Helpful information for tourists about Koper in Slovenia - geographical position, tourism infrastructure, map, architectural features and attractions.

Attractions

Koper is a southwestern Slovenian city, decorating with its historical delights the coast of the bay of the same name, pushed into the blue by the Istrian peninsula Adriatic Sea. Being the largest city along the thirty-kilometer Slovenian coast, Koper has become famous among fans of choral singing for the folklore and music festivals held here. The city's twenty-five thousand population has long chosen the territory near the Italian border, which affected the ethnic and linguistic characteristics of the local urban environment.

Koper's historical roots stretch back to Greek antiquity, when it was preceded by the settlement of Aegis. The Roman period transformed the name of the settlement into Caprice, which gave way to the modern name. However, this was preceded by a renaming to Justinople, associated with the short-term affiliation of the city with Byzantium.

The 7th – 8th centuries turned out to be a difficult period in the history of Koper, when the city passed by armed force to the Franks, Lombards, and Slavic tribes. The 11th century turned out to be no less problematic for the city, when the maelstrom of confrontation between Venice and the inexorable Holy Roman Empire in its greatness forced the townspeople to support Emperor Conrad II - in exchange for some ambiguous privileges.

Koper experienced its true heyday as part of the Venetian Republic, which it joined in 1278. Becoming the largest port city Istria, it was awarded the Latin name Caput Histriae, which literally translates as “head of Istria” and is consonant with the Italian name of the city of Kapodistrias. The fall of the Venetian Republic for Koper ended with its annexation to Austria in 1797, from whose control it was temporarily removed by Napoleonic troops in 1805 - 1813.

The First World War transferred the city to Italy, and the result of the Second World War was the entry of Koper into the zone controlled by Yugoslavia, which caused the forced exodus of the Italian part of the townspeople. The collapse of Yugoslavia, which marked the grim fact of 1991, annexed the long-suffering city to independent Slovenia, making it the largest coastal city and the capital of Slovenian Istria.

The historical core of this small port town is administrative center The Slovenian Riviera - like Venice, reverently preserves evidence of an eventful past embodied in stone. While on the streets of Koper, it is easy to forget that you are not in Italy, but still in Slovenia. The atmosphere, imbued with Italian flavor, is confirmed even in the signs demonstrating the tolerance of two languages ​​– Slovenian and Italian.

A memorable milestone in the history of Koper remains the tradition of dividing it into mainland and island quarters. In the old days, the main part of the city was occupied by Goat Island, which in 1825 was artificially connected to the mainland. Accordingly, the island part of the city has preserved Italian traditions, visible in the tiled roofs of ancient houses, cathedrals, the Italian style of preserved architecture, and the prevailing culinary preferences here.

The Venetian influence on Koper's past has reached us through the palaces of noble Venetian families, the Loggia Palace, and the unique Venetian Gothic style. They are complemented by numerous monuments of the Venetian Republic preserved in the city. However, modernity has not been forgotten: lovers of mountaineering will also find joy here, exploring the steep cliffs surrounding the city, and a huge water park offers an extravaganza of water attractions.

Have you ever watched a cartoon about Smeshariki? There, the main characters live in a wonderful country: sea, mountains, rivers, forests, sun and absolutely happy Smeshariki. It seems to me that the prototype of this cartoon is a small country located in Central Europe.

You can travel through the whole of Slovenia in about three hours by car. The length of the Slovenian coast is only 46 km. This small part is called Slovenian Istria, the center of which is the city of Koper, which I want to talk a little about.

My first impressions of Kopra are a state of some kind of unconditional, for some reason intoxicated happiness, when you literally glow from the inside. Surprisingly, even now, having lived here for four years, I experience the same state when I fly from Moscow to Koper.

How to get there

There are many options for getting to the city of Koper - by plane, train, car. I will describe those known to me, and you may find something of your own.

By plane

Of all the options, I always prefer a plane, preferably a day flight, preferably non-stop. Not original. But... in order to leave some other memories from the trip besides the road, I advise you to skip the sections “By Train” and “By Car”.

Moscow – Ljubljana

My favorite option is a direct regular flight (Sheremetyevo) with Adria Airways, which flies every day except Wednesday. Ticket prices range from 100 to 700 EUR one way, travel time is 3 hours.

You can compare ticket prices by.

We are happy to fly to this small, cozy airport, where after arrival it is worth drinking a cup of coffee in a local cafe - only 1 EUR, and you are already immersed in the leisurely Slovenian rhythm of life, where the main slogan is “pochasi” (slowly), and Each event ends with coffee.

From Ljubljana Airport to Koper

By car. The distance from Ljubljana Airport to Kopra is about 130 km, so the question of how to get there is very relevant. I would recommend renting a car right at the airport, since without a car, a vacation in Europe would not be complete. I’ll tell you more about renting a car and traveling on toll roads later.

By train. By shuttle, which runs once an hour, you can get to the railway station of the capital Ljubljana, then after a 2.5 hour drive along the picturesque railway, you will be in Koper. You can view the train schedule; the ticket price is 9 EUR.

By bus. There, at the railway station, there is a bus station, from where you can get to Kopra by bus in 1.5 hours. You can see the bus schedule; the ticket price is 11 EUR.

By taxi. Well, for those who are in style - a taxi, which can be ordered at a separate counter at the airport. Transfer to Kopra costs about 120 EUR.

Moscow – Venice

Since the distance from Venice International Airport (Marco Polo) to Slovenian Kopra is only 160 km, I recommend considering Venice Airport when searching for the best tickets to Slovenia.

There are many direct regular flights from Alitalia, Aeroflot, AirMoldova, and Transaero from all Moscow airports to Venice. Ticket prices range the same as in Adria - from 100 EUR and above, but the likelihood of finding a cheap direct ticket is higher. Travel time is the same - about 3 hours.

From Venice to Koper

By car. At the airport, I also recommend renting a car right away, otherwise it will take quite a long time to get there on your own. Roads in Italy are toll roads, so when you enter the autobahn, you receive a ticket, which you will have to pay at the ticket office when you exit the autobahn. On average, the road from Venice to Slovenia costs 10 EUR.

In Slovenia, to pay for roads, they buy a vignette that is glued to the windshield. The vignette is sold at gas stations closer to the Slovenian border, the price is 15 EUR/week or 30 EUR/month. If you rent a car in Slovenia, the vignette will already be paid for.

By train. If you still choose public transport, then from Marco Polo Airport you should get to Mestre railway station by bus, the stop of which is located immediately outside the arrivals terminal. Buses run every half hour, the fare is 8 EUR.

From Mestre railway station by train we get to the Trieste railway station, train schedule. The cost is from 13 to 30 EUR, depending on the class you are going to travel with, then from Trieste we go to Koper by Taxi for 30 EUR.

By taxi. The cost of a taxi from Venice Airport to Kopra will average 160 EUR, travel time is 2 hours.

Moscow – Pula

If you are traveling to summer time, then it makes sense to look at direct flights to Croatia. Small international Airport in Pula accepts Russian planes from early June to mid-September. S7 flies to Pula, " Ural Airlines", ticket prices are low, you can find tickets for 60 EUR one way.

The airport in Pula is the closest, on average an hour away by car.

From Pula to Koper

By bus. Public transport will traditionally cost you less: a taxi to the Pula bus station - 10 EUR, then a bus from the Pula bus station to the Kopra bus station - 11 EUR and 3.5 hours on the road.

By taxi. The cost of a taxi from the airport to Kopra is 100 EUR.

