Pula and its surroundings offer a wide range of options for a summer holiday, from well-maintained city beaches and quiet pebble coves to natural coastline framed by pine forests and rocky landscapes. Located by the sea on the Monumenti peninsula, Hotel Monumenti is a beach hotel in Pula with direct access to its own pebble beach, so guests can relax by the sea without leaving the hotel complex. A spacious sun deck, beach bar and views of Polesana Marina and the Brijuni Islands create the perfect setting for peaceful days by the water.
Guests who want to explore beyond the hotel beach will find many well-known beaches around Pula, including Valkane, Ambrela, Havajsko, Zlatne stijene and Gortanova Cove. Nature lovers can head to Cape Kamenjak or take a trip to the Brijuni Islands, where swimming can be combined with discovering a protected natural and cultural landscape.
Whether you are looking for a quiet cove for a family swim, a well-equipped beach with extra facilities or an unspoilt coastline to explore, Pula offers options for every kind of holiday.
Hotel Monumenti Beach – a pebble beach right beside the hotel
One of Hotel Monumenti’s highlights is its spacious private pebble beach, located directly in front of the hotel complex. Direct sea access allows guests to move easily between their accommodation and the shore throughout the day, without driving or searching for parking. An arranged sun deck beside the beach offers a place to sunbathe and enjoy the sea views.
The beach is surrounded by the peaceful scenery of Pula Bay, with views towards Polesana Marina and the Brijuni Islands. The setting offers a different experience from busier city bathing areas, while the nearby hotel facilities make it easy to spend the whole day by the sea. The pebble shore is suitable for relaxing and swimming; as on many Adriatic beaches, water shoes are recommended for more comfortable entry into the sea.
Right by the shore is Mon Beach Bar, a seasonal beach bar where guests can take a break with a refreshing drink or cocktail. Its location makes it easy to enjoy a short pause by the sea without leaving the sun deck area. Opening times and the offering depend on the season.
Water quality is one of the main reasons the Adriatic coast is so appealing for swimming. The hotel highlights the clear sea in front of its beach on its official website, although conditions may change depending on the weather and other local factors. It is therefore always worth checking the latest conditions at the location.
The hotel beach is especially convenient for couples seeking a quieter break, families who value being close to both their accommodation and the sea, and guests who want to combine swimming, sunbathing and hotel facilities throughout the day. For anyone looking for a beach hotel in Pula, having a beach right on site means more time to relax and less planning around daily trips to the shore.
Take a break from the sun: pool, sauna and wellness
A summer holiday by the sea does not have to mean spending all day on the beach. On particularly hot days, when the sun is strongest, or when the weather is not ideal for outdoor swimming, the hotel’s wellness facilities offer another way to relax and stay active.
Hotel Monumenti has a heated indoor pool and jacuzzi, allowing guests to enjoy the water all year round. The wellness area includes Finnish and steam saunas, experience showers and a relaxation area. Guests can also use a modern gym, while massages and selected treatments are available to book for an additional fee.
A day by the sea can be planned at your own pace. The morning is ideal for swimming and sunbathing on the hotel beach, followed by lunch and refreshments at Mon Beach Bar. In the afternoon, when temperatures rise, guests can continue relaxing by the indoor pool or in the wellness area, with a sauna and treatments designed for relaxation.
For greater privacy, the Private Spa is also available, featuring a Finnish sauna, experience shower and private jacuzzi. It is a good option for couples and guests who want to set aside time to unwind in a more intimate setting.
The combination of beach, pool, wellness facilities and gym helps guests maintain a balance between activity and relaxation during their stay, whatever the weather.
Pula’s city beaches – up to 15 minutes from the hotel
In addition to the hotel beach, Pula and its coastline offer many swimming spots with different shorelines, facilities and atmospheres. Most of Pula’s best-known city beaches are in the Verudela, Lungomare and Stoja areas, and many can be reached by car from Hotel Monumenti in around 15 minutes, depending on traffic and the destination. When choosing the best beaches in Pula, consider whether you prefer pebbles, rocks, natural shade or more facilities.
Valkane is one of Pula’s best-known city beaches, located beside the Lungomare promenade. Its pebble and developed beach areas, nearby cafés and restaurants, and the opportunity to walk along the sea make it a practical choice for guests who want to combine swimming with time in the city. It is popular with locals and visitors and can be busier during the summer months.
Ambrela, located in Verudela, is a well-known pebble beach with relatively easy access to the sea and surroundings that appeal to families. Food and drink venues are nearby, while the natural setting and accessible shoreline make it a popular choice for a full day by the sea. The beach is also known for its Blue Flag, an international award given to bathing areas that meet established criteria for water quality, environmental management, safety and visitor information.
