Car Hire at Pula Airport

Airport travel guide

Although the peninsula of Istria is mainly known for its coastline with most British visitors heading straight for one of the Adriatic villages or resorts, the region’s main city, Pula, is also a great destination to visit. Located on the southwestern coast of the peninsula, it has been inhabited since the Neolithic period and consequently offers plenty in terms of architecture, culture, and atmosphere. Here’s our pick of the most interesting places to visit in and around Pula:

• Arena. The main symbol of the city, the Pula Arena is an impressive amphitheatre built by the Romans. Standing in its place since the first century, it’s such an important part of the local heritage that its image was even used on Croatian banknotes. Nowadays a popular tourist attraction — and frequently used as a concert venue — it is best visited in the early hours to avoid the crowds.
• Pula Aquarium. Located inside the impressive Veredula fortress, Pula Aquarium is made up of a number of interesting exhibitions. Visitors can learn about the flora and fauna of the Adriatic sea as well as see exotic fish, reptiles, and mammals from around the world. In addition to the aquarium, there is also a marine turtle sanctuary that can be visited.
• Rovinj. For centuries, Istria has been home to both Croatian and Italian communities, a cohabitation leading to the development of an interesting culture. Even more than in Pula, this can be experienced in the charming town of Rovinj which is officially bilingual and where Italian is the mother tongue of a significant number of locals. Enjoy the local restaurants and the historic city centre, but also pay a visit to the open-air market where you can buy olive oil and seafood from local farmers and fishermen. Located just 35 km (22 miles) from Pula, Rovinj can be reached in about 40 minutes.
• Učka Nature Park. Named after a mountain range in the northeastern part of Istria, Učka is one of the nicest nature areas in the region. Bordered by the picturesque Kvarner Bay, it is famous for its karst formations, hiking trails, and picturesque views. The nature park is only an hour-and-15-minute drive from Pula and can thus be visited as a day trip, but there are also accommodation opportunities inside the park and in the nearby resort town of Opatija.
• Rijeka. Although not part of the Istria region, Rijeka is the closest large Croatian city – and a great destination to consider. Known for its busy artistic and cultural life, the city is also known for its architecture that highlights the various eras of its history. A car trip northeast of the Pula Airport takes about 90 minutes, with many exciting Istrian detours to potentially consider on the way.

Top international routes

• Zagreb
• Zadar
• Split
• Osijek

Main airlines

Croatia Airlines, easyJet, TUI Airways, Jet2.com, Scandinavian Airlines, and Eurowings

Terminals

The single airport terminal is divided into two halls, one for departures and one for arrivals

Location

Pula Airport is about 7 km (4.3 mi) northeast of Pula.

Most popular types of hire car

• Small cars - starting at US$8 per day
• Medium cars - starting at US$13 per day
• SUVs - starting at US$13 per day
• Station wagons - starting at US$14 per day
• Large cars - starting at US$14 per day
• Premium cars - starting at US$87 per day
• People Carriers - starting at US$53 per day
• Convertibles - starting at US$101 per day

Car hire desks

Most are located near the arrivals hall and easily found by following the signs.

Services and facilities

You’ll find a couple of shops, including a duty-free outlet, as well as food stands and a coffee shop. There are also ATMs, a currency exchange, a business lounge, a lost and found office, a baby changing room, and a children’s playroom. The airport is partially equipped for travelers with reduced mobility, and special assistance is offered, but be sure to contact your airline in advance if you’d like this service. You can find more information on the airport's official website.

Nearest petrol station

Crodux, located at Mutilska ul. 58, can be reached in about 12 minutes and is open 24/7.

Popular one-way hires

• Rijeka (109 km / 68 miles)
• Rovinj (36 km / 21 miles)
• Ljubljana (204 km / 127 miles)
• Zagreb (269 km / 167 miles)
• Trieste (122 km / 76 miles)
• Zadar (407 km / 253 miles)