If you’re planning a trip to Slovenia, you probably already know about Ljubljana, Lake Bled, and maybe even Kranjska Gora near Triglov National Park. These are all great options, but if you want to add something refreshingly different to your Slovenia plans, add Piran.
Piran is a seaside town, situated on a small peninsula in the Adriatic Sea. It’s known for its Italian influence and medieval architecture, and beloved loved for it’s crystal-clear waters and stunning views. If you are looking to add a dose of breezy, Mediterranean vibes to your fairytale Slovenian itinerary, Piran is the place for you.
In this post, we’ll briefly introduce you to Piran, Slovenia. Then, we’ll go over some of the things to do while you’re there before diving into the logistics like how to get there, how long to stay, and a dire warning about parking. Keep reading to plan the perfect Piran visit.
About Piran
Slovenia only has about 30 miles of coastline, sandwiched between Italy and Croatia, and Piran is one of only four main coastal towns. It’s old town is known for it’s well-preserved architecture and long history; a history that stretches back through many empires, long before Slovenia was even in a country.
Piran has been controlled by many major empires including Roman, Byzantine, Napoleonic, and Austro-Hungarian, but the one that left the largest mark is the Venetian. For about 500 years, Piran was part of the Republic of Venice. During this time, it’s defining architecture was built, including it’s iconic city walls and bell tower, which was modeled after St. Mark’s in Venice.
Today, Piran is a bustling resort town with rocky beaches, red-roof buildings, and vibrant squares. It’s old town is car-free, with limited access and central parking exclusively for its roughly 4,000 residents. The city is officially dual lingual, speaking both Italian and Slovenian. As a tourist town though, there’s also more than enough English as well.
Piran is incredibly compact, and — other than being quite hilly as you veer away from the coast — it is quite walkable. You can easily walk the town’s entire coastline in a single morning, and then spend the afternoon weaving through the boutiques and cafes that pepper the winding inland streets.
Nicknamed “Little Venice,” Piran certainly feels Italian. The town lacks the distinctive canals of Venice though, and honestly it reminded more of coastal Cinque Terre than Venice. It has a relaxed vibe. And while touristy, the town feels more like you’re staying with a friend.
Things to do in Piran
Piran is a small town. It’s one of those places that doesn’t necessarily have a long list of things to do, but lots of magical ways to fill your time. From dreamy sunrises and sunsets to winding cobblestone streets, any stroll through Piran is sure to delight.
Here are a few things to be sure to see and do while you’re there.
Enjoy a Meal on the Water at Sunset
This town is so perfect that you can literally watch sunrise and sunset over the same body of water. The sun usually rises before the restaurants open though, so instead, plan a meal around sunset.
The best place to be at sunset is along the main pedestrian avenue on the south side of town between the port and the lighthouse. (The strip is called Prešernovo Nabrežje, which translate to Breezy Embankment.) There’s a line of restaurants, which range from fresh local seafood to Neapolitan pizza, all of which has patio seating. It does get crowded, so be sure to arrive early.
We snagged a table at Pizzeria Allora and watched the sun go down. It was absolutely delightful.
Swim in the Sea
You won’t find sandy beaches in Piran, but don’t let that stop you from packing a swim suit. You’ll find people swimming in the crystal clear waters all around Piran.
There are entry points all around town, ranging from stone steps to rocky beaches to ladders on concrete seawalls. One of the best spots is on the north side, just east of Plaža Piran (roughly in front of this little dive shop.) This spot has calm, shallow water with a gradual, stone entry and stunning views of Italy on the other side of the sea. It’s a great spot for kids and casual waders.
For more serious swimming, head further south. The stretch of waterfront south of Restaurant Riviera Adriatic is a concrete seawall with ladders into the water. This was popular with older kids and adults, because the water is deeper here. There are no lifeguards are duty, so swim with caution.
Note! Jelly fish are common in these waters, so be on the lookout. We saw several while walking along the water. Most of them, including the one below, are harmless and cause no reaction to humans. However, the mauve stinger can deliver a serious sting, and is occasionally found in nearby waters.
Stroll the City Walls
The City Walls are not to be missed! The walls are the most concrete “Thing to do” in Piran. They are also the most crowded, but for good reason. Plan to go in the morning to avoid the crowds and heat.
The Piran city walls were first built in the 7th century, and then further built out in three distinct phases. The final phase was built as protection from the threat of Turkish invasion, which never actually materialized. It’s this section of the wall that is best preserved today.
The City Walls are not far from town, but it’s a steep uphill climb to get there. You’ll also have to climb stairs to get to the top of the actual walls. Boy, does it pay off though. The view from the walls is the best in town.
The walls are open from 8AM to 8PM. Tickets cost 4€ (children under 15 are free) and can be purchased at the entrance. Once you’re up there, the walls don’t take too much time. Plan to spend about an hour on this whole excursion.
