Best Hotels With Rooftop Pools in Pula for Skyline Swims
Words by
Marija Horvat
Best Hotels With Rooftop Pools in Pula for Skyline Swims
I have spent more summers in Pula than I can count, and if there is one thing I keep coming back to, it is the magic of floating above the city with the Adriatic stretching out in one direction and the ancient Roman skyline in the other. Finding the best hotels with rooftop pools in Pula is not just about luxury, it is about perspective. From up there, you see the amphitheatre glowing at sunset, the harbour boats bobbing in the marina, and the green hills of Istria rolling into the distance. This guide covers every rooftop pool hotel Pula has to offer, along with a few infinity pool hotel Pula options and pool view hotel Pula properties that deliver the skyline swim experience you are looking for.
1. Park Plaza Histria Pula (Verudela)
Address: Verudelska ulica 17, 52100 Pula (Verudela neighbourhood, south of the city centre)
The Park Plaza Histria sits on the Verudela peninsula, about a 15 minute drive from Pula's old town. It is a large resort style property that caters heavily to summer tourists, but the rooftop pool area is where it genuinely earns its keep. The pool itself is not enormous, but the view across the Verudela Bay and back toward the city centre is the kind of thing that makes you forget you are in a chain hotel.
The Vibe? Busy and family oriented during July and August, but the rooftop pool area feels calmer than the main resort pool downstairs.
The Bill? Expect to pay between 120 and 250 EUR per night for a double room in peak season, depending on the view category you book.
The Standout? The sunset from the rooftop pool. Position yourself on the west facing edge and you get a direct line of sight to the sun dropping behind the hills near Medulin.
The Catch? The rooftop pool is relatively small for a hotel of this size, and by 11 AM the loungers are fully claimed. Get there early or you will be fighting for shade.
Local Tip: If you are not staying at the hotel, ask about day pass availability at the front desk. In June and early July they sometimes sell limited day access to the rooftop area for around 30 to 40 EUR per person, which includes a drink. This is not advertised online, so you have to ask in person.
What Most Tourists Do Not Know: The Verudela peninsula was a major Austro Hungarian naval base in the late 19th century. The hotel grounds sit near the old naval fortifications, and if you walk the coastal path just south of the property, you can still see remnants of the military bunkers half hidden in the pine forest.
2. Park Plaza Belvedere Pula (Verudela)
Address: Verudelska ulica 19, 52100 Pula (Verudela, right next to the Histria)
The Belvedere is the Histria's slightly more upscale sibling, and the rooftop pool here is a noticeable step up in terms of atmosphere. Where the Histria feels like a busy resort, the Belvedere rooftop has a more relaxed, almost boutique feel, with better furniture, a proper bar, and a pool that catches the afternoon light beautifully. This is the infinity pool hotel Pula visitors often photograph without even realising it is a separate property from the Histria next door.
The Vibe? Quieter and more adult oriented. Couples and small groups dominate the rooftop here.
The Bill? Rooms run from about 140 to 300 EUR per night in summer, with sea view suites at the top end.
The Standout? The infinity edge that faces the open sea. It is not a dramatic cliff edge infinity pool, but the waterline blends with the horizon in a way that photographs incredibly well in golden hour.
The Catch? The rooftop bar menu is limited. You will get decent cocktails and wine, but do not expect a full food menu up there. You will need to go downstairs for anything more than snacks.
Local Tip: The Belvedere and the Histria share some facilities, but the rooftop pools are strictly for Belvedere guests only. If you are staying at the Histria, you cannot access the Belvedere rooftop, and vice versa. Book accordingly if the rooftop pool is your priority.
What Most Tourists Do Not Know: The Belvedere was originally built in the 1970s as a Yugoslav era hotel and was completely gutted and rebuilt in the 2010s. The rooftop pool area is entirely a modern addition, and the engineering required to support it on the existing structure was significant. You are swimming on top of a building that was never originally designed to hold a pool.
