Portorož is the most hotel-oriented place on the Slovenian coast and one of the few where a visit is worthwhile outside summer too. Along the bay the beach, the marina, the terraces and the wellness centres line up in a row, and the hinterland rises immediately beyond the road into the Istrian hills with olive groves.
The name of the place comes from the church of Santa Maria delle Rose, St Mary of the Rosary, which once stood by the sea. Hence the rose as the symbol of the place, which you can spot on the promenade, in the names of the eateries and on the desserts served here.
The Central Beach is the largest laid-out beach in the country and the only one with so much sand, which is why it fills up first in summer. The entry into the sea is gentle, which is why Portorož is popular with families and with those who do not get on with a rocky entry.
Along the beach runs a promenade linking the hotels, the marina and Lucija to the south. The walk is flat and lit, so you can do it in the evening or out of season too, when the promenade is almost empty.
Portorož grew up around the spa offer, which is based on seawater, brine and salt-pan mud from the nearby salt pans. It is precisely this combination that sets it apart from the other seaside places in the country, where the offer is tied mainly to the beach.
Večina programov je vezana na hotele z bazeni in savnami, prav ta ponudba pa je razlog, da kraj ne zamre skupaj s kopalno sezono.
Južno od kraja se odpre krajinski park The Sečovlje Salt Pans, a landscape of shallow basins, channels and embankments. Salt is still produced here in the traditional way, and the best-known product is fleur de sel, which you can buy right in the park.
The park is at the same time a well-known bird-watching area, and you can walk or cycle along the embankments. Set aside at least two hours for a visit and reckon on there being almost no shade.
Marina Portorož is the largest harbour for small boats in the country and at the same time a starting point for boat trips around the bay, which run several times a day in summer. In summer trips to the neighbouring seaside towns are also possible, which is the finest way to see the coast from the seaward side.
The water activities are gentle, because the bay is shallow and sheltered from the wind. This suits beginners, and for a livelier sea you can move towards the open part of the coast.
Above the bay begins the Parenzana, a cycling route along the line of the former narrow-gauge railway between Trieste and Poreč. The section above Portorož leads through tunnels and over viaducts, and the climbs are gentle, because the line was built for a train.
From the route you can drop down into one of the villages in the hinterland, where there are olive groves, vineyards and a view over the whole bay. For a loop on a rented bike allow half a day, because the stops quickly add up to more than you planned.
Poleti dan navadno teče med plažo, promenado in izletom v soline ali v Piran. For an active day you can set off along the Parenzana, a cycling route on a former railway line that leads through tunnels and over viaducts in the hinterland.
Zunaj sezone ostanejo wellness, sprehodi ob morju in obisk zaledja z oljčniki. Pregled ponudbe najdete med doživetji v Portorožu.
A sandy beach with a gentle entry is the main reason families choose this very place. Next to it there is a playground and water facilities, so you can spend the whole day without any transport in between.
Za popoldne se obnesejo vožnja z ladjico, soline z nasipi in Piran, kamor lahko pridete peš ob morju. Ob dežju ostanejo hotelski bazeni in akvarij v sosednjem mestu.
For a quieter part of the day, choose the morning on the promenade or an evening walk towards Fiesa, when the beach empties. Wellness and dinner by the marina are a classic combination, which you can also carry out in winter, when the promenade is empty.
If you want to escape the bustle, climb into the hinterland above the bay, where there are villages with a view and olive groves, or choose the salt pans at sunset.
The cuisine is Istrian and maritime: fish, shellfish, pasta with truffles, olive oil and Refošk. Among the desserts, the most local is the one with rose petals, which refers to the name of the place and is found in only a few eateries along the promenade.
Ponudba je zgoščena ob promenadi in v marini, kjer boste našli restaurants of all price ranges. For more homely food, head up into the hinterland, where there are farms and wine cellars with their own oil.
The place has the most hotel offer on the Slovenian coast, including those with wellness and pools. This is precisely why many people choose Portorož for their stay but spend their days in the surrounding towns, as they are all within half an hour.
In addition to hotels so na voljo apartments and private rooms, which are as a rule somewhat higher above the bay. In summer demand is high, so arrange your accommodation in advance.
Najbližji izlet je Piran, do katerega pridete peš ob morju v pol ure ali z lokalnim prevozom. Proti severu sta Izola and Koper, oba znotraj pol ure.
Za cel dan se pomaknite v zaledje na Kras ali v Brda, kjer se morje zamenja za vino in gričevje. Širši pregled destinacije najdete pod Obalo in Krasom.
Paco 2 Portorož pizzeria and restaurant offers a wide choice of fish and meat dishes prepared in various ways and to order.
Paco 2 Portorož pizzeria and restaurant offers a wide choice of fish and meat dishes prepared in various ways and to order.
