To be honest, I didn’t know much about the small European country Slovenia before my trip. Therefore, I was quite amazed to learn that a small part of Slovenia (46 kilometers to be precise) is even located directly by the sea and that there is such a beautiful, charming city as Piran. On my European campervan route, right after visiting Lake Bled, I headed to Piran and explored another gem of the probably most underrated country in Europe.
The picturesque town on the Adriatic is home to only 4,000 inhabitants but attracts many tourists to its beautiful alleys every year. Piran, one of the most beautiful places in Slovenia, can easily be explored in one or two days, making it the ideal stopover on a road trip through Slovenia and Croatia. In this post, I will tell you about the most beautiful places in Piran that should be on your list.
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8 Things to Do in Piran
1. Visit Tartini Square
Tartini Square, a beautiful spacious square, is the main square and center of the city. From here you are only a few steps away from the charming old town and the sea promenade. Around Tartini Square, there are beautiful old houses in pastel colors, small shops, a tourist information center, as well as the beautiful town hall of Piran. Benches in the middle of the square invite you to relax. Since it can get very hot at the square in the middle of the day and in the summer months, I opted for a shadier spot to eat my ice cream and to observe people running their errands.
2. Enjoy the view from the old city wall
To see the true beauty of Piran, taking a look from above over the city is worthwhile. The best way to enjoy the view over this European hidden gem is by climbing up the old city wall of Piran. It can be reached around 10 minutes from the center. For an entry price of 2 euros, you can walk on top of the city wall and let your gaze wander over the peninsula. Observation platforms on several watchtowers allow you to look in all directions. An insider tip is to climb the city wall just before sunset to watch the sun go down behind the city. Isn’t this romantic?
3. Climb up the Bell Tower
Another great viewpoint of Piran is the bell tower of St. George’s Cathedral. Here, again, you can climb up the tower’s stairs for just 2 euros, and enjoy a fantastic panorama over Tartini Square, the old town, the old city wall, and across the sea to the coast of Italy and Croatia. Just as for the city wall viewpoint, the light is particularly beautiful just before sunset.
4. Stroll around the harbor and the sea promenade
You can take a walk along the harbor and the sea promenade directly from Tartini Square. On the southern side of the promenade, there are plenty of restaurants and cafés that invite you not only with their menu but also with a romantic view over the sea. At the tip of the peninsula, there is a small lighthouse and several benches as well. Take a seat and let your gaze wander over the glittering sea!
5. Relax at the beach
On the north bank of the Piran peninsula, there is a small stone beach where you can spend a relaxing afternoon. The beach becomes particularly popular at sunset when several people gather to spend a romantic evening. There are also several entry points into the water further ahead. In the summer months (from June to September) you are invited to take a refreshing swim in the sea.
6. Stroll around the alleys
One of my favorite activities in small towns like Piran is strolling through the small alleys, past the small shops and houses of the locals. Piran’s old town is ideal for having a nice stroll! The small streets around the “Platz des 1. Mai”, the second largest square in Piran, are particularly beautiful. I would recommend just drifting through the alleys of Piran and the almost car-free old town. And don’t worry – you can’t get lost that quickly in Piran.
7. Enjoy all the food
On every corner in Piran, you can find authentic restaurants serving typical Slovenian food, small ice cream shops, and market stalls with fresh fruit. Almost all restaurants in Piran specialize in fish and seafood, but you can also find many Italian and German dishes in most restaurants. The price level in Piran is generally higher than in other parts of Slovenia, but you cannot complain about them.
8. Visit the Franciscan Monastery
The beautiful Franciscan monastery is located in the historical center of Piran and only a few tourists stop by to visit it. The monastery was built in the 13th century and, in my opinion, is definitely worth a short visit. And the best part about it – the entry to the monastery is completely free!
I hope my blog post has given you a good impression of what to do in Piran, the beautiful little town in Slovenia. If you need more Slovenia inspiration, make sure to read my Slovenia road trip itinerary as well. Let me know in the comments down below if you want to visit Piran! 😊
And don’t forget to save this post for your next trip!
