Koper, Slovenia, might not be the most popular destination to visit in the Balkans, but this seaside city offers plenty of attractions, although sometimes you need to dig a bit deeper to find them. With a history dating back to ancient times, a vibrant yet relaxed atmosphere, and a perfect location to explore three countries (Slovenia, Italy, and Croatia), visiting Koper is always a good idea.

I’ve been to Koper three times now, and even if I was a bit reluctant at first, I quickly warmed up to the place and returned there with pleasure. If you plan a trip to the Slovenian coast, be sure to visit Koper, too.

Here’s your guide with the best things to do in Koper so you can fully enjoy your trip there.

Where is Koper, Slovenia

With a population of around twenty-five thousand, Koper is the fifth largest city in Slovenia. It is located on the north end of the north side of the short (47 km) Adriatic coast in Slovenia, near the border with Italy. Ljubljana, the capital of the country, is around 100 km away from Koper, and Trieste – a large city in Italy – is only 20 km away (you can easily see it when visiting Koper).

A brief history of Koper

The history of Koper is long and somewhat turbulent. This area was already inhabited in ancient times when it was known as Aegida (in Greek times) and Capris (in Roman times). For centuries, it was an important trade center, with the town rights granted already in 1035. In the second half of the 13th century, Koper was included in the Venetian Republic and eventually became the capital of the Istria region, named Caput Histriae (hence still today the Italian name of the city is Capodistria).

In the 19th century Koper, together with nearby Trieste, was incorporated into the Habsburg empire, even if it was inhabited mostly by Italians. After World War I, Koper was part of Italy, and in 1954, it became a Yugoslav territory. That’s when the majority of inhabitants left the town to move to Italy, and new citizens arrived.

Eventually, when Slovenia declared its independence, Koper changed its territorial affiliation again, and today, it is the largest city on the Slovenian coast and the most important harbor in the country.

How to get to Koper

Reaching Koper is relatively easy. There are numerous buses serving the city, with connections to Ljubljana and other places in Slovenia, as well as to Trieste in Italy and Croatia. If you plan to visit Koper from another place along the coast in Slovenia, there is a decent network of buses you can use, also within the city.

You can also get to Koper by train, although the connections are less frequent and there are fewer destinations available.

If you travel within Slovenia over the weekends and national holidays, you are lucky as tickets are much cheaper.

Where to stay in Koper

Since Koper is the main transportation hub in the region, you might want to use it as your base to explore the area (that’s what I did during one of my trips there). Here are some of the recommended places to stay in Koper:

• VENEZIANA Boutique Hotel Superior (8.3/10)
• Hotel Vodisek (8.2/10)
• Hotel Bio (8.1/10)
• and more!

Things to do in Koper

And finally, without any further ado, here are the best things to do in Koper.

Admire the impressive port

Koper has always been connected to the Adriatic Sea, which was the driving power of the town’s prosperity. Over the centuries, nothing has changed, and still today, Koper is mainly known as the home of the only Slovenian seaside port. It was opened in 1957 and still plays a vital role in the local economy as the main connecting point between the Adriatic Sea and Central Europe.

Since the port of Koper is located in the central part of the city, near the Old Town, you can easily admire the impressive machines during your strolls around. It’s a massive place, dominating Koper’s scenery but also somehow fitting there perfectly well. Even if you are not interested in industrial places, the port of Koper will still impress you.

Visit the cathedral

Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is the main religious site in Koper, standing proudly on one of the main squares – Titov trg. The legend says that this is already the 6th church located in that place.

Originally built in the 11th century, the church went through numerous renovations over the years, the most significant one being in the 18th century when the structure was expanded, making it one of the largest churches in Slovenia (with the length of 70 meters and width of 25 meters). The cathedral is an interesting mix of architectural styles; the lower part was created in the Gothic style, and the upper part was made in the Renaissance style.

