A Local’s Guide to Piran, Slovenia
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Piran is a small picturesque town, located at the end of a peninsula on the Slovenian coast. Built under Venetian influence, it’s an exceedingly charming place to visit and spend a few days. It really does look a bit like Venice, but much smaller and with far fewer visitors (and without the canals…).
The town’s impressive Tartini Square, the incredible St. George's Parish Church, a maze of narrow cobblestone streets, and absolutely fabulous views from the city walls are just part of Piran’s draw. But there is so much more to experience both here and in the surrounding region of Istria, which is why visitors return again and again.
Piran has been fought over for centuries and it has changed hands between numerous powers and empires. The result is a city with a rich history, a testament and synthesis of the many groups who have called this little piece of land home.
The ancient Greeks were the first to establish a settlement here around the 7th century BC. In the 2nd century BC, Piran fell under Roman rule, becoming part of the Roman province of Illyricum. The Romans left their mark on the town, constructing fortifications and introducing Roman architecture and culture.
The Piran that you see today got it’s look during the period of Venetian rule in the 13th century, Piran’s golden era. Under the Venetians, Piran flourished as a commercial and cultural centre and the many palaces, churches, and squares that we admire today date from this era.
In the 18th century, Piran found itself controlled by the Habsburg Empire, and then the Austrian Empire. This period brought continued prosperity to the town, with salt production and tourism playing significant roles in its economy.
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Why visit Piran
Today, Piran is a captivating mix of old and new. The historic centre, ringed by the city’s ancient walls, displays Venetian architecture alongside modern art galleries and boutiques. The town's charming streets, lined with cozy cafes and restaurants, invite visitors to stroll and soak up the atmosphere. It’s all very romantic as well.
Piran has always been a very culturally rich destination and has attracted artists of all kinds. The town hosts various cultural events throughout the year, including music festivals, art exhibitions, and traditional celebrations, further bolstering it’s cultural appeal. Most take place during the summer months, many of them right in the central Tartini Square or in the town’s theatre.
If you visit other parts of Slovenia before arriving to Piran, you might be surprised at how everyday life here is so much more easy-going than that in Slovenia’s capital city, Ljubljana or other nearby cities. The vibe in Piran is distinctly Mediterranean. People are open and friendly, they’ll smile at you, say hello, and ask you about yourself.
As you wander town, you’ll also notice how people take time to sit down and chat for hours, over a coffee, beer, or treat. This is not the case everywhere in Slovenia.
And this ties in with one of my favorite things to do in Piran - simply observe everyday life here. I love to walk the narrow streets and watch neighbors chatting with each other from across their windows. I’ve even seen them passing each other goods like eggs, salt, and newspapers via a bucket hung from a rope strung between houses. It feels like a wonderful trip back in time.
Piran is also an excellent place to base yourself for a few days as you explore the Slovenian coast and bucolic inland Istria.
Where is Piran
Piran is a small town of just 4,000 people in southwestern Slovenia. It sits on a peninsula that juts out into the Adriatic sea.
The town is located in the region of Istria, and it’s just a short drive from both the Croatian and Italian borders. It’s so close, in fact, that many people visit as a day trip from both countries - the closest crossing with Italy is 30 minutes away while the nearest Croatian crossing is less than 20.
If coming from Ljubljana, you’re just a 1.5 hour drive to Piran. From Italy, you can reach Piran from the city of Trieste in just 40 minutes. The popular Croatian cities of Rijeka and Poreč are 1.5 and 1 hours away, respectively.
How to get to Piran
Slovenia is a very small country, so getting from one place to another never takes much driving.
From Ljubljana, the drive to Piran is all done on a large, good highway. Likewise if coming from Italy or Croatia - both roads are good.
While you have no air or rail connections from Piran, you do have an excellent network of buses that will get you there from Slovenia’s capital, neighboring cities, and Italy and Croatia.
If you do want to take a train to get to Piran, there are three daily departures that run between Ljubljana and Koper, a city that is just 20 minutes from Piran.
Best time to visit
Summer - July and August
The best time to visit Piran is definitely during the warmer part of the year when the town really comes alive and you have a chance to fully experience its Mediterranean atmosphere.
The peak of high season comes in July and August, when thousands of people come to Piran each day. While it’s very busy, it is probably the best time to be here, both in terms of the weather and cultural events.
During the summer months, it is possible to swim in the warm Adriatic Sea and experience festive nights with something going on almost every evening. Piran hosts many festivals and events during July and August, of all different types. Summer is also the time for harvesting the salt in the Sečovlje Salt Pans, which is a fun thing to go and witness.