By train

I think it is advisable to travel by train for people suffering from severe aviation phobia. Otherwise, how to explain the choice in favor of the train when the price of tickets is higher compared to the price of a plane? But, nevertheless, let's consider this travel option.

There are two ways to get to Kopra by train. The first is standard and the second is exotic.

Moscow – Vienna

The standard option is to purchase a ticket for the Moscow - train, departing from the Belorussky railway station, the travel time is about 28 hours, the ticket price averages about 150-200 EUR one way in a compartment.

Then you can also continue your journey by train from Vienna to Ljubljana (with one change), the one-way price is about 60 EUR, and then by train/bus from Ljubljana to Kopra for 9–11 EUR.

You can also get from Vienna to Kopra by taxi, the average price will be 300–350 EUR. I have friends who have ventured on such a difficult route more than once, and, on the whole, were satisfied, but as for me, I prefer a plane or a car.

Moscow – Koper

The exotic option is that theoretically there is a direct train – Koper, i.e. not a train, but a trailer car. This new route opened recently, which was trumpeted by all Slovenian media.

Of course, this offer is only valid in the summer. Travel time – 2 days. 13 hours. The route passes through Ukraine, Belarus, and Hungary.

The price of tickets is shrouded in mystery, as is the proof of the existence of this route.

How to get from the station to the center of Koper

Trains in Koper arrive at the railway station Zelezniska postaja Koper, Kolodvorska cesta, 2.

From here you can walk to the city center or drive public transport or taxi if you are staying in the area.

By car

If we briefly describe the route by car, it looks something like this: – – – – –, approximately 2500 km and travel time... depends on your age, goals, presence of children and health.

For us, it usually takes three days with two overnight stays in hotels in Brest and somewhere in the Czech Republic, however, the second place to stay depends heavily on the time spent on the Belarusian-Polish border and on the state of traffic in Poland.

In Poland, we usually drive through Warsaw and there are at least some autobahns there, but for some reason they have traffic lights that can greatly slow you down on the way. If you want to turn off the highway at the urgent request of the navigator, you risk driving for a long time in a convoy behind a tractor at a speed of 20 km/h, which greatly undermines morale when traveling such long distances. Particularly brave people try to travel through Poland at night.

We never book hotels in advance, although we have gotten into trouble a few times because of this. The only hotel that I really love and where we stay all the time is the Hermitage in Brest.

A separate milestone in your road trip will be crossing the Belarusian-Polish border. Unfortunately, the time spent on this event is difficult to predict, especially in the summer, but I can formulate a few general principles that may be useful to you.

First, you need to choose Right the crossing point of this very border. Usually, the longest queue is at the central customs point - Terespol. Few people know that, in addition to this point, there is also a point Peschatka - Polovtse, for example, which is located 50 km from Brest, but there is practically no queue there. Another trick is time: it is better to cross the border either early in the morning or late in the evening.

If you decide to travel by car, do not forget about the additional expenses that await you on this trip. Compulsory car insurance - policy " green map", an analogue of our OSAGO operating in Europe. The cost depends on the car class and insurance period, on average from 35 EUR for 15 days. In addition, you will need to buy vignettes for travel on the roads of the Czech Republic (11 EUR – 10 days, minimum price) and Austria (8.7 EUR – 10 days, minimum price). The price of gasoline in Slovenia is 1.2 EUR/liter. On average, a car trip to Koper costs us 550 EUR round trip, excluding hotels along the way.

Have you arrived in Koper? Don't forget about coffee.

Clue:

Koper - the time is now

Hour difference:

Moscow 2

Kazan 2

Samara 3

Ekaterinburg 4

Novosibirsk 6

Vladivostok 9

When is the season? When is the best time to go

I love Koper at any time of the year, at the first opportunity I fly there at full speed, since in any season it is pleasant to relax there and there is something to see.

In general, Europeans, and in particular Slovenians, have structured their lives so skillfully that for each time of the year they have some interesting holidays, events, traditions, for the sake of which you are waiting for this time of year to arrive as soon as possible.

I was very surprised when I found out that the beginning of their seasons is not the same as ours: summer there begins on June 22, autumn on September 22, spring on March 22, and winter on December 22, which, perhaps, is more consistent with the real climate seasons.

Like us, Slovenians engage in domestic tourism mainly during school holidays, therefore, no matter what season you choose to travel, it is better if it does not coincide with school holidays, since many traditionally go to the coast.

Thus, the autumn or potato holidays last one week and usually take place in the last days of October - the beginning of November. And October 31 and November 1 in Slovenia public holidays, so many people take extra days off and travel with their children during this time.

New Year holidays, as a rule, from 25.12 to 1.01. Europe celebrates Christmas solemnly, although New Year There are fireworks and festivities in Koper.

Time winter holidays depends on the area of ​​residence, this is done so that everyone can ride the boat relatively calmly alpine skiing Oh. So, one half of Slovenia rests in the penultimate week of February, and the other half in the last week of February.
May Day or spring break usually take place from 27.04 to 2.05. May 1 and 2 are public holidays, Labor Day, greetings from socialist Yugoslavia. Well summer holidays start on June 25th, on September 1st everyone goes to school.

The so-called “hot” season begins at the end of July and lasts throughout August, when the entire neighboring region traditionally rests.

Koper in summer

It sounds counterintuitive, but the last thing I would recommend is visiting Koper in the summer. I'll explain why. A trip to the sea in summer involves a beach holiday, sightseeing in the heat is a dubious pleasure, and in order to climb mountains and swim in cool lakes, you don’t need to go to the sea at all.

Koper is located on the coast of the Koper Bay, this bay is part of the Gulf of Trieste, the largest in the Adriatic Sea. The average temperature in June is +26 °C, in July and August +29 °C, water temperature in June is +22 °C, in July and August +25 °C.

In summer, Koper reminds me of a big Turkish all-inclusive hotel. Every evening music plays on the streets of the city, children's performances and culinary festivals take place. The only difference is that in Turkey (with all my great respect) these are all cardboard decorations that will be removed as soon as the door closes behind you, but in Koper these are hundred-year-old traditions, eternity that you can come into contact with.
You can create a program of evening events without leaving the hotel by looking. In the events section prireditve/events you can see a schedule of interesting events that usually take place either on the embankment or on the main square. Almost all of them are free.

Koper in autumn

Perhaps, I would advise coming to Koper in the fall, when it’s already raining in Moscow and everyone has forgotten what the sun looks like. You can definitely get a contrast shock and fall in love with this city.

average temperature in September – +23 °C, in October – +18 °C, in November – +13 °C, and the number of rainy days ranges from 5 to 7 per month. Agree, not bad for a dull time? Yes, and the water temperature in September is still +22 °C!

From the second half of September, a significant reduction in hotel prices begins, there is no heat, so you can safely plan short and long trips for sightseeing.

One of the main autumn events is the picking of olives growing in households along the coast. Olives are collected throughout November, packed in special bags and taken to the factory. They also give out bottles of preserved oil, which is enough for the entire season. The average household hands over 400 kg of olives!

Koper in spring

The average temperature in March is +12 °C, in April – +17 °C, in May – +21 °C. February and March are considered the windiest months. There is a tramontana wind here - winter and cold, sometimes it can reach hurricane force. This phenomenon is not frequent, but quite unpleasant, since for three days (usually this wind blows for so long) you don’t want to go outside at all.

In spring, cafes are filled with people, and there are many cyclists on the streets. At the beginning of May, everyone eats asparagus, even in restaurants various dishes with asparagus appear; at the end of May, the cherries growing on the coast are already ripening.

