Slovenia's beaches, from Ankaran to Portorož, and the lakes for a dip

Which beach is best with children?

Izola, for me. It has eight beaches along 5 km, from the lighthouse beach in town to Simon’s Bay, with an archaeological park next to it, and the White Rocks. Some are adapted for wheelchair users and some welcome dogs, and the town has kept its fishing harbour and character.

Izola is also the best stretch to see from the water. The tourist board suggests paddling a SUP from White Rocks past Simon’s Bay and the lighthouse, taking in all eight beaches, or sailing out to White Rocks at sunset for a swim. And the Parenzana cycle path, on the old Trieste to Poreč railway, passes the lighthouse beach, handy if you are covering the coast by bike.

In Koper, Žusterna beach is designed for families and water sports and is accessible for disabled visitors, beside a new seaside park between the mouth of the Badaševica and Žusterna. For a dip right in town, Mokra Mačka is on the central waterfront.

Moon Bay below the Strunjan cliff

Strunjan Landscape Park has the highest cliff on the eastern Adriatic, a wall of flysch that the tourist board puts at about 80 m, and below it lies Moon Bay. There is no promenade and no hotel overhead, which is why it feels like a proper natural beach. The tourist board says it is the easiest spot to reach by paddleboard, setting off from Piran.

Portorož, the beach with a buzz

The central beach at Portorož is the liveliest in the country, with sand, hotels, a marina and seaside clubs. The tourist board notes that most bathing areas and the Portorož marina receive the Blue Flag every year. Next door, Fiesa has a curiosity of its own, two freshwater lakes a few metres from the sea.

To sleep close to everything, search places to stay in Portorož on Expedia and filter by area before price.

Ankaran and Debeli rtič, up north

Ankaran is the first stretch of coast after the Italian border. You can swim at Camp Adria, at Študent beach with its music and younger crowd, at Valdoltra and in St Bartholomew’s Bay, where the remains of a Roman villa survive. At Debeli rtič, a protected headland with Mediterranean plants, divers find a varied seabed. In summer a free bus connects all of these beaches.

If your route stays inland

If your route stays inland, there is still water. Lake Jasna in Kranjska Gora is open for swimming in summer, Lake Velenje has a beach and the Kolpa is, says the tourist board, the warmest river in the country. At Bled, the shore by the Grand Hotel Toplice uses the lake’s thermal water. The coast runs for 47 km, according to the Government, a small figure that makes more sense alongside the size of Slovenia.

If you are short on time, see the best tours in Portorož and pick one that fits your day.

To sleep close to everything, search places to stay in Portorož on Booking.com and filter by area before price.