Slovenian Istria

Slovenian Istria marks the hinterland in a non-geographical sense. The Slovenian coast, often just the Coast, indicates the area of ​​the belt along the Slovenian coast.

The coastal part of Slovenian Istria is flat by the sea, which plunges into the hilly hinterland.

It stretches the Adriatic Sea from Lazaret (border with Italy) to Dragonja and Sečovlje (border with Croatia) and in the north to Črni Kal (karst edge).

The largest cities and seats of municipalities are Koper, Izola and Piran. The longest river is the Dragonja, which flows into the Piran Bay in the Sečovlje salt pans.

The coast of Slovenian Istria is the part of the Mediterranean that extends deepest into Central Europe.

The coastal strip, where average January temperatures are above 4 ° C and July temperatures above 22 ° C, has a so-called coastal temperate Mediterranean climate (also olive climate), the karst part of Slovenian Istria and the highest parts of flysch hills have a hinterland temperate Mediterranean climate. temperatures from 0 to 4 ° C, and in July from 20 to 22 ° C.

The coastal strip up to an altitude of about 350 meters has a moderately warm humid climate with hot summers, which is very favorable for cycling in the spring to July and from September to autumn.

Check the weather forecast before your cycling trip.

When we think of the Slovenian coast, we immediately think of olive trees, vines, figs, sage, lavender and rosemary.

Many fruit species thrive in the Mediterranean climate, some indigenous (figs, grapes, pomegranate, almond), others brought from other parts of the world with a mild climate (khaki, jujube, mandarin, kumquat…).

Many other fruit species grow here, which can be grown in colder climates (peach, apricot, cherry, sour cherry, plum, strawberry, blackberry, elderberry…).

The animals that live in the forest area are rabbits, pheasants, deer, foxes, martens and wild pigs. Indigenous varieties of domestic animals are Boškarin (Istrian cattle), Istrian sheep and donkey.

In the past, people mostly settled near springs because drinking water was the main condition of survival.

There is no single type of settlement in Istria. In the varied landscape, the shape of the settlement adapted to the terrain and other natural conditions. Istrian settlements are built on slopes, on ridges and natural piers around which terraced olive groves stretch up the hill.

V dolinah je največ njiv, ker je tam tudi najbolj rodovitna zemlja. Tja se niso naseljevali, saj je pogosto tudi poplavljalo.

Roads have had a major impact on immigration, so many villages and settlements have been built alongside them. Today, these side roads are suitable for cycling, and used to be the main traffic routes.

Some people like solitude, others like crowds, some want shade, others want heat… We have gathered some interesting beaches for different tastes.

The beach in Portoroz is made of concrete, grass or sand with many piers, a promenade, a water sports center and a playground for children. In the vicinity of the Sečovlje salt pans you can withdraw from the loud tourist surroundings. The beach in Fiesa is a great place for family leisure. For all lovers of Piran, there is the city beach on Punta.

The beach in Strunjan is a very popular coastal corner, where you can enjoy the city beach or just a few meters away on a wild beach.

On Bele Skale between Izola and Strunjan, you will feel like on a lonely Adriatic island. In Izola you can find well-kept beaches at the lighthouse next to the Hotel Delfin and in San Simon, which is partly sandy and therefore suitable for children.

Koper’s city beach also offers a lot of fun for the youngest. There is a lot of grass and shade. Between Izola and Koper you can cycle along the 5 km long rocky beach. 

In Ankaran, next to the youth health resort towards the coast in the direction of the Italian border, we find another unspoiled coastal corner that many do not know.