Ankaran on the Slovenian Coast

Ankaran is one of the coastal towns on a route from Koper along the Slovenian coast. Other destinations mentioned are Izola, Portorož and Piran. Koper has its own cultural and historical focus. If you are looking for a hotel in Ankaran, these different profiles can help you decide what kind of setting you want for your stay.

Coastal route and cycling

The route from Koper along the Slovenian coast leads, among other places, to Ankaran, Izola, Portorož and Piran. A separate option is the K5 circular route in Koper. It is 27 kilometers long, with a stated duration of 2 to 2.5 hours. The loop passes through Koper, Bertoki, Škofije, Plavje, Urbanci, Tinjan and Miši (Dekani), then returns to Koper via Bertoki. It begins at a parking lot and follows the Health and Friendship cycling route – Parenzana (D-8), which runs parallel to the highway along the Škocjanski zatok Nature Reserve. The route length and time estimate offer two different planning references: the scope of the loop and the time allocated for it.

Architecture and history in Koper

Koper’s lively city center is characterized by narrow streets and an exceptional architectural heritage with a strong Venetian influence. A prominent landmark is the 54-meter-high Koper Bell Tower, also known as the City Tower. It is considered an example of Romanesque defensive architecture and offers views over Koper and its surroundings. The tower is home to the Bell of St. Nazarius, cast in Venice in 1333 and the oldest still-functioning bell in Slovenia. The tower and bell thus represent different historical aspects: the tower’s architectural style and the bell’s origins and age.

The Koper Regional Museum brings together several subject areas. Its main building houses archaeological, art-historical, historical, cultural-historical and modern-historical collections. There is also a virtual experience: selected artworks can be viewed in three dimensions using special glasses. The museum’s gallery is in the neighboring building at Kidričeva Street 23a. It hosts temporary exhibitions organized by the museum or prepared as guest exhibitions. The ground floor of the Praetorian Palace also houses a tourist information center and an old pharmacy.

Nature, events and wine

The Škocjanski zatok Nature Reserve lies near Koper. It covers 122 hectares and is home to 259 bird species, with the number continuing to grow. The area encompasses brackish- and freshwater habitats. A brackish-water lagoon with nesting islands, salt marshes and mudflats covers almost three quarters of the reserve. These habitats provide a refuge for rare animal and plant species. The landscapes and habitats described give the nature reserve a different character from the cultural attractions in the city center.

Taverna Koper was built around the turn of the 16th and 17th centuries beside the old town walls and the harbor, as the main salt warehouse. Today, it serves as a venue for concerts, exhibitions, workshops and other events. The program may change.

Vinakoper’s tasting options vary by group size and location. The wine boutique has a tasting area for self-guided tastings by individuals and groups of up to ten people. These take place only on the boutique premises and do not include a tour of the wine cellar. For groups of more than ten, Vinakoper offers guided wine cellar tours with tastings by prior arrangement and reservation. As visitor arrangements may change, check the conditions in advance.

Discover more destinations: Dekani, Rižana, Gradin, Labor, Truške, Osp, Koper, Krkavče

Go to the main travel overview: Koper.