The best time to visit Pula depends on what you want from your trip. Warm sea, long days and a full calendar of events run from June to September, but July and August are the busiest and hottest weeks of the year. If you want great swimming without the peak crowds and prices, the shoulder months are the local secret. And if you love history and food more than sunbathing, the quieter edges of the season are lovely in their own right. Here is the honest month by month picture.

When to visit Pula, month by month
Period	Weather and sea	Crowds	Verdict
April and early May	Mild and green, sea still cool for most	Very quiet	Great for sightseeing and food, early for swimming
Late May and early June	Warming fast, sea becoming swimmable	Still quiet	Excellent value with warm days and few people
Late June and July	Hot days, warm sea, long evenings	Busy	Peak swimming season and the festival calendar begins
August	Hottest air and warmest sea of the year	Busiest	Glorious but book everything well ahead
September	Warm, calm and the sea still holds summer heat	Easing off through the month	The best all rounder for many travellers
October	Cooling, some rain, still pleasant early on	Quiet	Good for city breaks and quiet coast walks

The local pick: June and September

Ask people who live here and most will point you to June or September. In both months the sea is warm enough for easy swimming, the days are long and sunny, and yet you get space to breathe, easier bookings and better prices than the very peak. September has a particular edge, because the sea has spent all summer warming up and holds its heat well into the month even as the crowds thin out. For a swimming and boating trip with a relaxed feel, it is hard to beat.

August, the trade off

August is genuinely beautiful, with the warmest water and a real buzz in the city, but it is also the busiest and most expensive time. Accommodation books up, the popular beaches and coves get crowded, and boat trips fill early. None of that is a reason to avoid it, but it is a strong reason to plan ahead. If August is your only option, reserve your stay, your restaurant tables and your boat day well in advance.

Timing your trip around the sea and the events

For the warmest swimming, aim for July, August or early September.
For the best balance of warm water and calm, choose June or September.
For history, food and low prices without the swimming focus, the spring and autumn edges are lovely.
For events under the Arena, including the summer film festival and concerts, July and August have the fullest calendar.

Book your boat day early in summer

Whenever you come, if a boat trip is on your list, lock in the date early in peak season, because the best days sell out. See our Pula boat tours to reserve your spot, plan the rest with the perfect Pula itinerary, and browse things to do in Pula for the full picture.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Pula?

June to September for swimming and boating. June and September are the sweet spots, giving you warm water and long days with fewer crowds and better value than peak August.

Is August too busy in Pula?

August is the busiest and hottest month, with the warmest sea but also the biggest crowds and highest prices. It is still wonderful, but book your stay, tables and tours well ahead.

When is the sea warm enough to swim in Pula?

Usually from June through September, with the warmest water in late July and August. September stays warm too, because the sea holds its summer heat as the crowds thin out.

What is the cheapest time to visit Pula?

Late spring and early autumn, such as May, June and September, offer better value than peak summer, with April and October cheaper still if you are happy to focus on the city rather than swimming.

Is it worth visiting Pula outside summer?

Yes, if history, food and quiet appeal more than beach days. Spring and autumn are mild and green, and the Roman sights are far more peaceful without the summer crowds.