God's Tears | Lake Bled and Piran, Slovenia
Slovenia ranks eighth among countries with the shortest coastlines. Yet, within this short stretch lies a gem of the Adriatic Sea—Piran, a charming town on a narrow peninsula.
🚌 Public Transportation
Piran is not accessible by train, so buses are the only option.
From 🇸🇮 Ljubljana Central Bus Station, you can take a 2-hour bus ride directly to Piran. Weekday tickets cost €11.9, while weekend tickets are €3.4. Tickets can be purchased online or directly from the driver, who only accepts cash. On weekdays, there are six buses daily; on Saturdays, two; and on Sundays, four. For detailed schedules and ticket purchases, visit the Ljubljana Bus Station website.
Alternatively, you can travel from 🇮🇹 Trieste, Italy, by Flixbus to Portoroz, with fares starting at €9.48. From Portoroz, take a local bus for a 10-minute ride to Piran, costing €1.5, payable by card.
⛲ Main Attractions
1️⃣ Piran Walls: Located on the hill behind the town, it's easy to reach and offers panoramic views of Piran. Tickets cost €3, and €2 for students.
2️⃣ Piran Harbor: The first stop upon entering the town, filled with small boats.
3️⃣ Tartini Square: The town's central square, named after the local violinist Giuseppe Tartini.
4️⃣ St. George's Church: Featuring the town's iconic bell tower and highest point. The church's entrance is gated, so the interior can only be viewed from outside.
The entire town can be explored in about three hours. In summer, you can swim or snorkel in the sea. Even in winter, the sunny weather makes it a great spot for visitors from English-speaking or German-speaking regions to soak up some vitamin D.
🍤 Food
Piran's cuisine is seafood-focused, with numerous restaurants. Seaside restaurants tend to be pricier, while those tucked away in alleys are more affordable. I chose Fritolin Pri Cantini, recommended by Lonely Planet. It's a self-service window where you can order various fried or grilled seafood. They give you a small shell as your order number. Drinks are provided by the neighboring bar, offering beer, wine, cocktails, and soft drinks at reasonable prices. You can even try Slovenia's local beer brand, Lasko, on tap.
🚤 Travel Tips
Overall, Piran is best visited as a complement to Ljubljana or Trieste, as its small size might leave you underwhelmed if it's your sole destination. However, the lack of tourists here offers a rare sense of tranquility, something you won't find in popular spots like Venice or Dubrovnik. If possible, consider staying overnight at a local inn and waking up to the sea in the morning—it could make your trip even more memorable.