PULA
ISTRIA AND KVARNER RIVIERA
LOCAL AREA, BEACHES & THINGS TO DO
Pula
Pula is the main regional town in Istria, with a good selection of restaurants and an attractive shopping area. Walk through Pula and experience old town streets and squares some of which were there even in Roman times. The stunning amphitheatre is from the first century AD and ranks the sixth largest in the world. The town centre is about 10 minutes drive from Pula airport.
Pula Amphitheatre
Beaches
There are excellent beaches on the many peninsulas and bays around Pula; notable are Stoja, Veruda , Verudela and Pjesana Uvala. A little further out of town the nature reserve of Rt Karmenjak on the very tip of the Istrian pensinsula provides kilometres of unspoint coastline and many bays or tockky headlands where you can swim in the crystal clear sea.
Bay in Premantura |
Jumping at Rt Kamenjak |
Brioni islands
From the town of Fazana you can take a boat trip to the islands of Brioni, another national park area and formerly the summer residence of Yugolavia's President Tito.
Brioni Islands
The Istrian coastal towns
The west coast of Istria is within easy reach. Many of the towns on this coast are communities first established in the Roman era or earlier but the dominant influence that can be seen today is Venetian. Most of the major coastal towns were under the control of the Venetian Republic during the medieval period. At the northern end of the coast the charming town of Novigrad is worth visiting; it has an attractive harbour crowded with local fishing boats and an old town surrounded by fortifications and on the outer side (away from the harbour) a lungamare (promenade) providing a pleasant walk along the coast and an ideal place to sunbathe and swim.
Further down the coast Rovinj is unquestionably the most picturesque of the medieval Venetian towns on the Adriatic. Every guide book features the colourful facades of the tightly packed houses that encircle this tiny peninsula with the cathedral of St Euphemia and its dominating 60 metre bell tower standing over the town.
Rovinj
Other coastal towns well documented in guide books are Porec, Umag, Vrsar and Piran in Slovenia. On the east coast of Istria, Opatija provides a contrast with its grand villas built in the 19th century for the Austro Hungarian aristocracy, a delightful lungamare (promenade) and some fine restaurants.
Central Istria
Central Istria is often compared to Tuscany. The undulating landscape with vineyards, olive groves, woodlands and river valleys is studded with numerous hilltop towns and villages, many originating from the medieval period and earlier and almost all offering spectacular vantage points over the surrounding countryside. The guide books pick out the hilltop towns of Motovun and Groznjan but there are many others worth exploring and we will provide you with our own suggestions of places off the usual tourist routes that should not be missed. These medieval settlements have charming village houses, squares and alleyways and in towns like Oprtalj and Motuvun more imposing architecture and fortifications.
Oprtalj |
Motovun |
To the east side of Istria the old town of Labin and the hilltop village of Gracisce are worth visiting.
Excellent wines are produced in the area and well marked wine routes lead you through charming countryside to wineries where you can sample some of the best Croatian wines. Notable are the Kozlovic and Markezic wineries.
Our Villas in Pula
| Villa Eufemia | |
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A two bedroom, two bathroom air conditioned villa with a large olive garden and pool. Pet friendly. Sleeps 4-6. |
| Fig Tree Farmhouse | |
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Fig Tree Farmhouse is a beautiful 300 year old stone farmhouse that has recently been renovated. Five bedrooms and 5 bathrooms. Wonderful facilities for pampering; new natural salt pool, spa room, Jacuzzi and sauna. Lots of fun for children with pool toys, a playground with slides and a swing and an indoor snooker table. Sleeps 10. |
| Villa Gemini | |
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Villa Gemini is a stunning rustic villa, 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms, situated near the Old Medieval town of Sv. Lovrec. There is a large pool, a large garden and lovely views. Fully air-conditioned. Sleeps 6-8. |
| Villa Apartment Matti | |
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A first floor air-conditioned apartment, renovated in 2012, with three bedrooms and three shower rooms, a balcony with sea view and an exclusive pool and garden. Sleeps 6 to 9. |
| Villa Rita | |
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A luxury four bedroom, three bathroom air-conditioned villa in a charming Istrian fishing and farming village with a nice beach 3km from the village centre. Lovely private garden and pool. Free internet, pet friendly. Wheel chair friendly. Within easy reach of Pula airport. Sleeps 8 to 10. |
| Villa Lilian | |
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A modern, luxury four bedroom, three bathoom air-conditioned villa with a fitness room, billiards room, study area, private swimming pool and lovely garden. Internet connection. Parking for five cars. Sleeps 8 |
| Sandy Bay Villa | |
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A beautiful waterfront house with three bedrooms and three bathrooms. Air-conditioning, Wifi, Jacuzzi. The house has a private pool set in lovely mature gardens. Parking for up to four cars, pets allowed, 100m to shops and restaurants. Sea view. Beach 10 metres. Pula 2 km. Wheelchair accessible. Sleeps 6-8 |
| Villa Faisana | |
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An attractive, modern air-conditioned villa in the peaceful village of Valbandon, close to beaches and Brijuni National Park. Four bedrooms and four ensuite bathrooms. Large pool and terrace. Summer kitchen. BBQ. Wifi. Playground. Parking. Sea views. Sleeps 8 |
| Villa Cornelia | |
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This lovely semi-detached villa is in a prime location on the sea front close to the vibrant city of Pula. It has three bedrooms and three bathrooms arranged as two separate apartments. Sea views. Private pool. 30 metres from the sea and 50 metres from the sandy beach. 100 metres from the marina. Wifi. Partial air-conditioning. BBQ. Parking. Sleeps 6 |
| Villa Umma | |
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A luxury, air-conditioned modern villa with six bedrooms, seven bathrooms, large garden and private pool, bar and games & fitness room, WiFi, BBQ. Peaceful countryside location, 8km from the major historic town of Pula and its beaches. Pet friendly, lots of parking. Sleeps 12-14. |
| Villa Florida | |
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A luxury, air-conditioned, four bedroom, three bathroom country villa with a fantastic pool, large garden, BBQ, WiFi, Wine cellar, in peaceful surroundings, close to amenities and nightlife of Pula. Golf in nearby Brioni. Sleeps nine. |
