Although Slovenia is not exactly famous for its coast but rather for its cities like Bled or Bovec, its coast is stunning. The beaches of Slovenia stretch over 47 kilometres, where you can choose from charming cities such as Koper, Izola, Piran, or Portoroz.
We have long planned to gather information and tips on the Slovenian coastline to make your travel preparations easier. Let’s see what you need to know before setting off for your next vacation to the green country!
Compared to the Croatian, Italian and Greek beaches, the coast of Slovenia is much calmer and smaller. In the cities, you will find masterpieces built in Venetian style; you can get acquainted with the dishes of Slovenian cuisine and the famous hospitality of the locals. In the crystal-clear Mediterranean Sea, you can swim, snorkel, dive, or even go hiking and cycling along the coast.
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Slovenia is ideal for summer holidays with younger children as well.
Cities of the Slovenian Coastline
- Piran
- Portoroz
- Izola
- Koper
Among these four, the most popular town is Piran, then Portoroz. In terms of their architecture, all four cities were built in a similar Venetian style. Strolling through the tiny streets, you can easily feel like you are walking in Italy or Croatia. The cities are well connected; scheduled buses are between Koper, Piran, Portoroz, and Izola. The buses depart every 20-30 minutes.
The Slovenian cuisine
The seaside cuisine will differ from what you would get in Bled or Bovec. All cities are famous for their fishery, so whichever you choose, you will mostly find seafood in the restaurants of each. Since Piran is the most popular of these cities, it is also the most expensive one.
#1 City of Piran
Medieval buildings make this city unique, and its narrow alleys and one-of-a-kind squares are hidden treasures you should explore while walking around. The arched peninsula stretching into the sea becomes a Mediterranean paradise in the summer.
Although Piran belongs to Slovenia, up until the mid-20th century, you would have heard more Italian than Slovenian words here. These days, the Slovenian population has outnumbered the Italians, which means that the Slovenian language has replaced Italiano.
The hottest month of the year in this city is August, when the thermometer might show temperatures up to 29°C during the day. It's no surprise that most tourists choose this month to visit. The coldest month is January, when the temperature drops to around 0°C.
Piran is the highest-priced town on the Slovenian coast. If you find the accommodation too expensive here, it’s worth checking out the town of Izola, located a little further north.
Beach
- Address: Prešernovo nabrežje 20, 6330 Piran - Pirano, Slovenia
- Type: pebble/sometimes concrete
Attractions...
Tartini Central Square
The city's main square has been named after the violinist Giuseppe Tartini, who was born here. Colourful buildings on three sides surround the space, and the fourth side is open towards the bay. Until the end of the 19th century, the square was filled with water and was part of the original harbour. The square was rebuilt in 1894 when it got its new dazzling look, which you’ll see today.
St. George's Parish Church
We can reach the St. George's Parish Church via the main square. The church lies on the hillside, offering a spectacular view of the coast and city. If you are lucky and visit on a day when the air is particularly clear, you might even get a glimpse of the Italian and Croatian beaches, too.
Walls of Piran
Slovenia, like Hungary, has been exposed to attacks by the Turkish army countless times. At a time when Piran was still part of the Venetian Republic, a castle wall was drawn around the city to keep the Turks away. Today, you can go up to this wall. You will get a striking view from the top of the wall, so the exhausting hike is worth it.
#2 City of Portoroz
Portoroz is one of the main tourist attractions of Slovenia; it is visited almost as much as Dubrovnik in Croatia or Venice in Italy.
Its development began in the 19th century when stylish hotels and guesthouses were first built in the area for wealthy European tourists. Portoroz International Airport is the main entry point to this region. Visitors don’t only come here to swim in the sea and enjoy the sun, but many decide to come to this city for gambling purposes.
Portoroz, where you can find one of Slovenia’s best beaches. Unlike most beaches of Slovenia (covered in pebbles or rocks), this city is smooth and sandy. The water itself is crystal clear and completely waste-free.
One of the city’s most elegant hotels (Kempinski Palace Portoroz) can also be found on this coast. It was built during the days of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and many celebrities have also chosen this hotel during their stay in Slovenia. They began the construction of this building in 1908 based on the design of an Austrian architect; they opened it in 1910, and later, it was declared a cultural monument in 1983.
Portoroz beach
- Address: Obala 16, 6320 Portoroz
- Type: sand
Mesecev Zaliv beach (Moon bay)
This beach is only known by a few; however, its view is breathtaking. It is considered one of the jewels of the Slovenian coast, and its gravel beach is surrounded by crystal clear, deep blue seawater. It is not the easiest to get to, but the beautiful view by the beach will compensate you for all the trouble.
