Pula Arena – visit the Roman amphitheater in Pula

Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated: August 2026 | Pula Arena is one of the best-preserved Roman amphitheaters in the world and one of the top attractions in Pula, Croatia. It was the site of gladiatorial games almost 2,000 years ago, while today the mighty arena is used for concerts, film festivals and other events.

We have visited Pula several times by camper van and have been fascinated by the impressive amphitheater, both from the outside and from the inside. Here we tell you about the Pula Arena, its history and our experiences – and share tips for those who want to visit Pula and the famous arena.

Pula Arena – Roman amphitheater in Croatia

Pula Arena is a Roman amphitheater located in the center of Pula, near the harbor and the historic center. It was built around 2,000 years ago and is today one of the city's main attractions - and one of the clearest traces of Roman times in all of Croatia.

What makes the Pula Arena particularly impressive is how much of the outer wall has been preserved. The high limestone arches and four towers still give a clear idea of how monumental the building once was. The arena was built for large public spectacles and could accommodate around 20,000 spectators during Roman times.

The history of Pula Arena

The Pula Arena is around 2,000 years old, but it was not built in a single event. Construction began under Emperor Augustus in the early first century AD, and the amphitheater was later expanded under the Flavian dynasty. Under Emperor Vespasian, who also started the Colosseum in Rome, the arena took on much of the monumental form we see today.

Built from local limestone and located just outside the Roman city walls, the amphitheatre is still so well preserved that it is a fascinating example of Roman architecture and engineering.

Gladiator games in the amphitheater

During Roman times, the Pula Arena was a place for large public spectacles. Gladiator fights, animal hunts and other events were staged here in front of thousands of spectators. The audience was seated in different places depending on their social status – the most important people got the best seats, while the poorer ones had to stay higher up in the stands.

When you visit the arena today, you can try to imagine how it might have been once upon a time – when the stands were filled with people and wild animals were kept under the arena floor, waiting to be brought up to the arena.

To visit Pula Arena

The Pula Amphitheatre is almost at its most impressive from the outside, where you really get a feel for the enormous building and the well-preserved arches. But it is of course also fascinating to go inside the arena itself and try to imagine what took place here almost 2,000 years ago.

During a visit, you can also go down into the underground spaces beneath the arena. Today, there is a permanent exhibition on the production of olive oil and wine in Istria in ancient times, including old presses and other archaeological artifacts.

For us, the latest visit was extra fun. We tried to see Pula Arena when we were here on holiday in July 2011, but during high season it was impossible to park in the middle of town with a camper. When we got another chance several years later, we were of course very eager to finally get in and see the arena properly.

We like historical places like these, not least for the dizzying feeling. If you could just turn back the clock and travel back in time – what did this place look like and what happened here?

Pula Arena today

Although the era of gladiators is long gone, the Pula Arena is still used as a place where people gather. Today, the historic amphitheater serves as a spectacular venue for concerts, performances, and other cultural events.

The Pula Film Festival, whose history dates back to the 1950s, is also held here. The film festival is very much alive – in the summer of 2026 it was held for the 73rd time and several of the films were screened inside the arena itself.

It's pretty cool to think about the continuity. The arena was built to gather thousands of people around the great spectacles of the time – and almost 2,000 years later, audiences are still sitting here watching the entertainment.

More to see and do in Pula

Pula Arena is the city's most famous attraction, but it is far from the only trace of the city's long history. Pula is around 3,000 years old and the historic city center contains several remains from Roman times.

Temple of Augustus

On the Forum stands the well-preserved Temple of Augustus, which was built between 2 BC and 14 AD. The temple was dedicated to the goddess Roma and the emperor Augustus. During World War II, the building was badly damaged in a bombing raid, but it was rebuilt after the war.

Forum in Pula

The Forum was the center of life in Roman Pula, serving as a religious, administrative, and commercial center. The square was built in the first century BC and is still a central place in the city. It is home to the Temple of Augustus and the Town Hall, among other things.

Arch of Sergius

Arch of Sergius, Slavoluk Sergijevac, is another well-preserved monument from Roman times. The triumphal arch was erected around 29–27 BC by Salvia Postuma Sergi in memory of three members of the influential Sergius family. Today it stands in the center of Pula and is a natural stop during a walk through the city.

Old Town of Pula

The best way to discover Pula's historic center is simply to walk. Between the Arena, the Forum and the Arch of Sergius, you pass alleys, squares, cafes and buildings from different parts of the city's long history. It is precisely the mixture of modern Croatian city life and the Roman remains that makes Pula special.

The port of Pula

Pula has long been an important port city and the sea is still a clear part of the cityscape. From the area around the arena it is close to the harbor, where pleasure boats mingle with much larger ships. A walk along the water is therefore a nice contrast to the historical sights of the old town.

Camping Brioni outside Pula

Camping Brioni is a large campsite located on the coast outside Pula. We have been here twice, and we have positive experiences from both visits – albeit very different ones.

The first time we were here was in the summer, together with our young son and his friend. That time it was all about sun and swimming, as well as playing in the campsite's "aquapark".

The second time we were here it was late autumn, and we were almost alone at the large campsite. This time there wasn't as much open, but we still had access to all the services we needed.

More to see in Istria

There is a lot to see and experience in Croatia. Here are some suggestions for some fantastic places, not too far from Pula:

• Fažana - A gem on the west coast of Istria
• Rovinj - Charming medieval town in Istria
• Labin - Nice little town on the eastern side of Istria

READ MORE: The world's 10 most famous amphitheatres