Leaving Izola, I missed my train by about 10 minutes which meant I spent the morning walking around nearby Koper for a few hours. Koper is a larger version of Izola: a busy harbor, popular sunbathing spots, outdoor cafes, winding streets. The main difference is that since it's that much closer to Italy and is one of Slovenia's main ports, it's noticeably busier.
Koper was once a walled island. The main road demarcates the former island's border and today portions of the old gate still stand.
If you keep your eyes open, you're likely to spot lions throughout town. They are left overs from when Venice ruled.
I climbed the 204 steps up the 43 meter tall belfry for a great view of red rooftops and the Adriatic Sea. The peak and cross extend another 11 meters, making it the tallest non-apartment building in town.
A word of caution: these bells are loud!
