Koper / Slovenia

On the southwestern coast of Slovenia, where the land touches the azure Adriatic, lies the oldest Slovenian city – Koper. Just five kilometers from the Italian border, you will be welcomed by the pearl of Slovenia's 47-kilometer-long coastline – a city with a rich history, Mediterranean atmosphere, and a lively port that is a popular stop for cruise ships on their voyages through the Mediterranean.

What to taste in Koper?

Koper's cuisine is a blend of Slovenian and Italian with influences from Austria, Croatia, and Hungary. Besides pizza and pasta, you should try:

• Fresh fish and seafood
• Belokranjska povitica – a spiral-shaped pastry with sweet or savory filling,
• Bujta repa – a thick soup made from stewed pork with lots of vegetables,
• Kraški pršut – dried ham,
• Frtalja – herb omelet
• Prekmurska gibanica – a layered dessert with poppy seeds, walnuts, apples, and cottage cheese.

Why will you love Koper?

Still largely untouched by tourism, Koper offers its visitors an authentic atmosphere with a hint of Italy, a farmers' market with the freshest products, and a number of great cafes and restaurants.

Practical tips:

• Official language: Slovenian, Italian is also an official language, and English is widely spoken.
• Currency: Euro (EUR).
• Opening hours: Shops are usually open from Monday to Friday between 8:00 and 19:00, on Saturday from 8:00 to 13:00. On Saturday afternoons and Sundays, shops, except for large shopping centers, are generally closed. If a cruise ship is docked in the port, some shops may be open outside these regular hours.
• Public transport: The port terminal is located approximately 300 m from the main square, sometimes shuttle service is available, but it's only about a 5-minute walk. There is also a modern panoramic elevator that serves as a connection between the coastal part and the historic center – the Old Town can be easily explored on foot.
• Weather: Koper has a Mediterranean climate with mild rainy winters (around 9 °C) and warm dry summers (around 25 - 30 °C). The main tourist season is from May to September.

What to visit in Koper:

• Pretorian Palace – the strong Venetian influence is still evident in the city today. The medieval Old Town, spread around Tito Square, is dotted with buildings in Venetian style. These include the 15th-century Pretorian Palace, now home to the tourist office, the "Loggia" in Venetian Gothic style, or the Carmine Rotunda Church.
• St. Mary's of the Assumption Cathedral – those who want to see the city and the Gulf of Trieste from a bird's eye view should not miss the climb to the tower of the Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary, whose history dates back to the second half of the 12th century. The cathedral boasts one of the oldest bells in Slovenia, made in 1333.
• Skocjan Caves – just 35 kilometers northeast are the Škocjan Caves, a system of limestone passages, sinkholes, and caves with one of the largest underground chambers in the world and beautiful karst formations, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Ljubljana – just an hour's drive from Koper lies the country's capital, Ljubljana, a cultural center of Slovenia with many historical buildings that are definitely worth a visit.
• Izola, Portoroz, Piran – don't miss the other towns of Slovenia's short coastline with an unforgettable atmosphere influenced by neighboring Italy.

The most interesting from Koper's history:

Koper has its beginnings in the Middle Bronze Age, in an ancient settlement built on an island in the southeastern part of the Koper Bay. During the time of ancient Greece, the city was known as Aegida, in the 6th century it was renamed Goat Town ("Goat Town"), and later to Justinopolis. Trade relations with Venice are documented as early as the 10th century, and in the 13th century, Koper was even annexed to the Venetian Republic, which strongly influenced its later development and architecture. After the end of World War II, the city fell under the control of Yugoslavia, and after Slovenia gained independence in 1991, it remained the country's only commercial port.

Useful information

• How to choose the right cruise?
• How to choose a cruise line?