National Park Brijuni

Brijuni National Park is a group of fourteen islands and islets scattered just off the Istrian coast, facing the small town of Fažana and a short drive from Pula. It is one of Croatia's most distinctive destinations, blending Roman-era ruins, roaming wildlife, and a twentieth-century political history that still shapes how the islands look today.

How do you get to Brijuni from Pula?

The archipelago can only be reached by boat — there is no bridge or car ferry connecting it to the mainland. The easiest route is to drive to Fažana first, about twenty minutes from Pula, where official national park boats depart for Veliki Brijun, the main island. Once ashore, visitors don't roam freely on foot; instead, a tourist train or rented bicycles carry guests around the fixed sightseeing route.

What is there to see on the islands?

The centerpiece of any visit is the safari park on Veliki Brijun, home to elephants, zebras, llamas and other animals that trace back to exotic gifts once brought by visiting heads of state. Beyond the animals, the ruins of a first-century Roman villa sit in Verige Bay, a Gothic chapel dedicated to St Germain dates back to the fifteenth century, and dinosaur footprints preserved in exposed rock slabs offer a glimpse of the islands millions of years before any of that history began. Veliki Brijun also holds one of the oldest golf courses in this part of Europe, along with tennis courts and shaded walking paths running through carefully maintained parkland.

Why does Brijuni have such an eventful past?

The islands owe their present shape to Paul Kupelwieser, an Austrian industrialist who bought them in 1893 with the goal of turning a neglected, malaria-ridden stretch of coast into a fashionable retreat. Working with the scientist Robert Koch, he managed to drain the marshes and eliminate the disease, clearing the way for Brijuni to become a favored getaway for the European elite at the turn of the century. After the Second World War, the islands became the summer residence of Yugoslav leader Josip Broz Tito, who hosted foreign politicians, diplomats and film stars there from 1949 until his death in 1980 — traces of those encounters survive today in the park's exhibitions and preserved buildings.

When is the best time to visit?

The national park operates year-round, but the fullest schedule of boat connections and guided tours runs from May to September, when conditions are best for walking and cycling around the site. Spring and early autumn suit travelers who prefer to avoid crowds and midsummer heat while still enjoying comfortable conditions for exploring the park's wide grounds.

Frequently asked questions

Can you sail to Brijuni on a private boat? Access to the islands is tightly controlled by the national park administration, so visits happen through organized tours departing from Fažana, with private boat docking kept to a minimum.

How long does a visit to the park take? A standard tour from Fažana, including the tourist train ride around Veliki Brijun and stops at the safari park and Roman ruins, typically lasts around four hours.

Is it possible to stay overnight on the islands? Veliki Brijun has hotels, making a longer stay away from the mainland possible, though most visitors opt for a day trip from Pula or Fažana instead.

What else, besides the safari park, is worth seeing with children? Kids tend to be most excited by the dinosaur footprints pressed into the rocks and the animals in the safari park, while older children also enjoy the stories behind the Roman villa and Tito-era meetings at the top of world politics.