Koper (Slovenia) is a resort located on the Istria Peninsula, on the Adriatic coast. The city is not only the largest port in the country, but also a popular vacation spot for locals.
General information
The city of Koper is located in the south-west of the country. It is known for its beautiful architecture and landmarks, which include the Koper Bay, formed by the Istria Peninsula. Koper is the largest resort on the Slovenian coast. The city is also popular for its choral singing and music festivals.
The town’s population is around 25,000, and many people speak two languages, Slovenian and Italian. This linguistic diversity is due to Koper’s proximity to the Italian border. The resort is also connected to Ljubljana and Istria in Croatia via a highway.
Features of the resort
- Although there is a railway station in Koper, the city is more commonly connected by sea and road.
- The country’s only port is located in Koper.
- The hotel infrastructure is not as developed as in famous European resorts.
An interesting fact! Until the 19th century, the resort was an island, but then it was connected to the mainland by a causeway. Gradually, the island became completely connected to the continent.
Attractions
Cathedral of the Assumption of Our Lady
The main attraction of the city of Koper in Slovenia is the Cathedral. The building looks majestic and ancient. Construction began in the 12th century, and by the end of the century, a Romanesque-style structure had been built in the city. Later, in the late 14th century, a tower and a bell tower were added to the church. The bell, cast by a master from Venice, is the oldest bell in the country.
In the past, the tower was used as an observation deck for watching the city. Today, tourists climb up to admire the magnificent view of the bay. To do this, you need to climb 204 steps. The cost of a ticket to the bell tower is 3.5€.
Useful to know! In 1460, a fire broke out and the tower was restored. The result is a unique combination of two styles – Gothic and Renaissance. In the 18th century, the interior of the church was decorated in the Baroque style.
The cathedral’s halls feature a large collection of paintings by early Renaissance artists from Venice. The main attraction of the cathedral is the sarcophagus of Saint Nazarius.
What is Ljubljana, the capital city of Slovenia?
Praetorian Palace
Another attraction of Koper in Slovenia is located opposite the Loggia building. This is a 15th-century Praetorian Palace. The building is a mixture of Gothic, Renaissance and Venetian styles. Today, the castle walls are located:
- a travel agency where you can get a city map;
- city hall;
- old pharmacy;
- a museum with exhibits on the city’s history;
- the hall where wedding ceremonies are held.
The castle was built in the mid-13th century, and over the course of this long period, it underwent several major changes and transformations.
It is interesting to know! The concept of “praetor” in the Roman language means “leader.” Thus, the castle received its Roman name during the heyday of the Venetian Republic.
- Address: Titov trg 3, Koper 6000 Slovenia.
- Admission to the palace costs 3.5€.
- Opening hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily.
Winery and shop
The attraction is located near the highway. Tourists are offered a tour of the factory cellars, a store, and, of course, a wine tasting. Here you can buy wine of different varieties, the cost of a bottle varies from 1.5 to 60€.
It’s good to know! The tradition of making wine has been honored here for over six decades. The wine is stored in special sandstone cellars.
Guests can visit the restaurant, where amazing wine is served along with traditional, local dishes. In addition, the company holds interesting events dedicated to the presentation of new products and the celebration of young wine.
The most popular wine varieties are Muscat, Refoshk, and Gragnia. Malvasia wine is best enjoyed with cheese.
Address: Smarska cesta 1, Koper.
Titov Torg Square
The unique square, which is as famous as the Italian square in Piran, is decorated in the Venetian style. This is where you should start exploring the city. In addition to the Pretorian Palace and the Cathedral of the Assumption, there is also the Loggia. This building was constructed in the mid-15th century, and Stendhal admired its beauty and elegance. It resembles the Venetian Doge’s Palace. Today, it houses an art gallery and a cafe.
It’s good to know! The building is adorned with a statue of the Madonna. The sculpture was erected in memory of the plague that raged in the mid-16th century.
The Foresteria and the Armeria also attract the attention of tourists. Today, they are a single architectural ensemble, but they were once separate buildings. The buildings were constructed in the 15th century. The former was used for receiving and accommodating noble visitors, while the latter was used for storing weapons.
Izola – attractions, beaches, and recreation
Best place to stay
The main advantage of the resort is its small size and intimate atmosphere. No matter where you stay, you can explore all the attractions on foot without renting any transportation.
Useful information! Koper is one of the most peaceful and safe cities in the world. You can walk here day and night.
The resort area is divided into two parts:
- the old town of Koper was once an island;
- the surrounding areas located on higher ground are Markovec, Semedela, and Zhusterna.
Depending on your personal preferences and budget, you can choose from three different price categories:
- hotels and hostels;
- apartments;
- hostels.
The cost of accommodation depends on several criteria – distance from the sea and from local attractions, seasonality, availability of additional conditions. In a hotel, a room will cost on average about 60€, renting an apartment costs from 50 to 100€ per day.
Hostels are a great option for young tourists who come to Slovenia to explore the country’s attractions and don’t prioritize comfort. Accommodation in a hostel located in the city center costs around 30€. If you choose a hostel further away from the center, you can expect to pay around 15€ per night.
When choosing your accommodation, consider your own preferences. If you want to be close to all the attractions, book a room in the historic center of Koper. If you want to enjoy the peace and quiet and the views from your window, book a room in a more remote area.
