Koper old town

Koper's main sight of interest is the Venetian-era old city, of which the main structures and squares have been fully renovated and restored. The main square (Tito square) is one of the nicest Venetian type squares in the Mediterranean.

Praetorian Palace

Loggia

Cathedral of the Assumption

• Praetorian Palace, Titov trg 3. Dating back to the 15th century and the only fully restored building in the plaza, this is Koper's symbol and it now houses the tourist office which offers guided tours of the Palace, including the city council meeting chamber and weddings room for the price of 3€.
• Cathedral of the Assumption, Tito square. The largest Cathedral in Slovenia containing famous paintings from Vittore Carpaccio, a renowned Venetian painter. Fully renovated, with much sacral heritage indoors.
• Campanile, Titov trg. Climb the bell tower for €3 for great views of the city and surroundings.
• Taverna, Ex deposit of salt, nowadays is the location of the most interesting manifestations in Koper.
• Foresteria and Armeria, The Foresteria, formerly known as Albergo nuovo, was used as reception and accommodation facilities for podesta’s guests. Armeria is the former municipal armory.
• Loggia, It was used as a debate club for all the townsmen, with their discussions considered by the city council as well.
• Fountain Da Ponte, The biggest city fountain is a reproduction of the Rialto Bridge in Venice. It was commissioned in 1666 by podesta Lorenzo da Ponte.
• Muda Gate, The Muda Gate remains the only preserved city gate out of the former twelve.
• Fontico, From the very beginning, the building was used as a warehouse for the grain given to the townsmen in times of bad harvest or war.
• Carpaccio house, The house was the home of the eminent Venetian painter Vittore Carpaccio.

Koper Hinterland

• Church of the Holy Trinity, Hrastovlje. The church boasts beautiful frescoes, an extraordinary achievement of Medieval Iconography. The most famous is the depiction of the Dance of Death.

• Defense tower, Podpeč. This 11th century, 17 m defense tower is a popular tourist sight and one of the most enchanting beauty spots in Slovenian Istria.
• Škocjanski zatok Nature Reserve. Stretching out over 122 ha, this is the largest brackish wetland in Slovenia. The area is home to countless birds and other animal species, such as Istrian cattle (boškarin) and Camargue horses.
• Church of St. Roch and St. Sebastian, Boršt. According to some sources, the church dates back to the 13th century. It is decorated with fragments of Medieval frescoes and inscriptions in the Glagolitic alphabet.
• The Benko house, Črni Kal. The Benko house is believed to be the oldest farmer’s house in Slovenia. It was built in 1489 by the masters Andrej and Benko of Sočerga.
• Coat-of-arms of the De’Cani family, Dekani. The name Dekani is linked to the noble Cani family, also known as De’Cani, which originates from the town of Sulmone in Abruzzi, Italy. According to some sources, the De’Cani family owned the village as long ago as the 15th century, as there is a coat-of-arms of the Cani family with the date 1479 on the building at no. 185.
• Church of St. Nicholas, Gračišče. Next to this late 18th-century church, there is a 26 m white stone bell tower with a built-in stone plaque bearing an inscription in the Cyrillic and Glagolitic alphabet that reads: “I call the living, I mourn the dead.”
• Village architecture, Abitanti. The fascinating architectural features of the protected buildings in Abitanti testify to the fact that this was once a very rich village.

• Church of St. Michael, Tinjan. Positioned on the edge of the village, the church building has a Baroque front; the entrance is through the large bell tower. The stone plaque built into the portal shows Christ on the Cross and the date 1704.
• The Krkavče Stone, Krkavče. Believed by some to be 3000 years old, the stone is the oldest sight in the village. It is 1.5 m tall; on two sides, it features a carved image of what is probably a pagan deity.
• The Dragonja valley. At 29 km long, the Dragonja is the longest river in Slovenian Istria. The river valley is well known for its diversity of plant and animal life. Today, it is a nature park popular with hikers, cyclists and nature enthusiasts.
• Marežganska Kanava, Marezige. A beautifully preserved stone farmer's house and the main venue of the Refosco Festival and St. Martin's Day celebrations. There are three vines growing outside Kanava: Refosco, Malvasia, and Žametovka, a descendant of the world’s oldest vine in Lent, Maribor.
• The Bardinc House, Lopar. The building houses a local ethnology and history exhibition with a preserved farmer’s kitchen, fireplace, and wine cellar.
• Rock shelters (“The Ears of Istria”) and natural bridge, Sočerga. Above Sočerga, nature has carved out some beautiful rock shelters, also known as “The Ears of Istria”. The panoramic trail leads past three 17 m rock shelters to a natural bridge with a 6 m stone arch.
• Slavnik, Podgorje. 1028 m high, the hill of Slavnik is situated near the village of Podgorje. The summit of Slavnik offers beautiful views, with the Adriatic Sea, the Italian Dolomites, Carnic and Julian Alps, Karavanks and even the Kamnik–Savinja Alps visible in clear weather.
• Strmec Castle, Socerb. The Strmec Castle is situated on top of a 440 m Karst cliff above the village. It was built in the 13th century on the foundations of an Illyrian settlement. Today, the castle is one of the most magnificent beauty spots in Slovenian Istria.
• Sacred Cave, Socerb. According to a legend, the Sveta jama or Sacred Cave was the dwelling of St. Servulus, a Trieste martyr and saint who lived in the 3rd century. The front part of the cave with a natural stone altar still houses a church today – the only underground church in Slovenia.
• Church of the Immaculate Mother of God, village square and stone window, Šmarje. The church was built in the village square in the 11th century. It was expanded and renovated in the 13th century. There is a bell tower next to the church with a built-in 9th century stone window, the remnant of an older church that once stood in the same spot.
• The Supot waterfall and views. The 10 m waterfall is at its fullest in the rainy season. The macadam road towards the Dragonja also leads past a smaller waterfall with a beautiful pool.
• Mediterranean herb garden, Manžan. The Mediterranean herb garden at the Butul farm in Manžan is a unique experience. Walking through the garden is educational and relaxing at the same time. Cooking and herbal workshops can be organized by agreement.