Dear travelers,
Why Pula and Brijuni Are Perfect for a Weekend in Istria
Pula makes a convenient base for exploring the southern part of Istria. The city has plenty of history and atmosphere, but you can also reach Fažana, Brijuni National Park and the Istrian countryside without spending half your weekend in the car.
Our three-day itinerary looked like this:
Day 1: Arrive in Pula and attend an event inside Pula Arena
Day 2: Drive to Fažana and take a guided trip to Brijuni National Park
Day 3: Visit Kumparička, an organic goat farm near Pula and spend the day on the beach in Medulin
Day 1: Attending a Party Inside Pula Arena
We originally chose Pula because we were attending a party in the Arena.
At night, the stone arches are illuminated, the music fills the space and the whole building feels alive again. It is one of those settings that makes you stop for a moment.
There is something almost cinematic about dancing beneath the open sky inside a Roman amphitheater. Imagine a scene somewhere between Gladiator and a summer music festival, only with considerably fewer swords.
Day 2: A Brijuni National Park Day Trip from Pula
After our late and lively evening in Pula, the next morning brought a change of pace. We were going to Brijuni National Park, an archipelago just off the coast of Istria.
The usual starting point for an official visit is Fažana, a small coastal town located around 20 minutes from Pula by car, depending on traffic. From there, a ferry takes visitors across to Veliki Brijuni, the largest island and the main focus of most day trips.
Driving from Pula to Fažana and the Parking Surprise
We drove to Fažana and left our car there while we visited the island. The drive itself was simple. The parking bill was the part that gave us a small plot twist.
We paid almost €30 for approximately seven or eight hours. It was not even a full day, so parking was definitely more expensive than we expected.
This does not mean you should avoid driving, but it is worth including parking in your Brijuni budget. If you are traveling during summer, arrive early enough to find a space.
You should also allow enough time to walk to the harbor and locate your ferry.
Guided or Self-Guided: Choosing Your Brijuni Ticket
When purchasing a ticket for Brijuni National Park, check which type of visit you are booking. Depending on the available program, you may be able to choose a guided excursion or explore more independently.
We selected the guided option. Our ticket included:
The ferry from Fažana to Brijuni and back
A guide waiting for the group upon arrival
A tour of the island on the tourist train
Visits to several of the main attractions
Free time to explore afterward
I found this format convenient because we did not have to organize every part of the day ourselves. The guided tour gave us an introduction to the island, and the free time meant the experience did not feel completely rushed or overly structured.
Before traveling, check the official Brijuni National Park information and confirm exactly what is included in the excursion you select.
Taking the Ferry from Fažana to Brijuni
The ferry journey from Fažana is part of the adventure. As the mainland becomes smaller behind you, the trip begins to feel like a proper island escape, even though you have not traveled very far from Pula.
Bring water, sun protection and comfortable shoes, especially during summer. Although the organized tour covers a good portion of the island, you will probably want to walk during your free time. It is also sensible to take a photo of the return schedule or set an alarm. Missing a bus is inconvenient; missing the last ferry from an island has considerably more dramatic potential.
Exploring Brijuni on the Tourist Train
When we arrived on Brijuni, our guide was waiting for us. We joined the group, boarded the tourist train and began exploring Veliki Brijuni.
The train is a relaxed way to get an overview of the island, particularly if it is your first visit. Instead of trying to work out where everything is, you can sit back, listen to the guide and watch the landscape pass by.
The Safari Park and Its Colorful Birds
One of the most entertaining stops was the Safari Park. We casually called it the small zoo, but Safari Park is its official name.
This part of Brijuni is especially fun for families, but you do not need to be traveling with children to enjoy it.
Tito’s History on Brijuni
The tour also introduced us to the island’s connection with Josip Broz Tito, the former president of Yugoslavia, who used Brijuni as a residence and hosted political leaders and famous guests there.
We visited the museum exhibition connected to this part of the island’s history. Even if you do not know much about Tito before arriving, the photographs and stories add another layer to Brijuni. It is not simply a beautiful island; it is also a place shaped by Roman history, European politics and some very unusual diplomatic gifts, including animals.
You do not need to turn your day trip into an intensive history lesson, but understanding this background makes the island much more interesting.
What Else Can You See on Brijuni?
