Top Things To Do In The Historic Heart Of Koper

Koper is yet another a little gem on Slovenia’s Adriatic coast. It sits on a small peninsula east of both Izola and Piran, two other Slovenian charmers and, like Izola, Koper was also once an island. It offers a similar rich history as it was also ruled by the Venetians, Napoleonic France, the Austrian Empire, and Yugoslavia before gaining independence as part of Slovenia. The Roman’s also once lived here. They called it Capris. Koper is the largest port town of Slovenia, with a vast marina and an old town filled with Venetian style architecture and vibrant culture. This town is perfect for a day trip to admire the boats in the harbor, see the fisherman’s wharf, stroll through the charming old town for its beautiful architecture, glimpse into its past, and indulge in fresh seafood. This post covers the best things to do in Koper.

Top Things To Do In Koper

Walk The Marina

Koper is the largest marina in Slovenia with both a marina for recreational boats, a marina for fishermen, and a port for international goods. The latter is not Koper’s prettiest site, but it is interesting to see the colorful cargo containers on the far east side of the marina.

I visited Koper three times during my stay in Slovenia. My first visit was on a cool, drizzly day. I did not see many people out walking. Honestly, it felt a little somber and not the best first impression. My next visit was near dusk, when a spectacular sunset was reflected in the sea by the marina. Not only was it beautiful, but the marina had come alive with people. They were enjoying the sunset, walking along the marina, and dining at its restaurants.

There is also a beach at the far end of the peninsula (by the international part of the port), but it’s a small cement beach and not really very enticing. It’s better to visit San Simon Beach in Izola, or the beaches in Piran or Portoroz. Of course there’s also Fiesa Lake in Piran, and nearby Strunjan Beach for swimming as well.

Explore The Old Town

The old town of Koper is larger than the quaint old town of Izola. It’s also larger than Piran. It is, though, tucked a little farther away from the coast, so does not have the same coastal charm as the other two. It is certainly still worth exploring through. Especially to see its architecture, like Praetorian Palace, the Cathedral of the Assumption, and Da Ponte Fountain, as well as to find great food.

Visit Praetorian Palace

Visiting Praetorian Palace is one of the top highlights of Koper. This was once the home of the mayor of Koper and seat of the Council of Nobles in the 15th century (during Venetian rule). It sits on the southern side of Tito Square, which is named after the former president of Yugoslavia, Josip Broz Tito.

You can walk around he palace and admire its medieval-looking architecture, or, for a for a few euro, you can take a guided tour.

Have Coffee At Loggia Palace

Also on Tito Square, across from Praetorian Palace, is 15th century, Venetian influenced, Loggia Palace. And while it has all the grandeur of a palace, and is called a palace, it really serves as the town hall.

There’s also a cafe inside, called Golden Loggia, offering beautiful views of Praetorian Palace. It’s the perfect place to sit and enjoy the ambiance of the plaza with a cup of coffee or a stronger beverage,

Climb The Bell Tower For The View

The Cathedral of the Assumption also sits in Tito Square and climbing its bell tower for a view of the town is one of the top things to do in Koper. At the top of its 200 plus steps, you’ll be able to see the Adriatic beyond the sea of terra cotta rooftops.

The cathedral sits between Praetorian Palace and the Loggia. It’s one of the largest churches in Slovenia so worth a quick stop to see its interior as well.

See Da Ponte Fountain

One last piece of interesting architecture to look for in Koper is Da Ponte Fountain. This fountain also highlights Koper’s Venetian roots as it’s a replica of Venice’s famed Rialto Bridge. It sits in Preseren Square and served as a source of drinking water until the late 1800’s.

Eat Fresh Seafood

One of the top highlights of Koper though, is eating fresh seafood. Here are a few places known for their seafood.

• Restavracija Capra was my favorite place to eat. It’s located across from the marina in Grand Koper Hotel. There’s both a bistro and a more formal restaurant here that offer a variety of amazing pizzas, as well as fabulous Mediterranean and Slovenian dishes.
• Fritolan is a take away seafood place. It’s similar to the one I loved in Piran, although not as charming. I did not try this one personally, but I loved the concept and am sure it’s just as amazing. It’s located just a 1 minute walk from the Grand Koper Hotel, near the market. You place your order at the window and eat at picnic tables nearby. The seafood is fresh, service is quick, and it’s inexpensive.
• Folpo Morje Okusov is similar to a food truck right by the fisherman’s wharf. The food really looked amazing, but I chose not to eat here as it was too chilly to sit outside the day I considered it. Then I fell in love with Capra. This is inexperience, casual seafood.

• If you prefer to try some Balkan food instead, eat at Bascarsilja, near the marina. Named after the main square in Sarajevo, this restaurant serves a variety of grilled meats, salads, and more and gets excellent reviews.

Want More Of Slovenia?

Other gems on the Adriatic coast are Piran and Izola. Piran is the most charming of the three, but also the most touristic. All three are lovely little towns and definitely worth visiting. I chose to stay in Piran, but if you want a less touristic location, you could chose to stay in Izola or Koper. You may even be able to find something less expensive (although I do not consider Piran expensive).

Slovenia’s capital, Ljubljana, is another enchanting city and closest to the international airport. It’s only about an hour and a half drive from Izola and Piran. You can explore the medieval castle overlooking the old town, walk the riverside promenade and admire its beautiful architecture and bridges, learn its history, and enjoy its delightful cafe culture.

Bled, is another must-see, although admittedly a little touristic due to its beauty. With stunning alpine Bled Lake, and fairytale-like Bled Castle soaring above it, it’s like walking into a postcard. It also makes a great base for the area as there is plenty of adventure nearby. You can explore Vintgar Gorge, hike Mount Triglav, the highest peak in Slovenia, hike Seven Lakes, or go canyoneering, rafting, and even skydiving.

Safe Travels!

Julie