Location: Koper
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What to do and see in Koper, Slovenia: The Best Places and Tips
Koper (Slovene pronunciation: [ˈkoːpəɾ] ( listen)) (Italian: Capodistria) is a city in southwestern Slovenia, with the other Slovenian coastal towns Ankaran, Izola, Piran, and Portorož, situated along the country's 47-kilometre (29-mile) coastline, in the Istrian Region, approximately five kilometres (3.1 miles) from its border with Italy. Having a unique ecology and biodiversity, it is considered an important national natural resource. The city's Port of Koper is the major contributor to the economy of the eponymous city municipality. With only one percent of Slovenia having a coastline, the influence that the Port of Koper also has on tourism was a factor in Ankaran deciding to leave the municipality in a referendum in 2011 to establish its own. The city is a destination on a number of Mediterranean cruising lines. In 2016, the city expects 65 cruise ship arrivals (for example: Norwegian Spirit, MSC Magnifica, Norwegian Jade, MS Rhapsody of the Seas...) with the season spanning from March to December. Koper is the main urban centre of the Slovenian Istria, with a population of about 25,000.
Restaurants in Koper
1. Praetorian Palace
Overall Ratings
4 based on 156 reviews
The Praetorian Palace is a 15th-century Venetian Gothic palace and the main cultural monument of Koper. It used to be the podestà's seat, today it houses the Koper city government.
Reviewed By BigHugh51 - Adelaide, Australia
When visiting Koper for a day, our time was somewhat limited. Consequently we did not have time to take a guided tour of this palace. Instead, we just had to make do with admiring the amazing architecture from the large city square where it is...MoreDear Mr. Hugh, thank you very much for your excellent review. We are happy that you loved and appreciated the beauty of Praetorian Palace. We wish you safe travel and all the best. A warm thank you from sunny city of Koper.
2. Koper Cathedral and Bell Tower
Overall Ratings
4 based on 278 reviews
The Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary stands in the location of a former ancient building - a Roman basilica. The history of the Cathedral goes back to the 12th century, when the city acquired its own diocese. Today's front combines Gothic (the lower part) and Renaissance styles (the upper part). The Cathedral keeps numerous treasures: the big altar painting "Madonna with Child on the Throne and Saints", painted by Vittore Carpaccio in 1516, the stone sarcophagus of Koper's patron saint, St. Nazarius from the 15th century, etc. Town tower in Tito square, once romanic forticication, became a bell tower in 15th / 17 th century. It houses one of the oldest bells in Slovenia, dating back to 1333. From the panoramic point (43 metres) you can see the nearby and distant surroundings of the city Koper.
Reviewed By Miha P - Maribor, Slovenia
Cathedral in Ljubljana is colorful, another one in Gornji Grad is big but the Cathedral in Koper is very noble with Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance parts outside and Baroque interior. It also has some fine paintings and stone sculptures in the church. Bell tower is separate building near the main façade. It dominate over the medieval city.
3. Vinakoper
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 51 reviews
Reviewed By SuncanMan - Sunset, LA, USA
This part of Slovenia has been producing wine since Roman times. VInaKoper offers an informative tour of the winery, followed by a generous sampling, for a modest fee.
I lived in Koper for five months (spring 2016), and this was a favorite place to bring visitors. Contact Mirjana Cupin ( [email protected] ) to arrange a tour. Her English is excellent, and she's very helpful. Be sure to try the refosk (Refoško).
If you're arriving in Koper by cruise ship, a cab can take you to VinaKoper for about 5 euros one-way. Even cheaper is a city bus; just take a bus that is headed to the main bus terminal. As you step off the bus at the main terminal, you'll see VinaKoper immediately across the nearby four-lane highway. There's a pedestrian and bike lane underpass that will bring you across the highway.
4. Tito square
Overall Ratings
4 based on 44 reviews
Reviewed By Miha P - Maribor, Slovenia
Why is this square perfect? It maintained old pavement with grey stones. It has perfect architectures all around, from Praetorian Palace, Cathedral with tower to old loggia. You can it down on each edge for free or visit Loggia Café. It is not crowded as Dubrovnik or Venice. It has no standardized shops, just nice stone buildings.
