It's one of Europe's most overlooked travel destinations09:38, 10 Jun 2026Much like the city of Rome, Pula in Croatia was constructed on seven hills, a reflection of its profound Roman legacy and carefully considered geographic layout. Today, these hills remain central to Pula's character, providing stunning vistas across the city. After spotting Pula on my TikTok feed last year and puzzling over where this beautiful city might be, I decided to visit and discover what it had in store.‌I've noticed plenty of people opting for Dubrovnik and Split as their holiday spots, but rarely Pula, the largest city in Istria, located in the country's north. It's celebrated for its remarkably intact Roman remains, especially the Pula Arena, which was arguably among the most spectacular sites I've encountered.‌Dominating the cityscape for more than 2,000 years, the amphitheatre stands as one of the finest-preserved examples of its type anywhere on Earth.‌Constructed between 27 BC and 68 AD, nearly the entire edifice survives to this day. In fact, it's the sole remaining structure of its kind to retain all four side towers fully intact.Many associate the Colosseum in Rome with these monuments, but the Pula Arena is actually more ancient. Fashioned from Istria's renowned white limestone, the Arena represented a triumph of Roman engineering.‌Where sections are absent, we discovered that the Romans actually repurposed them to construct other buildings.I was taken aback by the sheer scale of the Arena, which holds up to 20,000 spectators. In its heyday, it would have hosted gladiatorial combat under Roman rule and knights' tournaments during the Middle Ages.Today, it continues to serve as a vibrant performance venue, with seating for more than 7,000 people, regularly welcoming concerts, film screenings and a host of cultural events.‌There's no shortage of sights above ground, but beneath the city's streets lies a fascinating network of limestone tunnels — and experiencing them firsthand was truly remarkable.Known as Zerostrasse, the passages date back to the early 20th century, when they were originally constructed as a wartime shelter system.‌Remarkably spacious, the tunnels offer plenty of room to wander freely while providing a welcome escape from the heat.In the old town, overlooking Forum Square, stands the Temple of Augustus, originally dedicated to the Emperor Augustus, Rome's first emperor and Julius Caesar's adopted heir.‌Despite being partially destroyed during World War 2, it was restored, and I thoroughly enjoyed taking it in over a refreshing drink at one of the many cafés dotted around Forum Square.For those seeking a bit of relaxation, there are beaches nearby.Article continues belowJust a short drive from Pula, Hawaii Beach awaits, renowned for its crystal clear waters.I spent my stay at the Park Plaza Histria Pula, nestled on the Verudela Peninsula and surrounded by lush greenery and pebbly coves.Boasting a stunning seafront setting just moments from the beach, it sits a mere four kilometres from the heart of Pula.