The Izola hinterland, in addition to the Istrian hills and romantic villages, invites you to spend your free days actively.
As cyclists, hikers or riders, set out on a journey to discover the natural heritage, water resources or the history of the old Parenzana railway line and enjoy the autumn colors of the woods that embrace the old Istrian villages.
The long way up the hill will lead you along roads and cart tracks all the way to Baredo or even Šared and introduce you to interesting archeological sites and once very important water sources. Along the way, the church of Sv. Jakob and Lokomotiva Parenzana, each with its own varied history. After five hours of walking and lost calories, you are invited to a well-deserved lunch at the restaurant of the Hotel Kamin on Belvedere, where you will be impressed by the quality, taste, friendliness and wonderful location.
A shorter, three-hour hike up the hill offers an option for those who would rather finish the hike a little faster, but would still like to get to know the attractions of the Izola countryside. You will end the route past Livad and Jagodje, which were once independent settlements, but today are part of Izola. Upon your return, the Sonja inn awaits you near the San Simon hotel complex with its excellent offer in a pleasant ambience.
The Strunjan Valley trail is also beautiful, where you will discover the story of Parenzana and the Strunjan Natural Park and climb over the magnificent Strunjan cliff. Along the way, stop at # MesečevaVišta – a beautiful vantage point that promises an unforgettable photo.
Walking path through the Strunjan salt pans, which are the northernmost and smallest salt pans in the Mediterranean, more than 700 years old. The Strunjan salt pans are considered a unique landscape element between the sea and the land, so they are protected as a natural and cultural monument within the Strunjan Landscape Park.
Also worth a visit is the narrow-gauge railway, the so-called Parenzana, which will take you all the way to Portorož, along the mountain railway line, which operated between Poreč and Trieste between 1902 and 1935 and was one of the longest narrow-gauge railways in Europe. Today, the former narrow-gauge railway has been transformed into a modern recreational route, called the “Path of Health and Friendship”.
You can also take a walk by the sea, among vineyards and olive groves, and through old towns and villages, which are not lacking on the Slovenian coast.