Piran is the city which is the best preserved city cultural monument in Slovenian Istria. It is a valuable and very special old port town, who is the closest neighbor of the fashionable Portoroz.
Piran is completely protected by monuments and its inhabitants mostly live from tourism. Piran got its present appearance at the end of the 19th century. Tartini's market has emerged by seizing the inland port. The city extended southeast toward Bernardin, where they built a shipyard. Today, Piran is the administrative center of the municipality. The city has many cultural institutions and schools. The Maritime Museum is rich in works of art and history. The Piran Archives is one of the richest in Slovenia, containing a collection of documents from the 12th century onwards. The cultural pulse is enlivened by numerous galleries with events and various exhibitions. During the summer, various concerts and other cultural events attract foreign and domestic visitors. With its preserved historical monuments and Mediterranean architecture, Piran is a true open-air museum. On the small hill above the town stands the Saint George's Church (Cathedral), who is the protector of Piran. From here you can enjoy a wonderful view of Piran and its surroundings, also across the sea to the Italian and Croatian coasts.
The city is surrounded by walls, which makes Piran a member of the European Association of Wall Cities. The beach below the St. George's Church is known as the wild beach used mainly by nudists.