Koper, Zadar and Hvar

[Parapara]

In September we will be calling in to these three ports as well as Dubrovnik. In the first two we will be in port for 12 hours and Hvar half a day. Has anybody any suggestions as to what to see and do in these ports and how to get around?

Many thanks.

[dbbsteve]

Hvar:

If you have only half a day in Hvar I would suggest you stay in Hvar town. There is not much to do - the old town is very small but with a nice promenade. Relax among its alleys and small restaurants. If you are energetic you may consider climbing the path to the fortress (30 minutes, 20 Kunas or 6 Euros) and enjoy a magnificent view of the town and the islands. Or rent a boat for a ride.

 

Koper:

The old town of Koper is within easy walking distance from the ship but is in quite poor shape and has nothing much to offer: The Praetorian Palace and the Museum are small, and often closed. The only thing worth doing is climbing the city tower (2 Euros - closed 1-4 pm) to get a view. There is a small pebble beach nearby for swimming.

You should definitely get out of town. Most of Slovenia's tourist attactions are within 1-1.5 hours drive from Koper. Taking a ship's excursion is recommended if you want the best use of your time and getting to Ljubljana (about one hour) and even Lake Bled can be covered in a day. At the dock there are a few vendors in tents who sell local tours, usually to the Caves (Postojna or Škocjan), and there is a company that solicits small group bus tours for about 35 Euros each. Some local taxis are available when the ship docks, and you can take them to attractions nearby. The closest is the costal town of Piran to the West (20 min). A very small village called Hrastovlje to the East (20 mins) has a church with a Danse Macabre fresco (Dance of Death). Further North (45 min) is the Predjama Castle which is also worth a visit.

 

Have not been to Zadar. Hope this helps.

[acruisergirl]

We were recently on a cruise that stopped in both ports. Can recommend two companies that we used.

 

Zadar: Graeme Chuter, info@4seasonstravelslovenia.com; www.4seasonstravelslovenia.com. Great guy to deal with who shows his love for Slovenia. He provided taxi service from port for a full day tour to Lake Bled and capital city of Ljublijana.

 

Koper: Alan, info@secretdalmatia.com; www.secretdalmatia.com. There are many tour options to choose from. We were with him for a full day tour that included sightseeing, wine tasting and lunch. He also can arrange private tours in Dubrovnik. While there we had a private guide for the walk of the city walls, Maritime museum, and went on a boat ride to the Lokrum Island but there is also many other sights to see.

 

Hope this helps.:)

[Daniela32]

Why would you go to Slovenia from Zadar? Did you mixed up some places? Zadar iz in the middle of Dalmatia (Croatian coast).

 

In my opinion, you should take half-day excursion to National park Kornati

 

(beautiful archipelago ),

 

and other half of a day you explore Zadar. Don't miss something really unique in Zadar - The Sea Organs (http://vinovo.magnify.net/video/ZADAR-Morske-orgulje-Sea-Orga)

[Daniela32]

I wanted to add that Zadar is too far from Dubrovnik to do an excursion (it is 357 km of distance of which you have 169 km highway and the rest is normal road, you need about 5 hours one way from Zadar to Dubrovnik). But Zadar and it's surroundings is beautiful and I'm sure you?ll have great time there.

[acruisergirl]

We were recently on a cruise that stopped in both ports. Can recommend two companies that we used.

 

Zadar: Graeme Chuter, info@4seasonstravelslovenia.com; www.4seasonstravelslovenia.com. Great guy to deal with who shows his love for Slovenia. He provided taxi service from port for a full day tour to Lake Bled and capital city of Ljublijana.

 

Koper: Alan, info@secretdalmatia.com; www.secretdalmatia.com. There are many tour options to choose from. We were with him for a full day tour that included sightseeing, wine tasting and lunch. He also can arrange private tours in Dubrovnik. While there we had a private guide for the walk of the city walls, Maritime museum, and went on a boat ride to the Lokrum Island but there is also many other sights to see.

 

Hope this helps.:)

Oops!!! It was a little late when I wrote this information. Koper is in Slovenia (Graeme Chuter, info@4seasonstravelslovenia.com) and Zadar is in Croatia (Alan, info@secretdalmation.com). Sorry for the confusion.:o

[Parapara]

Thank you all very much for the information. We do go to Dubrovnik too but there is quite a lot of information on this website about it so didn't mention it.

Jean