More than 20 suggestions for a trip along the Slovenian coast

1. Moon Bay is a relaxing trail above the Strunjan Cliff, on a well-maintained path, mostly shaded, with views of the sea. The trail starts at the Parish Church of the Annunciation (you can park your car here). Continue with the church on your right. At the first fork, turn right past the refreshment point at the Cross, and continue past the barrier that blocks cars; walking is allowed. Even if it seems you might be lost because the trail passes abandoned buildings, you will soon see a white cross ahead. Upon reaching it, you will be rewarded with a view of Moon Bay, the most beautiful bay in Slovenia. Continue right, and when the path slopes down towards the bay after about 150 m, follow it carefully. Watch out for falling rocks – passage is at your own risk.

    

2. The Path of Health and Friendship follows the former narrow-gauge railway Parenzana, which connected Trieste and Poreč and became a symbol of friendship among Slovenian, Italian, and Croatian municipalities. Parenzana passes through old towns and villages, along the coast, and through vineyards and olive groves. It runs through short, illuminated and maintained tunnels, crosses valleys, and ascends over hills.

    

3. The cycling route between Izola and Sečovlje starts in Izola at the intersection of Lenin and Prešeren streets, heading inland towards the hills, where the cycling path signs appear. Turn right towards Strunjan and Portorož. The signs guide you well along this varied and easy trail. Soon you reach the Šalet tunnel (214 m), illuminated. Between vineyards and olive groves, follow the cycling signs towards Portorož, past Dobrava and Strunjan to the 550 m long Valeta tunnel, also illuminated. Descend into Lucija, following traffic signs past the campsite towards Forma Vivi, with a gentle climb to Seča. Continue past Seča (crossing the main road) and Parecag to Sečovlje.

1. Strunjan Landscape Park has only one lagoon on the Slovenian coast, Stjuža, home to over 270 bird species. It features a unique mix of habitats for plants and animals. The park’s main attraction is the Strunjan Cliff – steep walls up to 80 meters high, continuously shaped by wind and rain due to their flysch composition. Part of Strunjan Landscape Park are also the Strunjan Salt Pans – the northernmost salt pans in the Mediterranean, where salt is still harvested using traditional methods.

    

2. Sečovlje Salt Pans Landscape Park is a protected flysch landscape that enchants visitors with salt pans and terraced cultivation typical of the Mediterranean world since ancient times.

    

3. Škocjan Lagoon Nature Reserve is the largest brackish wetland in Slovenia, of high ecological importance and exceptional botanical, zoological, and landscape value. More than 200 bird species have been observed here, some of which are endangered.

1. See Predjama Castle – the largest cave castle in the world, listed in the Guinness World Records. The constant blend of natural and man-made, the work of human hands and nature’s creativity, forms a gem of medieval ingenuity.

    

2. Miramar Castle, a 19th-century Habsburg residence, will impress you with its stunning architecture. You can also explore the museum with its beautiful park, exotic plants, and sculptures.

    

3. Socerb Castle is famous for its breathtaking view of the Gulf of Trieste and Koper.

1. Lipica Stud Farm is one of the oldest stud farms in the world, where you can learn about the tradition of breeding the world-famous Lipizzaner horses.

    

2. Postojna Cave promises an unforgettable experience. This world of stalactites and rare cave animals was shaped by the Pivka River over two million years.

    

3. The Salt-Making Museum in Sečovlje offers insight into the tradition of salt production, as well as observation of diverse bird species and extensive salt marsh meadows. The entire area is designated as a landscape park, featuring a salt house with a museum collection and a complex system for salt extraction – salt fields with the remains of over 100 abandoned salt houses.

    

4. Vilenica near Lokva is the first tourist cave in Europe, known since the 17th century, which in the past inspired poetry with its magical charm. Today, the Dance Hall hosts the closing event of the annual international literary festival Vilenica. Discover for yourself whether fairies truly live there.

1. The Strunjan Cliff rises 80 meters above Moon Bay and is the highest flysch cliff along the Adriatic coast as well as the most distinctive part of the Strunjan Nature Reserve.

    

2. Slavnik Hill (1028 m) is the highest point in the City Municipality of Koper and a popular hiking destination for visitors from the Koper coast. From here, there is a panoramic view of the entire Gulf of Trieste up to Venice, the distant Dolomites, the Julian Alps, and the surrounding high karst plateaus. The Slovenian Mountain Trail passes over its summit.

    

3. The village of Osp is one of the oldest in Slovenia (11th century). Above the settlement rises a compact horseshoe-shaped cliff, 500 m wide and over 200 m high, one of Europe’s most important climbing areas.

    

4. The small Istrian village of Hrastovlje is best known for the Church of the Holy Trinity (13th century), its frescoes, and Glagolitic inscriptions (15th century). The frescoes by Janez of Kastav (1490) depict the creation of the world, the expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise, scenes from Christ’s Passion, the work of farmers in different seasons, and the Dance of Death.

    

5. The overhangs on the Karst edge near Socerb are considered natural wonders of Slovenia. In the 28 m high cliff there are three larger and deeper overhangs with 17 m high ceilings and several smaller ones. Locals also call the overhangs “the ears of Istria,” as they carry all sounds from the valley.

    

6. Krkavški Kamen (1.5 m) is undoubtedly one of the oldest attractions of Slovenian Istria. It stands by the road to the Škarljevec hamlet, about 400 m east of the Krkavče cemetery. Its age is attributed to various periods – from the 2nd century BC to the 1st or 2nd century AD.

    

7. The Dragonja River Valley remains pristine and clean, one of the few valleys that still has a natural riverbed and high biodiversity. Here you can find abandoned mills, old Istrian houses, wells, deep gorges, hidden waterfalls, and numerous plant and animal species.

    

8. The Rižana River is the most important river in Slovenian Istria, serving as the main water supply for the coastal region. Where the karst and Istrian worlds meet, in the heart of the Hrastovlje Valley, lies its source – known as Zvroček. The pleasant surroundings of the Rižana River Valley are popular with cyclists and hikers.

1. Enjoy the sauna world, where complimentary sauna rituals are always available
2. Swimming in indoor and outdoor seawater pools, or visit the renovated Strunjan beach
3. Full-body relaxation with one-day wellness programs (a combination of services: seaweed wrap, detox massage with manual lymphatic drainage techniques, Mediterranean body scrub with facial massage, Salia body massage with lavender butter, detox massage bath, visit to the pool and sauna world …)

Vitarium Spa & Thalasso

Strunjan 148
6323 Strunjan
+386 67 64 472
strunjan@vitarium.si

After exploring the Slovenian coast, you’ll surely wonder which coastal restaurant to visit for tasty, pleasant, beautiful, and homely food …

We recommend the seaside restaurant Pinija in Strunjan!

Pinija - Restaurant & Beach Bar is located on the renovated Strunjan beach, right by the sea. The menu includes Mediterranean flavors: fish and shellfish from the Slovenian sea, tomatoes from the southern slopes of Vesuvius, locally cold-pressed olive oil, basil and oregano, cheese, fleur de sel from the Sečovlje salt pans, as well as homemade pasta, Istrian truffles, and excellent Neapolitan pizzas.

Strunjan 150, 6320 Portorož
info@pinija.si | +386 567 641 00