Piran is a lovely seaside town located on the western coast of Slovenia. It is one of the top cities to see in Slovenia right behind the capital of Ljubljana and the lakeside town of Bled because this once-walled city offers travelers a chance to wander its colorful streets, take a dip in its cool waters, and enjoy some deliciously fresh seafood.
We spent 2 fantastic nights in Piran and were blown away by how much beauty this small but walkable town has to offer. So, in this Piran Slovenia travel guide, we’ll cover all the things you need to know before you go, plus 8 of the best things to do in Piran!
Want to see the beauty of Piran for yourself? Check out our full video guide below!
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Traveling from the capital of Ljubljana to Piran is fairly easy as the roads are very well maintained and public transportation is readily available as well. Piran is located about 120 km (74 miles) southwest of the capital of Ljubljana, and it takes about an hour and a half by car or about 2 hours by bus to arrive in Piran.
I highly recommend that you travel by bus because Piran is mostly a pedestrian city and cars are not necessary or even allowed on its narrow streets. Plus, parking in Piran can cost as much as €90 euros a day! Yikes! With high parking prices such as this, taking the bus is really the most affordable option. Just remember to book your bus tickets in person at the bus station as online prices are nearly quadruple the in-person price.
However, if you prefer the freedom of renting a car, just ensure that your accommodations have free or at least affordable parking available. If you are looking for an affordable car rental for your Slovenia road trip, check out Discover Cars here!
The 8 Best Things to Do in Piran Slovenia
Piran is a relaxed place for enjoying the sea and seafood, so below I’ll share with you 8 of the best things to do in Piran and one restaurant that you simply must try when you go!
1. Piran City Walls
In the 7th century, Piran was a walled city, and these walls were used for defensive purposes to defend against raids from the Ottoman Turks. Once the threat of raids ceased, the city dismantled most of its walls. That’s why it’s so exciting to see the last remnants of Piran’s city walls.
Not only are these city walls an interesting piece of history, but the walls of Piran also offer some fabulous views of the city and the Adriatic Sea. It’s amazing to walk along these 7th-century walls, climbing up and down all the different watchtowers. The view is definitely worth the climb!
A visit to the city walls is an absolute must when you are in Piran, so be sure to check the latest hours and admission prices here.
2. Tartini Square
Tartini Square is the main square in Piran and is named after Slovenian violinist and composer Giuseppe Tartini. You can see his statue in the square in front of the beautiful city hall. From the square, you can also see a brilliant view of the clock tower on the hill and the marina.
Take your time to sit on a bench or at one of the many cafes that encircle the square and enjoy the lovely views.
There’s also an office of tourism in the city hall building, so if you would like any additional information about things to do in Piran, you can check in the tourism office.
3. Take a Piran Sunset Tour with Wine Tasting
One of the best ways to see interesting, but off-the-beaten-path sights is by taking a walking tour. Walking tours are a great way to learn the significance and fascinating stories related to the historic buildings all around the city.
We took the evening tour that included a tasting of local wines and olive oils. It was truly a delicious way to experience local food and drink and to connect with other travelers as well!
Other Great Piran Tours and Day Trips
4. Church of St. George
St. George Parish Church is the iconic church at the top of the hill in Piran. Be sure to take a quick peek inside the church, but just know that the real reason to climb up to the church is to see the great views of the city and the beautiful Adriatic Sea from the church’s terrace.
5. Climb the Clock Tower
If you can’t tell already, our favorite thing to do in any city is to find the best views, and St. George’s clock tower has a great one! This clock tower is right beside St. George’s Parish Church and we highly recommend spending the €2 Euros to climb to the top of the clock tower. It’s a steep climb, but completely worth it! You’ll get some great photos from here!
6. Try the Delicious Seafood
Being right on the sea, Piran has some great seafood restaurants. Our favorite was a cute cantina called Fritolin Pri Cantini. Here, you will order and pick up your food from a window and then enjoy your delicious meal from the terrace. We enjoyed the food so much, that we ate here twice during our two-night stay in Piran.
Our favorite dish was the mussels in garlic, tomato, and cheese sauce. It was so delicious that it gets our highest recommendation!
We also enjoyed Restaurant Tri Vdove. This seaside restaurant has great views of the sea and very delicious seafood pasta and mussels with clams spaghetti. We can highly recommend it!
7. Take a Dip at Piran Beach
Although Piran doesn’t have any sandy beaches, we still found it so refreshing to take a dip from their rocky beach. From morning to sunset, you can find people out enjoying the water, and the colorful houses look even more beautiful from the water.
8. Walk the Piran-Fiesta Coastal Trail
The Piran-Fiesa walking trail has great sea views all the way to Fiesa, which is a neighboring resort town to Piran. It’s a nice, relaxing walk and at the end, you can enjoy a new city and a different beach once you arrive in Fiesa.
How Long Should You Stay in Piran
Two nights is the perfect amount of time to stay in Piran. This give you time to arrive, get settled in your accommodations, sight see, and relax by the sea.
Where to Stay in Piran
In order to be in the heart of the action, you would want to stay near Tartini square which is the main square of the city. If you stay in this area, everything will be easy walking distance.
For Piran, the most affordable accommodations are going to be vacation rental apartments. However, there are a couple of hotels that could be a good option as well. Click here or the map above to see even more great accommodation options.
Is Piran Slovenia Worth Visiting?
Piran Slovenia is definitely worth seeing because of its incredible views, refreshing beach, and delicious food. It really is a charming place to rest and recharge and will make an unforgettable stop on your trip to Slovenia.
Know that your know about Piran, learn even more about Slovenia below!
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