Strunjan beaches

Strunjan lies on the Slovenian coast between Piran and Izola, and it is the most natural stretch of shoreline in the country. Most of the Slovenian coast is short and densely built, but at Strunjan a long cliff, a salt-pan landscape and wooded slopes have been protected as a nature park, and the result is a quieter, greener coast than the towns on either side. The beaches here are mostly pebbly or rocky, and there is no wide sandy strand, so visitors often bring sandals, but the water is clear and the setting is calm.

The main landmark is the Strunjan Cliff, a steep wall of layered flysch rock that rises above the sea along the nature park and is one of the highest cliffs on the Adriatic coast. The layers of sandstone and marl, tilted and eroded, are visible from the shore, and the cliff top is covered with Mediterranean vegetation, including pines, cypresses and shrubs. Paths run along the top and down to the shore, with views over the Gulf of Trieste, and they provide a welcome contrast to the busy town promenades. Falling rock is a risk at the base of the cliff, so signs and barriers should be respected.

One of the most attractive spots for bathing is Mesečev Zaliv, or Moon Bay, a curved cove below the cliff that is popular with locals and visitors who want to swim in a quiet place. Strunjan is also known for its salt pans, where salt has been gathered for centuries in the traditional way, using the sun and the shallow lagoons. The village's salt-making heritage is part of the nature park, and the lagoons support wading birds and other wildlife. Talaso Strunjan, a thalassotherapy centre, uses sea water, sea mud and salt for treatments, building on the local tradition of seaside health cures, and some visitors take advantage of the natural mud on the shore in the same spirit.

To make the most of Strunjan, plan on a mix of walking and swimming. The coastal path to Piran is a pleasant walk, and cycling routes link the park with Izola. Parking can be limited in summer, so arriving early helps. Take water and sun protection, because shade on the cliff paths is patchy. Visitors who want a quieter alternative to the busier beaches of the Slovenian coast will find Strunjan especially welcome in early summer and early autumn, when the sea is still warm and crowds are thin.