All municipalities together

Treat yourself to a two-day trip through the Slovenian Istria and learn about the hidden corners of natural and cultural heritage. This time we move from the city to the tranquil countryside of Slovenian Istria, we invite you to visit nature parks and Istrian villages. Take your time and experience Istria with all your senses and all its magic. Selected locations can be your guide or just an inspiration to explore.

Day 1

You can reach the starting point (Seča) from any Istrian village, you can also arrive by sea using the the WAYV app to order your transport by boat.

9.00 Sečovelje salt pans
We recommend a guided tour of the Museum of salt-making, learning about the intangible heritage of saltworks and traditional salt production in the Sečovlje Salina Nature Park.

10.30 Nova vas nad Dragonjo
A picturesque clustered village high on a hill of the Šavrini hills, drawn on the map of Istria in the 16th century by the cartographer and chorographer Pietro Coppo.

11.15 Sv. Peter
In the village of “Šupeter”, as the locals call it, you can see an ethnographic collection, Tonina’s house, which is a typical rural farmhouse in the northwestern part of Istria from the 19th century and earlier.

12.00 Padna
Romantic Istrian village where you can rent electric bicycles and go for a tasting of olive oil. Worth a visit are the church of St. Blaž and the Božidar Jakac Gallery.

Lunch

14.00 Korte and Kaštelir
The largest settlement in the Izola hinterland boasts beautiful views, preserved water sources and the archaeological site of Kaštelir.

15.00  Water springs
Along the way, visit Izola’s water sources, which were once the only source of water in the hinterland. Mandatory stop and visit to P’rila in Cetore and Frate in Korte. Both water sources have a characteristic structure: a tap for fresh drinking water and a trough for animals and for washing clothes.

15.45 Medljan
On the tourist farm, take a look at a typical Istrian kažeta, a place where agricultural tools were kept in the past, and local farmers found shelter from the storm or summer heat.

17.00 The Arheological Park Simonov zaliv
You will be able to dive into the life of the Romans at the Izola Archaeological Park, where you can see the remains of a seaside residential Roman villa with an outbuilding and the largest port from the same time.

 

Day 2

From Izola to Koper; you can get there by boat using the WAYV app for ordering the transport by boat.

Print itinerary

9.00 Škocjanski zatok nature reserve
Nature reserve – a paradise for many animal and plant species, where, among other things, we list as many as 259 different species of birds.

10.30 Hrastovlje
A Mediterranean village internationally known for the frescoes of a local church called the Dance of Dead. The painting inthe church ranks at the very top of the rich treasury of medieval wall paintings in Slovenia.

11.30 Zanigrad
An Istrian village without permanent residents is strongly connected to the Karst edge. Here we find the remains of a castle, which once represented the highest fortress above the valley of the river Rižana. It is from the fort that its name ‘last castle’ (the last fort) originates.

11.45 Podpeč
The village, which from a distance looks like a furnace, has historically been an intelligence and security station on the route that crosses the Karst edge. Today, a 17-meter-high defensive tower can still be seen here.

Lunch

14.00 Črni kal
Črni Kal – a village with a rich history, important archeological sites and cultural remains from the Paleolithic period. The history of free climbing in Slovenia was written in the sunny limestone walls above the village, and today there is a modern climbing area.

15.00 Socerb
Due to its strategic location, Socerb Castle was extremely important in the past, but today it is home to a restaurant. Below the castle there is a view of the Holy Cave, from the location there are beautiful views of the Gulf of Trieste and Koper.

15.45 Shell Cemetery
A beach with an interesting name is home to as many as 234 different species of mollusks, 71 species of snails and 30 species of birds that live in the Gulf of Trieste.

16.15 Salty Mediterranean meadow
There is a raised wooden learning trail on the unique riparian ecosystem and the only Mediterranean salt meadow in Slovenia. On display are the remains of shells and snails from the shell cemetery.

17.00 Valdoltra
Traces of an ancient settlement and also the remains of mosaics were found near today’s seaside convalescent home. Such a protected area of archaeological heritage comprises a large part of the Valdoltra Orthopedic Hospital complex.

17.30 Arboretum Debeli rtič
Explore the Mediterranean park with 230 different plant species from all continents and take a walk along the green learning trail of Hana the squirrel.

If you want more active discovering, you can also go on a trip with electric bikes.