ankaran

Ankaran, or Ancarano in Italian, is a coastal town and municipality in western Slovenia. It lies in the Slovenian Istria region on the Adriatic Sea, near the Italian border, south of the town of Koper. The municipality forms part of Slovenia’s Coastal–Karst statistical region and covers a short stretch of coastline along the Adriatic, with several small settlements clustered near the town of Ankaran.

The area enjoys a Mediterranean climate, characterized by warm summers and mild winters. Its economy has historically relied on fishing and agriculture, but in recent decades tourism has become a major activity, drawing visitors to beaches, promenades and other seaside amenities. The coastal landscape is complemented by small ports, marinas and recreational facilities.

Historically, the Ankaran area has seen various sovereignties. It was part of the Habsburg Monarchy, and in the 20th century it was under Italian administration before becoming part of Yugoslavia after World War II and, since 1991, part of independent Slovenia. The population today is predominantly Slovene, with an Italian minority; both Slovenian and Italian are used in local administration and can be heard in daily life, and bilingual signage is common in the region.

Transport connections include regional road links to Koper and other coastal towns, with the nearest rail service located in Koper. The town is served by local bus routes and offers access to the broader Slovenian coast and neighboring Italy.