Koper
Address
Koper
GPS
45.5479864, 13.7304781
General information
- Koper Wikipedia
- Koper tourist information
- Slovenian Riviera tourist information
- Climate
- Wind, waves, weather
Paddleboarding
Since Koper is located on Slovenia's 46 km long Adriatic coast, paddling here is primarily done by the sea. The Bay of Koper can be heavily stirred up by winds from time to time, but if the waves are within limits, smaller SUP tours in the town area are possible. If you like to go on a longer trip, you can paddle from Koper, go around the Ankaran Peninsula
and up north to the Italian border. The route down to Izola and Piran is also open to stand-up paddlers, or you can simply circle the Bay of Koper and enjoy the open sea.
An insider tip, however, is the quiet Badaševica Canal, which flows from the hinterland into the sea in Koper.
Koper is also the venue for the Adria SUP Challenge, and is therefore known as a competition spot among stand-up paddlers.
Swimming
The Slovenian Riviera is not only known for the sea, but also for its thermal baths. Already in April, the air and sea water have an average temperature of up to 17°C. The average air temperature rises to up to 28°C in summer. The water temperature is still inviting even in October, with average highs of 19°C.
Although Koper is a port town, there are some beautiful beaches and coastal areas in the region that also make great photo motifs, especially thanks to their clear and colorful water. Highlights include the following beaches:
The other beaches of the Ankaran Peninsula are also highly recommended; it is not without reason that it is called Island of Green Teasures.
There is also provision for the colder season. The Aquapark is part of the Hotel Žusterna and invites you to relax, but you can also experience water action there. Three other thermal baths are located south of Koper on the way to the Croatian border.
Worth seeing
The old town of Koper is full of historical sights, including the imposing Cathedral of St. Nazarius, Tito Square, the Praetorian Palace and the remains of the 15th century Venetian city walls. A private or guided walk through the narrow streets and past the colorful houses is like a relaxing trip back in time.
The Škocjanski zatok Nature Reserve is a combination of brackish and freshwater habitats and a diverse environment despite its small size. Almost three quarters of the area is water, but it is not allowed to enter it for sporting purposes. However, you can follow the hiking trail on foot every day and explore the largest brackish water bay in the country.
The impressive Škocjan Caves are located 30 minutes northeast of Koper and are one of the most popular attractions in the area. After all, these stunning limestone caves are part of the UNESCO World Heritage and offer spectacular stalactite formations and underground rivers.
The Slovenian-Italian border village of Lipica is best known for its Lipizzan stud farm, which has had to relocate several times since the 16th century, but has bred the same breed of Lipizzan horses ever since. Horse fans can take part in guided tours of the stud farm, and golfers can enjoy the 9-hole golf course all year round.
Extra Tips
The Adria SUP Challenge is part of the SUP Alps Trophy and takes place every spring in the Bay of Koper. The races offer a varied mix of sea paddling and Alpine horizons that is unique to the SUP Alps Trophy. You can also borrow SUPs from the local SUP club (SUP Club Naredi Nekaj za Naravo), which organizes this event, in return for helping to clean the sea of garbage.
At the local market you will find a wide range of regional food from Monday to Saturday between 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. But you can also buy handicrafts and all kinds of kitschy souvenirs. Of course, the market is liveliest on Saturdays. Not far away, two fish shops offer fresh produce every day.
Every year the joint Tartini Festival takes place in Koper and Piran. The international chamber music festival is dedicated to Giuseppe Tartini and features not only his works but also works by contemporary artists.
The Festival Sladka Istra shows the sweet culinary side of the region. The old town becomes a gastronomic mile in which countless restaurateurs participate with their delicious creations. On the other hand, the Altroke Istra Gourmet Festival in Boršt is dedicated to the entire Istrian cuisine and promotes, for example, its Istrian Burger.
If you would like to learn more about the region's olive cultivation and olive products, head to the hinterland village of Marezige and take part in a tasting of olive oil, olive spreads and other specialties.
The Vinakoper winery has been producing its wines directly in Koper since 1947, using grapes that grow under the best conditions in various vineyards in Slovenian Istria. Wine lovers can stock up on wine in the shop, experience wine tastings and indulge themselves in the in-house Restaurant Kogo.
The nano brewery Pivo Varuh lives off the expertise and the enthusiasm for experimentation of a physicist and is run as a sideline. The excellent brewing creations are sold primarily through local shops and are definitely worth tasting.
The bilingual town with its Italian minority is only a few kilometers from Italy. A day trip to Trieste, Muggia or Duino is therefore always worthwhile.
Overnight Stay
Aquapark Hotel Žusterna
Istrska Cesta 67, 6000 Koper
Phone +386 (0)5 61 00 300
Villa Majda
Osp 88, 6275 Osp
Phone +386 (0)31 000 350
Apartmaji Sobe Zvezda
Cesta I. Istrske brigade 20, 6276 Pobegi
Phone +386 (0)31 282 112
Apartments MEDVED
Ulica Agrarne Reforme 19, 6000 Koper
Phone +386 (0)41 345625
Adria Ankaran – Hotel & Resort
Jadranska cesta 25, 6280 Ankaran
Phone +386 (0)5 663 73 40
Camping Jakomin
57a Kubed, 6272 Koper
ECO Camp Supot
Koštabona 71d, 6274 Šmarje
Phone +386 (0)31 683 466
Gastronomy
Kogo Restaurant
Šmarska cesta 1, 6000 Koper
Phone +386 (0)51 261726
Restaurant Carpa
Pristaniska Ulica 3, 6000 Koper
Phone +386 (0)41 602 030
Istrska Klet
Župančičeva ulica 39, 6000 Koper
Phone +386 (0)5 627 67 29
Havana Club
Cesta Zore Perello Godine 3, 6000 Koper
Phone +386 (0)31 573 618
Beach Volley Bar
Semedelska cesta, 6000 Koper
Phone +386 (0)41 913 142
Snack Bar 1964
Istrska cesta 67, 6000 Koper
Phone +386 (0)31 343 111
Mornarček – Ribja kantina & bar
Pristanishka ulica 2, 6000 Koper
Phone +386 (0)590 38025
Dzungla GastroBar
Vojkovo nabrezje 6 Egis building, 6000 Koper
Phone +386 (0)30 323 442
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