Inside the cathedral, you can find numerous valuable features, such as 16th-century paintings, wooden-carved choir seating, and the sarcophagus of Saint Nazarius, the patron of Koper.

Climb the Bell Tower

Attached to the cathedral is the Bell Tower from the 12th century. At 54 meters in height, it offers amazing views of Koper and its surroundings. You need to climb over two hundred steps to the top, but the panorama from up there is worth the effort.

Along the way, you will pass the oldest bell in Slovenia, dedicated to St. Nazarius, from 1333.

See the beautiful Praetorian Palace

The Old Town in Koper has some really beautiful palaces, but the one that stands out is Praetorian Palace. Dating back to the 13th century, the building is one of the best examples of the Venetian style in Koper, with a mix of Gothic and Renaissance features. Over the years, it served as the main office of the city’s rulers, and still today, it keeps its function as the town hall.

The Praetorian Palace is located on Titov trg, next to the cathedral. You will find the local tourist information and the old pharmacy on the ground floor, while the upper floors are reserved for the town hall functions.

For a fee, you can visit the palace with a guide. But even if you decide to admire it only from the outside, you are in for a treat as this building is simply gorgeous.

Relax in the Loggia Palace

Another interesting and beautiful spot on Titov trg is the Loggia Palace from the 15th century. The distinctive arches of the building catch your attention right away. If you look closer, you can find a small statue of the Virgin Mary with a child – it was added here to commemorate the plague from 1554.

The Loggia Palace was used as the city council, but in the middle of the 19th century, the cafe was opened on the ground floor. It is considered the oldest cafe in Slovenia, and it still welcomes visitors today. This is the best place to sit down and relax with the perfect view of Titov trg and its attractions.

Visit Presernov trg

While the most significant Koper sights are located on Titov trg, a short walk away, you will find another interesting square – Presnerov trg. It was once the most important part of Koper, the first place that welcomed visitors arriving to the Old Town through the ancient Muda Gate (which used to be the only land entrance to the town).

Today, Presernov trg is a bit of a sleepy place, but it still offers some nice attractions. The most impressive one is the Da Ponte fountain from the mid-17th century, which is the largest fountain in Koper. Even if it looks really beautiful, it was erected here not only for decorative purposes but also to collect water.

Other places worth taking a closer look at are St. Bassus church, remnants of the ancient fortification wall and the Muda Gate that was beautifully restored to its former glory.

When looking at the buildings surrounding Presnerov trg, it’s easy to be confused if you are in Slovenia or Italy; they are such a good testimony of Koper’s heritage.

Wander around the Old Town

The Old Town in Koper might not be as charming and picturesque as those in nearby Piran or Rovinj (Croatia), but it definitely has its moments.

You can wander the maze of winding lanes, check the courtyards, and admire the details of palaces and other interesting buildings. You will surely notice numerous Venetian lions – a reminder of Koper’s past – and signs of the sun – the symbol of the city, portrayed in its flag and coat of arms.

Exploring the Old Town was my favorite thing to do in Koper as there were so many nice surprises and details around each corner, you just need to wander around with a curious mind to notice as many of them as possible.

Try local wine

Slovenia is a growing wine destination, and while the most popular region in which this drink is produced is the central and eastern part of the country, you can enjoy local wines in Koper, too.

The best place to try and buy wines from the Slovenian Istria region is in the Vinakoper brand store. You can even book a guided tour to learn more about the produce and visit the wine cellar.

There are also numerous bars and restaurants in the Old Town and near the waterfront where you can get a taste of Slovenian wines as well.

Enjoy the waterfront

In the center of Koper, surrounding the Old Town and not far from it, you can find a pleasant waterfront, perfect for wandering along or sitting in one of the cafes/restaurants and watching the world go by.

This is the favorite place for locals to hang out and you will always find people there, spending time outside and enjoying the place. From here, you can see a lovely vista of the small harbor and Koper port. If you are lucky, you can even spot magnificent Alp mountains in the background!

