Pula's Seaside Walking Tour (Self Guided), Pula
If you crave for holidays by the sea, the Croatian coast is a good choice for family vacation, especially so if it includes the town of Pula. This charming port city is rich in tourist attractions, the most famous of which, undoubtedly, are the local beaches and bays.
Indeed, the dreamlike beaches of Pula are widely regarded among the most picturesque in Istria. Incredibly spectacular, these bathing spots are also very diverse. Here you will find stone, pebble and sandy beaches, much as the hidden idyllic lagoons – suitable for everyone, including nudists, to ensure a relaxing seaside experience. Here are some of the best beaches of Pula to be considered:
Valkane Beach – Blue Flagged for its fabulous sea quality, this bay features mainly concrete slabs as sunbathing areas, with a small section covered in pebbles; there are also some shady spots in the back, under the green pine trees, plus some nice beach bars as well;
Bay of Gortan – also known as Gortans Beach (Gortanova Uvala), this picturesque bay is high up on the list of the top beaches in Pula; the pebble beach is perfectly suited for children;
Ambrela Beach – a popular destination on the Verudela peninsula near Pula, with the sea shining in picturesque blue tones; ideal for snorkeling, so don’t forget your goggles!
If you like to swim in crystal clear waters and explore the underwater world, or simply lounge in the sun, and then stroll along the sea to the sound of waves and singing of crickets followed by a beautiful sunset in the evening, take this self-guided walking tour and discover Pula's fascinating seaside!
Indeed, the dreamlike beaches of Pula are widely regarded among the most picturesque in Istria. Incredibly spectacular, these bathing spots are also very diverse. Here you will find stone, pebble and sandy beaches, much as the hidden idyllic lagoons – suitable for everyone, including nudists, to ensure a relaxing seaside experience. Here are some of the best beaches of Pula to be considered:
Valkane Beach – Blue Flagged for its fabulous sea quality, this bay features mainly concrete slabs as sunbathing areas, with a small section covered in pebbles; there are also some shady spots in the back, under the green pine trees, plus some nice beach bars as well;
Bay of Gortan – also known as Gortans Beach (Gortanova Uvala), this picturesque bay is high up on the list of the top beaches in Pula; the pebble beach is perfectly suited for children;
Ambrela Beach – a popular destination on the Verudela peninsula near Pula, with the sea shining in picturesque blue tones; ideal for snorkeling, so don’t forget your goggles!
If you like to swim in crystal clear waters and explore the underwater world, or simply lounge in the sun, and then stroll along the sea to the sound of waves and singing of crickets followed by a beautiful sunset in the evening, take this self-guided walking tour and discover Pula's fascinating seaside!
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Pula's Seaside Walking Tour Map
Guide Name: Pula's Seaside Walking Tour
Guide Location: Croatia » Pula (See other walking tours in Pula)
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Sightseeing)
# of Attractions: 6
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.7 Km or 2.9 Miles
Author: Cathy
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:
Guide Location: Croatia » Pula (See other walking tours in Pula)
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Sightseeing)
# of Attractions: 6
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.7 Km or 2.9 Miles
Author: Cathy
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:
- Valkane Beach
- Bay of Gortan
- Valsaline Beach
- Fort Bourguignon (Fort Monsival)
- Ambrela Beach
- Aquarium Pula
1) Valkane Beach
Valkane Beach is arguably the most recognizable beach in Pula. Located in Zelenika Cove, the beach is very popular with families due to its central location, accessibility and floating playground.
The beach is made mostly of rocks and pebbles. Grassy areas near the beach are good places for picnicking or having drinks near the sea. The beach includes a sports area with fields for bocce ball and beach volleyball.
Visitors are welcome to swim at Valkane Beach as water is typically calm. It is a good spot for snorkeling even for novices. The long, concrete pier is often used for diving. There is a lifeguard on duty.
Beach-goers will find rental services where sun loungers and small water crafts can be rented. There is a snack bar located on the beach with plenty of outdoor seating. However, vacationers may prefer to bask in the sun or sit in the shade of one of the many trees surrounding the beach.
The beach is made mostly of rocks and pebbles. Grassy areas near the beach are good places for picnicking or having drinks near the sea. The beach includes a sports area with fields for bocce ball and beach volleyball.