3. Hotel Pula (City Centre)
Address: Sergijevaca 28, 52100 Pula (city centre, near the Forum and the Arch of the Sergii)
This is the most centrally located rooftop pool hotel Pula has in the old town itself. Hotel Pula sits on Sergijevaca street, just a two minute walk from the Roman Forum and the Arch of the Sergii. The rooftop pool is compact, more of a plunge pool than a swimming pool, but the location is unbeatable. You are literally in the heart of ancient Pula, and from the rooftop you can see the amphitheatre, the cathedral, and the Kastel fortress all at once.
The Vibe? Intimate and central. This is not a resort. It is a small city hotel with a rooftop surprise.
The Bill? Around 100 to 180 EUR per night in summer, which is reasonable for a central location.
The Standout? The view of the Roman Forum from the pool edge. There is nowhere else in Pula where you can float in a pool and look directly at a 2,000 year old Roman temple.
The Catch? The pool is small, really only suitable for cooling off and a few short laps. If you want a proper swim, this is not the place. Also, the rooftop area has limited seating, maybe six to eight loungers, so it fills up fast.
Local Tip: Book a room on the top floor if possible. Some of the upper floor rooms have small private terraces that face the Forum, and waking up to that view before heading to the rooftop pool is a genuinely special way to start the day in Pula.
What Most Tourists Do Not Know: The building that houses Hotel Pula was originally a 19th century Austro Hungarian townhouse. The rooftop was a flat service area for decades before the hotel conversion. During the renovation, workers found fragments of Roman pottery in the foundation, which makes sense given that Sergijevaca street follows the original Roman grid layout of the city.
4. Hotel Galija Pula (City Centre)
Address: Giardini 2, 52100 Pula (Giardini neighbourhood, just outside the old town walls)
Hotel Galija sits on Giardini street, right at the edge of the old town near the Portarata gate. It is a mid range hotel that has been renovated several times over the years, and the rooftop pool area is a pleasant surprise given the price point. The pool itself is modest, but the views across the old town rooftops and toward the harbour are lovely, especially in the late afternoon when the light turns everything gold.
The Vibe? Relaxed and unpretentious. This is a solid mid range option with a rooftop bonus.
The Bill? Around 90 to 160 EUR per night in summer, making it one of the more affordable rooftop pool options in central Pula.
The Standout? The proximity to the old town. You can swim, dry off, and be standing in the Forum within five minutes.
The Catch? The rooftop area is not large, and the pool is more of a large plunge pool. There is no rooftop bar, just a small seating area. If you want a full poolside service experience, look elsewhere.
Local Tip: The Giardini neighbourhood is where many of Pula's long term expats and returning diaspora families live. The cafes and bakeries on Giardini street are where locals actually eat, not the tourist restaurants on the Forum. Grab a burek from the bakery two doors down from the hotel for a proper Istrian breakfast before heading to the pool.
What Most Tourists Do Not Know: The Portarata gate, which is literally steps from the hotel entrance, was one of the original Roman gates of Pula. The street layout inside the gate has not changed in over 2,000 years. When you walk from Hotel Galija into the old town, you are walking the same path that Roman citizens walked to enter the city.
5. Amfiteatar Pula (City Centre)
Address: Amfiteatarska ulica 6, 52100 Pula (Flanatic neighbourhood, directly facing the amphitheatre)
This is the pool view hotel Pula visitors dream about. Amfiteatar is a boutique property on the street that runs along the south side of the Roman amphitheatre. The rooftop terrace has a small pool and a view of the amphitheatre that is so close you can count the arches. It is one of the most photographed rooftop settings in all of Istria, and for good reason.
The Vibe? Boutique and atmospheric. You are sleeping next to one of the best preserved Roman amphitheatres in the world.
The Bill? Around 130 to 220 EUR per night in summer, with premium for amphitheatre facing rooms.
The Standout? The amphitheatre view from the rooftop pool. At night, when the arena is lit up, the view is extraordinary. During the day, you can watch the maintenance workers on the arena floor from above.
The Catch? The pool is very small, essentially a large hot tub with a view. It is not for swimming. Also, the street below can be noisy during summer festival season when concerts are held in the amphitheatre. Sound carries directly up to the rooftop.
Local Tip: If you are here during the Pula Film Festival in July, book well in advance and request a rooftop facing room. Watching a film in the amphitheatre from your private terrace, then cooling off in the rooftop pool afterward, is one of the best experiences Pula offers. The festival has been running since 1954 and is one of the oldest film festivals in Europe.
