Koper: My Slovenian Secret
We walked off into Praetorian Palace and Tito Square – the contrast between 15th-century Venetian gothic and Yugoslav concrete is weirdly charming. The bell tower climb gave us views over red roofs to Trieste and Italy on one side, Slovenian hills on the other. We had coffee on Čevljarska street tasting like Vienna but half the price.
We rented bikes and cycled the Parenzana trail through tunnels and over viaducts into the Istrian countryside – olive groves, truffle territory, zero effort because it's flat. We had lunch at a tiny konoba – fuži pasta with fresh truffles shaved tableside until we begged them to stop. The pros: feels like Italy without Italian crowds or prices. The cons: small, but that's why it's perfect.
Getting Around Koper
Everything in town is walkable. Bike rental or taxi for countryside.
Positively Worded Word of Warning
The coastal path is pure joy on two wheels – helmets and water make the adventure even better.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Koper worth it?
A: The sleeper hit of the Adriatic – Venice's cooler cousin.
Q: Best thing?
A: Old town + Parenzana bike trail.
Q: How long for bike trail?
A: 3–4 hours round-trip.
Q: Walk from port?
A: Yes – right into Tito Square.