A Slovenian seaside town has drawn comparisons to Venice for its architecture, waterfront cafes and cobbled streets, but without the crowds of the Italian destination. Koper, Slovenia, offers cheap food and drink, with the average pint costing £3 and a glass of local wine priced at £3.50.
Affordable attractions and historic sights
Visitors can explore the best of the Old Town for free, while ticketed attractions typically cost under €10 (approximately £8.56). Key historic spots include Tito Square and the Praetorian Palace. The town was once part of the Venetian Republic, which explains its Italian-influenced palaces, piazzas and cobbled streets.
Growing interest among British travellers
Marella Cruises, owned by TUI, has reported a 39% increase in searches for Koper from Google in recent months. The town features on the company's Adriatic Explorer itinerary aboard the Marella Voyager. The cruise port is about a five-minute walk from the city centre, making it popular with passengers who prefer a short shore visit.
Ped Vojvodic, Destinations Services Manager at Marella Cruises, said: "Koper is one of the Adriatic's best kept secrets. While many travellers have heard of Venice, fewer know about Slovenia's beautiful coastline. Koper combines fascinating history, stunning architecture, great local food and drink and easy access to nearby coastal gems such as Piran, making it a fantastic destination for customers looking to discover somewhere different."
Getting to Koper from the UK
For British visitors, the easiest route is to fly into Trieste airport, about an hour's drive from Koper, or Ljubljana airport, about an hour and a half away by car. Train journeys typically take two to three hours. Airlines including easyJet, British Airways and Wizz Air offer direct routes from the UK. Accommodation in the area starts from £87 per night on Booking.com, while Tripadvisor lists the top 10 hotels in Koper based on visitor reviews.