There are advantages to visiting Kopra in the spring - low prices for hotels, lack of tourists, sunny weather and the opportunity to visit large tourist centers(, for example) without extreme.

Koper in winter

There are at least three reasons why I love winter Koper.

First: it is very beautiful in December, decorated, and Christmas carols are played from speakers in the streets. There is anticipation of a holiday and high spirits in the air. Children here receive gifts for the New Year three times. The first time - on the night of December 6-7, Saint Mikloug brings sweets to those who behaved well throughout the year, and rods to those who behaved badly, the second time - on Christmas, the third - on New Year.

Children's choirs perform in shopping centers, schools make crafts for charity bazaars, and children stay overnight (!) in kindergartens to watch for Santa Claus. And they succeed!

On the main square - Titov Trg - they organize a Christmas market with mulled wine and all sorts of trinkets, and decorate a huge Christmas tree.

The second reason is that sales begin in January, we usually go to outlets in Italy to buy great things with big (up to 70%) discounts.

The third reason is alpine skiing. If you are not a fan who is ready to spend two weeks on the slopes, you can go skiing for a couple of days in Slovenia, neighboring Italy, and Austria. The average weather in the winter months is about +8 °C; there is almost never snow on the coast.

Koper - weather by month

Clue:

Koper - weather by month

Districts. Where is the best place to live?

Koper - so Small town that no matter where you live, everything will be within walking distance, and you don’t need a car to get around the city.

In the travel safety rating, it is one of the calmest countries along with Switzerland. Therefore, you can safely walk here at any time of the day or night, in any area and feel absolutely calm.

Until recently, Koper was an island connected by an embankment to the mainland. The once former borders of the island are now framed by historical Center cities, and " big land“are the surrounding areas of Kopra (Markovets, Semedela, Zsusterna) located on the hills.

Accommodation for travelers can be divided into three categories - hotels, apartments, hostels.

Hotels

Hotels. I will not describe all the hotels that are in Koper, I will only write about those that are worth staying at. This does not mean that the other hotels are bad, it’s just that, for example, the Pristan or Vodisek hotels usually accommodate business travelers who come for a couple of days on business in Luka Port (Port in Koper), and the location of the BIO hotel seems to me not very good successful.

Personally, I really love the hotel Zusterna, its description can be seen. This hotel is located on the very shore, 1 km from the city center, the beach is across the road, in addition, the hotel has a water park, a visit to which is included in the room price. I am skeptical about water parks, but I go here with great pleasure because of the pleasant and calm atmosphere. If you come to Koper outside the summer season and not during the school holidays and decide to visit the water park in the morning, after breakfast, before a walk, then perhaps you will be completely alone there - and in a large swimming pool with sea ​​water and in a small warm jacuzzi overlooking the sea and panoramic windows. Believe me, you will no longer find such places in Europe where you can enjoy all this splendor for reasonable money alone.

The water park also has a sauna complex, but there is one “but” - for some reason in many European countries it is customary to go naked to public saunas. As a Russian person, this confuses me a little, but just be prepared for it if you decide to take a steam bath.

This hotel is considered a three-star hotel, prices in the off-season are about 60 EUR per night per person. A really good breakfast is included in the price.

Another hotel, which, like the previous one, belongs to the Catez system, is called Koper and is located in the historical part of the city on the embankment, the hotel is good, all rooms have stunning sea views, everything is within walking distance - both the city beach and all the city attractions. Since the hotel is large, it is only open in the summer - from June to mid-September.

You can compare room prices for the dates you are interested in using. You can also book accommodation on.

Apartments

Apartments. Of all the abundance of proposals, I would highlight two:

1. Apartment & Suites Veneziana, stylish, four-star apartments located in the historical part of the city. The only apartments of this level in Koper. Both rooms with breakfast and apartments are available, and the city beach is very close. Accommodation for the whole family will cost you an average of 100 EUR per night. In densely populated Europe, unlike Turkey itself, there are practically no private beaches, so all offers of apartments, hotels, with pictures of beaches indicate that there is a city beach nearby and it looks like this. This is especially true for Slovenia, coastline which is only 46 km. I share this well-known information, recalling the story of the owner of the apartment about booking a room by a guest from Russia, who was ready to check in only on the condition that the photographed beach belonged to this apartment. The Slovenians laughed, and I felt terribly embarrassed for my compatriot. I understand perfectly well that these are the only two weeks of the year where you want to relax in style, but in Slovenia everything seems to be a little private. There is no public here, and therefore no owner.
2. Apartment in Koper, small, recently renovated apartments are located in the Semedela area, a 15-minute walk from the city center, the Zusterna city beach is a 5-minute walk. The cost of one night for a family will cost you an average of 55 EUR. The big advantage of staying here for tourists from Russia is that the family that runs these apartments is Russian, they will be happy to tell you everything in their native language.

Price options for apartments can be viewed.

Hostels

Hostels. This kind of tourism is not very popular here, but why not if you are young and unpretentious? Here I would also highlight two hostels, based on their extremely favorable location:

1. Hostel Museum. Located right on the square next to the Kopra Local History Museum, which is located on one of the central streets leading to the embankment. The cost of accommodation is about 30 EUR per day.
2. Hostel Histria Koper. Located a little further from the center compared to the previous hostel, the cost of accommodation in an 8-bed room is 15 EUR per day.

To summarize

If the advantage of accommodation in the historical part is the opportunity to go out and walk along the ancient streets, sit in a cafe, then in the apartments of Semedela, Markovets or Žusterna you will most likely have a stunning view of the Bay of Koper and the feeling that you are living in a country house, although the most the remote area is located no more than 2–3 km from the city center.

What are the prices for holidays?

I wouldn’t call a holiday in Koper expensive; the prices are rather affordable. When my family and I go on day trips to Italy, Croatia or northern Slovenia, we always try to have dinner in Kopra restaurants. We know that it is guaranteed to be delicious, inexpensive and plentiful.

For me, the “litmus test” of all prices is the cost of coffee in a cafe. In Kopra, an expresso will cost you on average 1 EUR, and a cappuccino – 1.2 EUR, and they will also bring you a glass of water and cookies.

In a cafe you can easily ask for tap water, which you can drink here, and they will bring it completely free, even in a glass or a large jug. And local wine - Refoshk and Malvasia - is cheaper than juice in the cafe, 1 EUR per 100 ml.

Accommodation prices depend on the level of service - from 15 EUR/day in a hostel to 70 EUR/day in a good hotel (average prices per person).

You are unlikely to need a taxi here, but if you do go from the old center somewhere to the Markovets or Semedela area, the trip will cost no more than 5 EUR.

Prices for excursions here are very affordable, for example, a one-day excursion to Koper during the Christmas holidays costs only 35 EUR. In my opinion, the best way to organize excursions is through the local travel agency Kompas. Price options for tours can be viewed.

Clue:

Cost of food, accommodation, transportation and other things

Currency: Euro, € US Dollar, $ Russian Ruble, Rub

Main attractions. What to see

After taking a break from the road, I would advise you to go on a sightseeing tour of the city. Simply put, for a walk around the historical center.

Exploring the city itself and its attractions is unlikely to take you more than one day, so the next day you can safely plan a trip by car around the surrounding area.

Top 5

Beaches. Which ones are better

Beach holidays in Koper have their place, but the beaches on the Croatian coast or sand dunes in Italy they cope with this task much better.

