🇭🇷 Pula, Croatia
Cool Book Hostel
📍 12, Valica, Pula, 52100
Your stay — Cool Book Hostel
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Pula.
The Property — Cool Book Hostel
Cool Book Hostel leans into a social, bookish vibe with a bright communal lounge, shared dorms and private doubles. The lobby feels like a student union common room crossed with a second-hand bookshop, and the bulletin board is pinned with pub-crawl sign-ups and recommendations from past guests. It suits solo budget travellers and young couples who want to meet people without staying in a typical party hostel. The USP is the free walking tour they run daily from the front desk, which actually covers Pula’s backstreets, not just the Forum.
Chronicles of Pula
Pula was founded by the Histri tribe before becoming a key Roman colony, most famously leaving the Arena—the sixth-largest surviving Roman amphitheatre. Its successive rulers—Byzantines, Venetians, Austro-Hungarians—layered fortresses, churches and administrative buildings onto the ancient core. The city’s shipyard boomed under the Austrians and later Yugoslav socialism, giving Pula a gritty industrial edge that contrasts with its Roman heritage. After Croatian independence, tourism slowly replaced dock work, and today Pula markets itself as a laid-back alternative to Dubrovnik, with a lively summer festival scene and a growing food-and-wine reputation.
Best Time to Visit
Full Pula guide →Best months
May, June and September: warm enough for swimming (sea temps 18–24°C), fewer crowds than July and August, and hotel rates still reasonable.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are the busiest, thanks to school holidays and the Pula Film Festival (July–August) screening films in the Arena. Room prices at hostels like Cool Book roughly double from June rates; book by March to avoid disappointment.
Budget shoulder season
Late April and early October are the smart budget choices: sunny days (20–25°C), low-season hostel prices, and just a few cruise-ship days ramping up the streets.
Weather & packing
July in Pula is Mediterranean hot (average high 30°C), but a strong bura wind can suddenly cool the evening—so pack a light jumper. Explicit rule: never wear open-toe sandals on a walking tour of the Roman ruins; the limestone flags get blistering by 11am.
Live City Briefing — Pula
- The main bus station at Šijana has a new electronic timetable board as of May 2026, but local buses to Fažana and the Brijuni ferry now run less frequently due to driver shortages; check the Pula Promet app before heading out.
- The Pula Wine Festival (early July 2026) takes over the Forum with Istrian Malvazija and Teran tastings; it can cause street closures around the old town from 4pm.
- The aquarium at the old Austro-Hungarian fort is open late until 9pm throughout July, and they’ve just added a touch-pool with local Adriatic species.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Cool Book Hostel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the top floor (likely 3rd or 4th) facing the rear courtyard away from Valica street. These will be quieter with less street noise from the narrow road and nearby traffic.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the lower floors (ground or first) facing the street. Valica is a residential road but can have morning delivery trucks and pedestrian traffic outside the hostel entrance. Also avoid rooms directly above the common area or bar if the hostel has one.
Best views
Rooms on the upper floors facing south or west may offer glimpses of the old town rooftops or distant sea views (Pula is coastal). Street-side rooms give views of the residential street and nearby buildings, not spectacular.
Quietest floors
Top floor rooms (3rd or 4th) away from the street side are quietest due to minimal foot traffic above and distance from ground-level noise.
🔊 Noise notes
Valica is a side street off a main road (Ul. Valdebeccara) so expect light traffic during the day and occasional night-time activity from nearby bars or late arrivals. The old town is a 10-minute walk, which can bring foot traffic returning late. No major noise sources like train or airport nearby.
Insider tips
1. Parking in Pula is limited – ask the hostel about their arrangement or use the nearby paid lot on Valica. 2. Request a room with a fan (if available) as older buildings may lack AC; the top floor can get hot in summer. 3. Check in by 2pm to secure the best room allocation, as 3-star hostels often assign first-come.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: crkva Gospe od Milosti (665 m · ~8 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Metro — 1.1 km · ~13 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
Ljekarna Irena Grahovac — 1.6 km · ~20 min walk
Kaufland — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
Autobusni kolodvor Pula — 1.9 km · ~24 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use ATMs in the city centre; avoid exchange bureaux at Pula Airport and tourist spots near the arena — they give poor rates.
Cards accepted in most shops, restaurants and hotels; contactless and mobile pay are common in Pula. Keep cash for smaller kiosks and markets.
Round up the bill in restaurants (5-10% for good service); no need to tip taxis or hotel staff, but leaving a couple of euros is appreciated.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A standard espresso at a local bar — about €1.50.
