In a nutshell
- Slovenia’s coastline is only about 50 kilometers long, but it packs in some truly beautiful seaside towns and beaches. We’ll tell you exactly what you shouldn’t miss along the Slovenian coast.
- One of the most famous beaches in Slovenia is Moonshine Bay. Not quite as well known but just as stunning in our opinion: Bele Skale Beach. Slovenia’s only sandy beach is in Portorož.
- Piran, with its narrow alleyways and breathtaking views, is the most beautiful seaside town in Slovenia. The town of Izola is more of a local favorite — far less touristy and well worth your time.
- For a place to stay by the sea, we recommend the Hotel Cliff Belvedere — the views are absolutely breathtaking.
The Coast of Slovenia on a Map
To give you a first impression of where the most beautiful beaches and towns along Slovenia’s coast are located, we’ve put together a map for you.
The Most Beautiful Beaches in Slovenia
You won’t find as many beaches in Slovenia as you would in Croatia or Italy. The coastline is mostly rocks and stones or paved — so there are only a handful of pebble beaches and swimming spots to speak of.
That said, some of the beaches in Slovenia are genuinely beautiful and totally worth visiting on any Slovenia road trip! Here are our favorites.
Moonshine Bay
What do you need to know? Moonshine Bay (Mesečev zaliv in Slovenian) is a steep cliff with a narrow strip of beach made up of stones and pebbles. Watch your step when swimming — water shoes are a must. Since there isn’t much space to spread out, it can get really crowded in summer. Getting there in the morning is absolutely worth it! You can also snap great photos from the hiking trail above the bay.
How do you get there? Only via a hiking trail with stairs. From the parking lot in Strunjan (open in Google Maps), it’s about a 20-minute walk to the beach — first uphill, then downhill. Alternatively, take the bus to the Strunjan stop. From there it’s a 30-minute walk.
Facilities & Food: There are no restaurants or restrooms at Moonshine Bay.
Our hotel pick: House Olive Garden Strunjan
Bele Skale Beach
What do you need to know? Bele Skale Beach is only a few kilometers from Moonshine Bay and looks quite similar — but it’s much more of an under-the-radar pick when it comes to beaches in Slovenia. The pebble and stone beach sits at the base of a steep cliff, which looks seriously dramatic. Water shoes are recommended for swimming here too.
How do you get there? You’ll need to hike a short way downhill to reach Bele Skale Beach. One of the paths starts across from the Belvedere campground, where you can also park. Alternatively, take the bus to the Belvedere stop and walk from there.
Facilities & Food: There are no restaurants or restrooms down at Bele Skale Beach.
Our hotel pick: Hotel Cliff Belvedere
Beach of Portorož
What do you need to know? The best beach in Slovenia for families is in Portorož — this is where you’ll find the only sandy beach in the country. The sand is artificially deposited, but it means you can actually stretch out and relax. If the sandy section gets too crowded, Portorož also has paved swimming spots where you can lay your towel and enter the water via steps.
How do you get there? There are several parking lots along the beach in Portorož, but they fill up fast in summer. We’d suggest parking further away or taking the bus — connections are easy to find on Google Maps.
Facilities & Food: Portorož has several beach bars with restrooms. And since the town is right behind the beach, you’ll have no trouble finding food and drinks!
Our hotel pick: Hotel Marko
More Beaches Along Slovenia's Coast
Since there are so few real beaches along Slovenia’s coast, locals have gotten creative and set up swimming spots along many paved paths by the sea.
You can lay your towel on pavement or stones and walk into the water from there. In many places — for example in Piran or Koper — you can even rent sun loungers and enter the sea via steps.
Here are our picks for swimming spots along the Slovenian coast:
- Strunjan Beach (open in Google Maps): You can lie on pavement or grass, and there are restrooms and restaurants nearby.
- Piran Beach (open in Google Maps): Great for cooling off after a morning of sightseeing in Piran.
- Koper City Beach (open in Google Maps): A mix of pebble beach, pavement, and piers right in Koper.
- Plaža Žusterna (open in Google Maps): A lovely pebble beach with a green area, a bit outside Koper’s city center.
The Most Beautiful Coastal Towns in Slovenia
For a classic beach vacation, Slovenia is — honestly — not the ideal destination.
What it does offer, though, is a wonderfully diverse coastline with a great mix of beautiful towns, nature, and sea views.
Here’s our take on which coastal towns you absolutely shouldn’t miss.
Piran
What do you need to know? Piran’s old town is a real tourist magnet — narrow, winding alleyways, stunning viewpoints over the historic center and the sea, and beautiful old architecture. And even though Piran is no longer a hidden gem in Slovenia, you can still stroll through the streets at a leisurely pace and enjoy a meal at a restaurant with sea views.
