How to Enjoy the Perfect Day Trip to Piran, Slovenia
Slovenia always seemed like the least talked about central European country a European hidden gem, that is until I moved just minutes from the border to Trieste, Italy.
As people in “the know” tend to flock to Ljubljana and Lake Bled, most skip over the Slovenian coast, heading farther south to Croatia or farther north to Italy instead. Now that I’ve been to Piran a few times, I urge you to give this tiny, charming town a bit more consideration.
For those looking for a wild party or plethora of entertainment options, you will want to skip this trip but for those that enjoy picturesque and laid back places where you can enjoy the sea, a good meal, and a stunning sunset, you’re in for a treat.
Now that you have a better idea of what you’re getting into by visiting Piran, here’s how you can plan and enjoy a fantastic day trip here.
Best Things to Do in Piran
As I mentioned, Piran is a really small town. That means, nearly everything there is to do in town is just a short walk from one another, making it an extremely calm trip and one that likely won’t clock an overwhelming amount of steps.
The choice is yours if you want to take your time and amble around or rush through and onto the next destination in just an hour or two. In Piran, both options are possible, although I do recommend the first option.
Tartini Square
Upon arriving in Piran, after you’ve parked your car and walked or taken the free bus into old town (more on transport later!), you’ll arrive at the Piran marina and then Tartini Square. This is Piran’s main square and the best place to enjoy the architecture and people watch.
If you arrive in the morning, I recommend grabbing a seat outside for a cappuccino or, if arriving later in the day, toasting to a new destination with a spritz. Given the proximity to the Italian border, you’ll notice most menus and people speak both Slovenian and Italian.
Before or after you sit down, be sure to see the square from all angels. Although not a huge square, it’s big enough that each vantage point provides something different.
Enjoy the Views from the Medieval Walls
Now that you’ve seen Piran from ground level, it’s time to see it from above. As far back as the 7th century, Piran began constructing their town walls to ward off an invasion. They continued to build the wall that eventually surrounded the entire town throughout the centuries.
Enjoying the view from Zvonik church with my dog, Bandido
As the threats eased over time and the town grew, the walls became more and more obsolete. Luckily, only portions of the walls were completely removed or fell into complete disrepair. Nowadays, about 300 meters of the original walls are left.
For €3 you can walk along what’s still standing of the walls and enjoy the views over Piran and the Adriatic Sea.
An Alternative Viewpoint
If you don’t have the time or desire to go all the way up the walls, you can enjoy a great view of Tartini Square from the church, Zvonik. You can either enjoy the views from the area in front of the entrance of the church or climb the bell tower for an even vaster view.
Note: As of summer 2024, the bell tower is under construction until further notice.
Eat a Meal on the Coastal Promenade
Now that you’ve likely worked up an appetite, it’s time for a meal. Be it brunch, lunch, or dinner, I recommend you eat along the coast. From the walls or the church, make your way to Piran Port on the northwestern end of the marina.
From there, you can walk all the way around the point of Piran, where you’ll keep the Adriatic Sea on one side and town on the other. I recommend at least walking down to Our Lady of Health Church, a small but beautiful chapel on the sea.
From Piran Port to the church, you’ll pass by a number of restaurants to choose from. While I’m not sure you can go wrong, I recommend choosing between:
Pavel or Pavel 2: Want seafood in a scenic environment? This is your spot. I highly recommend you try the stuffed squids, a Balkan specialty. While they’re technically two locations side-by-side, you expect the same great food at either.
Gostilna Ivo: Given that Piran is a seaside town, you won’t be surprised that this is another seafood restaurant. I haven’t eaten here before but have been told good things. I recommend checking the menu here and at Pavel to make your decision.
If you prefer to eat off the beaten path, go to one of the restaurants around Trg 1 Maja, the original main square of Piran. More on that destination below!
Take a Peek at the Shell Museum
Want something a little bit quirky to do or the ideal rainy day activity? Visit the seashell museum. Personally, I’m a huge fan of shells and collect them from all over the world so I couldn’t turn down a chance to visit the museum.
