Most of the coastline is rocky, craggy, or full of cliffs, but Piran does have several beaches and swimming spots (which also tend to be rocky, as is common in Istria, the region that stretches ...

Fornače Beach is a pebble beach that's just a 10-minute walk from Tartini Square. There's also Salinera Beach, which is located between Piran and Strunjan Nature Reserve.

Slovenia's Seaside Paradise: Piran. Get a taste of Venice—at decidedly Balkan prices—in the sleepily atmospheric and deeply multicultural coastal settlement of Piran.

Cathy Packe paid £42 return on Ryanair (08701 569 569, www.ryanair.com) to fly from London Stansted to Trieste, from where a couple of buses can transport you to Piran.

Accommodation in the Piran is cheap too, with rooms at B&Bs for just £25.. Sun Online Travel have found an overnight stay at PiranArt Boutique Hotel & More, which is just 100 yards from the beach ...