I have sometimes heard the dissatisfaction of compatriots with Koper beaches, who expected to see animators, sun loungers and sun umbrellas here, but instead - a small, democratic city beach without frills.

The swimming season usually begins on June 15, although from June 1 all beaches are officially open. Officially open - this means that the swimming area is limited, rafts for diving are launched, lifeguards are working, cafes are open, ice cream is sold, sandboxes and playgrounds are cleaned, small libraries are open, which have books in Russian.

Since Koper is not a beach tourist Mecca, all this is done for oneself, for internal use. It’s all clean, free and conscientious, and for children there will definitely be a small corner in which they can draw and play, again for free.

There are two city beaches in Koper - one is located in the city itself - central city beach,

another, Zusterna beach, – 1 km from the center, in the Zusterna area,

next to the hotel of the same name, which can be reached along a walking road along the coast.
Of these two beaches, the beach in Zhusterna is preferable for me - it is larger, there is free parking nearby, and there is a separate shallow water area for children. The beaches in Slovenia are all pebble, with the exception of the beach in Portorož, a Slovenian resort located 20 km from Kopra.

Very picturesque beaches in Izola and Strunjan, neighboring towns, 10 km and 15 km from Kopra.

The swimming season ends around September 15, but the weather remains warm and sunny for a long time.

Churches and temples. Which ones are worth visiting?

I would advise visiting at least two temples in Koper - Catholic Cathedral of the Assumption of Our Lady And Orthodox Church of St. Martha.

Cathedral of the Assumption of Our Lady

Most main temple in Koper, the temple-museum, the construction of which dates back to the 12th century, is located on the main square - Titov Trge. Later, the façade and interior of the cathedral were restored. The cathedral houses the sarcophagus of St. Nazarius, the patron saint of Kopra, the walls are decorated with paintings by Venetian artists.
At the end of the 13th century, a tower with a bell tower was added to the cathedral, which was also subsequently restored.

Previously, this tower was like an observation tower, but now, having overcome 36 meters (which, to my shame, I have never done), you can climb observation deck and see Koper from a bird's eye view.

Church of St. Martha

It was built in 1621 and belonged to the Roman Catholic Church. It is interesting because it is now an active Serbian Orthodox church, in which services are held on holidays and on weekends, babies are baptized, and newlyweds are married according to Orthodox canons.

Here I was surprised to discover that there are differences between the Russian and Serbian Orthodox traditions. For example, during the service, men and women stand on different sides of the temple, with women with their heads uncovered and, as a rule, wearing trousers. A woman in a headscarf and skirt is certainly either Russian or Ukrainian.

Museums. Which ones are worth visiting?

I would say that Koper itself is an open-air museum. Even while taking a walk, you can see many interesting, historical objects.

If we approach the issue formally, then Koper will not bore you with a large number of museums; here there is only one - the Koper Local History Museum, located in the very center of the old town next to the Museum Square (Muzejski trg).

The museum was founded in 1910. Today, it contains many thematic exhibitions: archaeological, art collections (the oldest exhibits date back to the 12th-13th centuries), a unique ethnographic collection, which presents household items and furniture of local residents starting from the 18th century.

Also interesting are the halls dedicated to modern history– Second World War, socialist Yugoslavia. The museum hosts musical evenings - in the hall or in the courtyard, celebrates children's birthdays, and conducts archaeological excavations with children.

Entrance costs 5 EUR, the main exhibition is located in the Belgramoni-Tacco Palace, there are additional halls that are located in the old town not far from the main exhibition.

Parks

There are no city parks in Koper: neither the climate nor the size allow Koper to have such a luxury.

Tourist streets

As in all Mediterranean cities, the central place in Koper is occupied by the square and the clock tower. It's called Titova Square(Titov Trg) in honor of Josip Tito, leader of socialist Yugoslavia. In terms of its importance for the city, I would compare it with Red Square in Moscow.

Once upon a time, Titova Square did not make a strong impression on me. Then I knew her in different images: both summer, baked by the hot sun with lonely tourists under cafe awnings, and elegant, Christmas with palachinki (pancakes), mulled wine and a school choir.

Concerts and fashion shows are held here; tourists brought by huge cruise ships are first taken to this square. I even saw a local beggar shouting his slogans against the local mayor, of course, on Titovaya Square.

Surprisingly, despite such involvement in the tourist and social life of the city, the square is not vulgar with souvenir shops, high prices in cafes and the smell of sewage.
In addition to the Cathedral of the Assumption of Our Lady, there are two architectural monuments on the square:

• Praetorian Palace,

• and the Loggia Palace, 15th century.

They were built for the head of the city and for holding meetings of city councils. Since 1846, there has been a cafe on the ground floor of the Loggia Palace, which is still open today.
Three main streets radiate from Titova trga - Cankarjeva, Cevljarska and Kidriceva.

The historical center is surrounded by Pristaniska ulica, Kopalisko nabrezje and Vojkovo nabrezje.
On the southern side the historical part of the city is adjacent to large shopping centers, there are bus and train stations.

Such a mixture of times can only happen in Europe - 10 minutes ago we were looking at the palaces of the 13th century, crossed the road and... found ourselves in a modern shopping center with the familiar Zara and H&M.

What to see in 1 day

One day is enough for a sightseeing tour of the city:

• Let us enter the city the way we did several hundred years ago: through the Muda Gate (Vrata Muda, 1516) - the historical entrance to the city at a time when Koper was still an island and connected to the “mainland” by a bridge.

• We will find ourselves at Presernov trg, once the main retail space Copra. The main attraction here is the Da Ponte Fountain, 1666, a replica of a Venetian fountain.

• Then we go up towards the main square along Zhupanchicheva and Chevlyarska streets. The closer to the center, the more palaces in which the local nobility lived - the Carli Palace (18th century), the Barbabianca Palace (17th century), the Orlandini Palace (18th century).

• Along the busy Chevlyarskaya Street, where there are now small shops and cafes, we finally come out to the main square, Titov trg. Here is the most important architectural complex cities - the Pretoria Palace, the Loggia Palace, the Cathedral of the Assumption of Our Lady, as well as the Foresteria, where the faculties of the University of Primorska are now based. There is also a tourist information center here. Our walk has been going on for a good half hour, so it’s time to drink coffee, especially since we came to the oldest cafe, which is located on the first floor of the Loggia Palace, and it has been open for 170 years...

• Behind the main square is the neighboring Brolo Square, which once served as the city's reservoir.

• On Brolo Square there are the ancient gates of the Bishop's Palace (16th century) and the Palace of the Brutti family (18th century), now the city library is located here.

• Another interesting building on this square is Fontiko, the first half of the 16th century, it used to be a grain storage facility, now there are city administrative premises. Behind Fontiko is the Church of St. Jacoba, the oldest building in this square, 14th century.
• Continuing our walk along Gallusovi Street, we will see Elio's Palace, 1627, which later served as a money depository until 1929.
• Opposite the Palazzo Elio, one of the most interesting buildings from an architectural point of view was built - the Gravi Barbabianca Palace, 1710. Now there is a functioning music school here, so we can easily find this Palace by ear.
• We move towards the embankment, along Osvobodilne fronte street (Ulica Osvobodilne fronte), where the Gravisi-Buttorai Palace and the Tarsia Palace are located, now the Italian community and the editorial office of the local news newspaper are located there. I never cease to be amazed where newspaper people get information for their releases - time seems to stand still here, and nothing happens.

