On Sunday, January 18, 2026, the Day of the International Recognition of Croatia will be marked. Members of the Pula Tourist Guides Association will celebrate the occasion by offering free guided tours for residents in Pula and Vodnjan.
The project was launched in 2018 by the Association of Tourist Guide Societies of Croatia as a coordinated initiative involving numerous cities across the country. Through this project, tourism professionals aim to highlight the importance of their contribution to Croatia’s international reputation, as well as the significance of tradition and cultural heritage in expressing national identity.
In Pula, this year’s meeting point with the guides—who will conduct tours in Croatian, Italian, German, and English—will be in front of the Pula Amphitheatre.
As in previous years, the Archaeological Museum of Istria and the Historical and Maritime Museum of Istria will participate in and support the initiative by providing free admission for all residents taking part in the Pula tour that day, to sites such as the Arena, the Pula tunnels, and the Historical and Maritime Museum of Istria.
The start of the tours in all cities is scheduled for 12:00 PM. The tour of Pula will begin in front of the Amphitheatre and will last approximately 1.5 hours. After the tour, participants will be able to continue exploring the Historical and Maritime Museum of Istria at the Kaštel fortress in more detail on their own, or via the Zerostrasse entrance.
As already mentioned, in addition to Pula, one member of the Pula Tourist Guides Association will also be available this year for a free guided tour of Vodnjan, lasting approximately one hour. The tour will start at 12:00 PM at Narodni Trg (People’s Square) in front of the Vodnjan Tourist Board. Participants will have the opportunity to visit the Bettica Palace Museum and, at the end, the main parish church of St. Blaise.