Highlights in Piran: The central Tartini Square, the panorama from the city walls and St. George’s Church, and the tip of Piran’s peninsula with its lighthouse.
Our hotel pick: Second Life Piran
Here you'll find all our tips for Piran:
Izola
What do you need to know? Izola may not be quite as photogenic as Piran, but it’s really lovely and far less touristy. You can lose yourself in the narrow alleyways and stroll along the harbor. Also super cool: in one corner by the sea (on the far left of the picture) there’s a beautiful park where you can sit and gaze out at the water.
Highlights in Izola: St. Maurus’s Parish Church, Izola’s beach with its park, and the interactive Izolana Museum.
Our hotel pick: DeGrassi Boutique Garni Hotel Izola
Koper
What do you need to know? Koper is the largest coastal town in Slovenia, and beyond the city center you’ll find bigger shopping centers and an industrial zone. At first glance it may not seem all that inviting — but the old quarter has plenty to offer, and you can walk along the waterfront for what feels like forever.
Highlights in Koper: The Praetorian Palace, the Regional Museum, the Muda Gate, and the waterfront promenade.
Our hotel pick: Hotel Grand Koper
Extra tip: More Beautiful Places in Slovenia
It’s not just the coastal towns in Slovenia that are worth a visit — there are some great cities and villages inland too. From Slovenia’s coast, you can even make a day trip to most of them.
Our picks for more beautiful places in Slovenia:
- Ljubljana: The capital has beautiful squares, a castle, and lots of great museums. Travel time from Koper: 1 hour. We’ve written dedicated articles about things to do in Ljubljana, the best neighborhoods to stay in Ljubljana, and boutique hotels in Ljubljana.
- Maribor: Slovenia’s second-largest city is still something of a lesser-known spot, but it has truly beautiful architecture and sits along the Drava River. Travel time from Koper: 2.5 hours.
- Kranjska Gora: This charming mountain village sits close to the Austrian border and is a great base for hiking in Slovenia and skiing. Travel time from Koper: 2 hours.
Accommodations by the Sea in Slovenia
We’ve already shared our hotel picks right at the top beaches and highlights in Slovenia above.
Here are the other places to stay by the sea in Slovenia we’d recommend:
Good and affordable
Better
Luxurious
Camping on the Coast of Slovenia
Camping is really popular in Slovenia — and that goes for the coast as well.
Here’s an overview of campsites and RV spots along the Slovenian coast:
Camperport Portoroz: An RV spot near the harbor of Portorož with modern restroom facilities. The highlight is the direct sea view. Highly recommended!
Camp Lucija: Campground right next to Camperport Portoroz, with spots on the sea and a bar & restaurant. Due to its location near Portorož, it can get noisy.
Kamp Fiesa: A campground surrounded by greenery near Piran. It fills up fast in summer, but the value for money is seriously good. Our top pick!
Camp Belvedere: A large, well-known campground above Bele Skale Beach. The facilities are decent — it’s worth it mainly for the great location.
Avtokamp Jadranka: An RV spot right on the sea near Izola. Adequate in terms of facilities and space.
Personal Tips for the Coast of Slovenia
Finally, here are a few tips for the Slovenian coast to make sure your vacation in Slovenia is truly perfect.
Also read our travel tips for Slovenia
Also read our safety tips for Slovenia
#1 Cycling Path Along the Coast of Slovenia
Cycling is one of the best activities in Slovenia as far as we’re concerned, and the coast is perfect to explore on two wheels.
From Koper to Piran, the F6 cycling route — also known as the Parenzana — runs for about 38 kilometers along a former railway line. So cool!
View the cycling route on Komoot
Since the route is quite hilly, we’d recommend an e-bike for most people. If you cycle regularly, a regular bike works just fine too.
In Koper, there are plenty of shops where you can rent e-bikes and regular bikes, for example POGAČAR rent-a bike electric- classic Koper and UN Rent a bike Koper.
By the way: We explored all of Slovenia by bike, and from the coast we continued on to Gorica and Bovec.
#2 Off-Season on the Coast of Slovenia
The off-season on the Slovenian coast runs from October through May. Water temperatures drop below 68°F during this time, making swimming too cold for most people.
As a result, the Slovenian coast is much quieter in the off-season than in summer. The fall and spring months of October, November, March, April, and May in particular offer ideal conditions for visiting — the weather is perfect for sightseeing in Piran or cycling along the coast, and there are far fewer tourists around. You’ll often have some of the most beautiful spots by the sea all to yourself.
Another great perk: on a clear day, you can see the snow-capped mountains of the Alps in the background.