Visitors are welcome to swim at Valkane Beach as water is typically calm. It is a good spot for snorkeling even for novices. The long, concrete pier is often used for diving. There is a lifeguard on duty.
Beach-goers will find rental services where sun loungers and small water crafts can be rented. There is a snack bar located on the beach with plenty of outdoor seating. However, vacationers may prefer to bask in the sun or sit in the shade of one of the many trees surrounding the beach.
2) Bay of Gortan
The Bay of Gortan, often referred to as Gortan Cove, is a narrow inlet surrounded by rocky beaches. The Lungomare Promenade boardwalk passes along the bay and connects Gortan Cove Beach with the other beaches in the area. The boardwalk has handrails, occasional stone benches and openings for beach access.
The beach at the Bay of Gortan is primarily rocks and pebbles. It has a shallow sea entrance, which is one reason it is very popular with families who have small children. The beach does not have a lifeguard on staff but the water is calm enough to safely bathe with little worry. The bay has public toilets, a cafe and many trees that offer excellent shade in the hot summer months.
A monument to Vladimir Gortan sits near Gortan Cove Beach. Gortan was a Croatian politician and a member of the anti-fascist movement. He was executed on Oct 17, 1929 for his participation in a deadly accident that took place during a protest against Italianization in Istria. Gortan was a symbol of the anti-fascist struggle of Istria.
The beach at the Bay of Gortan is primarily rocks and pebbles. It has a shallow sea entrance, which is one reason it is very popular with families who have small children. The beach does not have a lifeguard on staff but the water is calm enough to safely bathe with little worry. The bay has public toilets, a cafe and many trees that offer excellent shade in the hot summer months.
A monument to Vladimir Gortan sits near Gortan Cove Beach. Gortan was a Croatian politician and a member of the anti-fascist movement. He was executed on Oct 17, 1929 for his participation in a deadly accident that took place during a protest against Italianization in Istria. Gortan was a symbol of the anti-fascist struggle of Istria.
3) Valsaline Beach
Valsaline Beach is located at one end of the Lungomare Promenade boardwalk. The rocky beach is located in Saline Cove where the narrow inlet allows for safe, shallow waters that are perfect for those who love the water but not dangerous waves.
Valsaline Beach is sometimes referred to as Valsaline-Mornar Beach by locals. Valsaline and Mornar are actually two separate beaches that are located very near each other. In fact, a tourist could walk from one to the other without realizing they had changed beaches. The primary difference between the two is that Valsaline is thought of as a lounging area while Mornar is used for beach sports.
Visitors to Valsaline Beach will find a few amenities nearby such as restaurants, bars and a dive shop. It is also located very close to Fort Monsival and the Piramida. Though the beach feels secluded, it is only a 10 minute walk to the city streets.
Valsaline Beach is sometimes referred to as Valsaline-Mornar Beach by locals. Valsaline and Mornar are actually two separate beaches that are located very near each other. In fact, a tourist could walk from one to the other without realizing they had changed beaches. The primary difference between the two is that Valsaline is thought of as a lounging area while Mornar is used for beach sports.
Visitors to Valsaline Beach will find a few amenities nearby such as restaurants, bars and a dive shop. It is also located very close to Fort Monsival and the Piramida. Though the beach feels secluded, it is only a 10 minute walk to the city streets.
4) Fort Bourguignon (Fort Monsival)
Fort Bourguignon, originally called Fort Monsival, is a fortress built by the Austrian Empire. The construction of the fort began in 1861 and was completed in 1866. It was built to protect Pula harbor using design inspiration from an early-19th century fortress designed by Archduke Maximilian of Austria-Este.
The original fort had a roof that could rotate 360 degrees. A moat surrounded the fortress as did two caponiers. For Bourguignon used a drawbridge over the moat to gain access.
The fort was used during the Third Italian War of Independence in 1866. It was not used again until World War I when it served as an army shelter. Today it is a popular tourist attraction.
Fort Bourguignon was named in honor of Anton Bourguignon von Baumberg, an Austrian admiral who served as the main guardian of the city's military structures.
Bourguignon was in charge of organizing Pula's arsenal, which helped to strengthen the Austrian Empire naval fleet before the Third Italian War of Independence in 1866. Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria promoted him from the highest-ranking Austrian lieutenant to admiral in 1875. He is buried in the navy graveyard in Pula.