• At the end of our walk, we return to Cevlyarska Street, from where we go down the steps to Gortanov Square (Gortanov trg) and stop a little to see the Almerigogna Palace, 15th century, the facade of which is decorated with paintings and Gothic windows.
• After Gortanova Square we find ourselves on Valvasorjeva Street (Valvasorjeva ulica), where, before turning to Tomazicev Square (Tomazicev trg), there is an old house, Perkauz, 14th century. The house received its name from the last owner, previously it was the premises of the old court (Tribunal Vecchio).
• We pass by the market and find ourselves on a small walk of fame dedicated to the memory of six Koper revolutionary heroes.

• From there, along the embankment, past the Tavern, an old salt storage facility, you can walk to the city beach, it will take no more than five minutes, and on the way I suggest you go to the Capra restaurant, located on the embankment, in the Koper Hotel, where you can have a delicious lunch.

What to see in the area

The Koper area is rich in natural and cultural attractions, which I recommend visiting.

Socerb Castle

The castle is located on the edge high cliff, which offers stunning views of the Slovenian coast and the Gulf of Trieste. Now there is a very good restaurant in the castle.

One day, my friends and I walked 10 kilometers in the vicinity of Sotserb Castle - we went on a spontaneous hike and didn’t calculate either the time or the distance. Since then, my children have been wary of this place. But if heroism is not planned in your program, then pleasure from this place is guaranteed.

Miramare Castle and Park, Italy

The castle is located in the vicinity of Trieste, built on a rock in the mid-19th century, and is also interesting for its large park with exotic plants.

Duino Castle, Italy

Another ancient castle on a rock with its own legend and picturesque view. Now it is privately owned, but part of it is open to tourists.

Inside there is a unique collection of paintings and art objects. Near the castle, along the cliff, there is a picturesque walking trail, where my family and I often come for a walk.

Lipizzaner stud farm

Located in the village of Lipica, 30 km from Kopra, next to the stud farm there is beautiful park where you can play minigolf. The main highlight of the excursion is horses of a rare breed, Lipizzaners.

They are unusual in that they are born black and become completely light when they grow up.

Cape Debeli Rtic

A peninsula located 15 km north of Kopra, where there is a natural resort and a children's health center.

You can walk around the park, which resembles a botanical garden; admission is free.

Aquarium in Piran

Piran is one of the cities on the Slovenian coast, located 20 km from Kopra. An ancient and beautiful peninsula town, about which there are legends that pirates once lived here. I can say that this city leaves no one indifferent: either you are conquered by it, or you run away from Piran with the desire not to return here again - this town has such a strong energy.

On central square There is an aquarium museum, it is small but very diverse. Visiting it is a mandatory part of the school curriculum for Slovenian students.

Excursion train in Izola

To be in Koper and not visit Izola is a crime. The small, elegant town is connected to Koper by a pedestrian road along the coast, stretching over 10 km.

During the summer season it runs around Izola and the surrounding area. tourist train, a ride on which is a great pleasure.

Food. What to try

Oh, how I miss Slovenian restaurants in Moscow! On the contrary, my Slovenian friends, when they come to Moscow, praise our restaurants for their variety and quality.

Without a hint from the Internet, I find it difficult to say which dishes are national, since local cuisine provide big influence traditional dishes neighboring countries– Italy, Austria, countries of the Balkan Peninsula.

A common distinctive feature of dishes prepared in Slovenian restaurants is invariably high quality products, large portions and affordable prices. For example, I have never tasted such a huge and delicious Wiener schnitzel anywhere, not even in Vienna.

Restaurants on the Slovenian coast traditionally offer Italian cuisine - pizza, pasta, risotto, as well as Balkan cevapcici with chopped onions and kajmak sauce.

An average pizza costs about 8–10 EUR, the same price for any dish from mid-level restaurants.

I would put it in a separate, more expensive category. fish restaurants. The main ones are located in resort towns– Portorož and Piran.

For me, a traditional dish of the Slovenian coast is squid. Usually, they are prepared in two ways: grilled (heated) or deep-fried (osverti). Grilled squid is served with boiled potatoes, spinach and olive oil with garlic and seasonings. Deep-fried squid - with fries and sauce.

After such large portions, I don’t want to talk about dessert, but for those who want it, there are usually Italian desserts - panna cotta, tiramisu, Slovenian - pancakes with chocolate, jam or nut filling.

At the end they often offer to drink a cup of coffee - espresso.

Markets and supermarkets

For those travelers who cook for themselves, Koper has a huge number of supermarkets to suit every taste. For example, we definitely go to Euro Spin and Lidl.

The first is an Italian budget chain store, where the choice of products is small, there is everything you need, but I definitely recommend buying Prosecco champagne for 3.5 EUR, half a kilo of Parmesan cheese for 7 EUR and prosciutto for 2 EUR.

The second, Lidl, is a German chain store that has very tasty bread from its own bakery, famous German sausages and pates.

There is also a market, which is open strictly in the first half of the day on Saturday, it sells fish freshly caught from the sea, seasonal fruits and vegetables grown by local farmers.

The choice of a place to dine depends entirely on the only factor, which in the case of Slovenia is not even monetary - whether you are with children or not.

If you are with children, then Pizza 33 with huge portions, fast service, and affordable prices. I recommend choosing the notorious squid or pizza.

If you are left to your own devices, then you can wait a little and try masterpiece desserts at the Capra restaurant, and, for example, steaks or pasta with seafood at Al Mulin. It seems to me that Kopra restaurants simply cannot disappoint..

Budget

• "Pizza 33". Krozna cesta, 27, Koper.

• "Primavera". Prešernova cesta 55, Izola

Mid-level

• "Nimis." Istrska cesta 70, Koper.
• "Hotel Gusht" Drevored 1. maja 5, Izola.

Holidays

Coastal Slovenians love holidays and use even small occasions to have fun. Since Koper is the most Big city on the coast, he takes the entire holiday blow upon himself.
The busiest period with holidays is summer. Of the most interesting summer holidays, I would highlight two – Rumena noch (Yellow Night) and Feshta Kalamarov (Squid Festival).

Rumena Noc

Perhaps the biggest summer festival on the coast takes place on the last weekend of July. Dedicated to the cultural and culinary traditions of various regions of Slovenia, a large concert stage is being assembled on the embankment, and attractions for children are being brought to the city. People from all parts of Slovenia come to Koper for this event; the city is celebrated for two nights in a row. On the last day there is a big fireworks display.

At this time we celebrate two whole family birthdays, so going out at night on Rumena has become our tradition too.

Festa Kalamarov

At the beginning of July, a squid festival takes place in Koper. On the streets you can try various culinary variations on the theme of squid - grilled squid, osverti (deep-fried), squid salad, pizza with squid. Of course, all this with local wine and cheerful music.

Although I personally love the squid from the Pizza 33 restaurant more than the festival ones, local traditions should be respected...

Sladka Istra

In autumn the biggest holiday is considered Sladka Istra(Sweet Istra). Held in mid-September, various sweets are sold throughout the city - pastries, sweets, chocolate.

Other events

Besides traditional holidays– Christmas and New Year, a Carnival takes place in Slovenian Istria, in which the entire Slovenian coast participates, the carnival procession goes from Kopra to Portorož. Usually this event takes place at the end of February, it is a kind of our Maslenitsa, farewell to winter. Similar to the Venetian Carnival, children and adults dress up in costumes and watch, and some participate in the carnival procession, scattering confetti, eating crofas (donuts with jam). The holiday is also celebrated in schools and kindergartens. For one day, children come to school/kindergarten in carnival costumes, walk around the city and also eat crofas.