When we visited, not everything was in English but it was still enjoyable to look at all the specimens collected. They have around 4,000 types of shells.
Go for a Swim
If the weather is warm, I recommend going for a dip. The water in Piran is always fresh and clean, making it the perfect way to end your Piran day trip. You can dive right in from the rocks that line the promenade, just be sure you’re near a ladder to be able to get back out.
Although you’ll see beaches marked on Google Maps, Piran doesn’t have any sandy beaches, just rocks or paved platforms to lay your towel on. This is common all throughout Europe but worth the heads up if this will be your first time here.
Alternative for Cold Weather
For those visiting Piran on a cooler day, instead of swimming, finish off your day in Piran with a stroll through the narrow streets that wind around from Tartini Square to the tip of the peninsula. If you’re visiting in the off season, do note that this part of town will be incredibly quiet with not much open but I still think it’s worth roaming around.
Piran is so small, this will only take as long as you want it to. I recommend making it at least to the old square, Trg 1 Maja. Back in the day, this was the center of Piran and is still a cute place to visit. In the summer, you can enjoy a number of coffee shops and restaurants here but in the winter, many of these close.
If you decide to eat around this square instead, I recommend Fritolin Pri Cantini or Rostelin.
Combine It with a Trip to Koper
Finished your trip to Piran early? If you’re looking to see more of the Slovenian coast, combine your Piran day trip with a stop at Koper. Koper is just 15 minutes north of Piran, on the way to the Italian border.
Both Piran and Koper are two of the best day trips from Trieste.
If you thought Piran was too small, you might prefer the slightly bigger Koper. Even still, you can see most of the old town in a matter of just an hour or two. While there isn’t too much to do per say, it is a charming town to walk around.
I recommend at least visiting Tito Square and climbing up the bell tower to see Koper from above. On Saturdays, there is a farmer’s market where you can sample and take home local artisanal goods.
Best Time to Visit Piran
Since Piran is such a small town, the best time to explore is in the summer. I’ve visited Piran a few times in all seasons but winter and can say that it’s certainly at its liveliest in the summer. Even then though, it wasn’t as crowded as many of the other towns on the Istrian Peninsula get.
If you visit in the off season, say October-May, know that many shops and restaurants will be closed. Most places in Piran thrive off tourism and don’t stay open all year-round. That said, even when I visited in April, there was still plenty open.
More important than the time of the year is the weather. Piran offers incredible views during the day and a picturesque sunset in the evening. That will likely be the highlight of your trip to Piran so try and plan accordingly.
How to Get to Piran, Slovenia
The best way to reach Piran is to drive or to take a bus. There isn’t a train station in town. If coming from somewhere else in Slovenia, you can take public transportation and pay just a few euros for your trip.
If coming from Croatia or Italy, you’ll either need to drive yourself or take a Flixbus. Depending on where exactly you’re coming from, there’s a good chance you’ll have to transfer to a local bus at Portorož.
The easiest way to get to Piran is definitely by car. From Trieste, the drive is about 40 minutes. From Ljubljana, the trip will take just over 1 hour, and from both Pula and Rijeka, the drive takes about 1.5 hours.
When arriving in Piran, note that you won’t be able to drive into old town. You’ll need to park at one of the parking decks and either walk to town or take the free shuttle. Each time I’ve been to Piran, we’ve parked at Fornače parking garage. The walk to Piran is downhill and can be done either on the main street or along the coastline. If you prefer not to walk, the shuttle runs back and forth continuously so you never have to wait long for it.
Enjoy Your Day Trip to Piran
If you’re looking for a great place to see more of Slovenia, I highly recommend visiting Piran. Since it’s so small, you’ll be happy with just a one day trip here but if you’re really looking to unwind and rest, you might prefer to stay overnight.
The terracotta rooftops and brightly painted buildings are a sight to behold. It’s a lovely place to spend a few hours and I highly recommend a day trip.
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