15 Best Beaches In Pula, Croatia (2023)
Beaches in Pula can be separated into four neighbourhoods: Stoja, Lungo Mare, Verudela and Pješčana uvala. They are all outside the city centre, but you can easily reach them by public transport, car or even walking!
Best beaches in Pula Croatia:
→ Ambrela beach, Verudela
→ Hawaii beach, Verudela
→ Histria beach, Verudela
→ Saccorgiana beach, Verudela
→ Valsaline beach, Verudela
→ Gortanova uvala, Lungo Mare
→ Lungo Mare coast
→ Valkane beach, Lungo Mare
→ Galebove stijene, Stoja
→ Ciklonska plaža, Stoja
→ Pješčana uvala (Sandy cove) – spoiler alert: it is not sandy
In this guide, I will show you a mixture of pebble beaches and rocky beaches. I am sure you will find a beach that suits you here!
You might have heard that the most beautiful beaches in the area are only accessible by boat. Yes, there are some stunning coves in the area that can’t be accessed by road.
However, don’t despair! There is plenty of beautiful beaches that you can easily access by car or even better, by public transport!
1. Ambrela beach, Verudela
Ambrela beach is one of the most popular Pula beaches. It is a beautiful pebble beach and the only Blue flag beach in Pula for this year. They are proud to have the Blue flag – eco-label year after year.
This beach is popular among families with kids and gets very busy in the summer.
There is no natural shade on the beach. However, just behind the beach is a pine forest where many people seek shelter from the midday sun.
How to get to Ambrela beach, Pula?
From the city centre, you take bus 2a or 3a to the terminus – stop Verudela. Turn right on the first path, next to the E&D restaurant. Keep walking down the road until you reach the beach!
Facilities on Ambrela beach, Verudela:
There are changing rooms, showers and a cafe just above the beach. You can rent sunbeds and umbrellas on the beach.
Is Ambrela beach, Verudela safe for non-swimmers?
Yes! This beach is especially popular among families as the beach has a wide, soft entrance with enough shallow water for non-swimmers to enjoy!
2. Hawaii beach, Verudela
Hawaii beach is the best beach in Pula, located on the Verudela peninsula. This small, picturesque cove is a pebble beach with a soft entrance into the turquoise water.
Unsurprisingly, it is a well-known beach due to its beauty. It is small and can get very busy, very quickly. I suggest you come early in the morning to enjoy the tranquillity.
There is no natural shade on the beach. However, just behind the beach is a pine forest where many people seek shelter from the midday sun.
How to get to Hawai beach, Pula?
From the city centre, you take bus 2a or 3a to the terminus – stop Verudela. From the bus station, keep walking straight across the parking lot. Keep walking straight, following the sign for Plaza hotel. Turn left right before reaching the hotel, walk downhill for a couple of minutes, and the cove will be right in front of you!
Facilities on the Hawaii beach, Verudela:
There are changing rooms close to the entrance. No extra entertainment on the beach.
Is Hawaii beach, Verudela good for non-swimmers?
Yes, the entrance is gentle, and there is enough shallow sea for non-swimmers to enjoy!
3. Histria beach, Verudela
Histria beach is another pebble beach on the Verudela Peninsula. It is popular with families and gets crowded in the summer.
There is some shade on the beach from the pine forest behind it, but it changes depending on the time of day.
How to get to Histria beach, Verudela?
From the city centre, you take bus 2a or 3a to the terminus – stop Verudela. From the bus station, keep walking straight across the parking lot. When you reach the end of the parking lot, you will turn left, following the aquarium sign. You’re going to turn left again on the first path left, following the tennis courts that are going to be on your left. Keep walking downhill, and the beach will be directly in front of you!
Facilities on Histria beach, Pula:
There are changing rooms and a water jumping facility for the children. You can rent a SUP as well!
Is Histria beach, Pula good for non-swimmers?
Yes! The entrance is gentle, and there is enough shallow sea for non-swimmers to enjoy!
4. Saccorgiana beach, Verudela
Saccorgiana beach is one of the first beaches on the Verudela peninsula. It is a pebble cove with a gentle entrance and lots of natural shade from the pine forest behind it.
Like many other pebble beaches, Saccorgiana is popular among families with kids and can get crowded in the summer.
How to get to Saccorgiana beach, Verudela?
From the city centre, you are going to take a bus 2a or 3a, and get off at the bus stop Ribarska Koliba. Walk straight for a few meters from the bus station, and take the first uphill road to the right. Follow the path, and you will be right in front of the beach in 3-5 minutes.
Facilities on the Saccorgiana beach, Pula:
This beach is one of the best-equipped beaches in Pula. There is a popular beach bar Zeppelin and an ATM next to the beach bar. You can rent kayaks, and there is a trampoline and park for children.
Is Saccorgiana beach, Pula good for non-swimmers?
Yes! The beach has a soft entrance and enough shallow water for non-swimmers to enjoy.
5. Valsaline beach, Verudela
Valsaline beach is not technically on the Verudela peninsula. It is between Lungo Mare and Verudela.
This beach is right in front of the HI Youth hostel, so if you are backpacking Europe this summer and want to stay next to the beach, it is perfectly located.
How to get to Valsaline beach, Pula?
From the city centre, take bus 2a or 3a, and get off at the bus stop Villa idola. You will see a path on your left that you will follow until the first intersection. There, you will take a road to the right and go straight until you reach the beach.
Facilities on Valsaline beach, Pula:
There is a popular beach bar La Playa close to the beach. You can also book a kayak tour on the beach.
