Pula: Culture, Coast and Nature

Pula offers different options when choosing where to stay: Nora and its architectural history on one hand, and the coast, lagoon and nature on the other. If you are looking for hotels in Pula, you can start by asking yourself which of these aspects interests you most. The historic sites differ in their construction dates, forms and functions; at the lagoon, birdwatching and outdoor activities take centre stage.

Nora and its architectural history

The Torre del Coltellazzo, also known as Torre di Nora, stands on a small headland above the Gulf of Nora and the remains of the ancient Punic-Phoenician city. The limestone tower is about twelve metres high and sits more than 50 metres above sea level. Its characteristic shape is a truncated cone. This provides a clear architectural description and an immediate connection to Nora and the coastal landscape.

Villa Santa Maria was built in 1838 to a design by the architect Gaetano Cima in the Palladian neoclassical style. It was built on the ruins of the old church of Santa Maria Pipia along what is now Viale Nora in Pula. Both the 19th-century building and the earlier church site are therefore part of its history. The villa has occasionally been opened to the public for special cultural events or other events. If you plan to visit when it is open, check in advance whether it will be open on your chosen date.

The church of Sant’Efisio di Nora also shows how older materials were incorporated into the history of a building: it was rebuilt in Romanesque form in the late 11th century, using sandstone and limestone from ancient Nora. For 2026, the programme provided for the procession to reach Nora on the evening of 2 May; a procession at sea was planned for 3 May. The sequence connects Nora with two different stages of that year’s festival programme.

Cultural sites in present-day Pula

Casa Frau is a Campidanese house on the central Piazza del Popolo. Today, the building serves as the municipality’s cultural centre and houses the municipal library and the Pro Loco Pula office. These functions connect the historic house type with present-day municipal cultural life. For a stay focused on local architectural heritage, Casa Frau offers a different point of interest from the ancient remains or religious buildings.

The Giovanni Patroni Civic Archaeological Museum preserves important finds from Nora. Its collection spans the period from the Phoenician landing through the Roman city to the late antique city. This sweep brings different periods of Nora’s history into focus and complements the surviving buildings with archaeological finds.

In the former royal praetorium and former town hall, Ex Pretura Regia – Ex Municipio, a prison cell and the council chamber have been preserved in good condition. The focus here is on two specific rooms in a historic administrative building. Together with Casa Frau and the museum, these sites reveal a broad cultural heritage: from a former public building to a municipal house still in use today, and to finds from Nora.

Lagoon, beach and landscape

The Nora Lagoon offers opportunities for birdwatching thanks to its rich coastal birdlife. It was home to one of the most densely populated Audouin’s gull breeding areas in Europe. Along with observing nature, you can enjoy outdoor walks and canoe trips: by canoe, you can travel among the lagoon’s islets and channels. This natural area therefore offers both quiet observation and activity on the water.

The descriptions of the two beaches each emphasise different features. Su Guventeddu is a one-kilometre-long beach with fine sand in the northern part of the Gulf of Nora; its shallow sandy seabed is another characteristic feature. Nora Beach, by contrast, is described in terms of its clear, shallow water and opportunities for swimming, diving and underwater fishing. When planning your trip, you can therefore distinguish between beach features and the specific water activities mentioned.

The nature theme also includes Is Cannoneris, known as the Foresta Demaniale di Pula, or Pula State Forest. Alongside the coastal and lagoon scenery, the forest and landscape offer another distinct focus. When choosing what to do, you can weigh up the cultural sites, birdlife and different coastal features according to which you want to shape your stay in Pula.

Discover more destinations: San Sperate, Quartu Sant'elena, Sitò, Donori, Capitana, Monserrato, Olia Speciosa, Sant'Isidoro

For the broader travel overview: Cagliari.