Useful information! The most remote area is located 3 km from the center of Koper.
How much will the rest cost?
According to many tourists’ reviews, a vacation in Koper is quite affordable. Cafes and restaurants offer a variety of dishes at reasonable prices.
- Espresso in Koper costs 1€, cappuccino will cost a little more – 1.5€. Together with the fragrant drink will be served with water and biscuits.
- A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs an average of 10€ per person.
- A 3-course dinner for two in a mid-range restaurant costs 35€.
- A quick meal at a fast-food restaurant costs 6€ per person.
- The standard price for 0.5 liters of local beer is 2.5€.
This is important! In any cafe, you can ask for water, which will be served in a glass or decanter for free. Local wine is cheaper than juice, costing 1€ per 100 ml.
You won’t need to take a taxi in Koper, as all the attractions are within walking distance. However, if you need to travel, the cost will be around 5-7€.
In Kopar, tourists are offered excursion tours. A trip to Verona from Slovenia will cost 35€.
Beaches
Of course, there are beaches in Koper, but they are hardly ideal places to relax. Spoiled tourists will not find the usual infrastructure here. All that the city offers guests is a small beach with a concrete entrance to the water, without any frills.
The beach season starts in June, but the preparations end on June 1. By this time:
- restricted swimming area;
- diving rafts have been prepared;
- lifeguards appear on the beach;
- cafes are opening;
- children’s playgrounds are also available.
The beach season ends in the second half of September, but tourists still swim in the sea for several weeks.
In this matter, you need to understand that all the beaches in Koper are designed primarily for local residents. Of course, the coastline is clean and well-maintained, and there is a small area for children.
Koper Beaches in Slovenia:
- central, located within the city limits;
- Zhusterna is located 1 km from the city center.
There is a comfortable road along the coastline leading to Zhusterna Beach. This recreation area is more comfortable, with a parking lot and a designated area for children to swim.
This is important! All the beaches in the country are pebbly, with the exception of the coastline in Portorož. The beautiful beaches in Izola and Strunjan are neighboring cities to Koper.
Weather and climate, when is the best time to go
Koper is always beautiful, regardless of the season or the weather outside. The locals have organized their lives in such a way that it is always interesting and exciting here. Summer begins in the second half of June, autumn in the middle of September, winter in the end of December.Useful recommendations
During the holidays, the residents of Koper go to the coast, so it is better not to buy a ticket at this time. Holidays in schools are in late October, on Christmas holidays (from 25 December to 1 January). There are also holidays in spring – from 27 April to 2 May. The first days of May are a public holiday. Summer vacation for schoolchildren begins on 25 June.
The hot season begins in the second half of July and lasts until autumn. During this time, the resort is visited by tourists from Italy.
It is not advisable to travel to Koper in the summer, as it is too hot to explore the local attractions. However, during the summer months, various festivals and music events take place on the city’s streets. The temperature ranges from +27°C to +30°C.
Autumn is the perfect time to visit Koper. The average temperature ranges from +23°C in September to +18°C in October and +13°C in November. Rainfall is infrequent. Additionally, accommodation prices significantly decrease from the second half of September.
The spring months are considered the windiest, especially February and March. The temperature varies from +12°C in March to +21°C in May. In late April, the town comes to life, filled with tourists, cyclists, and visitors to local cafes. In May, guests are treated to asparagus and juicy cherries. During the spring months, the town offers affordable accommodation and easy access to tourist destinations.
In winter, Koper is especially beautiful. Christmas music plays everywhere, houses are decorated for the holiday, and there is an atmosphere of wonder. A festive market with treats, gifts, and a huge Christmas tree is held in the square. In winter, stores start selling at a discount.
Another reason to visit Koper in winter is skiing. In addition to the Slovenian ski resorts, you can also visit Italy and Austria. The air temperature during this time of year is around +8 degrees Celsius.
How to get from Ljubljana and Venice
There are several ways to get from the capital to Koper
- By car. The most comfortable way is to rent a car at Ljubljana Airport.
- By train. In this case, you must first take a shuttle bus from the airport to the train station. From here, there are several daily departures to Koper, and the journey takes 2.5 hours. The ticket price is 9.6€. The website for booking travel documents is https://potniski.sz.si.
- By bus. There is a bus station near the train station. The journey takes about 1.5 hours, and the ticket costs 9.6€. You can check the current schedule and buy tickets on the website of the Ljubljana bus station: www.ap-ljubljana.si.
- Taxi. If you prefer comfort, take a taxi, you can order a car at the airport. The trip will cost 100-120€.
There are also several ways to get from Venice to Koper.
- By car. You can rent a car at the airport. This is the most convenient way, as the distance is quite long and it takes a long time to get there on foot. The roads in Italy are toll-free, and the journey to Koper costs 10€.
- By train. From Marco Polo Airport, you need to take a train to the train station. There is a bus stop near the terminal, and the ticket price is 8€. The bus goes directly to the train station. Then, you need to take a train to Trieste train station. The ticket price ranges from 13€ to 30€. From Trieste, you can take a taxi to Koper for 30€.
- Taxi. A taxi ride from the airport in Venice to Koper costs 160€. The journey takes about 2 hours.
Koper (Slovenia) gives an incredible feeling that you have come to an Italian town – narrow streets, laundry that dries right on the street, a tower in the Venetian style. The resort is a unique place where two different cultures are intertwined.
