Introducing Koper
Set along a wide horseshoe shaped bay in the northern Adriatic, Koper is the largest city on the Slovenian coast and the sixth-largest city in Slovenia, with a population of around 25,000. It’s located only 5 kilometers from the Italian border and less than 10 kilometers from Trieste. Once best known for being a major port, Koper has recently emerged as a tourist destination. In addition to attracting visitors from inland Slovenia, it has become a popular stopover for cruise ships that now dock just outside the town’s medieval walls.
Koper is considered one of the oldest towns in the country. It was originally built during the Middle Bronze Age on what was then a rocky island very near the shore inhabited by goats. That is where its Italian name Capodistria originates (capra means goat in Italian). Historically it was also named Capris, Caprea, Capre or Capristo. In the 1800’s the island was connected to the mainland by a permanent landfill, so now the island is a peninsula. A strong Italian influence can be seen everywhere in the town from architecture to food. It is officially bilingual, speaking both Italian and Slovene. Not surprising, since most of its historical past was spent under Roman and Venetian rule. Koper’s most prosperous times were during the 15th and 16th centuries when it was controlled by the Venetian Republic. After the First World War the area became part of Italy and after the Second World War, it was controlled by Yugoslavia. With Slovenia independence in 1991, Koper became the main administrative, cultural, sports, business and industrial center of the Slovenian Littoral.
Today’s Koper shows two faces to the world: one is a modern, loud and busy industrial part of the city with the only commercial port in Slovenia. The other is the charming small Old Town with the lovely square of Titov Trg and late medieval and early Renaissance buildings, such as the Praetorian Palace, the Loggia Palace and the Cathedral of the Assumption built in Venetian styles. The Titov Trg square as well as the stunning 15th-century Praetorian Palace are the most important sights and form the identity of the town! Apart from these, the Cathedral of the Assumption and Campanile, the famous bell tower which guarantees a stunning elevated view of the city are also well worth a look. The architecture and feel of the old city center is what makes Koper an enjoyable place to visit. A great thing to do is just to stroll around the old town, which is made up of narrow alleys with several lovely small restaurants, cafes, bars, antique shops and art galleries. During the summer season, you can relax and take a swim on the very well kept city’s beach, on the northwest edge of the Old Town near the marina – it’s small but it has it all, including a small bathhouse with toilets and showers, grassy areas for lying on the sun, large trees for cooling down in the shade, a playground where children can play and a bar and cafe.
While Koper is not really a main destination, it is a fantastic day trip and if you are traveling from Italy onto Croatia or vice versa, it is right on the way and a great place to stop and check out.
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 Overall Rating:  09/10 (Must-See)The main attraction in the seaside town of Koper is its well-preserved medieval city center called the Old Town. Five centuries of Venetian rule are almost impossible to ignore here, especially while strolling along the narrow streets past impressive old buildings and former palaces. |
 Overall Rating: 09/10 (Must-See)This quite sizeable town square is the first place you should head when exploring Koper. It dates back to the Venetian era and is home to several of the town's main attractions. |
 Overall Rating:  08/10 (Highly Recommended)For any visitor to Koper, the Praetorian Palace is a must see. It is located in the centre of the town on the main Tito Square and absolutely dominates the place. |
 Overall Rating: 08/10 (Highly Recommended)Koper's cathedral is located right in the historic city centre on the main Tito square and dates back to the second half of the 12th century when Koper acquired its own diocese. |
 Overall Rating: 08/10 (Highly Recommended)Set on the eastern side of the Tito square in the centre of old Koper is the 54-metre-high Bell Tower. If the weather is good, amazing panoramic views of the entire Koper area and beyond can be had by climbing 204 steps to reach the viewing platform at 43 meters. |
 Overall Rating:  07/10 (Recommended)With its impressive Gothic-style lancet arches, the 15th-century Loggia building stands on the northern side of the historic Tito Square in the heart of old Koper. Its ground-floor arcade is now a café. A side door leads to the first-floor Loza gallery. |
 Overall Rating: 08/10 (Highly Recommended)The rustic village of Hrastovlje, located in the hills above the coast, only a short 20-minute drive from Slovenia's largest coastal town Koper, is home to one of the country's most outstanding medieval treasures, the Church of the Holy Trinity. The church building itself is quite impressive, looking like a small, ancient fort, but what attracts most visitors to this little church is the famous Dance of Death fresco on the south wall. |
