Local Insight:Pula’s Arena is one of only six Roman amphitheaters in the world still standing with all four side towers intact. For centuries, its stones were “quarried” by locals to build houses, until a Venetian governor put a stop to it in the 16th century, saving this monumental landmark.

Pula’s Forum, the main square, sits atop the original Roman forum. The Temple of Augustus here is one of the best-preserved Roman temples outside Italy. Look closely at the City Hall building next to it—its ground floor incorporates columns from the original Roman twin temple that once stood beside it.

The “Twin Gates” you’ll see are actually part of a 2nd-century Roman wall. But the real secret is in the courtyard inside. It houses a small, often-missed archaeological collection with fragments of Roman daily life, quietly tucked away from the main tourist path.

Walking Pula is like flipping through a living history book. In just a few steps, you can move from the roar of the Roman Arena to the whispers of a Venetian alley, then to the buzz of a modern café in a Habsburg-era square. It’s all connected, and a great guide makes those layers come alive.