Is Valsaline beach, Pula good for non-swimmers?
Yes! This pebble beach has a soft entrance and enough shallow water for non-swimmers to enjoy.
6. Gortanova uvala, Lungo Mare
This cove shaded by pine trees is very popular among locals with kids. While it might be hard to find a nice spot on the pebbles, you can also put your towel on the rocky coast around the cove.
How to get to Gortanova uvala?
This beach is a bit farther from public transport than most beaches on this list. You will take a bus 4 or 6 from the city centre, and get off at the bus stop Valkane. Then, you will walk for around 15 minutes on the Lungo Mare promenade until you reach the cove.
Facilities on the Gortanova uvala beach:
There is a beach bar Pomidor above the beach and changing rooms on the beach.
Is it good for non-swimmers?
Yes! This pebble beach has a soft entrance and enough shallow water for non-swimmers to enjoy.
7. Lungo Mare coast
Between Valkane beach and Gortanova uvala and then again from Gortanova uvala until Mornar beach, stretches the rocky Lungo Mare coast. It is a spot popular with locals, as you can easily park your car on the road and walk down to the beach for a quick dip.
You will find some ladders for easy entry and climbing out, but not everywhere.
You might wonder why I recommend it then. It is an excellent beach if you are a good swimmer and want a nice quiet space! It is not too far from the city, and the water is clear as it is not full of people.
How to get to Lungo Mare coast?
From the city centre, take bus 4 or 6, and get off at the bus stop in Valkane. Walk past the Valkane beach on the Lungo Mare promenade. Pick a segment of the coast you like the most.
Facilities on the Lungo Mare coast:
There are none! This rocky coast is visited predominantly by locals. Hence, the only thing you get is to enjoy the sun and the sea.
Is Lungo Mare coast, Pula good for non-swimmers?
No. The rocky coast of Lungo Mare is not suitable for non-swimmers as there is no shallow water, and it might be complicated to get out of the sea.
8. Valkane beach, Lungo Mare
Valkane beach is one of the beaches that are the easiest to reach by public transport. It is also the closest beach to the city centre of Pula, so it is your best option if you are walking to the beach.
Valkane is a big beach with diverse swimming areas. There is a beach for persons with limited mobility, two small pebble coves at the beginning and a concrete shore lining the cove. In the middle of the cove stands a concrete quay, a popular jumping spot among children.
Because of its location inside the cove, it can get dirty on busy days.
How to get to Valkane beach, Pula?
From the city centre, take bus 4 or 6, and get off at the bus stop in Valkane.
Facilities on the Valkane beach, Pula?
There are many facilities on Valkane beach. You will find two beach bars, changing rooms, picnic tables, and two volleyball fields.
Is Valkane beach, Pula good for non-swimmers?
Yes! Non-swimmers can enjoy the pebble coves with soft entrances.
9. Galebove stijene, Stoja
This rocky beach is one of the most famous beaches in Pula. It might be surprising because, from the outside, it looks just like random cliffs.
What makes it unique is the Galebijana cave. This magnificent cave is safe to visit, and if you have a torch, you can swim inside and chill on the small pebble beach inside the cave.
Galebijana cave is also a popular spot on Pula kayak tours! The tour company will provide torches and take you inside the cave, so it might be the best way to visit.
How to get to Galebove stijene, Pula?
From the city centre, take bus 1, and get off at the bus stop Stoja – the terminus. Keep walking along the coastline to Fižela street until you reach the steps leading to Cyclone beach. Now you continue walking on the rocks until you reach the beach!
Facilities on the Galebove stijene, Pula:
There are none! These rocky cliffs were visited mostly by locals until they became popular on social media. Thus, the only thing you get is nature!
Is Galebove stijene, Pula good for non-swimmers?
No. The rocky cliffs of Galebove stijene are not safe for non-swimmers as there is no shallow water. You have to jump into the deep water and climb up to rocks to get out of the water.
10. Cyclone beach, Stoja
Ciklonska plaža is a small pebble cove on Stoja, close to Galebove stijene. It is predominantly visited by locals. Though it might be a nice compromise if somebody in your group is not a good swimmer and you want to visit Galebove stijene.
How to get to Cyclone beach, Pula?
From the city centre, take bus 1, and get off at the bus stop Stoja – the terminus. Keep walking along the coastline to Fižela street until you reach the steps leading to Cyclone beach.
Facilities on the Ciklonska beach, Pula?
There are none! This pebble cove is a local beach, therefore the only thing you get is to enjoy the sun and sea.
Is Ciklonska beach, Pula good for non-swimmers?
Yes! This pebble beach has a soft entrance and enough shallow water for non-swimmers to enjoy.
10. Cyclone beach, Stoja
Ciklonska plaža is a small pebble cove on Stoja, close to Galebove stijene. It is predominantly visited by locals. Though it might be a nice compromise if somebody in your group is not a good swimmer and you want to visit Galebove stijene.
How to get to Cyclone beach, Pula?
From the city centre, take bus 1, and get off at the bus stop Stoja – the terminus. Keep walking along the coastline to Fižela street until you reach the steps leading to Cyclone beach.
Facilities on the Ciklonska beach, Pula?
There are none! This pebble cove is a local beach, therefore the only thing you get is to enjoy the sun and sea.
Is Ciklonska beach, Pula good for non-swimmers?
Yes! This pebble beach has a soft entrance and enough shallow water for non-swimmers to enjoy.
SOURCE: shesabroadagain.com