Koper, Slovenia

Located on the coast of south western Slovenia in the Istrian region, the city of Koper is the nation’s only commercial port and one of the oldest parts of the country. The city has a long and interesting history, traceable back to the Roman era. The tourists who visit this part of Slovenia are often drawn by Koper’s historic and fascinating old town, which has remained untouched and well preserved for many centuries despite years of communist occupation after the Second World War. Although the city has no beaches, the coastline boasts a quaint and tranquil harbour alongside many historic structures, which gives the area its serene charm. Also, as Koper is quite a small city, most of the sightseeing opportunities scattered across the region’s old town can be reached on foot, saving many tourists money on taxis and public transport.

Sightseeing in Koper

Visitors will be able to explore the majority of the sights that Koper has to offer on foot, due to the city’s relatively small size. Most of the interesting historic buildings in Koper all distributed throughout the Venetian-era old town in the centre of the city and along the coastline at the region’s main port and bustling marina. Although the city has no beaches, tourists are welcome to go for a swim in the waters by the marina.

Tito Square

The main central plaza of Koper is named Tito Square and contains several of the city’s most iconic and historic structures. The council building, church tower and Praetorian Palace are all located within the square, which makes it the perfect place from which to start exploring and discovering the rest of Koper’s old town.

Praetorian Palace

The Praetorian Palace is Koper’s only fully restored historic landmark and dates back as far as the 15th century. Originally constructed for ceremonial use, this impressive building now contains a new tourist information office with free films and tours of the palace. The palace also houses the city council meeting chamber and wedding rooms.

Cathedral of Assumption

The Cathedral of Assumption is situated in the centre of Koper, between Tito Square and Brolo Square. The cathedral was original erected during the 12th century and boasts magnificent Romanesque style architecture. The cathedral has been renovated several times since its construction but still maintains the same features and original architecture.

Shopping in Koper

Koper is home to several large shopping centres, where visitors can pick up a range of items, gifts and souvenirs including clothes, electronics, artwork and jewellery for friends and family or for themselves. The city has three main department stores named Mercator, Supernova and Blagovnica Soča. A range of smaller speciality stores are also located in the old town, selling a range of mementos and general amenities.

Eating out in Koper

A variety of excellent restaurants serving high quality food can be found around the centre of Koper, serving scrumptious international cuisine. Popular fast food outlets and an array of pizzerias are also situated in the centre of town.