TRAVEL // Piran & Portorož – Travel Guide Part1

As you guys know, I’ve spent a few days by the sea this September. When we Carinthian people mean ”I’m going to the coast” we normally mean the nearest coast we have access to in Slovenia or Italy. In that case I spent a few days in wonderful Piran & Portorož. 

Slovenia’s coast line is only 46.6km long, but for sure one of the most beautiful coast lines in Europe. Along this unique coast line of the Mediterranean sea, you can find a protected nature reserve, still-functioning ancient salt pans, Venetian old towns, waterfront cycling, large public beaches, the unique Strunjan cliff – the highest cliff on the entire Adriatic and much more. In my opinion 2 towns dominate the region and each offers something different despite being a short cycle from each other. Piran receives the most adulation, and even the most cursory glance at its main square and old town will have you reaching for your own superlatives. Portorož brings the opulence with its wonderful hotels, especially with the Kempinski Palace. This is merely the briefest overview of course, so dive in and virtually discover these glorious destinations with me.

Piran

Piran definitely is one of my most favorite places on earth and it for sure is one of the cutest places I’ve ever been to. The whole town is protected as a cultural and historical monument and it has preserved its medieval layout with narrow streets and compact houses, which rise in steps from the coastal lowland into the hills and give the whole area a typical Mediterranean look. For sure Piran is one of the most photogenic cities in Europe. The proximity to the sea and the rich history, which is mirrored in the architecture, draw magical scenes. Here you truly feel like you have just stepped into a picture postcard. You will be totally charmed by the narrow streets within the old town wall. In the main square, you will be stunned by the statue of the most famous man in Piran, the well-known Giuseppe Tartini, composer and virtuoso violinist who was born in a house just a few steps away from the square. On the pier, you can watch fishermen unravelling their fishing nets and locals sitting by the sea, chatting and listening to sounds of the sea, greeting you with a nod. Having coffee, lunch or dinner at Tartini Square or directly by the sea at Hotel Piran, or at any of the other lovely small restaurants, surrounded by the sound of the sea will ensure pleasant memories.

You also need to climb up to the 17th-century Church of St. George, where you also have a wonderful view of pastel façades topped by red-tiled roofs, the impossibly vivid Adriatic in the background,this will forever stay in your memory. Piran is always worth a visit in summer or winter.

Portorož

If you are searching for the perfect place to relax at the Slovenian coast – Portorož is the perfect place to do so. The beneficial climate and healing substances from the nearby, 700-year-old Sečovlje Salina have enabled Portorož to develop a long tradition of spa tourism and a very comprehensive wellness offer.