In general, this is an outdoors destination, so you want warm, good weather to experience it.
Shoulder season - June or September
If you prefer to avoid the busy season, try visiting in June or September. Early June provides most of the benefits of a summer visit, but the crowds haven’t yet arrived in force. Mid-to-late September is similar - you’ll still have good weather, but the major crowds will be long gone. In both periods, you still have long daylight hours and the sea will be warm enough for swimming.
Off-season/Winter - October to March
During the colder part of the year (from October to March), Piran is a very quiet place. The cold Bora wind often blows freezing cold air from the northeast, making being on the coast rather unpleasant.
If you want to visit over the winter, I’d suggest staying more inland and visiting Piran on a day trip. While windy, Piran will often be sunny even while the rest of Croatia is covered in grey fog.
How long to spend in Piran
While you can rush through and see Piran in a day (or even an afternoon), you should plan on spending 2-3 days to get the most out of a visit. The town is tiny and you’ll cover the “famous” attractions and must-dos in just a couple of hours, but the surrounding area and Slovenian coast is lovely and deserves exploring, and Piran is a great base from which to do it.
If you stay for three days, here’s how I’d spend them.
I’d recommend you spend your first day in the old town of Piran, taking time to sightsee, go for a swim, do a little window shopping, check out an art gallery or two, and enjoy some of the city’s fantastic local seafood.
On your second day, visit a few of the other nearby coastal towns (Koper, Izola or Portorož, for exmaple) and take a tour inland to the Istrian wine region. Do some wine tasting and try the traditional Istrian cuisine.
On the your third day, rent a bike and bike the entire Parenzana trail (or a part of it) and then explore the Sečovlje Salt Pans Nature Park.
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Where to stay in Piran
Because Piran does not have so many hotel options, and because they tend to cost much more than in neighboring towns, many visitors wind up searching for accommodation in the nearby city of Portorož, where there is an absolute bounty of hotels.
Even so, I prefer staying in Piran as it is much more atmospheric than busy Portorož, which can feel more commercial. If you wind up looking in Piran, here is a list of recommended hotels:
Hotel Piran - One of the oldest hotels in town and located just a few steps from the beach. I love their rooftop bar and the panoramic view from it! Some rooms also offer sea views. Rooms are usually $150-250 per night.
Hotel Zala Piran (sometimes called Second Life in Piran) - This charming hotel is located off a cobblestone alley in the old town. It’s a perfect setting for someone who wants to get a feel for the quiet and quaint atmosphere. Around $150 per night.
Art Hotel Tartini -A peaceful old fashioned boutique hotel, located on the Tartini Square. Rooms from $120 a night.
Barbara Piran Beach Hotel & Spa - Located on the other side of the Piran Peninsula in the bay called Fiesa, this hotel is just a short walk away from the old town. It’s a great choice for visitors who want to stay by the sea and don’t mind a little walk. It’s also very good for families! From $130 per night.
Kempinski Palace Portorož - This 5-star hotel is actually in Portorož, about 10 minutes by car from Piran, but it’s a unique option. Here, you get grand old Central European style; delightful common areas, exceedingly elegant rooms, lovely manicured lawns, stately dining rooms, excellent staff, and an outstanding breakfast. The beach is also right outside your door. I still think you should stay inside Piran, but if you want luxury, this is the spot. Rooms begin at $300 a night.
What to see & do in Piran
1. Spend time in Tartini Square
Tartini Square is the main square in Piran, located in the center of the town, right next to where local fishermen park their small fishing boats. You might be surprised by the size of the square, which is very big compared to how small the town of Piran is.
The square got its name from the famous violinist and composer Giuseppe Tartini, whose bronze statue is standing on the square.
Have a look at the architectural gems around the Tartini Square. The most famous building on the square is the small red house, called the Venetian House, which is also the oldest one in the area. Today there is a souvenir shop where you can buy crafts and snacks from the local sea salt.
2. See the St. George's Parish Church in Piran
At the top of the hill, overlooking the Tartini Square stands St. George's Parish Church. Its towering bell tower is a replica of Venice's iconic St. Mark's Campanile and if you climb on it, you will be rewarded with the most amazing views.
3. Climb the Piran City Walls
Following a steep cobblestone road from the St. George's Parish Church you will arrive at Piran City Walls. Climb the stairs to the walls and you can enjoy one of the most spectacular panoramic views on the Slovenian coast.
