We heard about this alternative route along the coast from the village of Fiesa to Piran and so we rocked up on a September day to find out the logistics of what you have to do and we will tell you all about it here and some other parking options you have to see one of the prettiest seaside towns on the planet..

In Fiesa we did find a lovely little sneaky place to park your car, which is free in the off season, but of course you have to pay in the summer.. IF there is even a space!

If you can get a space in Fiesa, there is a fabulous coastal path right next to the Adriatic sea leading to a back door into Piran, with lots of little spots where you could chuck yourself into the water and have a swim too!

You will not find one door the same in Piran old town..

Quite rightly, Piran should be part of your to do list when visiting Slovenia for the first time.. it's only a 50 min drive from the Lodge and you will get a Slovenian-Venetian-Mediterranean experience, which is a total contrast to the other mountainous, forest, river, rock and lake covered sub regions in the rest of Green Slovenia..

You almost have to pinch yourself down here by the deep blue sea to remember you are lucky enough to be in Green Slovenia!

Piran is a peninsula, pretty much surrounded by the sea, so you feel like you are exploring a lost Venetian island. You cannot drive directly into Piran, don't be fooled by the large open car park directly next to the sea just outside the town as this is just for the local people. 

Not a bad view for your final trudge up the hill to the main car park..

the Multi Story Option:

There is JUST one main Parking House Car park for Piran, whether you are staying there OR visiting, so be warned..

Turn left into this big concrete car park when you go down the hill into Piran and then just either walk directly down the road to Piran OR  fumble your way down to the basement of the car park and walk directly out to the sea where there is a hopper bus service, (hardly worth it for the 2 min drive), but definetely a much nicer walk into the town from here instead AND with the bonus of a few very nice quiet, secret restaurants here too!

This sign should clear up any parking questions you have in Piran..

If you mess up turning into the car park OR think you can wangle your way into Piran at the bottom of the hill at the roundabout OR try to park in the residents car park next to the sea, then think again.. In almost all cases, you will need to go round the roundabout and go back up the hill to the car park.. a bit like a walk of shame!

HOWEVER, if you do have someone with difficulty walking, then you can go into Piran and drop them off at the main harbour, but you will have to turn back around and go park the car.. guess where.. in the car park!!

the Portoroz Option:

It can be a little uncomfortable parking in that tight Italian style multi story above Piran and lots of our guests prefer a good walk anyway, so follow a much better option to park in the much larger Portoroz, just along the coast from Piran. 

the excitement rises as you enter Piran from the main Car Park or if you walked here from Portoroz..

There are multiple car parks in Portoroz and from there you can enjoy a very beautiful relaxed seaside stroll about 3-4 km to Piran, about an hour's walk.. (Especially if we tell you about our own secret car park that we use)!

Then you could either walk back later to your car from Piran to Portoroz or take a hopper bus that regularly goes between the 2 towns. 

This is also a really great way to have a very chilled seaside stroll and you also get to at least experience the "tutti Frutti" Slovenian alternative to Piran, that is Portoroz.. with hotels, casinos, sandy beaches and lots of ice cream!    

View from the old harbour, this photo taken 2 days before Christmas day..

the Fiesa secret walk Option:

But if you want another way to avoid all this hustle & bustle and you can find a space in Fiesa, then this is another fantastic secret option for you. 

As you drive towards Piran you will see signs for Fiesa.. they are a little tricky to follow at times, but remember after turning away from Piran, the principle is that you are going downhill 5 mins or so directly to the sea. 

Go to the very end of the road next to two small man made lakes (think these were used to get clay for an old brickworks) and there are 2 small car parks, if you are lucky you will find a space, but please note, there is another car park that belongs to the hotel, (you will see), so you can't park there.        

Fiesa is fantastically quiet, you almost feel like a secret agent creeping up on Piran!

Try to get lost in the back streets of Piran..

There is pretty much just a hotel in Fiesa by the sea, but just along from the car park you can find a lovely brick promenade that snakes under the high cliffs and takes you to the back door of Piran!

Even better, you can settle yourself anywhere along this path by the sea for a dip or a snooze. Anyone expecting the sandy beaches of Cannes or Ilfracombe should go to Cannes or lfracombe, as the seaside on the Slovenian Riviera is rocky, but the sea is warm, salty and stunning, often like a lake, so perfect for swimming!

Suddenly you pop out into a square like this serving the best calamari in town..

As you walk along this secret promenade, you might not realise the places you can see off in the distance on a very clear day as Venice and a decent day for Mt Nanos in the distance.. the very same mountain that Lodge guests enjoy from our back garden on the other side, which also all goes to show how diddly tiddly Slovenia is!       

It takes about 15-20 mins to stroll to Piran from Fiesa and go up the steps into Piran where the sea wall views from up top are really great. Now you have arrived in Piran, so go off and enjoy yourselves, look for the secret squares and quiet restaurants.

Go up this side street to reach the BACK DOOR to Fiesa, or come down into Piran from up there..

Notice that not one door is the same as another in Piran old town and explore the tight Venetian style alleyways with clothes hanging out to be dried on the warm Meditteranean breeze. 

To find that secret path again along the sea to Fiesa, just walk up the steep cobbled street that leads up to the main Venetian church from the far corner of central Tartini square making sure NOT to miss the fantastic chocolate shop next to the corner of the square.. at the top of the cobbled stepped street you will see the sign for Fiesa.

And even if you couldn't get a space in Fiesa or parked elsewhere, there is nothing stopping you taking time out from your day in Piran to stroll this same way up to the defensive walls and go find a nice spot to relax along the same promenade to Fiesa and back..

However you do it, have a great day out in Piran!