Discover the best attractions, local cuisine, and hidden gems of this coastal town in just three days.
DAY 1
Start your first day in Koper with a delicious breakfast or brunch at Kavarna Triglav, a café located in the very centre of the city. The café boasts a welcoming atmosphere and a rich selection of drinks and snacks, including fresh pastries, a wide selection of breakfast options and homemade specialities to fill you up with energy for your exploration of the city.
After your meal, take a stroll through the picturesque streets of the historic centre and learn about the history of Koper.
Once an island, Koper has a fascinating history dating back to the Roman Empire. The original Greco-Thracian name of the island city was Aegis, later known as Capris under the Romans, Insula Capraria (Goat Island) under the Byzantines, and eventually Justinopolis under the Byzantines. The Venetians, who left the greatest imprint on the area, renamed it Capo d’Istria (Head of Istria), a name that persists to this day, along with its Slovenian version – Koper.
Take a walk to the Taverna, once a salt warehouse and a symbol of Koper’s long history of salt production. Head up Kidričeva street and check out the house a gheffo, a unique architectural blend of local architecture and oriental and Venetian influences. These houses are known for storey piers leaning on wooden support beams, which lend them a distinctive appearance and structural dynamism. Along Kidričeva street you will also find the Church of St Nicholas, built in 1594. It is consecrated to St Nicholas, the patron saint of sailors and fishermen. In the past, sailors who lived through the perils of the sea would bring various offerings to the church.
Then, head to Tito Square, framed by the magnificent Praetorian Palace, one of the most important historical buildings in Koper (guided tours of the palace interior are available). Don’t forget to check out the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and visit the city’s bell tower, which houses the oldest working bell in Slovenia, cast in Venice in 1333. Take a stroll down Čevljarska street, where you can experience the rich history of Koper and marvel at the beauty of the city’s unique heritage. For centuries, this street has been a hub for the city’s trades and crafts, including numerous cafés and taverns.
Continue to Prešeren Square, home to the Da Ponte Fountain, which served as a vital source of water for the city in the 15th century until the end of the 19th century. The square is partially encircled by the Muda Gate, the only surviving 16th-century city gate in Koper.
More information: https://visitkoper.si/en/history/
Make the most of your afternoon by soaking up the atmosphere of the seaside. Discover the ANIMA MARE experience – a cruise along the coast of Slovenian Istria. With ANIMA MARE, you can explore the 16 km of coastline between Koper and Piran and enjoy the natural wonders that make up this little piece of paradise. Savour the harmony of the local flora and fauna, and treat yourself to some of the finest wines and traditional dishes of Slovenian Istria.
Reservations are required at least 24 hours ahead at: info.goistra@gmail.com
The experience is available in Slovenian, English and Italian and lasts approximately 4-5 hours. The price of the experience is 1200€. The experience is available for groups of up to 10 people.
DAY 2
Start your second day with an early morning walk or bike ride along the coastal road connecting Koper to Izola. Make sure to take a break along the way and enjoy the sea view. Halfway between Koper and Izola, remember the SS Rex Ocean liner, once the glorious queen of the sea, which ended its journey in the depths of the Gulf of Koper.
On your way back to Koper, enjoy a refreshing dip in the sea at the Žusterna seaside urban park. It offers a vast array of opportunities for relaxation and fun beach activities. With new and safe access points to the sea, facilities for socialising, gathering and leisure activities, Žusterna is the perfect destination for a relaxing break.
Looking for a thrilling fun time? Try a ride on an “adrenaline couch” or a banana boat towed by a speedboat (click on the link for more information).
The Žusterna area offers many opportunities to enjoy other activities, such as beach volleyball, swimming, diving, sailing, kayaking,…
Wrap up the afternoon with an ice cream! Walk along Semedelska street to the city centre and visit Sladoledarna, renowned for its delicious ice cream selection. There are more than 50 different flavours to choose from, from the classics to the more unique, from dairy to vegan and gluten-free. Their homemade ice creams are made with carefully selected high-quality ingredients.
If you decide to drive to Sladoledarna, you can park in the parking lot behind the market (Parking lot Tržnica Koper, Pristaniška ulica 2, 6000 Koper), where you are guaranteed 1 hour of free parking with the purchase of an ice cream.
