Pula has numerous preserved monuments of Ancient Roman architecture and among the top 10 things to do in Pula is visiting the Arena amphitheatre. This impressive landmark was built in the 1st century AD and can accommodated up to 23,000 spectators. The amphitheatre has an oval shape and this is where gladiator battles, tournaments and other sport competitions were held. Right now tourists can visit the amphitheatre, with a small museum, as well as enjoy one of the various festivals and shows that are frequently held here.

Another fascinating monument to see is the Temple of Augustus, built in the 2nd century BC. During the reign of the Venetians, after the arrival of Christianity to Istria, the temple was used as a church, and later became a storage for grain in the 14th century. The church was partially destroyed during the WWII, but restored in late 1940’s to retain its Romanesque and Renaissance features and elements, and the temple is now open to visitors.

The Kastel fortress, built by the Venetians in the 17th century is located on top of a hill, on a precipice. The whole structure, as well as the location of the Kastel are quite extraordinary. For example at the entrance to the fortress there are various statues, including that of a man eating his own body. At the bottom of the precipice there is a cave and there are numerous legends related to it.

Located just 6km from Pula, Brijuni is a national park located on 14 islands in the Adriatic Sea. The rich subtropical vegetation, historical heritage and the natural beauty of this marvellous archipelago make it one of the top 10 things to do in Pula. There are numerous monuments of various eras on the islands, including a Roman Palace, the Temple of Venus and the Basilica of St Mary. The perfect climatic conditions gave rise to stunning forests of olive trees, Mediterranean pines and oaks.

Visiting the main Cathedral of the city is one of the top 10 things to do in Pula. It was built in a number of various architectural styles, reflecting different time periods. It has a rich history, something that can be felt within its walls. It used to be a refuge for persecuted Christians, it was destroyed, only to be rebuilt in the 13th century and up to date it has a sarcophagus dating back to the 3rd century, as well as mosaic tiles of 5th century.

One of the most interesting things to do in Pula is walk around the Old City. There are numerous monuments and landmarks from the Roman period, or built by the Venetians that have been preserved, including the Arc de Triomphe, located at the beginning of the street that encircles the entire centre of the Old City; the Twin Gates; the old Roman Forum; the Hercules Gate and the Medieval Town Hall, all of which are under the open air and are absolutely fascinating.

The Historical Museum of Istria is among the top 10 things to do in Pula. It is located in the Venetian fortress, built in the 17th century by Antoine de Ville, a renowned French architect, on the ruins of a Roman Capitol. The museum offers a large collection of exhibits and items representing the history of shipbuilding, maps, photographs and various historical documents.

The Archaeological Museum of Istria, located on the territory of the ancient Roman city offers an impressive collection of archaeological finds from Istria, from numerous time periods, including the prehistoric and medieval periods, especially from II till IV centuries.

Pula is known as one of the most comfortable resort cities in Istria. Located right along the coastline, there are numerous beaches for visitors to discover. From the private beach in Punta Verudela that has been awarded the Blue Flag by UNESCO, to the Valkane, Maslinica and Crveni Otok beaches, there are numerous wonderful places to explore and relax on.

When in Pula, you absolutely must visit its markets, apart from the fresh organic fruits and vegetables, grown in the area, as fish from the Adriatic sea, you can find various items and souvenirs to purchase, including hand made tapestries, carved arts and crafts, ceramics, leather goods and unique jewelry pieces.