Piran is one of the most unusual and picture-perfect towns on the coast of the Adriatic Sea. This is an old port town that still has many important medieval attractions. Narrow streets of Piran still have many old dwellings that create an inimitable Mediterranean atmosphere. Besides the architecture, cultural venues, and various attractions that Piran is famous for, this town regularly hosts various events and festivals. Not only locals but also tourists are welcome to participate in these celebrations. Comfortable beaches make this Adriatic region a great holiday destination.
The territory of Piran was settled before the Roman Empire. The Illyrian tribes, who were mostly occupied in agriculture, hunting, and fishing, were the first inhabitants in the area. Many local people became robbers to survive and joined pirates. Piran became a part of the Roman Empire in the 2nd century BC. When the Roman reign ended three centuries later, the town in Istria had to deal with the new invaders – the Slavic army that was conquering the Adriatic coast. It was decided to enhance the town’s protection, but all attempts were futile. Francs captured the town in the 8th century. Slavic people were slowly moving to Piran. The town once again became a part of the Holy Roman Empire in the 10th century.
Are you searching for a place on the Adriatic coast suitable for beach recreation? In Piran, tourists can visit the town’s main beach situated seven kilometers from the border with Croatia. This beach is incredibly popular with both citizens and guests of Piran. Needless to say, this coastal area is usually crowded and quite noisy. Despite numerous visitors, the beach is always clean and tidy. Piran Beach has a pebble surface. To sunbathe here with comfort, it is better to rent a sun lounger and umbrella. Vacationers with small children need to be careful because the water is quite deep near the coast.
If you prefer more serene and secluded areas for beach recreation, it is better to explore the neighborhoods of Piran. Many tourists in search of silence and solitude enjoy visiting this beach despite the concrete surface. The sea is clean and transparent in Piran, so it is easy to see underwater life. This area is suitable for scuba diving. The underwater world of the Adriatic Sea is very interesting and diverse. As the sea has a stone bottom in this area, it is better to think of special footwear in advance to protect your feet from unwanted injuries. Just like on Piran Beach, the sea is quite deep near the coast here. Visitors with small children need to stay alert and keep an eye on their little ones.
The Maritime Museum is a venue that is worth visiting in Pirana. This museum is very important for the town. It is open at the coast of the Adriatic Sea. The opening of the museum collection took place in 1967. During an excursion here, you will see not only numerous marine items but also get yourself familiar with the results of various archaeological excavations in Piran and its surroundings. There is also an interesting ethnologic collection. Archaeologists exhibit their “treasures” on the ground floor. If you get to the first floor of the building, you will get a detailed outlook on the main “breadwinner” of Piran – sault mined in the region.
The second floor is dedicated to ships. There are models of different ships starting from the antique period and until the modern time. It is very interesting to see gorgeous galleons and corvettes of the 18th century in detail. Besides warships, the museum exhibits ordinary fishing boats. In the adjacent halls, visitors can look at various navigation devices, uniforms, weapons used during the battles in Piran and the Adriatic Sea, captains’ maps, and other items that illustrate the real life of explorers and sailors. The collection is continuously growing because the sea still hides many secrets.
Tourists can get to Piran from Ljubljana by bus. The journey time is two and a half hours in this case. When traveling from Izola or Koper, the ride will be short – only twenty minutes. If you decide to drive a car in Piran, consider the width of the streets. The streets are usually narrow in the town, and some cars are simply too big to move on them. This is the reason why many citizens and guests of Piran leave their vehicles at the parking lot near the town.