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 Overall Rating:  08/10 (Highly Recommended)Skocjanski Zatok Nature Reserve is an oasis of unspoiled nature on the outskirts of Koper, Slovenia's largest coastal town. It is one of the most beautiful protected areas in the country and permanent or temporary home to several hundred animal species, including 300 species of butterflies, 300 species of beetles, 38 species of dragonflies, amphibians, reptiles, and almost 250 species of birds which can be observed from newly built bird hides and an observation tower. |
| The accommodation options in Koper can be divided into six main categories: hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs, apartments, farm stays and hostels. |
 Koper is the largest town on the Slovenian coast and the sixth-largest city in Slovenia. There are currently 5 hotels in the city, but the overall quality of the hotels is not that great, and at the moment there's only one hotel in Koper that we can really recommend. Find out which one and why! |
 Guest houses are a traditional form of accommodation in Slovenia for holiday makers and other travellers. They are a great choice for a place to stay as they are comfortable and wallet-friendly with owners who take an interest in their guests. There are more than 10 guest houses available in the Koper area, find out which are the ones that we recommend the most. |
 Opting for a bed and breakfast over other types of lodging is a great way to personalize your stay and get to know the locals. Bed and breakfasts feel like you are literally staying in someone’s house, because often you are. The advantage of a B&B is that the breakfasts are often home cooked meals that are prepared with love and attention. These meals are included in your room rate and are a great way to start your day. Find out which B&Bs in Koper we recommend the most, and why! |
 With all the comforts of home, apartments are a great choice for lodging during your trip to Koper. They are often more affordable and can be very comfortable places to stay. But be careful, the rates and quality vary seriously, so always do a good research before you book an apartment! |
 Hostels in Koper are the go-to option for travellers and backpackers who plan to spend very little of their time in their room and most of their time exploring Koper and the Slovenian coast. They’re also a great way to meet other travellers. Unlike a hotel, hostels are more communal in nature and that includes sharing a room with strangers, although often you can get a private room if you want to pay a little more. Find out which hostels in Koper we recommend the most, and why! |
 In recent years, farm stays are growing among a number of travelers looking to reconnect with fresh air, local and organic foods, and a more simple and authentic lifestyle on vacation. Farm stays are a form of accommodation on a working farm. Actual accommodations can vary from a room in a farm house, to a cabin or a guest cottage. Typical rates are similar to a bed and breakfast, and like a bed and breakfast, some offer delicious home cooked meals. Some farm stays also allow guests to participate in the daily activities on the farm if they choose. |
Koper Pictures
View our image gallery with 5 high-resolution photos that proves you absolutely have to visit Koper!
Koper is one of the oldest cities in Slovenia.
Next 4 photos below by Erich Reisinger
A beautiful elevated view over the town of Koper from the top of the bell tower.
The Praetorian palace stands on the south end of the Titov Trg square and it has a Venetian Gothic and Renaissance style.
On the north side of the Tito square is the arcaded Venetian Gothic Loggia building built in the 15th century.
Rising up 54 meters from the heart of the old town is the Koper Bell Tower.
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Koper or Capodistria as it is called in Italian is a lovely historical coastal town located at the northern end of Slovenia’s short stretch of coastline, only 5 kilometres (3 miles) from the Italian border. It’s a unique mix of a genuine Venetian old town centre and a modern part of the city. |
 Hrastovlje, a rustic small Istrian village not far from the largest town on Slovenia's Adriatic coast, Koper, is home to one of Slovenia's most stunning medieval treasures, the 12th-century Church of the Holy Trinity, a simple Romanesque structure sheltered behind a high defensive wall. |
Location of Koper on the map
Address: Titov Trg 1, 6000 Koper, Slovenia
Latitude and Longitude Coordinates: 45.548411, 13.729713
GPS coordinates: 45° 32′ 54.2796” N 13° 43′ 46.9668” E
Region: Slovenian Littoral (Slovene: Primorska)
What a beautiful town on the coast! Lovely memories from there!
Koper is mooi, we zijn de dit jaar nog doorgekomen toen we naar Portoroz reden.
I have been there twice. These pictures make me want to visit again. Just beautiful.