Izola

Discover a forgotten secret of Izola

Every town has an undiscovered secret. In Izola, a city famous for its fish, wine and friendly locals, there's one buried deep in the depths of the sea, somewhat forgotten, a secret you will try to discover. A secret tablet companion will take you on a digital journey. To uncover the mystery, you will have to work your way through puzzles, riddles, rebuses, test your negotiation skills and check how photogenic you are. In each challenge, you will also discover a story that the Old Town has to tell.

Cycle along the route of the former railway

Follow the route of the former narrow-gauge railway that connected Trieste and Poreč, now converted into the Health and Friendship Route (Parenzana), marked as D6 or D8. As it passes through Izola, this former fishing town is a must-stop on your trip or a great starting point for cycling to Koper or Portorož. The route is of medium difficulty (3/5) and is suitable for mountain biking due to its mainly forest paths and gravel roads. Along the way, you can admire the picturesque landscape and enjoy all the views that Health and Friendship Route (Parenzana) has to offer.

Enjoy the most beautiful views

Take a half-day hiking tour from the town to the Izola countryside, where you'll enjoy breathtaking views across the heart of Istria and all the way to the sea, with the backdrop of the Alps and the Dolomites on the other side. Even those who don't find a stroll along the coastal plains and sloping paths enough will be delighted, as Izola and its surroundings offer attractive circular routes with climbs to the Izola countryside. The tranquillity of unspoilt nature and the view from the green villages to Izola and Bele Skale (White Rocks) will delight and keep you coming back for your piece of relaxation.

Spend a day with the locals

Where the town of Izola is surrounded by nature, with the fragrant aroma of local olive oil, grapes and wine, and where visitors are welcomed by smiling locals – this is the home of the Izolan countryside. What to do in this green part of Slovenian Istria? We suggest you go on an experience tour "With a local through the Izolan countryside", where you will get to know many hidden corners first-hand, taste authentic flavours and spend the day with a local guide and his friends.

Learn about the fishing town's past

Visit a hub of Izola's cultural heritage and learn about its fishing traditions in an interactive way. See the ship modelling collection and models of various vessels, walk among the nostalgic memories of Delamaris fish canning factory and virtually cycle through a part of the Health and Friendship Route (Parenzana) cycling route. You will also be impressed by the projection of Izola’s development on a mockup, as well as by a restored Passara boat.

Strolling Through the Town Parks

Get to know the true colours of Izola through the various nuances of its evergreen parks. The diverse plant life makes for an eye-catching feature any time, any season. In addition to the natural beauty of all of the 15 lovely parks, a stroll on the waterfront and along the quaint alleys of the old town also reveals a number of cultural and historic landmarks of this seaside town.

Indulge in peace in Strunjan Landscape Park

Izola borders the Strunjan Landscape Park, which stretches all the way to one of the park's most interesting points – the 80-metre-high Strunjan Cliff. Together with its verdant edge, the 200-metre strip of sea below and the saltpans, the Strunjan Landscape Park has been declared a nature reserve. The healthy and tranquil environment, the wonderful views and the diversity of flora and fauna offer an ideal retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city.