Portorož Beach

The beach stretches about 500 meters along the Obala promenade. The central section features imported sand with wooden boardwalks leading into the water. Flanking it are grassy lawns with sunbeds and umbrellas, and concrete platforms with ladder access to the sea. The water in the bay is calm and almost waveless – the enclosed bay creates lake-like conditions. The seabed is flat and sandy, with algae at greater depth.

Several zones operate along the beach: free public areas (grass and concrete), paid sections with sunbed rentals (sand zones cost more, grass zones less), and exclusive hotel beaches – Meduza Beach (LifeClass Hotels) and Palace Beach (Kempinski). Cafés, restaurants, gelato shops, and water sports rental stands line the promenade. Beach volleyball courts, playgrounds, and inflatable water parks add to the activities.

In the evening, the promenade becomes a walkway – locals and tourists stroll from Portorož to Piran (2.5 km), watching the sunset over the Adriatic. From the piers, you can see the marina and the Croatian coast on the horizon.

Size – 25,000 m², the largest beach on Slovenia's Adriatic coast

Blue Flag – international certification for water quality and facilities

Surface – three types: sand, grass, and concrete with sea access ladders

Lifeguards – on duty throughout the swimming season, first aid station available

Water sports – SUP, kayaking, jet skiing, rental available on-site

Accessibility – ramps for wheelchair access to the beach and into the water

Portorož's history as a resort dates to the 13th century, when Benedictine monks began using saline mud and seawater from the nearby Sečovlje Salt Pans for therapeutic treatments. During the Austro-Hungarian era in the 19th century, Portorož became an elite destination attracting aristocracy from across the empire. The first organized beach areas appeared in the early 20th century.

After World War II, the resort became part of Yugoslavia and shifted to mass tourism. Following Slovenian independence in 1991, beach infrastructure underwent several renovations. The current layout took shape in the 2000s with an upgraded promenade, replenished sand zones, and modern safety systems. Today, Portorož remains Slovenia's primary seaside resort.

From Ljubljana (120 km, 1.5–3 hours):

– Arriva bus – from €10–15 (~$11–16), 2.5–3 hours, 5 departures daily

– FlixBus – from €7–10 (~$8–11) when booked early

– Rental car – 1.5 hours via A1, vignette required (from €15/week)

From Piran (3 km):

– Walk along the promenade – 30–40 minutes

– Local bus – €1.30, 5 minutes

From Trieste, Italy (30 km):

– By car – 30–40 minutes

– Bus via Koper – approximately 1 hour

From Ljubljana Airport (LJU, 140 km):

– GoOpti shuttle – from €30–40/person (~$33–44)

– Rental car – most convenient option

Season: Swimming season runs late May through mid-September. Sea temperature: 22–26 °C (72–79 °F) in July–August. May and September are cooler (18–22 °C / 64–72 °F) but with fewer crowds and lower prices.

Time of day: Morning (before 10:00 AM) – beach is half-empty. 11:00 AM–4:00 PM – peak occupancy. Evening (after 5:00 PM) – pleasant for walking, good sunset views.

Duration: Half-day to full day.

Avoid: July–August weekends – the beach is packed, parking is hard to find. Early morning gives the best sunbed selection.