Havajsko, also known as Havajska Beach in Verudela, stands out for its picturesque cove surrounded by rocks and sea that takes on vivid turquoise shades in calm weather. The rocky setting and natural entry points give it a distinctive character. It is popular with younger visitors and experienced swimmers, but the rocky shore and possible waves mean it is important to pay attention to swimming conditions.
Zlatne stijene attracts visitors with its distinctive rocky coastline, flat stone surfaces suitable for sunbathing and pine forest that provides natural shade. Unlike traditional pebble beaches, visitors here tend to relax on stone terraces and enter the sea from the rocks. It is an appealing option for those who prefer a more natural setting and want to avoid the busiest developed beaches.
Gortanova Cove lies along the Lungomare and is a small pebble cove surrounded by rocks and pine trees. The gradual entry into the sea in its central pebble section makes it suitable for families, while the surrounding promenade is ideal for a pleasant walk before or after swimming. Natural shade is an added benefit on hot days, although the limited space can make the cove busy during peak season.
Stoja and Valsaline offer further opportunities to explore Pula’s coastline. The Stoja area has a mix of rocky and pebble shoreline, while Valsaline includes several coves and swimming spots along the Lungomare. These locations suit guests who want to discover different stretches of coast, although facilities, natural shade and amenities vary from one cove to another.
Pula’s beaches vary in terms of sea access and available facilities. When choosing one, it is worth considering who is travelling, what type of shoreline they prefer and whether they plan to stay for a few hours or the whole day.
Cape Kamenjak – wild beaches in southern Istria
For guests who want to explore a more natural coastline away from city beaches, Cape Kamenjak is one of the best-known destinations in southern Istria. Located at the southern tip of the Istrian peninsula near Premantura, this protected landscape is known for its rugged coastline, many small coves, rocky plateaus and clear sea. It is around a 30-minute drive from Hotel Monumenti, depending on traffic and the exact location you wish to visit.
Unlike developed city beaches, Kamenjak does not have one central beach, but a series of natural swimming spots spread along the coast. Visitors can choose from small coves, rocky areas for sunbathing and places where the sea is reached over natural rock surfaces. This variety makes it possible to explore different parts of the coast on one trip, but requires a little more preparation.
Walking and cycling routes run through the area, allowing visitors to discover the landscape and reach individual coves. During the summer months, motor vehicles entering the Donji Kamenjak and Medulin Archipelago protected landscape are charged an entrance fee, while access on foot or by bicycle is free. Check the latest entry conditions and any restrictions before visiting.
In July and August, arriving early is recommended to avoid the biggest crowds and make parking easier. Since much of the coastline is natural and rocky, bring water shoes, plenty of drinking water, sun protection and everything else you need for a day at the beach. Facilities are limited in some locations, so it is best to plan your trip in advance.
Kamenjak is a great option for guests who want to combine swimming with time in nature and exploring the coastline.
Brijuni – swimming in a national park
The Brijuni Islands are among the best-known natural and cultural attractions on the Istrian coast and are approximately six kilometres from Hotel Monumenti as the crow flies. The island archipelago and surrounding waters were declared a national park in 1983, offering visitors a unique combination of natural heritage, history and Mediterranean scenery.
Veliki Brijun can be reached by boat from Fažana, with daily services operating according to the current sailing schedule. Departure times vary by season, so it is advisable to check the latest information and book tickets through the official Brijuni National Park website before your trip.
A trip to Brijuni can include a visit to the safari park, a look at the Roman villa in Verige Bay and exploration of numerous historical and natural sites. Dinosaur footprints have also been found on the islands, making them particularly interesting for families with children and natural history enthusiasts. Along with organised tours, visitors can enjoy walks and discover the island landscape.
Swimming is permitted only in locations and under conditions allowed by the national park regulations. Before visiting, check the latest information on designated swimming areas and the protection of natural heritage. As this is a protected area, it is important to follow all instructions and restrictions that apply on the islands and in the surrounding waters.
A visit to Brijuni can be a full-day excursion combining nature, history, recreation and time by the sea. Guests at Hotel Monumenti can ask reception about arranging transport to Fažana or additional excursion services. This can make a day spent on the islands a memorable part of a holiday that goes beyond a conventional stay.
A stay at Hotel Monumenti offers the chance to make every holiday day different, from relaxing on the hotel’s pebble beach and enjoying a drink at the beach bar to exploring city coves, the natural coastline of Cape Kamenjak and the Brijuni Islands. Whether you prefer a peaceful day by the sea or an active exploration of the Istrian coast, the best beaches in Pula and the surrounding area let you shape your holiday at your own pace.