The original fort had a roof that could rotate 360 degrees. A moat surrounded the fortress as did two caponiers. For Bourguignon used a drawbridge over the moat to gain access.
The fort was used during the Third Italian War of Independence in 1866. It was not used again until World War I when it served as an army shelter. Today it is a popular tourist attraction.
Fort Bourguignon was named in honor of Anton Bourguignon von Baumberg, an Austrian admiral who served as the main guardian of the city's military structures.
Bourguignon was in charge of organizing Pula's arsenal, which helped to strengthen the Austrian Empire naval fleet before the Third Italian War of Independence in 1866. Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria promoted him from the highest-ranking Austrian lieutenant to admiral in 1875. He is buried in the navy graveyard in Pula.
5) Ambrela Beach
Ambrela Beach is a rocky beach that looks over Saint John Cove. It has large outcroppings of rock that give excellent views of the beach and sea. Behind the beach are large oak trees that provide ample shade during the hot, Croatian summers.
Ambrela Beach is an excellent place to take young children. Like many of the beaches around Pula, there is a shallow entrance to the water that makes wading and swimming safe and easy. Ropes are placed to denote the safe areas for swimming in the cove. In addition, a lifeguard remains on the beach.
The beach boasts a restaurant and a bar. Visitors to Ambrela Beach can rent umbrellas, sunbeds and pedal boats. Equipment for snorkeling , playing beach volleyball and water biking can all be found nearby. This beach offers dressing rooms as well as public showers and toilets.
Ambrela Beach is an excellent place to take young children. Like many of the beaches around Pula, there is a shallow entrance to the water that makes wading and swimming safe and easy. Ropes are placed to denote the safe areas for swimming in the cove. In addition, a lifeguard remains on the beach.
The beach boasts a restaurant and a bar. Visitors to Ambrela Beach can rent umbrellas, sunbeds and pedal boats. Equipment for snorkeling , playing beach volleyball and water biking can all be found nearby. This beach offers dressing rooms as well as public showers and toilets.
6) Aquarium Pula
Aquarium Pela is a large aquarium with hundreds of fish species from both saltwater and freshwater environments. The aquarium is located in Fort Verudela. The fort was built in 1886 as a protective fortress for the city. It is on the Register of Protected Cultural Heritage of the Republic of Croatia.
There are four main exhibits at Aquarium Pela. The Adriatic exhibit is divided by the different ecological areas of the sea. These include the tides, the open sea, the coralligenous and precoralligenous, the sea floor, the sea grass, the rocky areas and the deep sea.
The Mediterranean exhibit includes groupers, moray eels, lobsters, crabs, sea anemones and the ornate wrasse. The tropical freshwater exhibit has such creatures as piranhas and caimans. The tropical marine exhibit is the home of the aquarium's sharks, rays, razorfish, clownfish and seahorses.
Aquarium Pela is open seven days per week. It opens at 9 AM with closures that vary from 3 PM to 9 PM depending on the time of year. Visitors must purchase tickets but children under age three are free.
There are four main exhibits at Aquarium Pela. The Adriatic exhibit is divided by the different ecological areas of the sea. These include the tides, the open sea, the coralligenous and precoralligenous, the sea floor, the sea grass, the rocky areas and the deep sea.
The Mediterranean exhibit includes groupers, moray eels, lobsters, crabs, sea anemones and the ornate wrasse. The tropical freshwater exhibit has such creatures as piranhas and caimans. The tropical marine exhibit is the home of the aquarium's sharks, rays, razorfish, clownfish and seahorses.
Aquarium Pela is open seven days per week. It opens at 9 AM with closures that vary from 3 PM to 9 PM depending on the time of year. Visitors must purchase tickets but children under age three are free.
Walking Tours in Pula, Croatia
Create Your Own Walk in Pula
Creating your own self-guided walk in Pula is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Pula Introduction Walking Tour
Greek mythology attributed the foundation of the city of Polai, known as Pula today, to the Colchians. In the story of Jason and Medea, it is said that Jason seduced Medea, the Witch of Colchis. He then escaped with her and the Golden Fleece. The unlucky Colchians chased them into the Adriatic. They lost them and being lost themselves, they settled in Polai which they called a "Place of... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
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