Lipica Stud Farm & Škocjan Caves Day Trip from Piran

Summary

Guided Tour: Lipizzan Horses & UNESCO Škocjan Caves

You’ll get to meet pure white Lipizzan horses at their historic home in Lipica and explore Slovenia’s most famous caves—all with a friendly local guide who handles every detail.

What’s the experience like?

We kicked off our morning with a quick coffee at the port in Piran—honestly, the sea breeze there wakes you up better than any espresso. Our guide, Maja, met us right on time. She had that easy local warmth and knew every shortcut out of town. The drive to Lipica was smooth; you’ll notice the landscape shift—olive groves give way to open meadows and those old stone fences you only see in this part of Slovenia.

The Lipica Stud Farm felt almost unreal. There’s this quiet when you step onto the grounds—just birds and the soft clop of hooves somewhere nearby. We wandered through rows of chestnut trees before reaching the stables. The horses are even whiter up close than in photos, and one nuzzled my sleeve (I think he smelled apples). Maja explained how these Lipizzan horses have been bred here for over 400 years. We peeked into the old manor house and then spent some time in the Lipikum Museum—lots of little details about horse training and carriages I’d never thought about before.

After lunch (there’s a small café on site—try their štruklji if it’s fresh), we headed to Škocjan Caves. The air gets cooler as you approach; I was glad I brought a jacket like Maja suggested. Inside, it’s another world—echoes, dripping water, that earthy cave smell. Walking across the bridge high above the underground river made my stomach flip a bit, but wow—the view down into the canyon is wild. You can hear the Reka River rushing below even before you see it. At the end, we strolled through the Regional Park outside; wildflowers everywhere and hardly any crowds.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Lipica Stud Farm and Skocjan Caves

• Your guide picks you up in Piran
• Visit Lipica Stud Farm and Lipikum Museum
• Explore Škocjan Caves and Regional Park

Top questions

Is this tour suitable for kids or older travelers?

The tour involves some walking (especially in Škocjan Caves), but our guide adjusted the pace for everyone. Just bring comfy shoes and a light jacket—it can get chilly underground.

Can I join from Portoroz or Izola instead of Piran?

Yes! Pickup is available from hotels or cruise terminals in Piran, Portoroz, or Izola. Just let us know your location after booking so we can arrange it.

Are tickets to both attractions included?

Yep—all entrance fees are covered in your booking price, so no need to worry about extra costs on site.

What’s included

Your driver-guide takes care of everything: entrance fees for both Lipica Stud Farm and Škocjan Caves are included, plus insurance and pickup/drop-off at your hotel or port. If you’re traveling with little ones or need special seats, just ask—we’ve got options ready.