Our visit focused on the guided route, the museum exhibition and the Safari Park. However, Brijuni has several other attractions that may be included in a longer visit or different tour, such as:
Roman and Byzantine archaeological remains
Dinosaur footprints preserved near the coast
Mediterranean gardens and walking routes
An ancient olive tree
Cycling paths and peaceful bays
Making the Most of Your Free Time
After the guided part of the excursion, we had some free time. This was a nice opportunity to slow down, take photographs and revisit the areas that had caught our attention.
Depending on how much time you have, you can:
Walk around the harbor and nearby paths
Stop for a drink or something to eat
Take more photographs of the landscape
Explore part of the island on foot
Rent a bicycle if your schedule allows
Simply sit down and enjoy the quiet surroundings
Keep an eye on the time and make sure you know which ferry you need to take back to Fažana.
Is the Guided Brijuni Tour Worth It?
For a first visit, I think the guided option is an easy and enjoyable choice. The ferry and tour are organized, the train helps you cover more of the island, and the guide provides context you would otherwise miss.
A self-guided visit may suit you better if you prefer complete flexibility, want to cycle extensively or already know exactly which attractions you want to see. But if you are spending only one day on Brijuni and would like a straightforward introduction, the guided tour works very well.
Day 3: Goat Cheese and Slow Living at Kumparička
On the final day of our weekend, we swapped Roman architecture and island history for something much more rural: Kumparička, a goat farm and farm to table experience around 20 minutes from Pula.
After two busy days, visiting the farm felt like lowering the volume. The setting was relaxed, the food was local and we could simply enjoy being in the Istrian countryside.
Kumparička offers special experiences such as sunset gatherings, marenda lunch, cheese tasting and dinners. It is not a conventional restaurant with a fixed menu or a long à la carte list. What you eat depends on the experience, the season and what is fresh and available.
In other words, this is not the place to arrive unannounced and request a customized five-course meal at 3:17 p.m. You need to plan ahead.
What We Ate at Kumparička
The food was delicious and fresh. Naturally, we tried the goat cheese, going to a goat farm and skipping the cheese would feel like visiting Paris and refusing to look at the Eiffel Tower.
The lack of a conventional menu is part of the charm. Instead of choosing from the same list every day, you experience food connected to the farm and the season. It feels personal and authentic rather than overly polished for tourists.
Reserve Your Kumparička Experience in Advance
Advance booking is essential because the farm runs scheduled experiences rather than standard walk-in restaurant service. Visit the official Kumparička booking page to see the current events, times and availability.
One Last Stop: The Beach in Medulin
After Kumparička, we were not quite ready to head home, so we decided to make one final stop in Medulin and spend some time at the beach.
Medulin is a popular seaside destination near Pula, and it seemed like an easy way to add a little beach time to the end of the weekend. To be completely honest, though, we did not like the beach that much. It was perfectly fine for a quick stop, but it did not have the atmosphere or scenery we had hoped for, especially after such memorable experiences in Pula, Brijuni and the Istrian countryside.
Practical Tips for a Weekend in Pula and Brijuni
Before you go, keep these tips in mind:
Book the main experiences in advance. Arena events, Brijuni excursions and Kumparička experiences can have limited availability.
Check your Brijuni ticket carefully. Confirm whether the ferry, guide and tourist train are included.
Arrive before your ferry departure. Leave time to park, walk to the harbor and find the correct boarding point.
Bring comfortable shoes and sun protection. Even with the train tour, you will probably spend time walking outside.
Check the weather and ferry timetable. Schedules and visitor programs can vary by season.
Do not arrive at Kumparička without a reservation. Choose an experience and book it through the farm’s website.
Leave a little room in the itinerary. Fažana, Brijuni and the Istrian countryside are all better when you are not watching the clock every five minutes.
Is a Weekend in Pula and Brijuni Worth It?
Absolutely, especially if you prefer trips built around experiences rather than a checklist of famous sights.
In three days, we attended a party inside one of the world’s most remarkable ancient amphitheaters, took a ferry to a national park, rode a tourist train, learned about an important chapter of regional history, ate fresh goat cheese on an organic farm and squeezed in one final beach stop in Medulin.
So, if you ever spot an event you love at Pula Arena, consider it your sign. Buy the ticket, turn it into a weekend and add Brijuni and Kumparička to the plan.
Sometimes the best itineraries really do begin with a party.
Truly yours,
The Creation of Us
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