PIRAN, Slovenia - FREE destination guide
Piran is a small picturesque town, located at the end of Piran peninsula on the Slovenian Adriatic coast. Built under the Venetian influence, it holds a specific kind of charm. It looks a bit like Venice but much smaller and with much less visitors.
Piran got its look as we know it today under Venetian rule in the 13th century. This was the golden era of Piran. Under Venetian rule, Piran flourished as a commercial and cultural centre. All the palaces, churches, and squares that we admire today in Piran were built under Venetian rule. In the 18th century, Piran was ruled of the Habsburg Empire, followed by the Austrian Empire. This period brought continued prosperity to the town, with salt production and tourism playing significant roles in its economy.
Today, Piran is a captivating mix of old and new. The historic centre with its ancient walls, display Venetian architecture alongside modern art galleries and boutiques. The town's charming streets, lined with modern cafes and restaurants, invite visitors to stroll and soak up the atmosphere.
Piran has always been a very culturally rich destination and has always attracted many artists of different kinds. The town also hosts various cultural events throughout the year, including music festivals, art exhibitions, and traditional celebrations. Most of those are happening during the summer months on the Tartini Square or in the town’s theatre.
HOW TO GET TO PIRAN
Slovenia is a very small country, so getting from one place to the other never takes a lot of driving. From Ljubljana, you can reach Piran in about 1 hour and 20 minutes of driving on the highway in the direction of Koper. Piran is located just about 10 10-minute drive from the border crossing with Croatia and about 20-minute drive from the border crossing with Italy.
BEST TIME TO VISIT PIRAN
The best time to visit Piran is definitely during the warmer part of the year when the town is alive and you can have a chance to fully experience its Mediterranean atmosphere. July and August attract a lot of tourists to the area, but at the same time, this is also by far the best time to experience Piran!
If you prefer to avoid the busy season, try to visit in June or September, just before or after the summer season, when the sea is usually warm enough to swim and the days are long enough and sunny to enjoy them fully.
THINGS TO DO & SEE IN PIRAN
Recommended guided tour 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
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. Souvenir Shopping
Souvenir shopping is something we all like to do. This way you can bring home something that will remind you of the beautiful Piran or you can surprise your friends and family with a little something from this Adriatic jewel.
The number one souvenir to buy in Piran is definitely the salt. The Piran salt is known for its outstanding quality and makes for a great souvenir! You will find many products made from salt like a mix of Mediterranean spices with salt you can use for cooking, bathing salt mixtures, scrubs and even chocolate with added salt.
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. 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!
9. 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.
TOP RESTAURANTS IN PIRAN
TOP ACCOMMODATIONS IN PIRAN
Many tourists who visit Piran decide to search for accommodation in the neighbouring Portorož. Portorož is, besides Ljubljana, the destination in Slovenia with the highest number of high-end hotels. I prefer the small charming town of Piran much more than busy Portorož, but that’s my personal choice. If you end up searching for accommodation in Piran, here is a list of recommended hotels:
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