I have observed more than once how sincerely adult Slovenians, not to mention children, have fun at this holiday.

Safety. What to watch out for

In short, there is nothing to beware of on the Slovenian coast. There are no pickpockets, no street bandits, no sexual harassment, you will not be deceived in the store or at the market, you can walk peacefully at night.

Moreover, if you have any problems, passers-by will definitely help you and explain everything. It is noteworthy that the entire nation speaks excellent English. This is apparently due to the fact that almost all television here is in English with Slovenian subtitles.

Shadow life probably exists here too. I think that it was not organized by the Slovenians, but being here as a tourist, you are unlikely to feel it.

Things to do

Little Koper can compete with big cities in terms of organizing active leisure time.

Sports programs

Neighboring Trieste hosts a major international sailing regatta Barcolana, which turns into an enchanting celebration with wine and music.

Educational programs

Slovenians are very offended by the fact that they are often confused with Slovakia and are not known at all in the world. They believe that this is a flaw of Slovenian politicians. Apparently, for this purpose, Koper has an educational program for tourists, starting in July–August, aimed at studying the Slovenian language, culture and traditions. The duration of training is about three weeks. It is believed that we, Russians, easily master the Slovenian language due to its similarity with ours. I hasten to dissuade you: in order to speak freely and understand everything, ingenuity alone is not enough.

Shopping and shops

There is shopping in Koper for every taste: from chain brands to exclusive Italian brands.

In the city itself there are two large shopping centers - Super Nova And Planet Tush with traditional brands Zara, H&M, etc. These stores are unlikely to surprise Russian fashionistas.

I would recommend doing fashion shopping in Trieste, where there are many expensive and not very expensive shops with excellent shoes, bags and casual clothing.

On the border of Slovenia and Italy, before reaching Trieste, there are two shops worth visiting - the large Bata shoe store, located at the factory of the same name, and Twin Set, a store of elegant women's clothing, mainly dresses - they usually have a large selection and frequent sales.

There are two outlets near Kopra:

• Palmanova Outlet Village(80 km).

• Not far from Venice McArthur Glen(145 km). I like the second one better.

The best time to shop is when the sales are just starting - in early July and early January. Then there is a large selection and sizes. On the other hand, at the end of the sales season (end of August, end of February), discounts reach 70%, but there is a chance that the size you need is no longer available.

Bars. Where to go

• Lord Byron. A small bar located in the historical part of Kopra, next to the Muda Gate, open daily until midnight. The age of visitors is average and above, the atmosphere is in english style, average check – 10 EUR.

And three casinos:

• Casino Portorož. Obala 75a, Portorož.
• Casino Bernardin. Obala 2, Portorož.
• Casino Riviera. Obala 33, Portorož.



Extreme Sports

I’ll be honest, a holiday in Koper is not for those who like to tickle their nerves. Among the extreme activities, windsurfing and diving courses are offered here.

Windsurfing can be done on Žusterna beach, the cost of one individual lesson is 55 EUR. Diving courses are available at the Zusterna Hotel, the cost depends on the duration of the classes and the equipment chosen. The dive itself takes place off the coast of Piran, the deepest and most picturesque place on the Slovenian coast.



Souvenirs. What to bring as a gift

• Prosciutto. Dry-cured, thinly sliced ​​meat, pork ham, in Spain - jamon, in Italy - prosciutto. Usually served with olives, tomatoes, cheese, olive oil, and also melon. We usually buy prosciutto at Euro Spina, the price is 2 EUR.



• Guilt. I would advise you to bring one variety that everyone without exception likes - dry red wine from the small family winery Lisjak, Teran variety. Sold in unusually shaped bottles designed specifically for this wine. Price – 11 EUR.



• Piran salt. This is a kind of brand of the Slovenian coast; famous restaurants buy this salt, since only with it do dishes achieve a complete taste. So they say... Since this salt is very expensive, a small bag can be bought as a souvenir. Price – about 5 EUR.



• Crystal "Rogaška". A good memory of your trip will be a piece of crystal from a local glass factory with a 350-year tradition. I choose wine glasses. Prices vary from 10–15 EUR and above.



• “Human fish” from Postojna Jama. A funny souvenir from Postojna Jama, a soft toy in the shape of a human fish, a unique underground animal that lives in these caves. A small fish costs 7 EUR.



• Carnival chimes. The main characters of the carnival, which takes place at the end of winter, symbolizing its exile. During the carnival processions, the Kurents make all sorts of noise, jump, and dance. This souvenir still needs to be found, the price is about 8 Euros.



How to get around the city

As I already wrote, Koper is a very small city, and there are no options for getting around Koper. Vehicle no need.

There are stands around the city with bicycles that you can rent, the cost is about 5 EUR, the riding time is unlimited. Then the bike simply returns to any rental bike parking lot along the way.

Another unusual way of transportation is also a bicycle, but with six seats. This service is offered only in the summer; many families ride around the city on such bicycles. They have one drawback - you can’t get into the old part of the city - the streets are too narrow.

Taxi. What features exist



You can pay for the fare from the driver, or you can buy a ticket at the ticket office. I think there is no point in purchasing travel cards, since you will only use the bus once at best.

Transport rental

It is better to rent transport at the airport to save on transfers to Kopra. If you haven’t done this, then Koper also has such a service.

For example, the Hertz company is located at: Koper - Kolodvorska Cesta 7. The average price for renting a car is 20–25 EUR/day.



Price options for car rental can be viewed at.

Top tip motorists - forget the Russian driving style and switch to a law-abiding, European one without overtaking on the right and parking for two cars.

Compliance with the rules traffic monitored by the ubiquitous patrol service - Redarstvo, which mainly checks the correctness and payment of parking. In case of violation, a fine or warning is issued. If the driver is in the car, they will approach him and politely ask him to drive away.

There are three types of markings for parking spaces on the road - blue, yellow and white. Blue markings mean that parking is paid, somewhere nearby there is a payment terminal, the ticket from which must be placed behind the windshield so that the time until which parking has been paid can be seen. The average price is 0.5–1 EUR per hour.

Yellow markings mean that parking is only allowed for company cars, white markings mean parking is free, but in Koper, as a rule, it is only allowed to local residents who buy an annual parking pass.

Koper - holidays with children

I think Koper is a wonderful place to holiday with children. It is best to stay at the Zusterna Hotel. If you're visiting in the summer, there's a beach across the street with a children's playground, fenced-in children's swimming area, delicious ice cream (try the orange one) and a large sandbox.

In any other season, the water park in Zsusterna is guaranteed to please you and your child. There is only one slide, but there is a large saltwater pool, warm Jacuzzis and a small pool for kids.

Slovenians love children very much. The situation when a stranger begins to praise your baby is by no means uncommon here. My children and I like to order “Otroshkin cappuccino” at the cafe - a children’s cappuccino made from milk foam, milk and cocoa in “adult” mugs, you will be served with cookies or candy, it costs 0.5 EUR.

In the summer, free children's performances are held on the embankment, with posters posted throughout the city.

The holidays that are celebrated here are Sladka Istra, Carnival, Rumena Night with Attractions, all a little childish and will definitely be remembered by the little traveler. In Moscow we really miss these funny holidays.

What about excursions? And Škocian Bay, and Postojnska Jama, and the aquarium in Piran, and riding the train in Izola - all this is for children.

I would highlight three directions for day trips:





Ski holiday

All local residents ski from childhood to old age. Parents start their children skiing as early as 3 years of age. On the slopes you can see babies skiing deftly with a pacifier in their mouth. In the fifth grade at school, as part of a compulsory program, students go to the mountains for a week, where they learn to ride.