- Address: Strunjan 117, 6320 Portorož - Portorose, Slovenia
- Type: pebble
#3 City of Izola
Izola can be found 7 kilometres from the city of Koper. Maybe not many of you have heard of it before, but that’s exactly what gives it its unique beauty and magical atmosphere. Imagine it as a small, romantic port city. Its name in Latin means island. Because of this, we can assume that the old town used to be an island itself. Due to its proximity to the sea, the city’s main industry is fishing.
You can find many cosy restaurants, cafés, and patisseries in Izola. If you like dishes made of fresh fish, then you must look for those restaurants in the old town that offer seafood. Besides trying all the local specialities, you can visit various performing arts events, try horseback riding and sailing, or participate in little boat trips.
The city centre is relatively small so you can walk around it quickly. If you would like to discover the surroundings, rent a bike or go by car.
Bele Skale beach, Izola
The name of this beach means white rocks, which refers to the flat stones lying along the coastline. The colour of the sea is turquoise and emerald green.
There is no entrance fee, yet the beach isn’t overcrowded. Unlike many other Slovenian beaches, this is one of the few where you can still find spots without other tourists. The coast is mostly covered in bigger pebbles, but do not expect a golden sand-covered beach.
- Address: Dobrava 5, 6310 Izola - Isola, Slovenia
- Type: pebble
Simonov Zaliv beach
If you are looking for a Slovenian beach covered in pebbles, then Simonov Zaliv is a great choice. You will find several restaurants near this blue flag beach offering seafood specialities. Locals recommend this beach, especially to those with small children, as playgrounds and other activities are available for the little ones.
- Address: Plaza Simonov Zaliv, Slovenia
- Type: pebble
#4 City of Koper
The coast of Koper is a small water-side strip. Tourists don’t know it, but many locals visit it. The clear water and the magical Mediterranean atmosphere complement the fascinating landscape. The bay glistens with turquoise and emerald green colours.
The public transport in Koper is not only excellent but also affordable. The old town and the small alleys around it preserved their traditional character and reminded us of the days of the Venetian Republic. The downtown area is so tiny that you won’t need a map; you can walk around without getting lost.
If you like YouTube videos, check out the vlog of kataleRko to get a good sense of Slovenian coastal towns or another longer video about Piran by Tomas Polasek.
Videos
If you like vlogs, watch the following videos about the Slovenian coastline.
Things to do
#1 Boat trips around Piran
If you stay at a hotel, they can tell you more about which company to go on a boat trip with. According to the website of Subaquatic, a 1.5-hour cruise costs €10-15 per person on a glass-hulled ship. Address: Sentjane 696320 Portoroz
#2 Parenzana cycle path
The cycle path begins in Trieste, then after leaving Italy, it crosses through Slovenia to Croatia. On the Istrian peninsula, you can see the view of small fishing villages, visit small towns with historical heritage and see the vineyards of Istrian wine. The cycle path passes through the following interesting locations:
- Trieste – the old town, the promenade, and the castle
- Istrian Hills – villages on top of the hill and vineyards
- Piran – Venetian-style town
- Portoroz – Slovenia’s casino heaven
- Poreč – 6th-century basilica
- Sečovlje salt distillery
#3 Coastline bike tour
If you want to cycle through the Slovenian coastline but have no bike, you can rent a bike, even with a guide. The tour starts in Bled, where the guide brings the bikes from, but you can also join the guide at the base (Koper). The day-long bike tour promises to be a pleasantly exhausting activity.
#4 Diving in Portoroz
If you are already on the Slovenian coast and visit Portoroz, it’s worth trying diving. It’s available for complete beginners as well. It’s an approximately 4-hour-long trip and costs €70 per person. Intimacy is guaranteed because it is located in a natural reserve, so they don’t allow the mooring of large boats.
It is also interesting to mention that you can see the Italian coast in clear weather and maybe even glimpse Venice. The Bele Skale coastline is a few kilometres from the town of Izola on the Slovenian coast. You can reach the shore by following the narrow path toward the Ronek cliff.
What to do in rainy weather?
Visit the Shell Museum, Piran
If you want to try something new, drop by Piran’s Shell Museum. It’s a short activity; it takes only around an hour because the museum is small. It’s a nice way to pass the time in bad weather. Address: Tartinijev trg 15 On The First Floor, Piran 6330 Slovenia
Visit the Skocjan Cave
The huge Skocjan Cave near the Slovenian coast is a great program for rainy days. Even if it doesn’t rain, I encourage you to go see it even on your way home because the sight is worth the 1-2 hour detour.
