Slovenian Istria

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The GuardianJul 11, 2026

Summer on the Slovenian Riviera

The country’s coastline is one of the shortest in Europe, but it packs a punch with unspoilt nature reserves, vibrant Venetian towns and a thriving foodie scene I’m riding a salt-coloured horse through the Dragonja valley, deep in the green hills of Slovenian Istria. Electric-blue dragonflies zip over the river as we gallop past olive trees and vineyards. The landscape rises steeply in a series…

18 things in this story
  • Dragonja valleySighthorse riding through hills with olive trees and vineyards
  • Kmetija MedljanHotelfarm stay with simple rooms near stables, rustic apartments
  • Saltworks MuseumMuseumlearn about salt pans in former salt-workers' houses
  • Sečovlje salt pansSightworking salt pans where salt is harvested by hand
  • PiranNeighborhoodmost beautiful of Slovenia's seaside towns
  • RostelinRestaurantknown for handmade pasta and raw scallops with truffle
  • Tartini SquareSightlocation of Benečanka Casa Veneziana, Venetian gothic architecture
  • Benečanka Casa VenezianaHotelVenetian gothic architecture in Tartini Square
  • IzolaNeighborhoodlaid-back and vibrant, with artists' workshops
  • DeGrassi hotelHotelsupremely comfortable base in Izola
  • Ljubljanska UlicaNeighborhoodstreet bursting with artists' workshops, pink and peach houses
  • Šavrini hillsSightebike tour through hills planted with vines and trees
  • KoperRestaurantport city where we stopped for ice-cream
  • Manzioli wine barRestaurantaperitivo of fresh rosé from local winemaker Zaro
  • BujolRestaurantfavorite place for mussels and fritto misto
  • Pier of Tastes food marketMarketmonthly market with Istrian food producers and wines
  • Gostilna KorteRestaurantserves delights including steak with wild asparagus sauce
  • solni cvetPlace
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