Enjoy the View from St. George’s Parish Church
If you don’t have the time or quad strength to make it up to the city walls, St. George’s Parish is a good backup option. Even if you are going all the way up to the walls, you’ll probably pass St. George’s along the way, and it’s definitely worth taking a lap or a rest while you’re there.
As mentioned previously, the bell tower at this church was modeled after St. Mark’s Campanile in Venice, but at a smaller scale. You can climb to the top of the bell tower for a few Euro or visit the main church for free on most days.
Even if you don’t step foot inside the church, it’s worth going up to this church for the views alone. You get the city walls one way, the city from above the other, and the sea everywhere you look.
Relax in First of May Square
This blink-and-you’ll-miss-it square is the oldest square in Piran. It was once the main square of the city, but has since been overshadowed by the much larger Tartini Square. First of May Square is a popular gathering place for locals and visitors alike.
At the center is a beautiful stone 18th century reservoir, which stands mostly unchanged today. Around the square, you’ll find notable restaurants, delightful shops, and might even catch a local gathering or performance.
There are a few restaurants in the square that are incredibly popular. Rostelin is famous for its homemade pastas, while Fritolin Pri Cantini is where you’ll find the best locally caught seafood. If you are looking for a delicious souvenir, be sure to pop into GourmIstra for a bottle of locally sourced olive oil or a wine tasting.
Note! These restaurants are very popular, so be sure to arrive early or plan to enjoy some drinks in the square while you wait.
If you only have one night in town, eat by the water. If you have two, spend the second night at First of May Square. If you don’t have time for either, grab a gelato at nearby Mersii Gelato and eat it from the steps of the reservoir.
Wander Tartini Square
Tartini Square is the modern city center of Piran. This large, open square feels like a square you’d happen upon in Venice, with it’s wide open space, umbrellaed restaurants, and ring of Venetian buildings with the bell tower poking up in the distance.
This square is less quaint, and more grandiose than First of May Square. It’s a fine place to dine, though it’d probably fall to my third choice. This square is one that you might use as a starting point for winding in and out of the nearby side streets, popping into boutiques and gift shops as you go. It’s also a great place to come to grab a drink before or after sunset on the water.
Look for Pirate Art
There’s a lot of cool street art around Piran. The thing I noticed most was definitely all of the pirate murals. These were a few of my favorites.
Walk the Fiesa Footpath at Sunrise or Sunset
As I write this post, I find myself thinking “That was my favorite thing” about everything I did in Piran. I think the Fiesa Footpath, though, is actually my favorite thing.
This elevated 1K walking path hugs a cliff from the old town to Fiesa Beach. It offers stunning views over the water, including the mountains of Italy in the distance and bell tower views on the walk back.
In the morning, this stretch is full-sun, and can be really hot in the summer. It’s best in the early morning or evening times.
Fiesa Beach itself isn’t a must-see destination, however, it’s a good breaking point if you are walking the full path. There’s a restaurant and snack stand where you can grab a snack or drink. There’s also a rock beach here. It’s a fine place to take a dip in the middle of your walk, but I think the beaches in town are better.
Explore the Historic Lighthouse
At the very tip of Piran’s peninsula, there is a beautiful stone lighthouse. Most people just enjoy the view as a part of the town’s charmed skyline. However, for only 3€, you can actually go inside. You can check out rotating exhibits, tour the lighthouse keeper’s apartment, and of course, enjoy delightful views.
We ran out of time to actually go inside, but I’d definitely check it out next time.
Walk around the Port
The port is located on the south side of Piran, right at the edge of old town. In this area, the traffic picks up and the streets start to feel a bit more commercial. This area is slightly less charming than the heart of the old town, but it has a modern liveliness that is appealing in a different way.
You can walk out on the pier and check out the two smaller, colorful lighthouses and a lovely view up the coast. The boats docked in the port are also very scenic. There’s a higher density of shops around here too, and though slightly less quaint, they were really nice to pop in and out of.
Go for a Run
Short on time? One way to see virtually all of these things at once is to lace up your sneaks and go for a run.
I started at First of May Square and then made my way south to Prešernovo Nabrežje. I followed the water to the lighthouse, and then wrapped around and up to St. George’s Parish. From there, I trudged uphill to the city walls (only to discover they weren’t yet open for the day) and then back down to Tartini Square. I needed some extra miles, so I ran along the sea wall from the port to roughly the parking garage and back.
It was one of the best runs I had in Europe all summer!
Plan Your Visit to Piran
It this next section, we’ll go into some important details for planning a trip to Piran. The town is definitely worth visiting, but its small size and remote location mean it requires some specific planning.
When to Visit Piran
Summer is peak tourism season in Piran; specifically June, July and August. It’s the most popular time of year, when the town is alive with holiday revelers, swimming in the blue water and drinking chilled Malvazija Istarska (the regional wine.) Like many others, we personally visited in the summer.