What Most Tourists Do Not Know: The amphitheatre you are looking at from the pool was built between 27 BC and 68 AD, during the reign of Emperor Augustus and later expanded under Emperor Vespasian. It is the sixth largest surviving Roman amphitheatre in the world and one of the best preserved. The stone used to build it was quarried locally, and you can still see the quarry marks on some of the blocks if you look closely from the rooftop.
6. Hotel Scaletta Pula (City Centre)
Address: Flavijevska 26, 52100 Pula (old town, near the Archaeological Museum)
Hotel Scaletta is a small, family run property on Flavijevska street in the old town. It does not have a rooftop pool in the traditional sense, but it does have a rooftop terrace with a small plunge pool and views across the old town rooftops toward the harbour. It is the kind of place that feels like a secret, and the rooftop area is quiet even in peak summer.
The Vibe? Quiet, personal, and old school. This is a family hotel where the owner might personally recommend where to eat dinner.
The Bill? Around 80 to 140 EUR per night, making it one of the most budget friendly options with any kind of rooftop water feature in central Pula.
The Standout? The personal touch. The family that runs this hotel has lived in Pula for generations, and their knowledge of the city is encyclopaedic. Ask them about the best beaches and they will draw you a map.
The Catch? The plunge pool is tiny, really just for dipping your feet and cooling off. The rooftop terrace is also small, with limited seating. This is not a resort experience.
Local Tip: Flavijevska street is named after Emperor Flavius, better known as Vespasian, who ruled during the period when the amphitheatre was expanded. The street itself follows the original Roman decumanus, the main east west road of the ancient city. Walking down Flavijevska is walking on a 2,000 year old road plan.
What Most Tourists Do Not Know: The building that houses Hotel Scaletta was originally a merchant's house from the Venetian period, when Pula was part of the Republic of Venice from the 14th to the 18th century. Some of the original stonework is still visible in the ground floor walls, including a carved Venetian lion that was partially defaced during the Napoleonic period.
7. Residence Veruda Pula (Verudela)
Address: Verudelska ulica, 52100 Pula (Verudela peninsula)
Residence Veruda is an apartment complex on the Verudela peninsula that has a shared rooftop pool area. It is not a hotel in the traditional sense, but several of the apartments are rented out as short term holiday lets, and the rooftop pool is a genuine draw. The pool is larger than most of the hotel rooftop pools in the city centre, and the views across Verudela Bay are expansive.
The Vibe? Casual and residential. This feels like staying in a holiday apartment rather than a hotel, which some people prefer.
The Bill? Apartments range from about 70 to 150 EUR per night depending on size and season, making this one of the most affordable ways to get a rooftop pool experience in Pula.
The Standout? The pool size relative to the price. For what you pay, the rooftop pool here is larger and more swim friendly than most hotel options.
The Catch? The apartment complex is basic. Do not expect hotel service, concierge, or room service. You are self catering, and the rooftop area has minimal furniture. Bring your own towels and snacks.
Local Tip: The Verudela peninsula has some of the best swimming beaches in the Pula area, including Ambrela Beach and Valkane Beach, both within a 10 minute walk of Residence Veruda. Use the rooftop pool in the morning, then head to the beach in the afternoon for a proper sea swim. The contrast between pool and sea swimming in the same day is one of the pleasures of staying on Verudela.
What Most Tourists Do Not Know: The Verudela peninsula was largely undeveloped until the 1970s, when it was built up as a tourist resort during the Yugoslav period. Before that, it was mostly pine forest and military installations. The Austro Hungarian navy used the peninsula as a defensive position, and the concrete bunkers that dot the coastline are still there, slowly being reclaimed by the forest.
8. Hotel Albatros Pula (Stoja)
Address: Stoja 37, 52100 Pula (Stoja neighbourhood, south of Verudela)
Hotel Albatros is on the Stoja peninsula, south of Verudela and about a 20 minute drive from the old town. It is a larger resort style property with a rooftop pool area that offers views across the Kvarner Gulf. The pool is decent sized, and the rooftop terrace is one of the more spacious ones in the Pula area, with plenty of loungers and a small bar.
