Sights and attractions

The exquisite 13th-century palace boasts an external staircase and balcony. It is decorated with a statue of Justice holding a sword and coats-of-arms, which testify to the history of Koper. Visit the Tourist information centre (TIC) to arrange a guided tour.

The church is home to Slovenia's largest organ instrument and works of art by Vittorio Carpaccio, dating to the beginning of the 16th century. Go up a 54-metre-tall bell tower with beautiful views of Koper and its surroundings.

The Romanesque church hidesbehind an encampment wall from the 16th century. Its interior is painted in surprisingly exceptional gothic art. One of the works of art that ranks among the pinnacle of medieval painting is the famous Danse Macabre (Dance of Death).

This digital and interactive experience will take you on a journey through various historical periods. Make sure to stop by the model of the old town centre and listen to its tales. The true character of Izola is also displayed by photographs and ship models.

A tour guide will lead you on an exploration of the archaeological park, where you will learn about pre-history and antiquity of the area and visit the acropolis overlooking the sea and the salt pans. Along the way, you will learn about the lives of ancient Histri people, Romans, and the modern life of today's inhabitants.

The remains of the seaside Villa Maritima remind us of the time when ancient Romans began settling in Istria. The villa had an impressive 600m2 floor mosaic. The life in the distinguished summer residence is presented in two pavilions.

This photogenic medieval city, with Tartini's Square at its centre, is surrounded by majestic walls with multiple city gates. Admire the views from the bell tower by the Church of St. George and walk along the seafront promenade, stretching to Sečovlje salt pans.

Visit the Museum of Salt Making, taste the famous Piran salt, and learn about traditional salt harvesting by hand. View the swamp birds in their habitat from thematic or cycling trail through the salt pans.

This typical stone-built Istrian house in Sveti Peter will show you what life in Piran's countryside was like in the past. In the house, you will also find »torkla« - an old oil mill, which was once used to transform the fruits of Istrian olive trees into the famous olive oil.

Within its walls, the 11th-century monastery in Ankaran, keeps rich tales spanning centuries. It was once a succursal monastery to a Venetian monastery. Later it was a military hospital and formed a part of the popular bathing complex. Today it is a hotel.

The size of the oven on the side of a road in Ankaran hints that it was once used to bake bread for a large community. Such ovens were once a very frequent sight in Istrian villages. The bread for multiple families was baked on an open fireplace.

Remains of bunkers, firing nests and trenches built by the Germans in 1943 remind us of Ankaran’s strategic position and tumultuous history. After Italy's capitulation, many expected the allies to disembark in the Gulf of Trieste.