A dollop of culture, a spoonful of natural beauty, a sprinkling of modern, man-made attractions... You name it, our newest slice of Croatia has it all. That’s right – we're talking about what’s on offer when you book a break to Pula and the Istrian Coast.

Available from Summer 2025 onwards, this place entices its visitors with a whole heap of things to see, do and experience. So, we’ve rounded up some of our favourites, to help you fashion that all-important itinerary. Pen and paper at the ready, people...

National parks

First up on the essential sights: the national parks. Pristine and pretty-as-a-postcard, there are two standouts that spring to mind when Mother Nature’s masterpieces are the topic of conversation. Plitvice Lakes National Park is the oldest and largest of its kind in the country, making it number one on the bucket list. Don your comfiest shoes and grab your camera, because you’ll be in awe of your surroundings as you pound the pathways here. Seven different trails trace the lake system, and there are four designated for actual hiking. Decide what’s for you and get out and about.

Brijuni National Park is only reachable by boat, and it’s a string of islands that go together. Once there, you can leave the ferry in search of the safari park, castrum ruins, basilica and old olive tree. And it gets even cooler – dinosaur footprints!

Main attractions

Kick off your morning with a post-breakfast jaunt to Aquacolors Poreč, a wild waterpark that’ll please both little and big kids. One of the biggest amusement sites in Europe, thanks to 13 long slides, various swimming pools and other aqua-based fun, it’ll have everybody grinning within minutes of whizzing and whooshing around.

Let day sink into night as you peel back the pages of the past at Pula Arena. The old amphitheatre isn’t a million miles from Rome’s Colosseum in terms of looks, so it’s one to box off for history hunters. But as the evening’s darkness descends and you’ve taken a tour, you should see if there are any concerts on. What a venue for watching an epic performance! And if that’s not magical enough, behold the showstopping Lighting Giants at Uljanik Shipyard, where giant cranes are projected in an array of bright colours – wow!

Top towns

Umag, Rabac, Vrsar, Labin, Medulin and Novigrad are all options on our list of Pula and the Istrian Coast’s resorts. But there are some bigger picks too – central Pula being one of them. So it’s well worth journeying to for a day trip, if you aren’t already staying there – let the rich blend of history, coastline and yummy eateries serve as evidence why.

As for old towns, ambling around some of the area’s most heritage-filled quarters should be a priority. Italianate Rovinj promises pavement-hugging shops, cafés and monuments, with quaint churches to duck into. The squares there are also excellent spots for watching the world go by in a terracotta-topped environment. Similarly, UNESCO-stamped Poreč Old Town is a warren of artisanal stores and dining spots to stop for a bite to eat in. Immerse yourself in the history of both!

Brilliant beaches

A comprehensive roll call of beaches exists in the region, which means you can be choosy when it comes to selecting the super swathe of seafront you’d like to lounge on first. Amarin is well-rated, as it has Blue Flag status and the sort of clean, shallow surroundings that come with the accolade. Hawaii Beach is as namesake as can be, so the clue’s in its title.

Meanwhile, Mulini Beach and Lone Bay are two of Rovinj’s revered plots. A lot of patches around here are pebbly, though some are sandy too. Keep your eyes peeled for areas where you can rent sunbeds and parasols, to help you lock in a day of sun-blushed lazing.

On bikes and boats

In the central city of Pula, you’ll catch plenty of cyclists, so why not mull over hiring bikes yourself? You can pedal around, ticking off key sights even faster than on foot, while burning off some energy.

Prefer life on the water? Swap dry land for some time on the waves as you venture out on a kayaking trip. How’s that for cool? You could even up the ante further and jump aboard a scheduled catamaran trip to none other than iconic Venice. The resplendent, so-called ‘Floating City’ welcomes holidaymakers on excursions, so you can hop over to Italy and cross two countries off in the same getaway. Sound exciting?

Enough inspiration for now? We thought so. Booking starts below...