Relax at the beach

Once you are done with all the Koper sightseeing, you can relax at one of two beaches: the city beach near the Old Town or Zusterna beach a bit further away from the center.

You can also travel outside of the city and enjoy the seaside destinations along the short Slovenian coast. Since the distances aren’t too big, you can quickly get to all the places around.

Cycle the Parenzana Bike Trail

Parenzana Bike Trail is a 130-km cycling route that goes from Italy (Muggia) to Croatia (Porec) via Slovenia, passing Koper along the way. What makes it special is that it goes on the route of the narrow-gauge railway from the early 20th century (it was used between 1902 and 1935).

Following the Parenzana Bike Trail can be a great way to explore the coastal part of Slovenia as well as two surrounding countries. You don’t need to cycle all the way; you can only do part of it and still enjoy beautiful landscapes and interesting places along the way.

To learn more about this route visit the Parenzana website here.

Find brutalist architecture

This is a very specific attraction of Koper that is probably not interesting to the majority of visitors. But if, like me, you enjoy brutalist architecture, you will be happy to know that there are some decent buildings that represent this style in Koper, too.

Brutalism was a big thing in the former Yugoslavia, and Koper was no different. Three brutalist places I’ve found interesting are the bus/train station, the post office located next to it, and the building of Sanpaolo Bank not far from the Muda Gate.

Go for day trips

Koper can be an excellent base for day trips and exploring some of the best places to visit in Slovenia, as well as Trieste in Italy or the Istria region in Croatia. Since Koper is the central city in this part of the country, it’s also a public transport hub, and you can use buses and (a few) trains to get around.

Some of the best places to go on day trips from Koper are:

• Piran – the most beautiful town on the Slovenian seaside, known for its medieval remnants
• Izola – another popular seaside destination in Slovenia
• Strunjan Salt Pans – the northernmost, still operating salt pan on the Adriatic Sea
• Nature Reserve Strunjan, with some of the highest cliffs on the Adriatic coast, reaching up to 200 meters
• Hrastovlje with the walled church from the 16th century
• Skocjan Caves – one of the most spectacular caves systems in the world and the UNESCO World Heritage site.
• Trieste – a fascinating city in Italy
• Croatian Istria with amazing places like Rovinj or Pula

Final thoughts on visiting Koper

Even if Koper might seem like not the most exciting place on the Adriatic coast, it surely has its moments, and if you dig a bit deeper you will easily find all the gems it hides. The city is a great base to explore the region and to enjoy the vibrant atmosphere where locals mix with tourists. I’ve been to Koper three times and I wouldn’t mind going back there, it’s such a pleasant place.

Further reading

I published many articles about Slovenia that you might find useful when planning your trip there. Here are some of them:

• 21 Most Beautiful Places in Slovenia You Should Visit
• Slovenia Travel Guide – All About Visiting Slovenia
• Slovenia itinerary – places to visit in Slovenia in 3 – 10 days
• 21 Amazing Things to Do in Ljubljana, Slovenia
• 17 Perfect Day Trips from Ljubljana, Slovenia
• 13 Best Things to Do in Lake Bled, Slovenia
• 15 Great Things to Do in Maribor, Slovenia
• A Complete Guide to Visiting Skocjan Caves, Slovenia
• Velika Planina – the Underrated Highlight of Slovenia
• and more!

If you are looking for articles about a specific destination – check out the map with all the articles I’ve published (and their locations). You can also join my Facebook group about traveling in the Balkans and ask your questions there.

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• Sign up to my newsletter or follow me on Bloglovin to get updates about the new posts
• Join my Facebook group about Eastern Europe, the Balkans and former USSR and connect with fellow travellers and enthusiasts of these regions – just click here!
• I’ve included a few handy links of services and products I personally like and use so you can plan your own trip to Slovenia too. They are often affiliate links. This means I will get a small commission if you book/purchase anything through my links, at no extra costs for you. Thank you!

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