A bakery or fast-food burek with a drink — around €6-8.
A main course at a casual konoba or pizzeria — approximately €10-15.
Look for bakeries (pekara) and fast-food stands near the market square or along the main promenade for affordable cevapi, burgers, or pizza slices.
Konzum and Lidl are common budget supermarkets in the 52100 area.
For high-street basics, the shopping centres (like Max City or the city centre) have chain stores; the Saturday market on the Forum has second-hand stalls.
Walk or use the local bus network; a single ticket is about €1.80, a day pass €5. From the airport, take the Pula Airport Bus (€5) — taxis are overpriced.
Eat where locals queue at lunchtime — avoid restaurants with big menus in multiple languages. Buy groceries at Lidl and self-cater breakfasts. Skip bottled water; tap water is safe and free.
Emergency Contacts
PulaThe single European emergency number 112 connects you to police, ambulance, and fire services in Croatia. For non-urgent police matters, dial 192. Tourist police in Pula: +385 52 529 444.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Pula, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Cool Book Hostel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk — pharmacy · Ljekarna Irena Grahovac — 1.6 km · ~20 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Pula Bus Station → Stop 'Omir Hotel' (line 1)
💡 Buy a single ticket from kiosks (Tabak shop or ulica Giardini) – cheaper than on bus. Line 1 is direct but bus can be crowded in summer; walk if fit – 20 mins flat route.
Pula City Centre → Omir Hotel
💡 Bolt is more reliable in Pula than Uber; check both apps. For a late return from town, walk to a main road like Giardini – drivers rarely enter small side streets.
Pula Airport → Omir Hotel (Rovinjsko naselje 14)
💡 Call +385 52 223 228 for a fixed price quote – avoids haggling. Drivers sometimes overcharge tourists; confirm price before getting in.
Pula Airport → Pula Bus Station (near centre)
💡 Bus runs only when flights land: check the timetable at pula-airport.hr because after midnight you'll need a taxi. Buy ticket from driver (cash, exact change best).
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Cool Book Hostel?
Request a room on the top floor (likely 3rd or 4th) facing the rear courtyard away from Valica street. These will be quieter with less street noise from the narrow road and nearby traffic.
Which rooms should I avoid at Cool Book Hostel?
Avoid rooms on the lower floors (ground or first) facing the street. Valica is a residential road but can have morning delivery trucks and pedestrian traffic outside the hostel entrance. Also avoid rooms directly above the common area or bar if the hostel has one.
Is Cool Book Hostel noisy?
Valica is a side street off a main road (Ul. Valdebeccara) so expect light traffic during the day and occasional night-time activity from nearby bars or late arrivals. The old town is a 10-minute walk, which can bring foot traffic returning late. No major noise sources like train or airport nearby.
Which rooms have the best views at Cool Book Hostel?
Rooms on the upper floors facing south or west may offer glimpses of the old town rooftops or distant sea views (Pula is coastal). Street-side rooms give views of the residential street and nearby buildings, not spectacular.
What are insider tips for staying at Cool Book Hostel?
1. Parking in Pula is limited – ask the hostel about their arrangement or use the nearby paid lot on Valica. 2. Request a room with a fan (if available) as older buildings may lack AC; the top floor can get hot in summer. 3. Check in by 2pm to secure the best room allocation, as 3-star hostels often assign first-come.
What time is check-in at Cool Book Hostel?
Check-in at Cool Book Hostel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Where can I eat cheaply near Cool Book Hostel?
A bakery or fast-food burek with a drink — around €6-8.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Cool Book Hostel?
Walk or use the local bus network; a single ticket is about €1.80, a day pass €5. From the airport, take the Pula Airport Bus (€5) — taxis are overpriced.
When is the best time to visit Pula?
May, June and September: warm enough for swimming (sea temps 18–24°C), fewer crowds than July and August, and hotel rates still reasonable.
Top Attractions in Pula
💡 Look for the Roman reliefs of military trophies on the south side. Best photographed early morning, when the sun hits the white limestone and few tourists are around.
💡 Visit just before sunset to avoid crowds and see the stone glow gold. The surrounding park has benches where you can sit with a takeaway coffee.
💡 Combine with the adjacent Forum square, where the Saturday morning market sells cheap local produce. The temple's facade looks best in late afternoon light.
💡 Grab a burek from a bakery on the way and eat it on a bench near the fountain. Free public toilets are in the park's southwest corner.
💡 Bring a light jacket—it's 12°C year-round. Visit on weekday mornings to have the tunnel almost to yourself. Exit near the Hill of Kastel for a free viewpoint of the city.