Do You Need a Car in Pula? What Works Without One and What Doesn't
Updated October 17, 2026 · 4 min read
The answer first. If you are staying in Pula and your days are mostly on the water, skip the car: the cave kayak tour and the Brijuni island visit start from Pula itself. Hire one if you want Cape Kamenjak on your own timetable, the hill towns of inner Istria, or several stops in one day. If you want the inland day without driving, the guided inner-Istria trip replaces the rental.
Four trips, and what each one asks of you
| Trip | Duration | From | Rating | Starts in | Car needed? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cave kayak tour with snorkelling | 3 hours | €26.98 | 4.6 (1,899 reviews) | Pula | No |
| Brijuni island visit with dolphins | 5.5 hours | €40 | 4.4 (1,026 reviews) | Pula | No |
| Full-day boat trip from Medulin | 5 hours | €45 | 4.4 (582 reviews) | Medulin | You must reach Medulin |
| Guided inner-Istria day | 8 hours | €92 | 5.0 (98 reviews) | Pula | No, transport is part of it |
What you can do on foot, by bus or by taxi
The Arena, the Forum and the waterfront are close enough to each other to cover on foot, and the guided old-town walks on GetYourGuide run about an hour and a half. Pula airport lists a shuttle bus into the city, taxis and rental desks on its own website, so arriving without a car is routine. For a trip to Poreč, a bus operated by Arriva Croatia takes 1 hour 30 minutes according to its listing.
The catch is the Medulin boat day: it leaves from Medulin, not from Pula, so you need to work out how to get there from your accommodation before you book it.
Where a car starts costing you
Parking is the first one. Pula organises its street parking in paid zones, and the nearer you get to the Arena, the more restricted it becomes, so check the signs and the operator’s current tariff rather than assuming a space at your door.
Cape Kamenjak is the second. According to the reserve’s own website, motor vehicles pay an entrance fee in summer, while pedestrians and cyclists enter free, and drivers must stay on marked roads and use the designated parking areas. The motorway is the third: the Istrian Y is tolled, so ask the rental company or check the operator’s price list before you plan a long day.
Who should decide differently
A family with a toddler gains the most from a car, because naps, snacks and a child seat live in the boot; just arrange the seat with the rental company when you book. A couple without a licence loses little: boats, kayaks and the guided inland day all include transport or start in town. If you are in port for a few hours on a cruise, don’t rent at all and walk.
To judge the cost for a day inland, price one day of hire in the comparison, then add fuel, parking and tolls. For four people the guided inner-Istria trip comes to €368 in total (4 × €92), so a car only wins when you want to choose the stops.
If you want to compare, see car hire in Pula and read the excess and deposit terms before booking.
Our recommendation
For most visitors based in Pula, no car. Book the cave kayak tour for the sea and the guided inner-Istria day for the hill towns, and hire a car only if you want to string together several of these places yourself.
