Piran (Italian: Pirano) is a city in the Coast and Karst region of Slovenia.
Piran is probably the most beautiful of Slovenia's coastal towns, perched on a tiny piece of land jutting into the sea. It feels more like an Italian coastal town, without all the Italian tourists, and for good reason: Piran was part of the Venetian empire from the late 13th century to the end of the 18th century.
- Tartinijev trg. the beautiful oval-shaped main square, with a statue of the famous violinist Giuseppe Tartini. This was once the marina, but after it silted up it was paved over with white stone.
- Venetian House. The red building on Tartinijev trg, is a fantastic example of gothic Venetian architecture and the oldest building on the square. Built by a rich Venetian merchant to house his mistress, spot the inscription between the upper windows: it says Lassa pur dir, or "let them talk".
- Sergej Mašera Maritime Museum, Cankerjevo nab 3, +386 5 671-0040. 9AM-12PM and 6PM-9PM, Tu-Su during July and August; 9AM-12PM and 3PM-6PM, Tu-Su, the rest of the year.. Has several exhibits that tell the story of Piran's maritime history and culture.
- Church of St. George (Cerkev sv. Jurija). The inside is quite beautiful. Nice view of the city and harbour from the belltower.
Tartinijev trg. the beautiful oval-shaped main square, with a statue of the famous violinist Giuseppe Tartini. This was once the marina, but after it silted up it was paved over with white stone.
Venetian House. The red building on Tartinijev trg, is a fantastic example of gothic Venetian architecture and the oldest building on the square. Built by a rich Venetian merchant to house his mistress, spot the inscription between the upper windows: it says Lassa pur dir, or "let them talk".
Sergej Mašera Maritime Museum, Cankerjevo nab 3, +386 5 671-0040. 9AM-12PM and 6PM-9PM, Tu-Su during July and August; 9AM-12PM and 3PM-6PM, Tu-Su, the rest of the year.. Has several exhibits that tell the story of Piran's maritime history and culture.
Church of St. George (Cerkev sv. Jurija). The inside is quite beautiful. Nice view of the city and harbour from the belltower.
- Watch the Sunset. Preferably from a bar on the waterfront with an aperitivo in hand.
- Swim. There is no beach, but you can swim in the sea from the many piers scattered about.
- Diving School. explore the clear Adriatic Sea.
- Climb to the top of the city walls. take in the view of the peninsula
- Walk along the coastal path from the Church of St. George to Fiesa. about one kilometer each way
Watch the Sunset. Preferably from a bar on the waterfront with an aperitivo in hand.
Swim. There is no beach, but you can swim in the sea from the many piers scattered about.
Diving School. explore the clear Adriatic Sea.
Climb to the top of the city walls. take in the view of the peninsula
Walk along the coastal path from the Church of St. George to Fiesa. about one kilometer each way
Unlike many of the other towns along the Adriatic coast, there are few shops with postcards, souvenirs, football (soccer) jerseys, etc. There is a small shop about halfway up the hill on ulica IX.Korposa that advertises handmade Slovenian crafts. At the central square there is a shop where you can buy high quality sea salt from the local sea salt evaporation ponds.
Many of Piran's restaurants are located along the waterfront (Prešernovo nabrežje), with open air seating and great views. The food and service is generally good, but many of the restaurants tend to have similar menus (meat, fish, mixed grills, etc.) and similar prices. Restaurants away from the main waterfront area can be a bit cheaper. There are also a number of pizzerias and gelato shops scattered around the town. If you want fresh produce, there is sometimes a market behind the municipal building off Tartinjev trg.
- Fontana, Gallusova ulica 2 (on Trg 1.maja (May 1st Square), +386 5 673-1200. A small restaurant with a veranda that serves seafood and Slovenian dishes.
- Gostilnica, Prešernovo nabrežje, +386 5 673-2226. Wide selection of seafood dishes. €10-20 for mains.
- Neptun, Župančičeva ulica 7, +386 5 673-4111. 12PM-4PM and 6PM-midnight. A small restaurant one street back from the harbour that specializes in seafood.
- Pavel, Prešernovo nabrežje, +386 5 674-7101 and +386 5 674-7102. 11AM-midnight in the summer. On the waterfront with tables indoors and outdoors. Serves a variety of meat and fish dishes. €8-16 for mains..
- Pizzeria Batana, Kidričevo nabrežje 4, +386 5 676-2517. Pizzeria on the inner harbour.
- Pri Mari, Dantejeva 17 (close to the Fornače parking lot., +386 5 673-4735. Small restaurant that specializes in seafood. €8-16 for mains.
- Restaurant Miralonda, Stjenkova 1 (in the Hotel Piran, +386 5 676-2514. Mixed menu with seating along the waterfront.
- Restaurant Riva, Gregorčičeva 43 (along the waterfront, almost at the tip of the peninsula, +386 5 673-2225. Serves a variety of meat and fish dishes. €8-16 for mains.
- Tri Vdove, Prešernovo nabrežje 4, +386 5 673-0290. Waterfront restaurant with a mix of meat and fish dishes. €8-16 for mains.
Fontana, Gallusova ulica 2 (on Trg 1.maja (May 1st Square), +386 5 673-1200. A small restaurant with a veranda that serves seafood and Slovenian dishes.
Gostilnica, Prešernovo nabrežje, +386 5 673-2226. Wide selection of seafood dishes. €10-20 for mains.
Neptun, Župančičeva ulica 7, +386 5 673-4111. 12PM-4PM and 6PM-midnight. A small restaurant one street back from the harbour that specializes in seafood.
Pavel, Prešernovo nabrežje, +386 5 674-7101 and +386 5 674-7102. 11AM-midnight in the summer. On the waterfront with tables indoors and outdoors. Serves a variety of meat and fish dishes. €8-16 for mains..
Pizzeria Batana, Kidričevo nabrežje 4, +386 5 676-2517. Pizzeria on the inner harbour.
Pri Mari, Dantejeva 17 (close to the Fornače parking lot., +386 5 673-4735. Small restaurant that specializes in seafood. €8-16 for mains.
Restaurant Miralonda, Stjenkova 1 (in the Hotel Piran, +386 5 676-2514. Mixed menu with seating along the waterfront.
Restaurant Riva, Gregorčičeva 43 (along the waterfront, almost at the tip of the peninsula, +386 5 673-2225. Serves a variety of meat and fish dishes. €8-16 for mains.
Tri Vdove, Prešernovo nabrežje 4, +386 5 673-0290. Waterfront restaurant with a mix of meat and fish dishes. €8-16 for mains.
For clubbing, it is better to go to Koper or Portorož.
- Tri papige, Kidričevo nabrežje 4, +386 5 673 24 49. Night Club
Tri papige, Kidričevo nabrežje 4, +386 5 673 24 49. Night Club