15 Best Beaches In Pula, Croatia: Local’s Guide!

Quick Tips About Pula Beaches

❌ No beaches in the city center.
🏠 Beaches in four neighborhoods: Stoja, Lungo Mare, Verudela, and Pješčana uvala.
🚌 Easy to reach by bus or on foot!
⛵ Pula boat tours are fun to escape the crowds!


Best places to stay in Pula for the beaches:
🛌 TOP Pick: Grand Hotel Brioni Pula
🛋️ Budget Option: Park Plaza Histria Pula

Let me show you why beaches are one of the top reasons to visit Pula!

1. Hawaii Beach, Verudela

✅ Good for non-swimmers!

Hawaii Beach is the best beach in Pula.

This small, picturesque cove on the Verudela Peninsula features a pebble beach with a gentle entrance into turquoise waters.

Unsurprisingly, this beach is a hotspot. Its small size means it fills up fast, so get there early to snag a good spot — especially as the sun leaves the beach rather early in the afternoon.

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 center, 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 the 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:

• changing rooms
• sunbeds for rent

No extra entertainment on the beach.

2. Histria Beach, Verudela

✅ Good for non-swimmers!

Histria Beach is one of the best beaches Pula has to offer. It is another small pebble beach on the Verudela Peninsula.

The beach is popular with families and can get crowded in the summer, however less than Ambrela and Hawaii Beach.

There is some shade on the beach from the pine forest behind it, but it changes depending on the time of day. 

You can put your towel on the pebbles or on the nearby rocks for more privacy, while still enjoying the soft entrance to the sea.

How To Get To Histria Beach, Verudela?

From the city center, 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, passing by 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:

• changing rooms
• aquapark for the children
• sunbeds for rent
• rent a SUP or kayak

3. Ambrela Beach, Verudela

✅ Good for non-swimmers!

Ambrela Beach is one of the most popular Pula beaches., especially for families with kids.

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 center, 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:

• changing rooms
• showers
• sunbeds and umbrellas for rent
• aquapark for kids
• cafe above the beach

4. Saccorgiana Beach, Verudela

✅ Good for non-swimmers!

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 center, 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:

• beach bar Zeppelin
• ATM next to the beach bar
• kayak rental
• trampoline and a park for children.

5. Valsaline Beach, Verudela

✅ Good for non-swimmers!

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 center, take the 2a or 3a bus, and get off at the bus stop in 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:

• beach bar La Playa
• aquapark for kids
• book a kayak tour on the beach

6. Gortanova Uvala, Lungo Mare

✅ Good for non-swimmers!

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.

When compared to Rovinj beaches, this beach is similar to the popular Lone Bay beaches in Rovinj.

How To Get To Gortanova uvala?

You will take a bus 4 or 6 from the city center, 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:

• beach bar Pomidor
• changing rooms on the beach
• massage

7. Lungo Mare coast

❌ NOT good for non-swimmers!

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 center, 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.

8. Valkane Beach, Lungo Mare

✅ Good for non-swimmers!

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 center 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 in the afternoon on busy days.

How to get to Valkane Beach, Pula?

From the city center, take bus 4 or 6, and get off at the bus stop in Valkane.

Facilities on Valkane Beach, Pula

• two beach bars
• changing rooms
• showers
• picnic tables,
• two volleyball fields
• aquapark
• handicap entrance

9. Galebove Stijene, Stoja

❌ NOT good for non-swimmers!

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.

However, it is one of the most popular cliff-jumping spots in Pula, and very popular with youngsters who line up to jump off this unique cave.

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 center, 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 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!

10. Cyclone Beach, Stoja

✅ Good for non-swimmers!

Ciklonska plaža is a small pebble cove on Stoja, close to Galebove stijene.

It is predominantly visited by locals as it is not serviced. However, 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 center, 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.

11. Pješčana Uvala, Pula

✅ Good for non-swimmers!

Pješčana Uvala Beach has a slightly misleading name. While it is called “sandy cove beach” it is not really sandy.

The beach is a pebble beach, but the pebbles are smaller than on some other beaches, so they are comfortable to walk on even in the water. 

It is a good beach if you are staying in that part of the town. However, it does get crowded, and it is hard to find natural shade.

How To Get To Pješčana Uvala?.

To get to Pješčana Uvala, you take a bus 28 or 27 and get off at the bus stop in Pješčana Uvala.

This beach is outside of the first zone of public transport, as it is officially outside of Pula Town.

It is very hard to find parking next to this beach as there is no public parking apart from maybe 10 parking spots, so it is not the best option for those with a car.

Facilities on Pješčana Uvala, Pula:

• playground for children
• an aquapark
• beach bar
• changing rooms
• sunbed rental

Best Beaches Around Pula, Croatia

There are so many more beaches around Pula. Every coastal town has its beach, hotel, or camp. You will be spoilt for choice. 

Small seafront towns around Pula can be some of the cheapest beach destinations in Europe and are great if you’re traveling on a budget.

