On the doorstep of Nora’s ancient ruins, Pula is a small town on the banks of the Pula River. It’s surrounded by beautiful beaches and tower-topped promontories and is near Cagliari’s Old Town and archaeological museum.

Things to do

Explore the ancient ruins of Nora, a pre-Roman town believed to have been founded by the Phoenicians in the 8th century BC. Follow the cobblestone streets to Piazza del Foro at the heart of the city and admire the 1,000-seat amphitheatre, then marvel at the mosaic-lined terraces of Aesculapius’s sanctuary.

Relax on the nearby sands of Spiaggia di Nora, a beautiful bay flanked by two promontories and watched over by the Torre del Coltellazzo. If you want an active day at the beach, head east to Spiaggia di Su Guventeddu, a popular spot for kitesurfing and windsurfing.

Make a day trip to the capital of Sardinia, Cagliari, where the charismatic Old Town is watched over by the medieval quarter of Castello. Admire the 13th-century Cagliari Cathedral, which exhibits a Pisan-Romanesque style, and soak up the city views from the Torre dell’Elefante, a historic limestone tower decorated with an elephant sculpture.

If you’re interested in the archaeological history of Sardinia, visit the Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Cagliari, which is housed in the city’s former arsenal. In addition to bronze artefacts and Roman ceramics from the Nuragic Age, it features a reconstructed Phoenician settlement, Byzantine jewels and the ancient inscription of the Nora Stone.

Getting around

Pula is around 35 minutes’ drive from Cagliari and Cagliari Elmas Airport, which offers flights from London, Milan and Amsterdam. Pula is small enough to explore on foot, while buses connect it to the surrounding towns and villages.