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One of the most famous aspects of Croatia is the clean, clear blue waters of its beaches. And, one of the best things to do in Pula is head to the beach.
Thankfully, the beautiful beaches in Pula, Croatia do not disappoint!
However, unlike other cities in Croatia, where many of the best beaches are within walking distance from the historic center, the coastline alongside downtown Pula is all harbor.
It was used entirely for the shipbuilding industry that dominated the city through the 20th century.
Although that means you’ll have to leave the city center to reach the beach, it’s really easy to take Pula’s Promet public bus lines to walk to the sea!
I’ve included the best way to reach the beach using the city’s public transportation network along with the recommendation.
Let’s get you to the beach!
A note about Croatian beaches: Depending on where in the world you’re from, you might be used to different types of beaches. Where I’m from in the United States, we have sand beaches. In Croatia, many beaches consist of pebbles and stones. Still (mostly) comfortable to lounge on, but different than what you might be used to!
Tips for Visiting Croatian Beaches
- Bring water shoes – There’s a specific kind of prickly black sea urchin that lives in the clean Croatian waters–they’re better described as a sea porcupine. If you step on one, you’ll be left with a few dozen of its prickers in your foot. To be extra cautious, make sure you have a pair of water shoes to wear in the sea.
- Sunscreen is essential – The sun is very strong during those hot summer days along the coast. Even if you have skin that doesn’t burn easily, you’ll still want to start your day in the sun with a layer of sunscreen.
- Beach chairs are an additional cost – Even if you see an unoccupied lounger, don’t just sit down. You have to pay a fee to use the beach chairs and umbrellas scattered along the coast.
Top Pula Croatia Beaches
Map for this Guide
Beaches on the Stoja Peninsula
1. Valkane Beach
Kupalište Valkane
This beautiful Pula beach found right on Zelenika Bay has a sandy beach section and a pebble beach section, so you can choose your own sea-going adventure for the day!
It’s the start of the Lungomare promenade, a leisure walkway that follows the seaside.
Valkane Beach is perfect for swimming at any age and level of ability.
There’s a floating playground and a nearby sports center that offers beach volleyball, tennis, and paddle boats and canoes for rent for kids.
And this is one of the only popular beaches in Pula that has an area adapted for people with disabilities access to water.
You can find a lift and a wheelchair ramp which provides a safe way to get into the sea.
Valkane Beach is just steps away from the Valkane bus stop on the Pula Promet number 4 urban bus line.
2. Cyclone Beach
Ciklonska plaža
One of the hidden gem Stoja beaches in Pula is Cyclone Beach. Surrounded by green pine trees and accessible only with stairs, the pebble and stone beach leads out into the perfect blue ocean water.
You won’t find any beach bars, showers, or changing facilities here, so make sure you’re prepared with your beach essentials before you head down to this wild beach.
Right near Cyclone Beach Pula, you can find two different sea caves, Galebove Stijene and Špilja Galebijana.
They’re great spots for scuba diving or snorkeling if you’ve brought your gear along on your trip to Pula!
You’ll need to take the Pula Promet urban bus line number 1 to its Okretište Stoja stop and then walk about 8 minutes to reach this beach.
3. Gorton Cove
Gortanova uvala
This fantastic city beach is a little bit further away from the other beaches in the Stoja neighborhood of Pula on the Lungomare promenade.
The pebble beach is pretty calm, which means it’s a perfect place for families and has public toilets and a small bar.
Fun Fact: Gorton Cove was named after Vladimir Gortan, a native-born Istrian who fought for anti-fascism.
There’s a ton of space here for sunbathing, and it’s a great place for cliff diving–but lifeguards are only on duty until 7 p.m.
There are also shady areas for those who want to avoid the heat and the sun. And at night, it’s safe to swim in the sea.
If cliff diving isn’t enough of a rush for you, Gorton Cove beach is only a 10-minute walk away from Adrenaline park Pula.
The easiest way to reach this beach is by taking the Pula Promet public urban bus line number 4 from the city center to the Valkane stop.
Then walk about 15 minutes to Gortanova beach.
Beaches on the Verudela Peninsula
4. Valsaline Beach
Valsaline Beach is one of the first beaches in Pula you’ll come across on the Verudela peninsula.
It’s the end of the famous Lungomare promenade, where you can walk along the coast.
The sunbathing areas alternate between gravel and concrete and connect to Mornar Beach.