4. Visit The First of May Square
Hidden between the narrow cobblestone streets of Piran, this little square will make you feel as if you return about 100 years in the past. The First of May Square used to be the centre of Piran until the 13th century.
In the middle of the square, there is a stone reservoir for rainwater. If you observe carefully, you can see that all the gutters of nearby houses are connected to the reservoir.
5. Get lost in the streets of Piran
Most of the streets in Piran are very narrow and give you a little bit of a medieval vibe. Nowadays many of the houses in old Piran are renovated and well-maintained, but it wasn’t like this just a few years ago. Due to the fact that the streets are so narrow that you cannot drive on them the renovation of the houses was very expensive if not impossible.
Today the municipality is giving subventions for renovations in order to maintain the beautiful image of the city and Piran is starting to change slowly.
I always like to just walk around the streets of Piran with no purpose and even though I have visited the place countless times somehow, I always end up finding a new street that I have never visited before.
6. Shopping
Whatever you like to shop for, you’ll find something great in Piran. If you’re into souvenirs, you’ll find lots of great local craft and art stores with traditional and handmade items. They make for a very nice reminder of your time in beautiful Piran.
While it may seem a bit odd, a very popular souvenir here is actually the local salt. Piran salt is known for its outstanding quality and makes for a great souvenir! If just plain salt seems a bit boring, you’ll also find lots of cooking products mixed with the salt - things like Mediterranean spices with Piran salt. For non gastronomic purposes, you’ll also find bathing salts, salt mixtures, and salt scrubs!
7. Swimming
During the Summer months of June, July and August take some time to jump in the water. You will not find Piran Beach on a list of the best beaches, but it still makes a nice place for a refreshing swim.
If you are looking for a nicer beach visit busy Portorož Beach or, if you are a nature lover, try Moonbay Beach in Strunjan.
8. Relax at Strunjan Nature Park
If you enjoy spending time in nature you will love Strunjan Nature Park. This is the only remaining area on the Slovenian coast that remains in its natural state and where building is not allowed.
In the park, you can explore the incredible Strunjan Moon Bay with its 80-meter-high flysch cliff above it, Strunjan Salt pans, Strunjan Lagoon, a newly renovated Strunjan Beach and a village of Strunjan with its many olive oil groves, vineyards and fruit tree farms.
If you visit in autumn, you might spot the traditional orange fruit tree called “Kaki”. You cannot miss it as it looks a bit funny when the leaves already fall down in the autumn and the only thing left on the tree are “kaki” fruits (big orange balls). Locals produce all kinds of stuff from the kaki!
9. Visit the Sečovlje Salina Nature Park
Sečovlje Salt Pans are one of the last salt pans in the Mediterranean, where salt is obtained manually the same way as it was done several hundred years ago. You can walk around the salt pans and see the salt-making process during the summer months.
Visiting the salt pans is a great idea throughout the whole year as you can still observe the salt-making pools and visit the newly renovated and very interesting museum on the site. My absolute favourite thing to do at the Sečovlje Salt Pans is to observe the sunset from there!
10. Treat yourself at Thalasso Spa Lepa Vida
Thalasso Spa Lepa Vida is a unique outdoor spa located in the middle of the Sečovlje Salt Pans and offers a first-class thalassotherapy experience. There you can choose among various unique treatments, all of which use natural products (salt mud, brine and seawater) acquired within the Sečovlje Salina Nature Reserve.
Thalasso Spa Lepa Vida is really one of a kind and I always recommend spending at least 2 hours there if you are visiting Piran.
11. Tour the Istria Wine Region
Slovenia has many wine regions which gives you a chance to taste many different kinds of wines while traveling through the country. Istria Wine region is famous for its white wine called Malvazija and a strong red wine called Refošk.
The biggest wine cellar in the area is Vina Koper, where you can buy many different wine bottles and other products made from the vine. There are many other smaller wine cellars that can arrange wine tastings. The one I recommend is Brič Wine Cellar.
If you are in the area you must stop in Marezige Village where the only wine fountain in Slovenia is located.
12. Spend the evening in Portorož
Portorož is located right next to Piran but has a completely different vibe. It’s known as a resort town, popular for its spa treatments and casinos. Portorož promenade is a great place to walk in the evening if you enjoy a busy and touristic place. There is a great choice of restaurants, bars, clubs and shops located between the promenade and the sea.
Portorož is known also for its big outdoor event arena called Auditorium Portorož, which hosts various kinds of events during the warmer part of the year. If you are in the area, it is worth checking out the event schedule.