Shoulder season is a few months on either side of that — April/May and September/October. During these times, the crowds are lower and the weather is more moderate. The sea water can be chilly around these times, but it’s perfect weather for walking around the old town.
The winter months from November to March are the the quietist times in Piran. There are very few tourists and the town belongs to the locals for a few months.
How to Get to Piran
Piran is located about 75 miles southwest of Slovenia’s capital, Ljubljana.
Slovenia isn’t the most well-connected country in Europe as far as public transportation goes. If you are going to be venturing outside of the capital, you’re probably going to need to rent a car. So while there is a bus option from Ljubljana (and a few other cities) to Piran, most tourists are going to drive.
According to Google Maps, the drive from Ljubljana takes about 1.5 hours. In our experience, driving andywhere in Slovenia took significantly longer than Google thought. Piran specifically is located on a peninsula with only one way in and one way out. Traffic in the area is notoriously awful. Expect the trip to Piran to be a little bit awful and take at least an hour longer.
Where to Park in Piran
Unfortunately, once you get to Piran, there is still one more major annoyance: parking. Piran is a car-free town and the closest parking is reserved for locals. Instead, you’ll have to park outside of town, and then walk or take the shuttle to town.
The main parking lot is the Fornače Parking Garage. There is no public parking closer to town than this lot. It’s a 7-story parking garage with tight spots and sharp turns. It’s incredibly busy because nearly everyone visiting Piran is parking there. It can easily take 30 minutes to an hour to find parking. And of course, you have to pay hourly for it.
If you’re staying in Piran though, be sure to check with your host or hotel. Airbnb hosts often have discounted rates and some hotels have private parking or shuttles.
How Long to Stay in Piran
I put together a decent list of things to do in Piran, but the truth is you only really need a single day there. However, I’d recommend staying at least one night in Piran, and two would be better.
On your arrival day, plan to get to Piran in the early afternoon. That will give you time to park, get to where you’re staying, catch your breath, and make it to the waterfront before sunset.
The next morning, go for a slow breakfast (Cafinho was so good), walk the walls, and then swim in the sea. Spend the afternoon popping in and out of shops. Enjoy a relaxed dinner at First of May Square. Before you know it, you’ve easily filled a full day and more.
Can you Visit Piran as a Day Trip?
I had originally read about Piran as a day trip. In a way, this made sense. Staying in the small resort town is expensive, and there isn’t much to do so maybe a day trip is fine. In reality, that glosses over the practical barriers of getting to and from Piran. I personally wouldn’t’ recommend it.
As the above two sections eluded to, it can be annoying to get to Piran. Between the traffic and the parking, it will a cost a fair amount of time and energy to get there. Rushing to get in and out of town doesn’t leave you with much time in the middle to actually enjoy the best parts of Piran.
A day trip is technically possible, but I’m not sure it’s worth the trouble for such a short stay, especially in the summer months.
Where To Stay in Piran
You’ll definitely want to plan ahead if you’re going to stay in Piran. There is really only one main hotel, a then several boutique accommodations, airbnbs and inns. These types of places can book up quickly and get very expensive.
Hotel Piran is the main hotel in the area. It’s right on the water and conveniently located on the edge of the old town. They don’t have parking on premise, but do offer a shuttle service from the main garage.
We stayed in an Airbnb on First of May Square. Our hosts were a delight and gave us tons of helpful info. They also picked us up from the garage and drove us as close as they could to the apartment.
Another option is to stay in nearby Portorož. There are much large hotels and resorts in that area. From there, it’s only a 15 minute walk to the parking garage with shuttle service to Piran. Alternatively, it’s a 2-mile beautiful walk on a coastal promenade between the two towns.
Sample Slovenia Itinerary with Piran
Piran is a great addition to any Slovenia itinerary. Here’s how we incorporated Piran into our 12-day Slovenia and Croatia Itinerary
- Days 1-2 — Ljubljana: We arrived in Ljubljana via overnight train from Paris. We spent the first day exploring the old town and castle, and the second on a day trip to Postojna Caves.
- Days 3-7 — Lake Bled Area: We stayed in Lake Bled and then filled four days in the area, including day trips to Lake Bohinj, Triglav National Park, and Vintgar Gorge.
- Days 8-9 — Piran: We spent two days and one night in Piran, basically living our best lives and doing everything in this post.
- Days 10-12 — Croatia: We didn’t have much time in Croatia but we did spend a day at Plitvice Lakes and a day in Dubrovnik, with a lot of driving in between.
Closing Thoughts
Piran is an excellent addition to any Slovenia itinerary. Getting there can be a struggle, but it’s worth it for the scenic views, relaxed atmosphere, and coastal vibes. If you love sunsets, crisp sea breezes, long walks and long Italian meals, you will love Piran.
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