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Pula Arena

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

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The Pula Amphitheater, widely known as the Arena, is the definitive symbol of the city and one of the six largest surviving Roman amphitheaters in the world. It was constructed during the 1st century AD under the reign of Emperor Vespasian, contemporaneous with the Colosseum in Rome. Built from local limestone, the Arena once accommodated approximately 23,000 spectators who gathered to watch gladiatorial contests and wild animal hunts. It is unique for having all four side towers and all three Roman architectural orders of the exterior walls fully preserved. During the Middle Ages, the structure was occasionally used as a stone quarry until its systematic restoration began in the 19th century. Today, it serves as a major cultural venue, hosting the Pula Film Festival and numerous international concerts. The subterranean passages beneath the arena floor now house an exhibition dedicated to ancient viticulture and olive oil production in Istria.

Location: Croatia
Top sights: Pula Amphitheatre · Arena Pula · Valerijin park
Nearby: Pješčana Uvala (4 km)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Jul, Sep.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	6	6	9	13	17	22	24	24	20	16	11	7
Rain mm	78	95	74	67	84	64	49	71	113	101	133	102

📋 Practical info

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Visiting

The Pula Arena is an impressive Roman amphitheater that is open to visitors and can be entered with an admission fee. The entire structure is walkable, including the underground passages and the upper tiers, offering fantastic views.

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Typical hours

Opening hours vary by season: typically the arena is open daily from 9 AM to 9 PM from April to October, and from 9 AM to 5 PM in winter. It's advisable to check the exact times in advance on the official website.

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Photography

Photography is allowed throughout the interior, but without flash or tripod to avoid disturbing other visitors. Exterior shots are possible at any time, especially impressive from the north side at sunset.

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Time needed

Allow about one hour for a thorough tour of the arena, including the underground passages. If you also wish to visit the adjacent museum, budget one and a half to two hours.

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Combine with

Combine the arena visit with a walk through Pula's old town, which has many Roman and Venetian sights. The Temple of Augustus and the Archaeological Museum are also within walking distance.

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Getting there

The arena is centrally located in Pula and easily reachable on foot from the train or bus station. By car, there are paid parking lots nearby, but parking in the narrow old town is difficult.

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Insider tip

Visit the arena early in the morning to avoid the biggest crowds and enjoy the quiet. Bring a water bottle as it can get very hot in summer and drinks on site are expensive.

Geography

Coordinates

44.87320, 13.85020

Facts

The Arena was constructed in the 1st century AD using white local limestone.
The exterior walls reach a maximum height of approximately 32 meters.
The ground plan is elliptical, with axes measuring 132 and 105 meters.
Originally, up to 23,000 spectators could attend the events held here.
It is the only Roman amphitheater with four side towers fully preserved.
Since 1954, it has been the venue for the prestigious annual Pula Film Festival.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Small Roman Theater<1 km · SWExplore →

📍Pješčana Uvala4 km · SExplore →

Banjole5 km · SExplore →

📍Jadreški5 km · EExplore →

📍Valbandon6 km · NWExplore →

📍Loborika6 km · NEExplore →

📍Pomer7 km · SEExplore →

📍Galižana7 km · NExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Start Destination Via (optional)

Overnight stops

Vehicle

Only stops with (optional): 💧 Water ♻️ Disposal 🔌 Power 🚻 Toilets 🚿 Shower

Sights in the town Pula Arena (10)

Pula Amphitheatre

Roman amphitheatre in Pula, Croatia, a well-preserved arena.

Arena Pula🏛 museum

Museum inside the Pula Arena, displaying artifacts about the building's history.

🕒 Mo-Su 08:00-23:00💶

Valerijin park🌳 park

Park in Pula, named after architect Valerij, a green space.

🌐 pulainfo.hr

Park below the arena🌳 park

Park below the Arena in Pula, with a view of the Roman structure.

🌐 pulainfo.hr

Istrian Olive Oil Museum🏛 museum

Museum with guided tastings from 10:00 to 17:00, focused on olive oil.

MEMO Museum of good Memories🏛 museum

Museum about life in former Yugoslavia.

Tito's Park🌳 park

Park in Pula, named after Josip Broz Tito.

Rimski mauzolej

Roman mausoleum in Pula, an archaeological site.

Galerija C8

Gallery in Pula, a space for contemporary art.

Roman Twin gates

2nd-century Roman city gate in Pula, Croatia.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

When was the Pula Arena built?

It was built in the 1st century AD, started under Emperor Augustus and completed under Vespasian.

Are there still gladiator fights today?

In summer, historical reenactments called Spectacvla Antiqva take place, but without real violence.

Can you visit the underground passages?

Yes, the basement now houses an exhibition on ancient Istrian olive oil and wine production.

How many spectators could fit inside in the past?

In ancient times, approximately 23,000 people could watch the fights in the amphitheater.

Is the Arena still used for events?

Yes, it is a popular venue for concerts, operas, and the annual Pula Film Festival.

Pula Arena: where is it located?

Pula Arena is located in Croatia.

Pula Arena: what is there to see?

Highlights include Pula Amphitheatre, Arena Pula, Valerijin park.

Pula Arena: when is the best time to visit?