To round off your day, head to Maracaibo Beach Bar Koper and unwind in a laidback ambience with delicious drinks. With its cosy atmosphere and beautiful views of the sea, Maracaibo Beach Bar is the ideal place to spend your evenings watching the sunset. It also hosts various events such as live music evenings, salsa nights and DJ sessions.
You can either walk or drive to the bar, as parking is available nearby.
DAY 3
Discover the flavours of Slovenian Istria! On your third day, discover Istria’s culinary delights.
Kick off the day with an introduction to the fishing heritage of our area.
Koper has a long and storied fishing tradition, as the city has been closely linked to the sea and fishing for centuries. The traditional practice of fishing dates back to the Roman period, when fishermen supplied the city and its wider area with fresh seafood.
Today, fishing still exists in Koper, albeit on a smaller scale. The city has its own fishing harbour where local fishermen bring in freshly caught fish and other seafood. The most commonly caught fish species in the Koper area are sea bass, gilt-head bream, sardines and European hake, while mussels, squid, cuttlefish and octopus are the most popular among the other seafood catches.
How would you like to experience this long-standing tradition first-hand? Guided sea fishing tour (SeaFishingSlovenia)
Dive into the ultimate fishing adventure with SeaFishingSlovenia. Join a professional fishing team on a guided fishing trip that offers an unforgettable experience for beginners and experienced anglers alike. You will set sail from the Koper harbour into the open waters of the Slovenian portion of the Adriatic Sea, where you will have the chance to try your hand at catching your own fish, which you can later take home.
Book your experience at: https://seafishingslovenia.com/
The experience is available in Slovenian, English, Italian and Croatian and lasts 4-5 hours. The price of the experience is 80€ per person. The experience is open to groups of up to 4 people.
SeaFishingSlovenia offers adventures throughout the year (Summer schedule: Monday – Friday: 6.30 – 10.30, Winter schedule: Monday – Friday: 7.00 – 12.00; Weekends and holidays: closed).
Once you are back in the city, take a stroll down Čevljarska street to Barba Sol, offering a unique tasting experience with more than 20 different types of salt, complemented by local wines and olive oil. Their salts combine the Slovenian tradition of sea salt with creative blends of local herbs.
Reservation is required at least 24 hours before arrival at : getbarba@gmail.com
The experience is available in Slovenian, English, Italian and Croatian and lasts approximately 45 min. The price of the experience is 20€ per person. The experience is available for groups of 2 to 4 people. For larger groups, tastings can be arranged at a different location by appointment only.
Barba Sol is open for tastings and product purchases throughout the year, from Tuesday to Saturday, between 9:30 and 14:00. Outside regular opening hours, visits are also possible by prior arrangement.
Slovenian Istria, especially the area of the Dragonja river valley, is abundant in truffles, which grow underground in symbiosis with certain species of trees. The unique climate and soils create ideal conditions for the both black and white truffles to grow. Local truffle hunters employ specially trained dogs to search for the coveted tuber – a practice that has become part of the local culture and heritage with its long-standing tradition. Truffles are not only a culinary delicacy, but also an important part of the historical and cultural heritage of our area.
Embark on a once in a lifetime truffle hunting adventure with a professional hunter and a trained dog. Come and discover the fascinating world of truffles with a truffle tasting experience. Find out what fresh truffles really taste like and learn to recognise artificial flavourings. The experience starts with a walk through the forest, where you’ll be joined by a truffle hunter and his dog. Together you will hunt for truffles, which you will later use in the preparation of the typical Istrian dish “fuži s tartufi” (pasta with truffles), based on an old family recipe.
For bookings (required), visit: https://istraterra.com/izdelek/tartufi-lov-kuhanje-pokusina/
The experience is available in Slovenian and English and takes about 3 hours. Prices start at € 99 per person and depend on the number of participants. For more information and reservations, follow the link.
Alternatively, you can take a guided tour of Koper, complete with a wine tasting and sampling of lavender products. The Istranka tourist agency will take you through the historic centre and introduce you to the rich history of our city, which celebrates its 1500th anniversary this year (2024). The tour includes a tasting of local wines that will take you through our wine-growing region, as well as a tasting of lavender products, which are an important part of the city’s heritage and of the celebration of this year’s landmark anniversary.
Book your experience at: https://istrankatours.com/
The experience is available in Slovenian and English and takes approximately 2 hours. The price of the experience is 53€ per person. The experience is open to groups of 4 to 8 people.
