Bus from DUSSELDORF to PULA

Dusseldorf

The Rhine City is a popular destination for city-dwellers, especially among young people. During the summer time, Düsseldorf captivates with its beautiful Rhine river promenade and in winter with the Christmas markets. Among the following popular attractions in Dusseldorf you will find other attractions that give the special charm to the city.

The Rhine Tower: Dusseldorf's landmark is the Rhine Tower, which can be seen from both sides of the Rhine and from afar. With 240.50 meters it is the tallest building in the city and the tenth television tower in the Federal Republic. Built from 1978 to 1982, the Rhine Tower is now the carrier of radio and VHF antennas and serves as a viewing platform at the same time. The largest digital clock in the world is located on its side facing the old town. Another special feature are the panoramic windows of the tower, which allow the direct view of the tower.

The Rhine promenade: On the weekend, the promenade on the banks of the river Rhine becomes a pedestrian mile. In numerous restaurants you can taste the Rhinish cuisine and watch the hustle and bustle on the Uferstraße. The Freitreppe on the Burgplatz is also a place to relax. The Rhine promenade became popular in 1990. The design of the promenade has already received numerous awards, among others in the year 1998 with the Deutsche Städtebaupreis. The lakeside promenade is also the venue for some annual events such as the Dusseldorf Marathon, or the large fireworks on the occasion of the Dusseldorf fairgrounds. Only a few steps away is the Old Town of Dusseldorf, also a popular attraction for locals and visitors to Düsseldorf.

The Königsallee: The Königsallee in Dusseldorf's inner city is one of the most famous luxury shopping destinations in Europe. The numerous cafes, shopping malls, shops and jeweleries are the main attraction of Dusseldorf and visitors from all over the world come here. Located directly on the river Düssel, you can stroll and relax here. Already built in 1804 as a promenade on the eastern city wall, the Königsallee was already a favorite boulevard and celebrated its 210th anniversary last year. Today, Kö, as it is also called, is also a popular venue. Every year there are literary festivals, running events and a place where some carnival walks take place.

The Media Harbour: The Rhine determines the cityscape and cultural life of the city. At Düsseldorf Media Harbour, over the past twenty years, an architecturally attractive area has been created. Used as a commercial and inland port before 1990, the harbour is now the home of many renowned media companies, which earned it the name Media Harbour. Renowned tenants are Antenne Düsseldorf, the WDR and the film and media foundation NRW. Since the 2000s there are also some shops and around 40 restaurants, cafés and clubs. Despite the 600 companies located here, Media Harbour is the most sparsely populated area in Düsseldorf, with just under 100 inhabitants. However, a planned residential development is intended to change this fact. Also worth seeing is the Landtag building as well as already-mentioned the Rhine tower, which is located in the eastern part of the harbor.

The Old Town: Although the second smallest district of Dusseldorf, the old city is one of the most popular places in the city. During the day, attractions such as the Hofgarten, the town hall and the adjacent Rhine river invite visitors wander through the old town. In the evening it becomes a party of celebrations. More than 300 pubs, restaurants and clubs can be found on half a square kilometer. The many festivals gave the old town the nickname "the longest bar in the world". A must for a short visit to Dusseldorf  is the visit of the house brewery "Zum Uerige" near the Rhine. Also in the historical district are the market square and the castle tower.

The Benrath Castle: The castle of Benrath was commissioned in 1773 by the Elector Karl Theodor of the Palatinate as a widow's seat of the Electress. The leading architect was Nicolas de Pigage, the architect of numerous Baroque buildings and castles. In addition to the pleasure castle, the castle grounds also include the hunting park, some ponds and a canal system. The castle now houses the Museum of European Gardening, a Natural History Museum and the Stiftung Castle und Park Benrath. Tickets are available for 9 euros, with an ocassional discount 6 euros.

