Excellence Luxury Villas · Pula
Luxury Villa Rentals in Pula
Villas with private pools between the olive groves and the Adriatic, a short drive from a Roman arena
As featured in
A Roman city at the tip of Istria
Pula has a Roman amphitheatre in the middle of town, and it still puts it to use. The Arena was built in the first century AD and its outer wall is still standing. On summer nights it fills for concerts, and every July it hosts the Pula Film Festival, which has been held here since 1954. Around it is a working port city at the southern tip of Istria, with Habsburg naval buildings, a covered market hall and a coastline of coves shaded by pines.
Most of our 60+ villas are just outside the city. Some are in the stone villages and olive groves around Vodnjan, Peroj and Svetvinčenat, and others are nearer the sea at Fažana, Štinjan and Premantura. There are restored Istrian stone houses and clean-lined modern ones, nearly all with private pools, and a good number also have saunas or hot tubs.
What follows is a short guide to the city, the countryside behind it and the best months to come.
Pula at a glance
- Villas
- 60+ in and around Pula, with up to 8 bedrooms
- Guide prices
- Typically £1,200 to £1,900 a week, from around £1,000
- Best areas
- Vodnjan and the olive country, Fažana and Peroj, Premantura and the Kamenjak cape
- Highlights
- The Roman Arena, Brijuni National Park and the coves of Cape Kamenjak
- Airport
- Pula, around 6 km from the city, with seasonal direct flights from the UK
Villa numbers and guide prices are updated daily from our live collection.
Kuca Zminj Pula: Spacious 7-Bedroom Modern Villa with Private Pool & Sauna in Historic Istrian Location7 bedrooms
Villa Istra Croatia4 bedrooms
Villa Mure Croatia8 bedrooms
Kuca Salvela Vodnjan: Spectacular 6-Bedroom Modern Villa with Private Pool Games Room & Sauna Near Pula6 bedroomsWhere to stay in Pula
Pula itself for the Arena and the old town, Vodnjan and Svetvinčenat for olive country and quiet stone villages, Fažana for the Brijuni boats, and Premantura for the coves of Cape Kamenjak.
Roman stones and Habsburg docks
Start with the Arena, and go early in the morning before the coaches arrive. From there it is a short walk through the old centre to the Forum, where the Temple of Augustus still stands. Close by is the Arch of the Sergii, a triumphal gate that once led into the Roman town.
Pula was the main base of the Austro-Hungarian navy, and much of the later architecture dates from that time. James Joyce taught English here for a few months in 1904 and 1905, and a bronze statue of him sits outside a café near the arch. For everyday Pula, spend a morning at the covered market hall, where Adriatic fish is laid out on ice.
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Stone villages, olive oil and saints
A few kilometres north of the city, Vodnjan is at the heart of southern Istria's olive country. Its small producers press some of Croatia's most admired oils. The parish church of St Blaise has the tallest bell tower in Istria. Rather more unusually, it also holds a collection of mummified saints, which draws pilgrims and the plainly curious alike.
Further inland, Svetvinčenat has a Venetian-era castle above one of the most handsome squares in Istria, and holds a dance festival in summer. Villas out here tend to be stone farmhouses and newer houses among olive groves and dry-stone walls. They are quiet at night and still within about half an hour of the coast.
Browse villas near Svetvinčenat
Islands to the north, a wild cape to the south
Fažana is a small fishing town just north of Pula. Boats leave its quay for the Brijuni islands, a national park that was once Tito's summer retreat. On Veliki Brijun you can see Roman villa ruins, a safari park and dinosaur footprints in the rock.
At the other end of the peninsula, past Premantura, Cape Kamenjak is a protected stretch of low cliffs, scrub and clear coves with no hotels. Take water, get there early in August and swim from the rocks.
Explore Istria
Truffles, Malvazija and a warm September
Istrian cooking leans towards Italy. Expect fuži pasta with truffles, slow-cooked maneštra soup, air-dried pršut and grilled Adriatic fish. The white truffle season runs through the autumn. Malvazija, the local crisp white, and Teran, its sturdy red, are on almost every wine list.