5. Da Ponte Fountain
Overall Ratings
4 based on 46 reviews
Reviewed By BigHugh51 - Adelaide, Australia
We visited Koper's old town on a very quiet summer Saturday. Many of the small shops were closed and we had difficulty finding anything of a great deal of interest other than the attractions located in Tito Square.
The further we ventured into the old city from the direction from the port, the less there was to see and appreciate.
When we stumbled upon a small town square, the Da Ponte Fountain was drawing attention from the few tourists there. It is an interesting, small Fountain with its design based around a stone bridge type structure.
The Fountain provided a photo opportunity in what is otherwise, a rather dull and uninteresting small town square!
6. Muda Gate
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 75 reviews
Reviewed By BigHugh51 - Adelaide, Australia
We had spent an hour or so exploring Koper's old town. It was a Saturday morning and the old town was very quiet.
After viewing some town squares, a few shops and some lovely old buildings, we eventually found ourselves at the Muda Gate. This rather simple old gateway set in the remnants of the old town wall is a point of access between the old town and modern Koper.
We rested for a short time in the shade of the old gateway, on a concrete bench adjacent to the gate. We also took the opportunity to refill our water bottles from the small Fountain mounted on the town wall.
The gateway itself has a certain classic style reflecting the period in which it was constructed.
It is worth a look and a photograph or two, if you happen to be in that area of the old town!
7. Koper Regional Museum
Overall Ratings
4 based on 21 reviews
Reviewed By ccb1951 - Victoria, Canada
A gem of a regional museum. It contains exhibits from pre-Roman times through to recent decades.
The 1920s through 1960s exhibits were emotionally powerful and draining...so much human suffering and genocide. The local peoples resilience to continuing adversity is astonishing. The exhibits are factual and informative, not condemnatory. This museum warrants a visit.
8. Casa Veneziana
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 19 reviews
Location Casa Veneziana is on the northeastean part of ex island of Koper, directly near the coast and the monastery Sv. Ana. The construcitng plan of the building was made after 14th century, in the period of Venetian ages. Nazario Sauro, the Italian irredentist, was born in 1880 in Ribiski trg 10, he died in 1916 u Pula. The building was recovered in 1938, when they tried to add a historical and monumental look. The work was led by Ferdinando Frolati (1926-1935 Soprintendente alle Opere di antichità e d’arte per il Friuli Venezia Giulia) who named the building "Casa Veneziana" in his drawings in Trieste. The building went on fire on 2001 and was completely renovated in 2011 by the private owner. Casa Veneziana retained entire built structure and urban design, combined with new architecture preserved many historical elements even today.
Reviewed By AussiesOS - Byron Bay
Just happened to walk past this Restaurant / bar on our way back to the ship (very close to where ship was docked). Manager was so pleasant and helpful and speaks good English. Suggested first local beer to quench our thirst, served with some crisps. Then we decided to try a cool glass of local white wine which was very fresh on a warm day. All for about 5 euro each. Also has good free wifi. Nice music playing, cool,comfortable and modern. Lovely !
9. Tourist information centre Koper
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 12 reviews
In the Tourist information centre Koper you will find a lot of promotional material about Koper, Slovenian Istria and Slovenia. The TIC assistants will be happy to help you and answer all your questions.
Reviewed By BigHugh51 - Adelaide, Australia
When we stepped ashore from our cruise shipped docked at Koper's port, we found a small booth where some basic tourism information was being distributed.
After making our way on foot into the heart of Koper's old town, we discovered the Koper tourist information centre located within the Praetorian Palace.
The tourist information centre, not surprisingly had a much better range of tourist information available than the booth at the port. Despite there being a significant number of tourists from the ship seeking advice at the information centre, service at the counter was quick, helpful and friendly. There was also a good variety of brochures, in several languages, available for collection by tourists.
A very useful tourist resource!
10. Skocjanski zatok
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 15 reviews
Reviewed By Sandi L - Koper, Slovenia
Skocjanski zatok has been recently renowed with nice like wooden buildings with an offer to watch the natural habitat and the animals that live there. There is also a round trip around the zatok where you can see horses and some old Isitrian bull + others. (Birds, frogs, snakes etc. ) So a nice walking trip near Koper.
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