The Slovenian coast and its Istrian hinterland are small enough that several excellent destinations are within easy reach of Portorož. Piran is the obvious first choice — so close that it barely counts as a day trip — but the karst plateau above the coast, the towns of Koper and Izola, and the Lipica stud farm all reward a half-day excursion.
Piran (2 km, 20 minutes on foot) is the medieval Venetian town that makes the entire Portorož stay worthwhile. Its narrow lanes, salt-weathered campanile, and harbour-front Tartini Square are the finest example of Venetian Gothic architecture outside Italy itself. Walk there along the promenade rather than taking the bus.
Lipica (about 30 km inland, on the karst plateau) is the home of the Lipizzan horses — the white stallions famous from the Spanish Riding School in Vienna. The stud farm has been breeding them here since 1580 and offers stable tours, dressage performances, and riding lessons. The surrounding karst landscape of sinkholes, caves, and limestone pastures is remarkable in its own right.
Koper (15 km north) is the largest town on the Slovenian coast and the country's only functioning commercial port. Its medieval old town, set on what was once an island in a shallow lagoon, has a Venetian piazza and loggia that rival Piran's, without quite as many tourists. The seafood market near the port is excellent.
Izola (8 km north) is a small fishing town that sits between Koper and Portorož and is less visited than either. Its harbour, ringed with fishing boats and backed by a compact old town, has a genuine working quality that the resort towns have largely lost. The local fish restaurants are some of the best value on the coast.
