Pula Airport (PUY/LDPL) is a small regional airfield 5km east of the city of Pula in the area of Istria in Croatia. The airport was opened in 1967 and is mainly used by holiday carriers such as Eurowings or Ryanair and serves 400.000 passenger a year. But it also hosts some military movements due to the based fighter base in the northwest: so far MiG21 which are going to be replaced soon.

Written by Marco Materlik and Martin Oswald (Spot 1). Last Update: Summer 2025

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
09/27	2950m x 45m – Asphalt
Terminals
T1	There is one terminal handling all flights.
Spotting Information
Ladder	Small Ladder recommended for the landside spots
Car/Public Transport	Needed for the spots located off the terminal.
Drinks/Food	Only inside the terminal and at the train station.
Hotels	Only in Pula itsself.
Season	June to September has most traffic.
Security	Spotting is not a common hobby here! Keep away the military base in the northwest! Some spotters have reported to be scared away with warning shootings.
Runway Usage
General Info	Depending on the wind, but they try to reduce taxiing time if winds allows it.

	Spot #1 – Rental Parking – 09/27 Movements + Apron
WHERE	Leave the terminal to the right and go to the rental car parking. The parking is slightly elevated allowing nice views from the fence front.
WHAT	All movements on the runway and the taxiway to the apron.
TIME	Only in summer, from sunrise till later morning.
MISC.	Facilities available inside the terminal. You have to shoot through the fence or above, then a small ladder is recommended.
FOCAL LENGTH	100-400mm should cover everything

PUY-Spot1

	Spot #2 – Observation deck (Airside) – 09/27 Movements + Apron
WHERE	After security check stay left and follow the signs to the terrace. You have to go upstairs to the terrace from where you can nicely see the ramp in front.
WHAT	All movements on the runway and the taxiway to the apron.
TIME	Only in summer, from sunrise till later morning or during the late evening hours.
MISC.	Restroom directly next to the terrace. Taking pictures only above the fence, ladder not useable as it is airside!
FOCAL LENGTH	Ramp = ~50mm / Taxiway = 200mm / Runway = 300mm

We had no movements to take pictures of here, but it should look like THIS.

	Spot #3 – Terminalseating (Airside) – 09/27 Movements + Apron
WHERE	After security check, go straight to windows: next to a children playground there is one clean window. Note that between gate 1 and 2 there are two big clean windows as well, but sadly the view is only to EAST, not allowing any proper views.
WHAT	All movements on the runway and the taxiway to the apron.
TIME	Only in summer, from sunrise till later morning or during the late evening hours.
MISC.	All facilities available in the terminal. You are shooting thru the glass, which may be a bit dirty.
FOCAL LENGTH	Ramp = ~50mm / Taxiway = 200mm / Runway = 300mm

PUY-Spot3

PUY-Spot3

PUY-Spot3

	Spot #4 – Kaznionica – 09 Arrivals + 27 Departures + Backtracks
WHERE	Only available by car: leave the airport on route 66 to the WEST, follow the sign to “Kaznionica u Valturi 1km” and then turn off route 66 to the south. Then follow the road and find your favourite spot. Note that paking on the road is officaly forbidden.
WHAT	09 Arrivals and 27 Departures mainly, but you may also see aircraft taxiing down here (for example after 27 arrivals or prior 09 departure).
TIME	Later morning till sunset; depending on the exact angle and your goal.
MISC.	Nothing nearby. A small ladder is recommended to allow direct view onto the runway. Note that military area is right next to you, so keep a low profile and be careful! Some spotters reported to have been scared away by screaming and warning shoots.
FOCAL LENGTH	70-300mm depending on your goal and position

We had no movements to take pictures of here, but it should look like THIS.

	Spot #5 – Corn field – 09 Arrivals + 27 Departures
WHERE	From spot 4, continue on the road towards the south till you pass a corn field on the east and reach a sort of production site. There you will find a barrier: you can park here nearby – also if coming from the south. Then you can either position yourself on the small hill at the field’s southern edge or (if the field is not heavily grown) also walk on there.
WHAT	09 Arrivals and 27 Departures.
TIME	From later morning till later afternoon in summer, in winter all day.
MISC.	Nothing nearby. Be aware, that the field can grow very high in summer disturbing spotter views. Note that military area is right next to you, so keep a low profile and be careful! Some spotters reported to have been scared away by screaming and warning shoots.
FOCAL LENGTH	70-300mm should cover everything.

We had no movements to take pictures of here, but it should look like THIS.

	Spot #6 – Forest – 09 Departures + 27 Arrivals
WHERE	From the terminal, head to the east on Valtursko polje: once reaching Villa Tonka on the left/north, turn right to the south now onto a small unnamed road. Follow this street for about 1,8km, there you will pass two streets turning off to the right/south again: the first one is not driveable, so take the second option, cross the approach path. After a while, the street will end up on a small meadow near some concrete soil: this meadow will allow you some free view onto movements.
WHAT	09 Departures + 27 Arrivals.
TIME	From later morning till later afternoon in summer, in winter all day.
MISC.	Nothing nearby. Be aware, that the road here is quite bad and bumpy, small cars are not recommended to come here!
FOCAL LENGTH	70-300mm should cover everything.

We had no movements to take pictures of here, but it should look like THIS.