Strunjan combines a striking coastal cliff with a lagoon and a long-standing salt-making tradition. The cliff rises 80 metres above Moon Bay and is the highest cliff on the Adriatic coast. Together, the natural environment and cultural landscape form a clear focus for your trip. You can plan your stay around coastal trails, the distinctive lagoon or the history of the salt pans, and include these themes in your travel plans.

Cliffs, Moon Bay and Stjuža

Stjuža is Slovenia’s only marine lagoon. It provides food, shelter and nesting opportunities for waterbirds. Moon Bay offers a different feature: its shallow, sandy seabed supports underwater seagrass meadows. The natural highlights therefore range from an important habitat for birds to seagrass meadows and a striking coastal landform. Swimming is possible in the Strunjan Nature Reserve during the summer months. The arrangements differ: swimming is possible in summer, while guided tours require advance booking.

Explore the landscape park on foot

The walking trails in Strunjan’s two nature reserves—at the cliff and around the salt pans and lagoon—are for pedestrians only. The circular trail with educational stations starts and ends at the Strunjan Landscape Park Centre by the salt pans. The descent to Moon Bay takes a little over 20 minutes; this refers to the descent, not the duration of a complete visit. Guided tours of the landscape park are available to individuals or groups by prior arrangement. The practical difference: the circular trail has a specified starting and ending point, while a guided tour requires a booking. Before your visit, it is advisable to check the latest information about trails and guided tours.

Salt-making tradition and cultural landscape

The Strunjan salt pans are the northernmost surviving salt pans in the Mediterranean region and are protected as a natural and cultural monument within Strunjan Landscape Park. Sea salt has been produced there using traditional methods for more than 700 years. Crystallisation occurs naturally as water evaporates under the influence of sun and wind. Both the long tradition and the specific production method are part of what defines the salt pans.

The cultural landscape also includes terraces separated by dry-stone walls. A double avenue of 110 pine trees in Strunjan was protected and declared a natural monument in 2004. These features add further evidence of the landscape’s heritage to its salt-making tradition. Cyclists can use the network of roads and paths within the settlements in the landscape park. However, the trails in the two nature reserves are restricted to pedestrians. Your planning options therefore include the walking trails described here, a guided tour that requires advance booking, or the cycling routes in the park.

Discover more destinations: Sečovlje, Portorož, Lucija, Sv. Peter and Piran.

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