13. Bike the Parenzana trail
The Parenzana Trail is a 130-kilometer-long cycling and hiking trail that follows the route of an old narrow-gauge railway line that once connected Trieste, Italy, to Poreč, Croatia. The trail runs through three countries: Italy, Slovenia, and Croatia and passes by Sečovlje Salt Pans and Piran.
If you want to explore the area from a different perspective it is a great idea to rent bikes and go on a cycling adventure!
14. Visit other coastal towns
Besides Piran, there are two other coastal towns in Slovenia that deserve special recognition. They are Koper and Izola. Koper is the biggest city on the coast and is where the only port in Slovenia is located. It has recently become a popular cruise ship destination.
The other town is Izola, which was not so long ago still a small fishing town but is recently experiencing a fast growth in the population and is becoming a much bigger town. It still holds the charm of a small fishing village though.
Both Koper and Izola are well worth visiting.
Restaurants & dining in Piran
The restaurants in Piran that I recommend are as follows:
Fritolin Pri Cantini
This place became popular recently, offering a cheaper alternative to other high-end seafood restaurants in Piran. It is a very small restaurant, looks more like a street food stall, located on the scenic 1st or May Square, and offers a chance to enjoy the local atmosphere of this quiet square while indulging in some delicious local seafood.
Pirat Piran
Pirat is one of the restaurants that has been popular in Piran for many years. I remember coming here as a child! Probably the best seafood restaurant in town.
Restaurants at Prešernovo nabrežje Street
There are many restaurants lined up by the sea down the Prešernovo nabrežje street. This is a great walking area by the sea, connecting Tartini Square with the Punta lighthouse. The food here is decent and the atmosphere is relaxing.
Sarajevo 84
If you are tired of seafood this is a place to go! Traditional Bosnian cuisine offers mostly meat dishes. This one is one of the local’s favourites!
You will find many more dining options in the lively and busy town of Portorož, just next to Piran. Here are some of the recommendations:
Pizzeria Porto Konoba
Best pizza on the Slovenian coast. They also have a choice of seafood and meat dishes available.
Restaurant Staro sidro
Great fine dining restaurant choice near Piran. Great views and amazing cuisine.
COP
If you enjoy trying new things, the dining experience at the COP is for you! Awarded with 1 Michelin star.
Traditional Slovenian dishes to try in Piran
The traditional cuisine in this part of Slovenia has a very strong Italian influence. You will find pizza places on almost every corner but you will have a very hard time finding a traditional Slovenian Sausage in Piran. Here you will have a great chance to enjoy the seafood choices.
Here are the most popular seafood options:
Fritolin: These fried fish and seafood bites are a popular street food in Piran. They are made with a variety of seafood, including squid, scampi, and sardines.
Buzara with mussels: Mussels, garlic, white wine, and olive oil. It is a simple but delicious dish that is perfect for a light lunch or dinner.
Piran's sea bass in salt: This dish is made with sea bass that is baked in a crust of salt. It is a simple but elegant dish that is perfect for a special occasion.
Sardines in shavor: Grilled sardines on skewers and then served with a sauce made of olive oil, vinegar, and onions.
Cod fish spread (baccala): This dish is made with cod that is soaked in milk and then fried. It is a savoury and flavorful dish that is often served with polenta or bread as an entry or snack.
Istrian dishes to try in Piran
Besides the seafood cuisine, Piran is famous for its Istrian cuisine. The Istrian peninsula connects Croatia, Slovenia and Italy. Historically this connection was much more important for the residents of Piran than the connection with Ljubljana and the rest of Slovenian mainland.
Due to this influence, the Istrian cuisine is something you must taste while visiting Piran.
Fuži with truffles: This dish is made with Istrian fuži pasta, which is a type of short, thick pasta. The pasta is served with a sauce made with truffles (mushrooms that grow underground in this area), cream, and Parmesan cheese.
Bobiči: Typical Istrian type of minestrone/soup. They can be made in different ways but must always contain corn grain. Their other base ingredients include beans and potatoes.
Riži-biži: Made with rice and peas that are cooked with onions, garlic, and olive oil. It is a simple but flavorful dish that is often served as a side dish or a light meal.
Ombolo: This dish is made with veal that is stuffed with prosciutto, cheese, and herbs. The veal is then roasted in the oven until tender.
Kraški pršut: A dry-cured ham that is produced in the Karst region of Slovenia. The ham is thinly sliced and served with bread, cheese, and olives.
Brodetto: This fish stew is made with a variety of seasonal fish, vegetables, and herbs.
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