tunisia and then there was a terrorist attack and now I would have trouble convincing Marty to go. Verona will be easy though. 🙂

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Pula is More than a Roman Amphitheatre says:
    January 12, 2017 at 8:10 pm

    […] home of Pula Arena, the fourth most famous Roman Amphitheatre in the world today, is the largest town in Istria and […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Follow Us

Categories

Budget Travel Talk's posts relating to Australia Budget Travel Talk's posts relating to Townsville Budget Travel Talk's posts relating to Bosnia Budget Travel Talk's posts relating to Cambodia Budget Travel Talk's posts relating to Canada Budget Travel Talk's posts relating to Croatia Budget Travel Talk's posts relating to Italy Budget Travel Talk's posts relating to Laos Budget Travel Talk's posts relating to Montenegro Budget Travel Talk's posts relating to Morocco Budget Travel Talk's posts relating to New Zealand Budget Travel Talk's posts relating to Slovenia Budget Travel Talk's posts relating to Spain Budget Travel Talk's posts relating to Turkey Budget Travel Talk's posts relating to the United States of America Budget Travel Talk's posts relating to Vietnam

Pinterest

Visit Budgettraveltalk's profile on Pinterest.

Top Australian and New Zealand Blogger for 2017

Im-a-Top-Australian-and-New-Zealand-Travel-Blogger-for-2017-Medium-Rectangle-300x250px (1)

Mature Bloggers Australia

Mature Bloggers Australia

Footer

Most Popular Posts

Whitsundays on a Budget – How to Get to Whitehaven Beach

Romantic Things for Couples to do in Rome including Valentines Day

Things to Do in Huskisson and Jervis Bay

Hobart to Bruny Island: Tours from Hobart or Self Drive Bruny Island?

Ferry to Eyup Istanbul for Pierre Loti views and Eyup Sultan Istanbul Mosque 2018

About Jan & Marty

We are Jan and Marty and we love travel.

The best thing about being in our 60’s is that our travel budget is flexible, allowing us to enjoy great experiences, good food and fun people. As with most things in life, it’s all about priorities.

Copyright © 2022 Budget Travel Talk - Journey. Destination. Experience.