The Wildpark Düsseldorf: There is a number green areas in Dusseldorf, but the most popular of all of them is the Wildpark in the Grafenberger Wald. The entrance to the Wildpark is free of charge all year round. The enclosure, already built in 1927, now covers 40 hectares, with around 100 animals. In addition to wild boars, visitors can admire red-breasted and muffled deer in the naturally-arranged enclosures. Other inhabitants are pheasants, partridges and raccoons. Additional attractions in the Düsseldorfer Wildpark are the Waldlehrpfad and the many hiking trails around the large area.

Pula may not be the largest city of Croatia, but it takes the 8^th spot when it comes to size and is the largest city of Istria with population counting 57, 460 citizens and more. What makes Pula distinctive among other Croatian cities is its tradition of winemaking, fishing, shipbuilding, and booming tourism. In addition, it has also been Istria's administrative centre since ancient Roman times. While to an unobserving eye Pula may seem like a usual workday city, wealthy Roman architecture makes Pula stand out not just in Croatia, but worldwide. The star of the show is the remarkably well-preserved Roman amphitheatre, smack in the heart of the city, which dominates the streetscape and doubles as a venue for summer concerts and festivals.

Amphitheatre: Pula’s most famous and imposing sight situated in the heart of the city is this 1st-century oval amphitheatre, which lies above the harbour northeast of the old town. This mesmerizing construction, made completely out of local limestone, is called the Arena by locals and tourists alike. Throughout history it was used for hosting gladiatorial contests. With the capacity to accommodate around 20,000 spectators. Nowadays, Arena represents Istria's popular tourist attraction, but it is also the place of mass entertainment events, such as concerts and competitions.

Lightning Giants: A sight not to be missed while visiting Pula is its star evening attraction, a lighting display at the city's 19th-century Uljanik shipyard, regarded as  one of the world's oldest working docks. Renowned lighting designer Dean Skira has lit up the shipyard's iconic cranes in 16,000 different colour shades, which bring them to life four times every evening on the specified hour and last for 15 minutes.

Temple of the Augustus: While this temple is the only visible remnant from the Roman era on the Forum, it was regarded as Pula’s central meeting place from antiquity through the Middle Ages, and it has still preserved this function today. The temple, whose building process took a lot of time to finish, from 2 BC to AD 14, is open to public throughout the year,  now housing a small museum of Roman sculpture with the occasional temporary show.

Zerostrasse: This underground system of tunnels was built before and during WWI to shelter the city's population and serve as storage for ammunition. Now tourists can walk through several of its sections, which all lead to the middle, where a photo exhibition shows early aviation in Pula. 

Triumphal Arch of Sergii: While it cannot bear the title of the oldest Roman monument, this triumphal arch that was built in honor of the powerful Sergii family’s participation in the pivotal Battle of Actium in France. It dates to about 30 BC and despite its great age. The arch has preserved its shape till today.. When it was built the arch was a city gate leading up from the naval port. Carved into the stone are friezes depicting cupids and garlands, and just beneath this you can still spot a relief of a horse-drawn battle chariot.

Kastel, a Venetian fortress overlooking Pula, dates from the 1600s. The powerful-looking walls which leave every visitor speechless were designed in a star configuration, which was a state-of-the-art design in order to repel artillery after the arrival of gunpowder. Kastel was created with the purpose to serve as Venetians’ main stronghold, defending Pula’s harbour as well as the entire upper Adriatic.

Situated inside the Austro-Hungarian fortress Verudela, Pula’s Aquarium is regarded as the largest in Croatia. The aquarium is a useful option for rainy days or the hottest afternoons in summer, as well as a magnificent place for those traveling with children. Blending neatly with the fort’s stone architecture, tanks with freshwater and marine species native to Croatia and the Adriatic, together with tropical displays, a turtle rescue centre (the only one to be found in Croatia) and an entire room devoted to sea horses, are an unforgettable sight. The centerpiece of the attraction is the shark tank, which is found in the former atrium of the fortress.

Historical attractions aside, Pula is a busy commercial city on the sea that has managed to retain a friendly small-town appeal. It is conveniently located and with a short bus ride, a series of beaches can be reached at the resorts that occupy the Verudela Peninsula to the south. Further south along the indented shoreline, the Premantura Peninsula hides a spectacular nature park, the protected cape of Kamenjak.