01How Island Hopping Works in Brijuni

Brijuni is a national park of 14 islands and islets off the west coast of Istria, close to Pula. Two islands are larger: Veliki Brijun (Veli Brijun) and Mali Brijun. The rest are small islets. All departures leave from the village of Fažana, about 10 km north of Pula.

The key point for planning: the islands are not freely hoppable. Private boats cannot simply anchor off Veliki Brijun and walk ashore. The park controls landings, and most visitors combine two or three experiences: a landing on Veliki Brijun, a swim stop at St Jerolim, and a boat loop around the rest.

02Getting to Brijuni

From Fažana

Fažana is the departure point. The park's own boat to Veliki Brijun takes about 15 minutes. In summer, parking in Fažana fills early, so arrive 30 to 45 minutes before the sailing.

From Pula

Pula has no direct park ferry. Take a bus or taxi to Fažana (roughly 20 minutes by car), or book a cruise that departs from Pula's harbor. Pula cruises cost more (from about €45) but include lunch or drinks.

Sailing frequency

In summer the park runs several sailings a day. In April, May and October there are fewer, typically 3 to 5, and in winter fewer still. Check the park's schedule before choosing a day, because the official excursion runs to a fixed time slot of about four hours.

03Option 1: The Official Veliki Brijun Excursion

The official excursion is the only route that covers the full Veliki Brijun program.

Prices (adult): €50 from 1 June to 30 September, €35 from October to May. Students and over-65s pay €40 in summer and €30 off-season. Children 7–18 pay €20 and €15. Children under 7 go free.

What is included: return boat from Fažana, a guide, the tourist train, the safari park, museum displays and insurance.

What you see:

  • The safari park, with zebras, llamas, Somali sheep, zebu cattle and an Indian elephant
  • Remains of a Roman villa rustica from the 1st century BC in Verige Bay
  • The ancient olive tree, estimated at over 1,500 years old
  • Museum displays on Tito, who used Brijuni as a presidential residence for decades
  • The Ethno Park with Istrian boškarin cattle

Self-guided ticket

The Brijuni Pocket Guide ticket costs €40 in summer and €30 off-season for adults. It gives access to Veliki Brijun with an app for navigation. You then walk or rent a bike, electric scooter or electric car at the Sports Centre in the main port. In high season there is also a €15 entry sold from 6 pm, which suits a late-afternoon walk.

04Option 2: Taxi Boats and Boat Tours

Boat tours from Fažana and Pula circle the archipelago and cover places the official excursion does not. Typical products:

  • Glass-bottom boat panorama, 1.5 hours, from about €25. Passes Veliki Brijun, Mali Brijun and Verige Bay.
  • Scenic tour with swim stop, 1.5 to 4 hours, from about €34.
  • Sunset dolphin cruise, about 2 hours, from about €34. Dolphins are not guaranteed.
  • Pula all-inclusive day cruise, about 5 hours, from about €45, with lunch, drinks and an island stop.
  • Private taxi boat, from about €280 for a sunset trip; glass-bottom private trips start at €500.

Note that national park entry is usually not included in cheap tour prices. Taxi-boat operators list the Veliki Brijun fee at €8 and the St Jerolim fee at €7 for adults. Children 7–18 pay about €3–4 at St Jerolim, and under-7s are free. Bring cash for St Jerolim.

05St Jerolim: The Swimming Island

St Jerolim is a small, car-free island with pebble and rock coves, pine shade and clear water. Tour boats typically give around 2 hours of free time here. It is the main swimming stop for most island hopping routes in Brijuni, and it is quieter than Veliki Brijun on weekday mornings.

The boats do not stay at the island. Bring water, a hat and reef shoes, since the shoreline is rocky and there is very little shop infrastructure.

06Cycling on Veliki Brijun

Veliki Brijun has a signed 13.3 km cycling route with a 125 m elevation difference on asphalt. The ride takes about 1 to 1.5 hours at an easy pace. Traffic is restricted, so it works for families.

Bike rental costs: roughly €5 to €7 per hour, and about €30 per day. Prices vary by season, so confirm at the Sports Centre. The island has about 300 rental bicycles, and they can run short at peak times.

Own bike: bringing your own bicycle is allowed, but it costs €80 for the round-trip transport and needs 24 hours' notice. That is not worth it unless the bike is specialist equipment.

07Is Island Hopping in Brijuni Worth It?

Yes, with a clear plan. The park suits a half-day trip from Pula or Rovinj, or a full day if you combine a landing with a swim.

Opinion: Booking only a 90-minute panorama boat is the weakest choice. You see Veliki Brijun from the water and never step on it, which misses the safari park, the Roman villa and the olive tree. If it is a first visit, do the official excursion and add a swim stop on a separate day.

08Best Time to Visit

April–May and October
mild weather, fewer visitors, lower ticket price (€35). Best for cycling.
June–September
warm sea for swimming, but the €50 ticket and busier boats. The first sailing of the day has the most space and the best bike availability.
November–March
limited sailings and cooler weather. Some services run less often.

09Insider Tips

  1. Take the first boat in summer. Bikes, the train and the safari park are all less crowded in the morning.
  2. Decide on bikes before you land. The official excursion already uses a train, so cycling mostly suits self-guided visitors.
  3. Carry cash. St Jerolim entry is cash-only on many tours.
  4. Combine with Fažana. The village has a seafront promenade and fish restaurants, so you can eat after your return rather than paying island prices.
  5. For sunset cruises, book the day before and check the weather. Wind cancels small-boat departures.
  6. Do not feed or approach the wildlife. The park has strict rules on waste, and release of waste is prohibited in park waters.

10Sample One-Day Plan

  • 08:00: Park in Fažana and buy the official ticket.
  • 08:30–12:30: Veliki Brijun excursion with train, safari park and museum.
  • 13:00: Lunch in Fažana.
  • 16:00: Boat tour or taxi boat to St Jerolim for a swim.
  • 19:00: Sunset dolphin cruise (summer only).

11Sailing Your Own Boat

Boaters can moor in the park waters, but fees apply and the mooring fee is free for every fifth day of stay. Anchoring outside designated areas is restricted. Contact the park before arriving.