Pula, where the tip of the Istrian peninsula joins with the Adriatic, is a modern city with a long and turbulent past. The city itself is a landmark of many political, economic and military interests that Pula had to serve over many centuries. There are ancient Roman marvels, Venetian architectural traces, Austrian influences and Italian heritages to be found while sightseeing in the old town of Pula. The rugged coastline around Pula is known to contain beautiful beaches and is sure to spark an interest for a renting a boat and exploring.
Why choose Pula as you starting point?
The region of Istria hides some of the best beaches in Croatia, which are not strictly around the Pula town area – but, if you rent a boat and sail throughout the coastline, it will be easy to spot any hidden gems in shape of sandy coves or bays sheltered with lush vegetation. Nearly a hundred miles of indented and pristine coastline with clear and calm waters await all seafarers around the Istrian peninsula. Pula has existed, in one form or another, for 3 millennia and for that reason is the main transit hub of the Istra coastline and a busy port with the Uljanik shipyard boosting nautical demand. Pula, with superb geographical positioning, is a smart choice for hiring a skipper and booking a weekly (or even monthly) yachting trip around Dalmatia.
What to do and see on your yacht charter holiday in Pula?
Pula has a lot to offer in terms of historic architecture and cultural heritage. This city-museum will astonish you with mighty monuments and ancient buildings, the biggest and most notable being the Arena, a roman amphitheater built in 1st century AD and the 6th largest amphitheater in the world. Under UNESCO protection, the Arena in Pula is one of many sights to see - there is the richly decorated Golden Gate, The gates of Hercules, with a carving of the great hero and his weapon and the Forum, where, like in the ancient times, people gather to eat, drink, talk and be entertained. There is also the temple of Augustus built for the first Roman emperor, the Church and Monastery of St. Francis and Kastel, a Venetian fortress from the 17th century.
The amphitheater in Pula serves as a venue for festivities where concerts and festivals take place during the summer. Dimension Festival, Outlook Festival, Sea Splash and Pula Film Festival are among the most noted, with the Film Festival attracting famous Hollywood celebrities.
Sailing around Pula, it is hard to miss the marvelous Brijuni National Park near the town of Fažana, a natural wonder composed of 14 islands, containing a safari park, Roman villas and untouched nature - a true oasis of peace and quiet. Cape Kamenjak is also a good sailing point, located on the southernmost point of Istra Peninsula; it is a cluster of little islands, with the best beaches on the west side of the cape. Gastronomy wise, Pula offers typical Croatian dishes with strong Italian influences. However, it is the wine of Pula that is the most cherished product of this region, like the Teran red or the Malvazia white.
When to sail in Pula?
The best time for a sailing vacation in Pula is in the summer season, when all the venues are open and all the festivities are held. Bear in mind, in the peak of the season, tourists will flock to this outstanding location, but nowhere near as in Northern or Southern Dalmatia, so it would be wise to take advantage of the moderate anonymity of Pula. July is the hottest month with an average temperature of 25 degrees Celsius. In August, the average sea temperature hits the maximum at 26 degrees Celsius, a good time for lots of swimming.
The area around Pula is known to be wet, with rain not entirely uncommon throughout summer. The cruising season starts around Easter but the peak of the season is in July when lots of Italian and German boats and yachts flock to Pula. During this time, it is wise to consider multiple choices of harbors for docking, because of the large influx of vessels.
The most common wind in the summer is the Mistral, a calm, warm and gentle wind and a favorite companion to all sailors in the Adriatic. There are always slight chances of Bura, a cold and cooling wind coming from the mountains, which affects sea temperatures moderately, but this occurs rarely.