The Vibe? Resort style and family friendly. This is a place where people stay for a week and use the hotel as a base.
The Bill? Around 100 to 200 EUR per night in summer, with all inclusive options available.
The Standout? The rooftop terrace size. Compared to the cramped rooftop pools in the old town, this one feels generous. There is room to actually relax without being elbow to elbow with other guests.
The Catch? The location is far from the old town. You will need a car or a taxi to reach the amphitheatre and the Forum, which adds cost and time to your day. The Stoja area itself is mostly residential and not particularly interesting for walking around.
Local Tip: The Stoja peninsula has a small fishing harbour where local fishermen sell their catch in the mornings. If you are self catering in the apartments, arrive at the harbour by 8 AM and you can buy fresh fish directly from the boats. It is cheaper and fresher than any restaurant in town, and the fishermen will clean and fillet it for you.
What Most Tourists Do Not Know: The Stoja peninsula was the site of a major shipyard during the Yugoslav period, building vessels for the Yugoslav navy. The shipyard closed in the 1990s, and the area has been slowly converting to tourism ever since. Some of the old shipyard buildings are still visible along the coast, massive concrete structures that now serve as an eerie backdrop to what is otherwise a peaceful residential area.
When to Go and What to Know
The rooftop pool season in Pula runs from roughly mid May to late September, though some hotels open their rooftop areas as early as April if the weather cooperates. July and August are peak months, and rooftop pools at the more popular hotels will be crowded from mid morning onward. If you want a lounger with a view, aim for June or September, when the weather is still warm enough for comfortable swimming but the crowds thin out significantly.
Most rooftop pools in Pula are heated to some degree, but the water temperature in May and early June can still be bracing, especially in the morning. The sweet spot for comfortable swimming is usually between 11 AM and 4 PM, when the sun has had time to warm the water and the air temperature is at its peak.
Sunscreen is essential. The Istrian sun is strong, and rooftop pools offer minimal shade. I have seen more than one tourist turn lobster red after falling asleep on a lounger at a pool view hotel Pula. Bring a hat and reapply sunscreen every two hours.
Tipping at hotel rooftop bars is not mandatory but is appreciated. Rounding up the bill or leaving 10 percent is standard practice. Most rooftop bars accept credit cards, but it is worth having some cash on hand for smaller purchases.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days are needed to see the major tourist attractions in Pula without feeling rushed?
Three full days is the minimum for covering the amphitheatre, the Temple of Augustus, the Forum, the Kastel fortress, the Archaeological Museum, and the Zerostrasse underground tunnels at a comfortable pace. With four to five days, you can add day trips to the Brijuni Islands and the Kamenjak nature park near Medulin without feeling pressed for time.
Is Pula expensive to visit? Give a realistic daily budget breakdown for mid-tier travelers.
A mid-tier traveler should budget approximately 100 to 150 EUR per day, covering a mid-range hotel (80 to 120 EUR), two meals at casual restaurants (25 to 40 EUR), local transport and incidentals (10 to 15 EUR), and one paid attraction (5 to 10 EUR). This does not include car rental or boat excursions, which would add 30 to 60 EUR per day.
What is the average cost of a specialty coffee or local tea in Pula?
A specialty coffee, such as a flat white or a pour over, costs between 2.50 and 4.00 EUR at most cafes in the city centre. Local herbal teas, often made with Istrian sage or chamomile, are priced between 2.00 and 3.50 EUR. A standard espresso remains affordable at around 1.50 to 2.00 EUR.
What is the standard tipping etiquette or service charge policy at restaurants in Pula?
Service charges are not automatically added to restaurant bills in Pula. Tipping is customary but not obligatory, with most locals rounding up the bill or leaving 5 to 10 percent for good service. At rooftop hotel bars, leaving 10 percent or rounding up to the nearest whole amount is standard practice.
Are credit cards widely accepted across Pula, or is it necessary to carry cash for daily expenses?
Credit and debit cards are accepted at the vast majority of hotels, restaurants, and shops in Pula, including all the rooftop pool hotels covered in this guide. However, it is advisable to carry 30 to 50 EUR in cash for small purchases at market stalls, bakeries, and some smaller cafes that may have minimum card payment thresholds or prefer cash transactions.
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