Before the winter season, a fair of ski equipment and equipment is held in Koper, where used ski equipment is sold.

In Koper there is ski schools, which during the season, on weekends, take everyone to the nearest slopes and teach them how to ride or simply ride in groups divided by skill level.
It is no coincidence that this sport is so popular here; there are many ski slopes Slovenia, Italy, Austria.

Ski passes

I know that Slovenians are proud of their ski slopes and champion skiers. Usually they prefer Slovenian ski resorts, Italians prefer the Dolomites, Russians, as a rule, choose either Austria or Italy, so I’ll tell you a little about all the places close to Koper where you can go skiing.

In the north of Slovenia there are several dozen ski resorts. The most famous of them are Maribor Pohorje, Kranjska Gora, Bovec. Prices for ski passes are around 22–30 EUR/day.

The closest ski resorts in Italy are located in the Dolomites, mountains unique in their beauty. The most famous of them is Dolomiti Superski, which unites six ski resorts into a single ski area. Today, this is the largest ski area in the world with a single ski pass; it will cost you on average from 39 to 49 EUR/day, depending on the season.

The nearest Austrian ski and thermal resort is Bad Kleinkirchheim, located 2.5 hours by car from Kopra. A ski pass costs on average 40–45 EUR/day.



, .

The sea coast of Slovenia is very small - only 30 km, but at the same time the country offers all the most attractive components sea ​​holiday. The same can be said about picturesque Koper. For anyone who has already visited this sunny resort, the memories bring a joyful smile and a desire to return to this corner of the Adriatic.

A little history

Koper is not only the largest seaside town in Slovenia, but also the main sea ​​port countries. In the old days, Koper was located on Goat Island. By 1825, the island was connected to the mainland, but still, paying tribute to tradition, the city is divided into mainland and island parts.

The mainland is a modern city: the buildings here are tall and the buildings are cramped. Island part has a completely different appearance: cathedrals, old houses with tiled roofs, in the architecture of which the influence of Italian traditions is clearly visible. This is understandable: the Slavs settled here in the 8th century, a century later they established close ties with the Venetian Republic, and by the 13th century. Koper was annexed to Venice. As often happens, the Venetians, protecting Koper from external enemies, gradually became the rightful masters of the city. Hence the Italian style in architecture, cuisine, music. There are even two full-fledged languages ​​here: Italian and Slovenian.

However, during its rich history the city has been part of many states: ancient Greece and Rome, the Venetian Republic, Austria, the free territory of Trieste, Yugoslavia and, finally, Slovenia (since 1991).

How to get there

A new modern highway connects Koper with the Slovenian capital Ljubljana, and picturesque coastal roads with Istria (Croatia) and Trieste (Italy). It turns out that your holiday in Koper can be diversified with impressions from excursions not just to other cities, but also to other countries. The coastal cities of Slovenia are easily accessible by sea: boats connect Koper with Izola, Portorož, Piran and other cities. The city also has a railway station, but in this region of the country the train is not a priority mode of transport.

Search for flights to Ljubljana (closest airport to Koper)

Weather in Koper

Koper Hotels

Unfortunately, Koper cannot boast of a large number of hotels, but those that exist are very well equipped and have all the capabilities to make the stay of their guests pleasant and comfortable.

Entertainment and attractions in Koper

Architecture

The city has preserved many monuments from the period of the Venetian Republic, very original and interesting. The most famous building in Koper - the Praetorian Palace, built in 1464 in the Venetian Gothic style on the central square of the city - Titov Trg. Opposite the Praetorian Palace is the Loggia Palace, which houses an art gallery with a rich collection of paintings from the 15th century, and a modern cafe, much loved by tourists.

The palaces of Armerigogna, Totto, Belgramoni-Tacco once belonged to representatives of noble Venetian families, and today they adorn city streets. Koper is proud and Cathedral Dormition of Our Lady, which was built in the 15th century. The main shrine of the cathedral is the tomb of St. Nazarius, the patron saint of the city.

The oldest building in the city is the Rotunda of the Ascension, built in the 12th century.

Entertainment

One of the city's most attractive attractions is the zoo. It is not only an amusement park, but also a famous research center. The zoo is huge and contains a wide variety of animals, which is why many tourists choose Koper as their holiday destination.

The city is also interesting for lovers active rest: a huge modern water amusement park offers many attractions for every taste and age. Koper has long been loved by mountaineering lovers: in the surrounding area there are many steep cliffs on which you can hone your mountaineering skills, and at the same time admire the beauty of the Adriatic coast.

Events

Another factor that makes the city attractive not only for lovers beach holiday, are numerous festivals of choral singing. One of the most famous - the Primorsky Summer Festival - brings together many musical groups from Slovenia and other countries every year, as well as spectators who truly enjoy this vibrant holiday.

The small Slovenian Koper is very attractive for tourists - it is the busiest city in this sunny country, because... it is its main port, as well as the center of the automotive industry. In addition to beaches and a mild climate, it also attracts with a variety of ways to spend time, attractions of interest to the general public, and shopping opportunities. And most importantly, a traveler here will not be bored at any time of the year. However, first things first.

Koper: how to get here

Slovenia is a small speck on the map, but in reality you can cross it all in three hours by car. And Istria, the Slovenian coast, where the treasured Koper is located, has a coastal length not exceeding 46 km. Only 27 thousand people live in the city itself.

You can get to the city of Koper from Russia in various ways - we will briefly consider them all:

1. Airplane. A well-known three-hour route is “Moscow - Ljubljana” (100-700 euros one way). Further 130 km by car rented at the airport to Koper, or by train - in this case you will have a 2.5-hour train trip costing 9 euros per picturesque places. An alternative is an hour and a half bus ride (11 euros) or a taxi transfer (from 120 euros). An alternative may be flights "Moscow - Pula", "Moscow - Venice".
2. Train. The most optimal is the 28-hour Moscow-Vienna route (150-200 euros). From the final point, also by train to Ljubljana, and from there by the methods already described in the first paragraph to the city of Koper in Slovenia. By the way, in the summer months the trailer car "Moscow - Koper" runs (61 hours on the way) - detailed information Only Russian Railways can advise on the relevance of the route.
3. Automobile. From Moscow to Kopra is approximately 2.5 thousand km. Road travelers will have to overcome Belarus, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Austria to end up in Slovenia (you can first estimate this route on the map). Travel time is about 3 days, it is greatly influenced by the duration of the passage of the Belarusian-Polish border. With the cost of all insurance, the trip will cost 250-280 euros one way.

Seasons in Koper

It is worth noting that in the port of Koper in Slovenia, the seasons begin not on the first day, but on the 22nd. The “hottest” season here is the end of July - August, but, as we have already said, there will be something to keep you busy all year round:

1. Winter. The city is decorated like a gingerbread house for Christmas - from main streets and shopping centers to kindergartens. Koper also attracts attention at this time with global holiday sales with discounts of up to 70%. Also in winter, lovers of alpine skiing and snowboarding have the chance to try out the nearby famous
2. Spring. From March to May the temperature here rises from +12 to +21 degrees. This is the best time to enjoy local asparagus and cherries and see the sights. Many people appreciate this time of year because Koper and Slovenia are not oversaturated with tourists in the spring.
3. Summer. Best time for a beach holiday on the shores of the Koper Bay of the Adriatic Sea - the water temperature ranges between +22...+25 degrees, the air temperature - within +26...+29. At this time, a lot of music, children's, and culinary festivals are held.
4. Autumn. From September to November the temperature will drop from +22 to +13 degrees, but in the first it is still quite possible to swim in the waters of the bay. This time is appreciated for the significant reduction in prices in hotels.