Best beaches around Pula, Croatia

• Kamenjak, a protected nature park
• Levan island, Ližnjan
• Hidrobaza beach, Štinjan
• Lost Beach, Štinjan

12. Kamenjak Nature Park

Contrary to the popular opinion I see online, Cape Kamenjak is not a national park. Nonetheless, it is a protected nature park and home to some of the most beautiful beaches near Pula, Croatia. 

Cape Kamenjak is located approximately 10 km south of Pula, in the southernmost cape in Istria, Premantura. 

The rugged coastline of the cape offers almost 30 km of beaches!

You’re sure to find a beach that suits your taste, whether you prefer pebble coves, rocky shores, or cliffs perfect for cliff-jumping enthusiasts.

How to get to Cape Kamenjak?

The best way to get to Kamenjak is by car.

You can also take Bus 28 from Pula. The bus will leave you in the center of Premantura, and you will have to walk around 500m to reach the entrance of the Nature park.

If you are coming by car, remember there is a vehicle entrance fee! The access is free if you walk or bike.

Once you enter the Nature park, you are still far from the beaches.

The closest beach to the entrance is Pižule beach, 1.2km from the entrance. There is no shade on the path, and the cars will be passing by and lifting the dust.

If you don’t have a car, I suggest you consider renting a bike in Premantura.

Kršine Beach, Kamenjak

✅ Good for non-swimmers!

This little cove, nested on the rocky southern coast of Kamenjak cape, is my favorite beach on Cape Kamenjak. Be prepared that there is no natural shade on this beach!

It is located close to the Safari bar, so you can find refuge there if you want a quick snack or a sangria.

How to get to Kršine beach?

To reach Kršine beach, you should park next to the Safari bar and walk through the bar, down the path to the left. It’s a 5-minute walk, but you should wear sneakers or be very careful! Depending on the state of the footpath, it can be a bit slippery!

Amenities on the beach?

There are no facilities on the beach. It is one of the wilder beaches on Kamenjak.

Velika Kolombarica Beach, Kamenjak

❌ NOT good for non-swimmers!

Velika Kolombarica is another popular cliff-jumping spot. If you like jumping off of the high cliffs, this is where you can do it in Kamenjak. 

How to get to Velika Kolombarica Beach?

To reach Velika Kolombarica beach, you should park next to the Safari bar and walk through the bar, down the path to the right.

It’s a 5-minute walk, but you should wear sneakers or be very careful! Depending on the state of the footpath, it can be a bit slippery!

Amenities on the Velika Kolombarica Beach?

There is nothing on the beach. It is one of the wilder beaches on Kamenjak.

13. Levan Island, Ližnjan

✅ Good for non-swimmers!

Levan Island is a small island close to Ližnjan that has become popular among locals in recent years.

It is more of a party island than a relaxation island. Usually, locals spend a day there enjoying the cocktails and music in front of the beach bars.

It is one of the rare sandy beaches in Pula Croatia. However, while the island’s coast is sandy, the sand does not extend into the sea, so pay attention to the rocks!

How to get to Levan Island?

If you don’t have a car, you can visit the island on a boat tour or by taxi boat from Medulin.

If you visit by car, you can park on the Ližnjan coast across from the island and take a taxi boat to the island. 

Amenities on Levan Island?

Levan is a small island, but there are a couple of beach bars. You can also rent a sun bed and an umbrella.

14. Hidrobaza Beach, Štinjan

✅ Good for non-swimmers!

Hidrobaza Beach is easily the best beach near Pula. When you see this beach, you might find it hard to believe that just a few years ago, it was only a port and a rugged coast. 

Today, it is one of the best-equipped beaches near Pula. This manmade beach is separated into a few smaller coves with one of the best dog-friendly beaches in Pula at the end.

The coast is made of small rocks, that are not round enough to be considered pebbles.

You can choose among many little coves to place your towel on, but I suggest you stay towards the center-left part of the beach if you want to hang out in the shallow water.

The closer you go to the Crazy Beach bar area there is less small pebbles in the water, and it is not as pleasant to get in.

How to get to Hidrobaza beach, Štinjan?

From the city center, take bus 5a, and get off at the bus stop Hidrobaza. The beach will be right in front of you!

It is my favorite beach in Pula when I’m driving, as there is large parking right next to the beach.

Amenities on Hidrobaza beach, Štinjan:

• showers
• changing rooms
• dog beach
• playground
• aquapark
• beach bar

15. Lost Beach, Štinjan

✅ Good for non-swimmers!

If you are thinking that you’ve never heard of this beach before, you might be right! Just a couple of years ago, this bay was abandoned and not suitable for swimming. 

Luckily, the beach was cleaned and a beach bar opened in 2021, giving this “new beach” its name!

The main attraction is the beach bar, which is very aesthetic and perfect for photos.

I don’t really like the little rocks they put on this beach, as they can be sharp to walk on, especially in the water.

The beach itself is quite small, and I’d go for this beach if you want to sip cocktails by the sea rather than just swim.

How to get to the Lost Beach, Štinjan?

From the city center, take bus 5a and get off at the bus stop Ul. Puntižela 1. You will walk downhill towards the coast for 5 minutes until you reach the beach.

Amenities on the Lost Beach, Štinjan?

There is a Lost Bay beach bar right on the beach for drinks and a quick bite. You can also rent a SUP!