June to September is the swimming season. July and August are the warmest and busiest months, especially during festival week. May and late September are quieter and better for walking and cycling. Our concierge can arrange Brijuni boat days, truffle hunts, tastings with Vodnjan's olive oil producers and transfers from Pula airport.
Ask our conciergeFeatured villas in Pula
Kuca Verudela Pula: Exclusive 6-Bedroom Beachfront Villa Complex with Private Pool Just 50m from Adriatic Coast6 bedrooms · sleeps 12From £2,497 a week
Kuca Montona Vodnjan: Spectacular 5-Bedroom Modern Villa with Private Pool & Sauna in Historic Istria5 bedrooms · sleeps 10From £2,467 a week
Kuca Cabrunici Pula: Luxury Four-Bedroom Villa with Private Pool & Countryside Views near Pula Croatia4 bedrooms · sleeps 8From £2,095 a week
Villa Tajana Croatia4 bedrooms · sleeps 8From £2,072 a week
Kuca Adris Premantura: Spectacular 5-Bedroom Family Villa with Private Pool Near Kamenjak Nature Park5 bedrooms · sleeps 10From £1,964 a week
Kuca Silba Pula: Modern 3-Bedroom Villa with Private Pool & Hot Tub near Pula Center Croatia3 bedrooms · sleeps 6From £1,893 a week
Kuca Scirocco Banjole: Luxury 5-Bedroom Villa with Private Heated Pool & Hot Tub in Istria Croatia5 bedrooms · sleeps 10From £1,833 a week
Villa Ema Croatia3 bedrooms · sleeps 6From £1,816 a weekWhy book your Pula villa with Excellence Luxury Villas
The right house, not the nearest one
Pula's villas are spread across olive country, the coastal suburbs and the southern cape, and we know which are a short drive from a swimming cove and which are best for a quiet week inland. With 60+ properties in Pula, we can usually find the house that suits you rather than the one that happens to be free. Search by size, pool, location and price, or tell us what you have in mind and we will put together a shortlist.
Book direct
You book with us directly, with no booking fees. Questions about access, parking, pool heating or how far it really is to the nearest beach go to people who can find out the answer.
A concierge who knows the territory
Boat days to Brijuni and Kamenjak, tickets for concerts in the Arena, truffle hunts, wine and olive oil tastings, private chefs, car hire and transfers from Pula airport. Our concierge team arranges all of it, leaving you free to decide which terrace to sit on.
A house for every kind of party
Couples, families with small children, three generations together or a crowd of friends celebrating a birthday: we match the house to the group, down to the number of bathrooms and whether the pool is fenced.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the best place to stay near Pula?
Vodnjan and the villages around it are best for olive groves, space and quiet, with the coast a short drive away. Fažana and Štinjan put you close to the sea and the Brijuni boats. Premantura is the choice for coves and Cape Kamenjak.
When is the best time to visit Pula?
June to September is best for swimming, with July and August the hottest and busiest months. The Pula Film Festival fills the Arena each July. May, late September and October are quieter, and the autumn brings the truffle season.
Can you visit the Brijuni islands from Pula?
Yes. Boats to Brijuni National Park leave from Fažana, a short drive north of Pula, and the crossing is short. Book ahead in summer, or ask our concierge to arrange the trip.
Can you arrange a private chef at a villa in Pula?
Yes. Our concierge can arrange a private chef for a single dinner or your whole stay, along with cookery lessons, guided visits, transfers and restaurant reservations.
How much does a luxury villa in Pula cost?
Across our 60+ villas in Pula, weekly rates typically range from £1,200 to £1,900, with the most affordable from around £1,000 a week and the largest estates well above. Prices depend on the size of the property, its location and the season, with July and August the most expensive. These are guide prices based on current listings; each property page shows its own rates for your dates.
How do I get to Pula from the UK?
Pula airport is around 6 km from the city and has seasonal direct flights from several UK airports. The flight from London takes a little over two hours. Our concierge can arrange transfers or car hire.
Are there villas in Pula for large groups?
Yes. Our Pula collection includes properties with up to 8 bedrooms. Tell us the size of your party and the occasion, and we will send a shortlist that suits it.
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Find your villa in Pula
60+ villas around Pula, from olive country to the coast, booked direct with our concierge on hand