A rental car from Pula Airport (PUY) makes Istria one of the easiest Croatian regions for day trips because the main roads, parking areas, and ferry ports are all within short driving distance of Pula. For arrival-day pickups, many renters use the arrival hall terminal main hall at the airport in Valtursko polje, and some suppliers offer no-shuttle pickup directly at the terminal. The table below gives the shortest practical one-way drive from central Pula, not scenic detours or ferry waiting times. For reference, Pula to Rovinj is usually 36 km via the D75, Pula to Fažana is about 5 km, and Pula to is roughly 120 km with a border crossing. The official city and park references for parking, tourism, and roads are, and For parking in Pula itself, check the city operator and zone rules on because the 2026-04-01 update set Zone 1 at €3/hour in summer and Karolina lot at €4/hour. If you are returning late to the city, the Karolina lot Dobrićeva garage, and area are the most practical car-handling options near the Old Town. day trip from Pula to Rovinj is the simplest coastal outing because the D75 connects the two towns in about 30-50 minutes for 36 km. Rovinj’s Old Town is pedestrian-only, so the trip works best with parking at or the lot and then walking to the Forum Square -style waterfront lanes around the harbour. Parking in Rovinj is easiest before 09:00, and the practical price range is usually €3-4 per hour in high season. The official tourism and town references on highlight the Old Town core, while the city’s own urban layout keeps cars outside the historic streets. Use the Valdibora lot for the shortest walk to Rovinj’s centre, or choose the Mlin lot if you want a slightly cheaper place to leave the car for a longer lunch stop. Restaurant Maestral: This waterfront restaurant suits a Rovinj lunch because it sits by the sea and works well for a 1-2 hour stop after parking at Valdibora. A typical meal here is easiest to combine with the Old Town walk and a harbour photo stop. Mali Raj: This quieter option fits travellers who want a more traditional meal away from the busiest harbour strip. The main caveat is that summer lunch service can still be busy, so a reservation is sensible on weekends. A useful detour on the return leg is Lim Bay / Limski Kanal, where the viewpoint adds a short scenic break without changing the main route much. Rovinj is also a strong option for visitors staying near, or the Pula centre because the round trip is short enough to keep the whole day flexible. Brijuni National Park is only 5 km from Pula to Fažana, but the national park itself is reached by ferry because private cars are not allowed on the islands. The island chain has 14 islands, and the visitor route starts in Fažana, where the parking area by the ferry terminal is usually around €5-7 per day in summer. The official park operator, recommends online ticket booking, and a standard adult round trip is often about €20-30 depending on season and tour type. The ferry normally takes about 15 minutes to Veliki Brijun, and the park visit usually takes 5-6 hours if you want time for the safari park, Roman remains, and Tito’s former residence. Park Logistics: Book on before you arrive, especially in July and August. Electric carts are available on the island, but availability is limited and advance booking helps. Visitors commonly combine the safari park, dinosaur footprints, and archaeological sites in one loop. Missing the last ferry back from Brijuni can create a long wait in Fažana, so check the seasonal timetable on before you drive from Pula. The Brijuni trip works especially well for travellers staying in Pula near Verudela peninsula, or, because the drive to Fažana is short and the ferry schedule remains manageable in a single day. A drive into the centre of Istria turns a beach holiday into a hill-town itinerary, and the classic route from Pula runs about 80 km to Motovun and Grožnjan. The inland roads cross the Istrian peninsula Istarska županija, and the landscape is famous for truffles, vineyards, and medieval stone towns rather than Motovun is the main stop because its Old Town sits on a hill and bans ordinary car traffic at the top. Most drivers park at the lot at the base, then walk uphill for about 15 minutes to the walls and the old centre. Truffle shops such as Karlić Tartufi are a practical purchase stop, and the town’s restaurants often feature truffle pasta, fuži, or eggs in season.