Why Piran is a hidden gem in Slovenia
Piran, Slovenia (ISO 800, 4.5 mm, f/2.8, 1/50 s)
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**This post is the 6th of a 7-post series discussing what to see on your Slovenian road trip (You can check out the other parts in the list below, separated by each city/region (just click the name to see the blog post. Everything is also summarized in another post here.**
Ljubljana (Blog Post: Why Ljubljana, Slovenia is such a wonderful country capital)
Ptuj (Blog Post: Check out the small Slovenia town of Ptuj)
Maribor (Blog Post: Take a trip to the wine region of Maribor, Slovenia)
Bled (Blog Post: Why Bled is the best city in Slovenia to visit)
Triglav National Park (Blog Post: The best places to see in Triglav National Park in Slovenia)
Piran (Blog Post: Why Piran is a hidden gem in Slovenia)
Slovenian Road Trip Summary (Blog Post: The Epic Slovenia Road Trip)
Piran sits on Slovenia’s West coast, nestled on the edge of the Adriatic Sea. It is considered a resort type town due to its relaxed atmosphere. What’s most prevalent in the town is its architecture, dating back to medieval times, and meandering alleyways.
Piran, Slovenia (ISO 640, 24 mm, f/4, 1/1600 s)
My trip here was near the end of my Slovenia road trip and I couldn’t have been happier with the timing; it turned out to be the best low-key, relaxing town to end up at to reflect on my whirlwind of a trip. Life in Piran is easy and slow, who doesn’t love that kind of vibe?!
The medieval feel is derived from the city walls that were built to protect the area from invaders from the Ottoman Empire. And given Piran’s unique position on the Adriatic Sea as well as Europe as a whole, its history is extensive. It was part of the roman empire in the 2nd century AD up until the 5th century during the empire’s decline. Byzantine rule followed in the 7th century AD before Piran eventually became a part of the Holy Roman Empire in 952.
If you like some of my photos that you have come across, just know that I have many prints showcasing a variety of landscapes, including Slovenia, available for purchase below! (Sold as Posters, Canvas, or in Metal-Frames and Wooden-Frames).
That is just a small taste of the history of this place. However, currently there is ongoing debate between the countries of Slovenia and Croatia about territorial claims to the Gulf of Piran that started after the dissolution of Yugoslavia. Nonetheless, all the places I will discuss in Piran can be seen in a Google Map at the end of this blog post.
Check out my drone video of Piran, Slovenia below!
Although I went to Piran on a road trip, so obviously by car, here are some other ways of getting to Piran:
How to Get to Piran
Fly — The nearest airport is Portorož Airport (POW), located about 7 km from Piran. However, it only serves private and charter flights. For international connections, fly into Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport (LJU) or Trieste Airport (TRS) and continue by road or shuttle.
Bus — Buses run regularly from Ljubljana and Trieste to Piran, typically with a transfer in Portorož.
From Ljubljana Bus Station
Duration: ~2 hours
Cost: €8–10
Frequency: Multiple times daily
Tickets: Purchase at the bus station or online
From Trieste, Italy
Route: Take a FlixBus or GoOpti shuttle to Portorož, then connect to a local bus to Piran
Duration: ~1 hour to Portorož + ~10 minutes local bus to Piran
Cost: €7–20 depending on the option and season
Notes: Border crossing may require passport check
Ferry (Seasonal) — From June to September, there is a passenger ferry from Trieste to Piran.
Duration: ~40 minutes
Cost: €9–10 one way
Notes: Operates 4–6 times per week; foot passengers only; bring passport for border control
Car Rental — Driving is a convenient option from nearby cities like Trieste or Ljubljana.
From Trieste: ~35 km (~40 minutes) via A4/E70
From Ljubljana: ~120 km (~1 hour 30 minutes) via A1 and H5 highways
Notes: Piran’s old town is car-free — parking is available outside with shuttle service to the center
Private Shuttle (GoOpti or local services) — Pre-booked transfers from Ljubljana Airport or city to Piran are available.
Duration: ~1.5–2 hours
Cost: Starting at €10–15 for shared rides
Piranski Svetilnik is a lighthouse tower, situated on the very tip of the Piran peninsula. This particular area of the city is great to walk around as well. My favorite thing to do here was grab food and eat it on the rocks, just watching the sun go down over the Adriatic Sea with this tower behind me. Highly recommend!
Piranski Svetilnik, Piran, Slovenia (ISO 400, 47 mm, f/8, 1/500 s)
Garage Fornače isn’t an attraction, but a well located parking garage. If you drove here like I did, you’ll want to find an easily accessible and safe parking space and this one is it. Chances are, your accommodation has sorted out validated parking for you and will have a machine for this on their premises. That was the case for me, as I payed a discount rate to park directly to my accommodation, in exchange for a validated ticket. It couldn’t be easier.
Piran, Slovenia (ISO 1600, 45 mm, f/8, 1/2500 s)
Also from this parking garage, you take the elevator to the ground floor and walk about 200 meters to the water. There you will see a bus stop and a bus will take you to Tartini Square for free! Having to park elsewhere is actually better in the long run as there is much less road noise within the city walls of Piran, which maintains the relaxing atmosphere that the city wants to reflect.
Tartini Square, Piran, Slovenia (ISO 1600, 24 mm, f/8, 1/1600 s)
The Walls of Piran are Three sets of wall fortifications, each constructed at different periods of Piran’s existence, in response to the expansion of the city. In the 7th century, the first wall was built and separated the town into quarters. Under Venetian rule in the 13th century, another wall was constructed which included the small area of Campo. The last section was built between 1470 and 1538 and is the most intact wall of Piran. You can even see one of the third wall towers from the St. George’s Parish Church viewpoint.
St. George's Parish Church, Piran, Slovenia (ISO 400, 4.5 mm, f/2.8, 1/50 s)
Speaking of great churches, the St. George's Parish Church is a Roman Catholic church situated on a hill top dedicated to St. George and build in the Venetian Renaissance architectural style. Even the bell-tower of this church reminds me of the Campanile from Venice! (Upon doing more research, the bell-tower was indeed a replica of the Campanile).
Piran, Slovenia (ISO 800, 4.5 mm, f/2.8, 1/40 s)
The construction of this church was finished in 1614 and the foundation was stabilized centuries later to prevent any building damage. It is a popular spot for Piran sunsets (and sunrises probably) and gives you a great bird’s eye view of the entire town, including Tartini Square.
Piran, Slovenia (ISO 800, 4.5 mm, f/2.8, 1/50 s)
The main square of Piran, officially called Tartini Central Square, is the main thoroughfare of the city. This is where the free bus from Fornace Garage drops everyone off at and is lined with restaurants, cars, and some bars.
It is perfect for people watching a great place to meet friends and locals alike. In the center of the square is a monument to the namesake of the square, the violinist and composer Giuseppe Tartini.
Fiesa Lake is slightly outside of the city walls of Piran, but the lake and area itself is a very nice piece of nature. The chill vibe of the city center can also be found at Fiesa Lake.
There is great ecological value these lakes have on Slovenian natural heritage and they are proclaimed as natural monuments. Walking around this area is a must, taking in the overgrown plant life that give the setting a rather enchanting vibe.
Overall, Piran is a small town and you can see it in just a day’s time, but what I really liked about it was how I could chill out and reflect on my entire road trip because of how quiet it was. Definitely don’t miss this city on your trip to Slovenia!
