Pula Arena: Opening Hours, Tickets and Tips for the Amphitheatre
Visiting Pula Arena: 2026 opening hours and tickets, gladiator shows, concerts, parking and the best tips for the Roman amphitheatre.
Few buildings shape a city the way the Arena shapes Pula. The Roman amphitheatre stands right in the middle of the city, just a few steps from the harbour – and is one of the best preserved in the world. Whether you wander through the tiers during the day or enjoy an open-air concert in the evening, a visit belongs on every holiday in southern Istria. Here is everything you need to know for your visit.
History of the Arena in Pula
The Arena was built in the 1st century under Emperor Vespasian, at the same time as the Colosseum in Rome. The elliptical structure measures around 130 by 100 metres. In antiquity it held some 20,000 spectators, who watched gladiator fights and wild animal hunts. Today the Arena holds around 5,000 visitors for events.
Particularly impressive is the outer ring wall, which is almost completely preserved. Seen from outside, ideally in the warm evening light, the Arena is especially striking.
Opening hours (as of 2026)
According to the Pula tourist board, the following opening hours apply:
| Period | Opening hours |
|---|---|
| January to March, November and December | 9 am–5 pm |
| April | 8 am–8 pm |
| May and September | 8 am–9 pm |
| June to August | 8 am–10 pm |
| October | 9 am–7 pm |
On event days the Arena may close earlier for sightseeing. Please check the times before your visit on the official website arenapula.hr or at the tourist information office.
Ticket prices (as of 2026)
- Adults: €10
- Children: €5 (under 5s free)
- Students and groups: €5
- Adult groups: €8.50
- People with disabilities: €5 (children €2.50)
You can buy tickets directly at the ticket office; tickets are also sold via ticketing websites. Please check prices locally.
What to expect at the Arena
The tiers and the view of the sea
From the preserved tiers you get a lovely view into the oval and out through the arches to Pula harbour. Take your time to walk all the way round.
The underground passages
In the passages beneath the Arena, once used by the gladiators, there is now an exhibition on wine and olive growing in ancient Istria – with reconstructed oil mills, presses, vessels and amphorae. On hot days the cool rooms also make a welcome break.
Gladiators and concerts
In summer the Arena regularly turns into a stage. The Pula Film Festival, concerts, opera, ballet and sporting events take place here. On selected evenings, the “Spectacvla Antiqva” re-enactments bring the age of the gladiators back to life. You will find the current programme at arenapula.hr and from the Pula tourist board.
Tips for your visit
- Best time of day: in summer, early in the morning just after opening or in the late afternoon. At midday it is hot inside the Arena and there is little shade.
- Allow enough time: one to one and a half hours is usually enough for the Arena itself.
- Hat and water: especially important in July and August.
- From the outside in the evening: even without a ticket, an evening stroll around the Arena is worthwhile.
- Parking: there are paid car parks near the Arena. In summer they fill up quickly during the day – it pays to arrive early.
Pula around the Arena
The Arena is the perfect starting point for a stroll around the city. Within a few minutes’ walk you can reach:
- Forum and Temple of Augustus: the ancient main square with the well-preserved Roman temple.
- Arch of the Sergii: the gateway to the old town.
- Kaštel: the hilltop fortress with views over the city and harbour; it houses the Historical and Maritime Museum of Istria.
- Market hall: the steel-and-glass hall was built in 1902/1903. Outside there is fruit and vegetables, inside fresh fish.
- Zerostrasse: tunnels from the First World War beneath the old town – ideal when it rains.
You will find more ideas for bad weather in our guide to a rainy day in Pula and Istria. If you want to swim after sightseeing, you will find the right coves in our guide to the most beautiful beaches in Pula.
Pula Arena with children
Children often find the Arena more exciting than expected. Tell them beforehand that gladiators fought here almost 2,000 years ago – and the walk through the underground rooms becomes a little voyage of discovery. Children under 5 get in free, and older children pay the reduced price (as of 2026). With a pushchair, however, the visit is hard work on the uneven, partly stony paths and steps; a baby carrier is more practical. If you are travelling with children, the Arena combines well with Pula Aquarium on the Verudela peninsula.
Concerts at the Arena: how to make the evening work
For many, a concert at the Arena is the highlight of their holiday – music under the open sky, surrounded by 2,000-year-old walls. A few tips:
- Get tickets early: big concerts sell out quickly. The season’s programme is on arenapula.hr and pulainfo.hr.
- Bring a seat cushion: the ancient stone steps get hard after two hours – ask beforehand whether cushions are allowed or offered on site.
- Travel without a car: on concert nights there is hardly a parking space to be found around the Arena. Bus or taxi is more relaxed.
- Arrive early: that gives you time for dinner in the old town before the show.
From Little Dream
From Little Dream in Pomer to the centre of Pula is around 9 km – according to Kroati.de, the bus station is about 8.5 km away. By car you are there in no time. Alternatively, a public bus runs from Pomer to Pula, which is particularly handy on concert nights when the car parks around the Arena are full. Our tip: the Arena in the morning, a konoba at lunchtime and the beach in the afternoon – or a concert in the evening. Another day trip from Pula takes you to Brijuni National Park.
Roman history and the sea in one holiday? Send an enquiry for Little Dream and plan your stay near Pula.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to enter Pula Amphitheatre?
According to the Pula tourist board, entry in 2026 costs €10 for adults and €5 for children; children under 5 go free. Students pay €5. Please check prices locally.
What was the amphitheatre in Pula used for?
In antiquity, gladiator fights and wild animal hunts took place here. Today the Arena is the setting for the Pula Film Festival, concerts, opera and ballet.
How long is the gladiator show in Pula?
The historical re-enactments "Spectacvla Antiqva" take place on selected evenings in summer. Dates and duration are listed in the current programme of Arena Pula and the tourist board.
When is the market in Pula, Croatia?
There is a market around the historic market hall on Narodni trg on most days, liveliest in the morning. The fish hall is mainly open in the morning until around midday. The market hall is just a few minutes' walk from the Arena.
