TICKETS & TOURS 2025
ARENA PULA
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ARENA PULA
Step into ancient Roman history as you visit the Pula Arena, one of the best-preserved Roman amphitheaters in the world. Built in the 1st century AD during the reign of Emperor Vespasian, this impressive stone structure once hosted gladiator fights and could hold over 20,000 spectators. Located in the heart of Pula, a coastal city in Croatia’s Istrian peninsula, the arena stands as a symbol of the city’s rich cultural and historical heritage.
Overlooking the Adriatic Sea, the Pula Arena offers a unique blend of ancient architecture and stunning views. Today, it hosts concerts, film festivals, and other cultural events, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. As one of Croatia’s most iconic landmarks, we recommend booking your Arena Pula tickets online in advance, especially during summer, when events and tourist numbers peak.
Arena Pula: Skip-the-line tickets & guided tours
Check out our best skip-the-line options for Arena Pula!
skip the line ticket
Arena Pula Skip-the-Line Tickets
Discover the ancient Roman amphitheater with Pula Arena priority entry tickets. Get access to the amphitheater and the underground gladiator area. See real Roman-era artifacts and explore 2,000 years of history at the permanent exhibition. With Pula Amphitheater tickets, you’ll get a complete and easy visit to this iconic landmark. Secure your entry tickets today and step into history!
Live Tour Guide
Arena Pula Guided Tour
Join a Pula Arena tour and step inside a 2,000-year-old ancient amphitheater. See where 20,000 people once watched gladiatorial battles. Walk through all four original towers, and explore underground tunnels with Roman artifacts. Hear real stories about its past and transformation into a cultural center from a live guide. Reserve your spot on the tour and explore Pula’s most iconic landmark up close!
Site of the gladiator battles
The Pula Arena is one of the greatest monuments of the Roman Empire still standing today. Built during the 1st century AD under Emperor Vespasian, it was designed not for defense but for spectacle – a place where thousands of spectators gathered to watch fierce gladiator battles and public games. Pula Arena is one of the few Roman amphitheaters in the world with a fully preserved outer wall and underground chambers still accessible to visitors. This makes it a rare and powerful window into the past.
Inside Pula Arena
Inside the Arena, the central floor was used for gladiator fights, animal hunts, and public events. Beneath it is a system of underground corridors and rooms, known as the hypogeum. This space was used to store weapons, keep wild animals, and prepare fighters before battle. Some parts had wooden platforms and trapdoors that helped lift animals into the arena, adding surprise to the shows. When visiting Arena Pula, visitors will be able to walk through these underground chambers. They feature exhibits on Roman life, amphitheater construction, and the world of gladiators. It offers a rare look at what happened behind the scenes of ancient Roman entertainment.
Good to know before visiting Arena Pula
- The Arena is open daily, with extended hours during summer. Mornings and late afternoons are usually less crowded.
- The Arena occasionally closes earlier (around 5 PM) on event days due to concerts or other performances. Always check the official schedule before planning your visit.
- Most parts of the Arena are accessible, but some areas with uneven stone surfaces may be difficult for visitors with limited mobility.
- Photography is allowed, so bring your camera or phone – especially during golden hour.
- Restrooms and a small souvenir shop are available inside the site.
- Large backpacks or luggage aren’t allowed inside. Travel light or use nearby lockers if needed.
The story behind Pula Arena
A BUILDING WORTH SAVING
In the 15th century, the Venetian Senate considered dismantling the Arena stone by stone and transporting it to Venice for reuse. The plan was never carried out. This was largely due to high costs and early preservation efforts by locals who recognized its cultural value.
MEDIEVAL MULTIPURPOSE VENUE
After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the Arena was used as a shelter, stable, and even as a marketplace. During the Middle Ages, knights held tournaments inside, giving the structure a new role in local society.
CHRISTIAN MARTYRDOM LEGEND
Local legends claim that early Christians were executed in the Arena, although no archaeological or historical evidence confirms this. Still, the story lives on and is part of local oral history.
MILITARY USE DURING WWI
During World War I, the Arena was used by the Austro-Hungarian army to store military equipment. It remained structurally unharmed despite the wartime activity.
ROMAN UNDERGROUND
The hypogeum (underground area) features original stone channels used for drainage, as well as storage areas for props, wild animals, and weapons. Some trapdoors and lifting mechanisms were likely operated manually by stage crews hidden below the arena floor.
NO STAGE TOO BIG
The Arena’s acoustic and visual structure has allowed it to successfully host performances by global stars such as Luciano Pavarotti, Elton John, Andrea Bocelli, and 2Cellos, making it a living cultural monument.
A SYMBOL ON CURRENCY
The Arena once appeared on the 10 kuna banknote, a sign of its national cultural importance in Croatia prior to the country’s adoption of the euro.
Want to learn more about Pula Arena?
Book our recommended Pula Arena tour or ticket!
skip the line ticket
Arena Pula Skip-the-Line Tickets
Discover the ancient Roman amphitheater with Pula Arena priority entry tickets. Get access to the amphitheater and the underground gladiator area. See real Roman-era artifacts and explore 2,000 years of history at the permanent exhibition. With Pula Amphitheater tickets, you’ll get a complete and easy visit to this iconic landmark. Secure your entry tickets today and step into history!
Live Tour Guide
Arena Pula Guided Tour
Join a Pula Arena tour and step inside a 2,000-year-old ancient amphitheater. See where 20,000 people once watched gladiatorial battles. Walk through all four original towers, and explore underground tunnels with Roman artifacts. Hear real stories about its past and transformation into a cultural center from a live guide. Reserve your spot on the tour and explore Pula’s most iconic landmark up close!