A day in Piran without a car

Piran is at its best when you don't bring a car. The old town is closed to traffic, the edge-of-town car parks fill up by nine on summer mornings, and an hour spent hunting for a space can ruin a day that should have started with coffee on Tartini Square.

Getting to Piran

• By bus: in summer the coastal line Koper–Izola–Piran runs every 20–30 minutes. Get off at the bus station right by the harbour.
• From the Fornače car park: if you do come by car, park in the Fornače garage and take the free shuttle to the centre — or walk it in 10 minutes along the sea.
• By bike: the Parenzana trail brings you to Portorož; from there Piran is a quarter of an hour away.

Morning: the town while it's still quiet

Come early. Until ten the streets are still empty and the light at Punta is at its best. Climb to St. George's church for the postcard view, then wind your way back down the narrow streets towards the market.

Afternoon: onto the water

From the sea, Piran is a different story. For the active version, join a kayak tour beneath the Piran cliffs — three hours of paddling with a swim stop in a cove you can't reach on foot.

If you'd rather someone else did the rowing, set out on a boat from neighbouring Izola — a half-day trip with a local fisherman and a glass of Malvazija on deck.

To finish

Ice cream on Tartini Square, one last look at the harbour, and the bus back. No parking war.