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Svetvinčenat, Istriaarrival
Getting to Villa Ballena & Beluga from Pula Airport
Most guests arrive into Pula Airport (IATA code PUY). The villas sit 33 km north-east of the terminal, in the village of Svetvinčenat in central Istria. The drive is straightforward — a single highway exit and one country road — and takes 30 to 35 minutes outside of summer peak traffic. The page below covers the three ways guests usually choose: renting a car at the airport, taking a taxi or app ride, and booking a private transfer through us.
Option 1 — Rent a car at Pula Airport (recommended)
Hertz, Avis, Sixt, Europcar, Enterprise, and Budget all operate desks inside the small Pula terminal. Pick-up takes 10–20 minutes. From the airport exit roundabout, follow signs for D66 / Pula. After 7 km you reach the A8/A9 toll-road junction at Vodnjan; take the A9 north for 12 km, exit at Kanfanar, then follow the D75 south-east 8 km into Svetvinčenat. The villas are signposted from the village square. Free private parking on-site for 4 cars per villa. A car gives you the most flexibility — wineries, beaches, day trips to Rovinj and Pula, the Limski kanal, and the Brijuni archipelago are all 20–45 minutes away.
Option 2 — Taxi or Uber/Bolt
Pula taxis queue immediately outside the arrivals door. A metered ride to Svetvinčenat is currently €55–70. Uber and Bolt operate in Pula (limited availability after midnight). If you prefer not to drive during your stay, this is the simplest option, especially for short stays — the village square is a 300 m walk from the villas, with a supermarket, café, pizzeria, and the medieval Kaštel Morosini-Grimani fortress.
Option 3 — Private transfer (book through us)
Pre-booked private transfer is the most relaxed arrival experience: a driver waiting in arrivals with a name sign, child seats on request, ice water in the car, direct drive to the villa with no queueing. Email us with your flight number at least 48 hours before arrival and we will confirm a fixed price (typically €80–120 one-way, or €150 return per car for up to 4 passengers; vans for 5–8 passengers also available). The same service runs the other way for early departures.
Late arrivals & check-in
Standard check-in is from 16:00. If your flight lands after 22:00 we leave a sealed welcome envelope with keys, the WiFi password, and a printed map at the villa entrance — message us once you land and we coordinate. If you need to drop bags before 16:00 we usually accommodate (subject to the previous guests checking out on time).
Other airports worth considering
Trieste (TRS, 110 km, 1 h 50 min) and Ljubljana (LJU, 170 km, 2 h 30 min) often have lower-cost summer flights from Northern Europe. Both routes now run entirely within the Schengen Area — Croatia joined in 2023 — so there are no longer systematic border checks; carry your ID or passport but expect no border queues. Venice (VCE, 240 km) is feasible if you are continuing on by car or are renting a vehicle for a longer regional trip.
Frequently asked questions
- How long is the drive from Pula Airport to the villas?
- The villas are 33 km from Pula Airport — about 30–35 minutes in a normal car, slightly longer in mid-July and August traffic.
- Is a rental car necessary?
- Not strictly — the village has a supermarket, café, restaurant, and the Kaštel within walking distance. But for day trips to Rovinj, Pula, the Limski kanal, the Brijuni Islands, and Istrian wineries, a car is the most flexible option.
- Do you offer airport transfers?
- Yes — pre-book at least 48 hours in advance and we coordinate a private driver. Typical cost €80–120 one-way for up to 4 passengers; vans available for groups of 5–8.
- What is the closest airport other than Pula?
- Pula (PUY) is by far the closest at 33 km. Trieste (TRS) is 110 km and Ljubljana (LJU) is 170 km — both useful for Northern European low-cost flights.