Accommodation in Koper

The city is convenient because, regardless of where you stop, all its delights will be within walking distance from tourists.

Apartments are available for accommodation (Apartment & Suits Veneziana, Apartment in Koper) at a price of 50-100 euros/night per family, hotels (Zusterna, Pristan, Koper) - about 50 euros/night, Histria Koper, Hostel Museum) - 15 -30 euro/night.

Landmarks: Koper, Slovenia

So, what you must see in the city itself:

1. Titov Torg Square: Praetorian Palace, which dates back to 1254, St. Mary's Cathedral of the 12th century, cafe and art gallery Loggia, Armeria and Forestia - buildings of the 15th-16th centuries.
2. Chevlyarskaya street: “medieval” lanes, Barbabian Palace (1700).
3. Prešernov Square: Muda Gate from 1516, Da Ponte Fountain with four splashing deities.
4. Piazza Carpaccio: stone house of the most famous painter, Column of Justina (1572), Venetian well, Tavern (ancient salt warehouse).
5. Kidricheva Street: Totto ex Gavardo Palace, Baroque Belgramono-Tazzo Palace (XVII century) - location of the Kopra Local History Museum.
6. Brolo Square: former Brolo granary (1392), Church of St. James.

The surroundings of Koper in Slovenia are also interesting:

• Sotserb Castle;
• Lipizzaner Stud Farm;
• Škociansky inlet;
• Cape Debeli Rtich;
• Postojnska Jama;
• aquarium in Piran;
• Predjama Castle;
• Zusterna water park;
• the nearby town of Izola.

Holidays in Koper

The city has two city beaches: the central one and Zusterna beach (1 km from Kopra). The season officially begins on June 15, but the beaches are open from the first.

Tourists should also visit wonderful local festivals:

1. Carnival is a similarity to Russian Maslenitsa, held at the end of February.
2. Sweet Istra (carnival of sweets) - mid-September.
3. Squid Festival - early July.
4. Yellow Night is the most grandiose holiday of the year, celebrated on the last weekend of July, which is dedicated to the traditions of the Slovenian people.

Sports recreation here is mostly related to aquatic species- windsurfing, kayak, jet ski, diving, etc. You can get around the city on bicycles - both regular and 6-seater, which are rented at special racks, of which there are plenty in Koper. You can also find trendy bars (Snack Bar 1964, Lord Byron), night clubs (Tivoli, Paprika), and casinos.

In winter, there are ski schools and fairs of relevant equipment - the nearest ski resorts can be found both in Slovenia (Bovec, Maribor Pohorje, Kranjska Gora), and in Italy and Austria.

Kopra food

Tourists in Koper note large portions, high quality dishes coupled with affordable prices. So here's what to try:

• wonderful;
• risotta, pizza, pasta;
• grilled squid and osverti (deep-fried);
• Balkan Čevapčić;
• pancakes with jam, chocolate, nut butter;
• Tarimisu, pana kotu.

Those who want to cook their own food can look into inexpensive supermarkets Euro Spin and Lidl.

Koper in Slovenia is a small port city that combines a wide variety of recreational activities, which is why visiting it is interesting at all times of the year. They also have a mild climate, reasonable prices, and the friendliness of the local population.

Where is it good to live in Slovenia? Koper.

June 1, 2015, 01:01, views: 6634

I decided to make a series of reports about where it’s good to live on the Slovenian coast (aka obala – Slovenian – coast). Fortunately, the several years spent here have enriched me with certain information, but I still insist that everything said below is a subjective point of view.

So, Koper - The largest city Slovenian coast. Well, as the largest – about 25 thousand people. For us Russians, this is a village. But there is one “but” here, characteristic of almost all of Europe. The fact is that there are a lot of cities and they are located quite densely. The situation when, having crossed the street, you find yourself in another city is commonplace. That is why European cities are not at all perceived as lonely Russian villages with several thousand people.

Let's go back to Koper. The city consists of two parts: the old city - the one that is located on a relative plain directly on the shore (there is also a port); And new town(also called Semedela), located on quite high mountains over the old town.

All tourism, of course, is concentrated in the old town, closer to the sea. Actually, all the main trading and entertainment centers. By the way, it was in Koper that the largest shopping and entertainment centers were built, oriented along the entire coast of Slovenia. In other cities there are only shops.

• Do you need to go to the cinema? - To Koper.
• Do you need to go bowling? - To Koper.
• Do you need to buy clothes? - To Koper.
• Do you need to buy a toy for your child? - To Koper.
• Looking for a 24-hour pharmacy? - They said, to Koper.

In terms of recreation, Koper is not the best worst option spend a two-week vacation on the Slovenian coast. But far from the best. The main tourist drawback of this city is the lack of a beach. No, there is a small “heel” (at most 100 - 150 meters long) adjacent to the port with a view of the same port, but is this a beach?

To be fair, it should be noted that there are no beaches in Slovenia. There is access to the sea for swimming, but it cannot be called beaches. The bottom is bad, there is no sand, and the coastline is rarely cleared of algae. So, don't count too much.

The main tourist advantage of Koper is that there are bus and train stations. Therefore, if you do not risk renting a car or prefer budget holiday, from Koper you can easily travel to Italy, Croatia, and central part Slovenia.

Now about life in Koper. Not just about two weeks, but about whether it is convenient to live in the city for several years.

Advantages

As already mentioned, all the largest entertainment and shopping centers are located in Koper. This is probably more of a plus.

There is a new (both in terms of building and in terms of programs) school in Koper. It is located in the old town. There are, of course, other schools, but this particular school is praised by both locals and compatriots. In addition to schools, there is a technical college and several universities. Also, it is in this city that there are the most various children's sections and “circles”. Thus, from the point of view of the development of children's and youth infrastructure, Koper is the absolute leader on the entire Slovenian coast.

high school

From the point of view of walking in the evening, Koper is quite a suitable town. There are several beautiful squares. The old part of the city is well maintained and clean. Countless coffee shops, restaurants and bars. And, of course, a pleasant embankment. If you are a fan of roller skating, the embankment will certainly please you. Moreover, it smoothly flows into a pedestrian and bicycle road (connecting Koper with another coastal city - Izola) and gives you another 10 kilometers of comfortable walking.

The last advantage of the city, which has already been mentioned, is the train and bus stations.

This is where Koper's merits end.

Flaws

The disadvantages of Koper include, first of all, the issue of accommodation. The fact is that renting housing in the old city (or near it) is not only expensive (relative to other cities), but also a very difficult matter.

Finding a normal apartment for a family of 3-4 people in the old city is not easy - there are not so many offers. Meanwhile, most of the proposals are for a new city, that is, the one on the mountain. This means that every time you just want to take a walk, you will have to drive a car or wait for a bus, or walk 20-30 minutes to the old town. And you can no longer take your child to school in the fresh air - only by transport.

At first, this circumstance will not bother you much. But six months will pass, and you will simply get tired of it and will leave the house less and less. Unless on business: school, store, hospital, and so on.

Conclusion. In my personal rating of “suitability of cities on the Slovenian coast for long-term living,” Koper ranks a confident second place. AND main reason I put its “silver”, not “gold” - its size. It is too big for you to forget about a car or a bus for a whole week.

All photos are taken from Google Maps (Google Streets).