Is Brijuni worth visiting? The honest answer from people who live and sail here is yes, as long as you know what you are signing up for. Brijuni is not a beach resort and it is not a theme park. It is a green, quiet, slightly surreal archipelago with a backstory unlike anywhere else on the Adriatic, and for the right traveller it is one of the most memorable days in Istria.

Here is the context that makes it special. For decades in the twentieth century these islands were the private summer residence of Josip Broz Tito, the president of Yugoslavia. World leaders, film stars and heads of state were entertained here. Exotic animals arrived as diplomatic gifts, and their descendants still live in the safari park today. That layer of history sits on top of Roman ruins, dinosaur footprints and some genuinely lovely swimming water. It adds up to a place that feels like nowhere else.

What you actually get on Brijuni
Highlight	Why it is worth your time
Safari park	Zebras, antelope and other animals descended from creatures gifted to Tito, roaming open enclosures on Veliki Brijun
Roman and Byzantine ruins	A real Roman country villa in Verige bay and a Byzantine castrum by the shore, right on the water
Dinosaur footprints	More than two hundred tracks pressed into the coastal rock, roughly one hundred million years old
Tito era history	A vintage Cadillac, an exhibition of the golden years, and the strange calm of a former presidential retreat
Swimming and coves	Clear, sheltered water and quiet bays, best reached and enjoyed by boat
Nature and birdlife	Meadows, ancient olive trees and one of the greenest landscapes on the Istrian coast

Who will absolutely love it

Families are the biggest winners. The safari park and the dinosaur footprints turn what could be a dry history trip into a real adventure for children, and the flat, easy paths make it stress free with young kids or grandparents. History lovers get Roman, Byzantine and twentieth century layers in a single afternoon. And anyone tired of crowded beach days will appreciate how calm and green the islands feel compared with the mainland in August.

Who might want to skip it

If all you want is to sunbathe and swim, and history and wildlife leave you cold, Brijuni may feel too structured and too far. In that case the wild coves of Cape Kamenjak or a straightforward swimming and snorkelling boat trip will make you happier. Brijuni rewards curiosity more than it rewards a pure beach agenda.

How long do you need?

The standard national park programme on Veliki Brijun runs about four hours, which covers the safari park, the ruins and the main exhibition at a steady pace. A boat day from Pula can be a half day or a full day depending on how much swimming you want to build in. Either way, treat Brijuni as a proper day out rather than a quick stop.

The best way to do it

The official ferry from Fazana drops you into the guided walking tour, which is the way to see the safari park and ruins up close. But if you want swimming, snorkelling and a real chance of dolphins on the crossing, go by boat from Pula instead. On our Pula boat tours you cruise out to the islands, anchor in the quiet bays and swim where the scheduled crowds never reach.

Still weighing it up? Read how to get to Brijuni from Pula for every route and price, check Brijuni tickets and what to see, and when you are ready, see all our Pula boat tours.

Frequently asked questions

Is Brijuni worth it for families?

Very much. The safari park, the dinosaur footprints and the flat, easy paths make it one of the best family days near Pula, with enough history to keep adults interested too.

How long do you need on Brijuni?

The guided national park programme runs about four hours. A boat day from Pula can be a half or full day, depending on how much swimming and dolphin watching you want to add.

Can you swim on Brijuni?

Yes. There are quiet, sheltered bays with clear water. A boat trip from Pula lets you anchor and swim where the guided walking tour does not reach.

What is the difference between Brijuni and Kamenjak?

Brijuni is a guided national park with a safari park, ruins and history, best for families and history lovers. Cape Kamenjak is wild, unguided coast with sea caves and cliff jumps, best for swimmers and adventurers.

Is Brijuni too touristy?

No. Because daily numbers are capped, the islands stay calm and green even in peak season, which is part of what makes them worth the trip.