Adults have a beach bar and a restaurant, kids can enjoy an aquapark and there’s even a diving school if you’re interested in lessons.
If you can’t afford to stay at one of the resorts nearby, HI Hostel Pula (Omladinski hostel Pula) is an affordable option right on the water.
To get here, take the Pula Promet urban bus line 2A or 3A, get off at the UL. Veruda 2-A stop and walk for about 5 minutes.
Insider Tip: In between Valsaline-Mornar Beach and Saccorgiana Cove, you’ll find the Golden Rocks (Zlatne Stijene.) They’re part of the beaches within tourist resorts Splendid Golden Rocks Resort and Horizont Golden Rocks Resort, but you can walk over to see them!
5. Saccorgiana Cove
Uvala Saccorgiana
Part of the larger Brankoras Bay, Saccorgiana Cove has a beautiful pebble beach with a gradual slope that’s great for kids, and is surrounded by flat rocks on either side.
Better yet–dogs are allowed to be here at this amazing bathing spot!
If you’re visiting in the summer, you need to check out Zeppelin Beach Bar.
It’s found right next to the beach, and the bar is a favorite for locals and tourists in the summer.
It has a great restaurant on-site, and you can rent cabanas, pedal boats, jet-skis, and other water sports during the day–and party at the lounge bar at night.
You can access Saccorgiana Beach by taking either the Pula Promet urban bus line number 28 to Monte Paradiso 3-A stop or the 2A or 3A lines to the Verudela Okretište stop and walking about 10 minutes.
6. Ambrela Beach
Plaža Ambrela
On the Verudela Istrian peninsula, you’ll find Ambrela Beach, one of the best beaches in Pula Croatia and the first of the city’s two Blue Flag beaches.
Blue Flag is an international environmental organization that grades beaches, marina, and boats on a “series of stringent environmental, educational, safety-related and access-related criteria [that] must be met and maintained.”
It’s the closest beach to the Pula Promet Verudela Okretište bus stop on the 2A and 3A urban lines (less than a 5 minute walk away,) making it very accessible to everyone.
As you head to the beach, make sure to take a path through the Verudela Art Park, which showcases contemporary sculptures right across the street from the water.
Ambrela Beach is a large pebble beach that gently slopes into the crystal clear water, with changing areas and showers available. It’s also an excellent place to watch a beautiful sunset.
Ambrela Bistro and Beach Bar offers an outdoor terrace where people can enjoy refreshing drinks and snacks.
And if you want to check out another beach while you’re here, Brioni Beach is the beach adjacent to Ambrela.
7. Hawaii Beach
Havajska Plaža
Well, if we can’t actually go to Hawaii, Hawaii Beach is the next best thing!
This Pula beach will make you feel like you’ve been transported to the islands.
It’s a beautiful white pebble beach with rounded stones, and there are some stunning rock formations around it.
There aren’t many facilities or services here, but it’s surrounded by fantastic scenery and has a beautiful view out over the water.
The water is, of course, crystal clear and bright blue-green; it’s a great spot for swimming and snorkeling.
You can wade into the shallow water here or jump off the cliffs into the sea below.
Verudela Canyon is also nearby and has some fantastic cliffs for jumping too.
The trail to get down to the Canyon is a bit challenging, though, so make sure you’re up for the trek if you’re adding it into your beach day.
To get here, you’re going to need to take Pula Promet public urban bus line 2A or 3A to the Verudela Okretište stop and walk about 10 minutes through the neighborhood.
8. Histria Beach
Plaža Histria
If you continue to follow the Verudela road from Hawaii Beach, you’ll reach another Blue Flag beach in Pula, Histria Beach.
It’s quite a bit larger than most of the other beaches on the Verudela peninsula.
There are several different sections of beach–a pebbly area with a gradual slope into the water, huge rocky sides where you can lay out in the sun, and a pine forest area where you can relax under the shade.
There’s also a seasonal Aquapark for kids to play on.
Otherwise, there are several beach bars and hotels along Histria Beach, and it’s really easy to pair your trip to the Pula Aquarium with a trip to Histria Beach since they’re so close!
It’s a less than 10-minute walk from the aquarium to the beach.
To get to Histria Beach, take either the 2A or 3A Pula Promet urban bus lines to the Verudela Okretište stop and walk a little less than 10 minutes.
