Piran

Piran is the jewel of Slovenia's short Adriatic coast, a beautifully preserved medieval town of Venetian character crowded onto a slender peninsula, its terracotta roofs and narrow lanes tumbling down to the sea around a grand main square. Once part of the Venetian Republic, it wears its Italian heritage in its architecture, its language and its seafood.

History

The Piran peninsula became part of the Roman Empire in 178 and 177 BC, and by the 7th century, under Byzantine rule, the town was heavily fortified. From 1283 to 1797 it belonged to the Republic of Venice, a plague in 1558 killed about two thirds of its people, and on 24 October 1909 the first trolleybus line in the Balkans went into service here (Wikipedia, Piran).

What to look for

• Tartini Square - the elegant main square by the harbour, named for the composer.
• The old lanes - the narrow medieval streets tumbling to the sea.
• St George's Church - the hilltop church with a Venetian campanile and a sea view.
• The town walls - the old walls above the town for the classic panorama.

When to go

Late spring to early summer and September for warm weather and thinner crowds; July and August are hot and busy. Sunset over the Adriatic from the walls is the magic hour.

Practical notes

It is small and very popular in high summer, so it is busy and parking is difficult, best reached by bus or park-and-ride. The Slovenian coast is short, so this is its highlight. Its charm is Venetian atmosphere rather than big sights.

Nearby

The resort of Portoroz and the salt pans of Secovlje are nearby; Croatian Istria lies just south.

Key facts