9. Lighthouse Beach
Near Hawaii Beach, you’ll find Lighthouse Beach–named for a small lighthouse built here in 1877.
If you’re driving, the road to this beach is paved, easily accessible, and there’s ample parking space is close by.
However, to get to the beach area, you need to walk down a set of stairs.
And once you’ve reached the beach, it’s all large, uneven rocks that can get really slippery.
However, the water is clear blue, and there are beautiful views here, so if you want to take on the adventure, it’ll be well worth it!
You can also enjoy a meal at Bonaca Restaurant & Lounge Bar during the summer season, built right onto the rocks overlooking the sea.
Take the Pula Promet public urban bus line 2A or 3A to the Verudela Okretište stop and walk about 10 minutes if you’re using public transportation.
Love the beaches in Croatia? Check out my guides to the best beaches in Split and the best beaches in Šibenik!
Beaches on the Premantura Peninsula
10. Cape Kamenjak Nature Park
Cape Kamenjak is another beautiful nature area to visit near Pula. The area is a nature reserve that protrudes off the southern tip of the peninsula of Premantura.
There are eleven uninhabited islands off the coast, about twenty different species of orchids along with other indigenous plants, and dinosaur footprints along the peninsula.
You can imagine how many lovely beaches there are over here!
There are several attractive beaches within the park:
- Beach Pinižule
- Beach Njive
- Debeljak Cove
- Beach Plovanije
- Beach Mala Kolumbarica
Take a Caves and Canyons speedboat tour instead of renting a car and driving there (which you’ll have to pay a fee since the peninsula is vehicle-free) or taking the Pula bus.
You’ll leave right from Pula’s harbor and head over to see the cliffs and caves before stopping to swim.
If you do decide to take the Pula Promet bus, you’ll need to take the suburban bus number 28 to the Premantura-A (Centar) stop and then walk into the park at least 30 minutes before you reach any of the beaches.
Beaches North of Pula
11. Lost Beach
Found north of the city center, Lost Beach has the signature clear blue waters and pebble coast that you’ll find on pretty much every beach on this list!
You’ll need to take the Pula Promet suburban bus line number 21-d to the Šurida-A (Kod Benussija) stop and then walk about 30 minutes to actually access this hidden gem.
Although it is a little more remote than the other Pula beach options, I promise you won’t end up like Peter Pan and the Lost Boys on Lost Beach!
There aren’t any showers or changing facilities here, but you will find the Lost Bay Beach Bar, a fun place to hang out in the summer.
On the west side of the Štinjan peninsula near Lost Beach is Fort Punta Christo, an old military base built during World War II.
It’s located near the lighthouse and has a few walking trails and now Instagram-famous bridges around that you can explore.
12. Batana Beach
Batana Beach is an idyllic place to relax in the summer months. It’s a small pebbly beach with a beautiful view of the Verudela Peninsula.
You can, of course, swim and sunbathe here, but the most popular spot is probably the Batana Beach Bar.
It’s popular with a younger crowd who come here to party and dance.
You can reach Batana Beach by taking the Pula Promet public suburban bus line number 21 to the Fažana stop and walking about 5 minutes.
13. Brijuni Island National Park
Brijuni National Park is an island archipelago off the coast of Pula.
The beautiful islands, which had mainly been deserted throughout history and were best known for their stone quarries, were turned into a popular holiday destination around the start of the 20th century.
Following World War II, Yugoslav President Marshal Josip Broz Tito made the islands his vacation retreat. When Croatia gained independence in the 1990s, it designated the archipelago as a national park and an international conference center.
Although you can rent a boat and visit the national park yourself, I highly recommend this guided tour I took when I last visited Pula.
It left right from Pula’s harbor and stopped at several islands around the national park, with time scheduled for hiking and swimming on the beach.
The tour also included lunch and a guide who pointed out the different islands and landmarks as we passed them by.
Best Pula Beaches: Wrap-Up
it’s safe to say that Pula, Croatia is a true paradise for beach lovers.
With its beautiful beaches, crystal-clear waters, and stunning scenery, Pula is the perfect destination to unwind and soak up some sun.
Whether you’re looking to relax and read a book, swim in the refreshing waters, or take part in some fun water activities, the Pula beaches are clean, the water is clear, and the weather is just perfect for a day out by the sea.
So, go ahead and check out these best beaches in Pula! Hopefully, this will help you plan your next beach holiday to this Croatian tourist destination.
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