Lakes within an hour or two of Koper / Capodistria

Veli Vir is a small lake in the Obalno-kraška region of southwestern Slovenia, in the hinterland of the Slovenian coast. It is a quiet stop for those exploring the karst and coastal countryside beyond the busy seaside towns. Expect a short, easy walk to the water rather than a developed lakeside, so suitable footwear and a map are useful.

Kal na Zavrteh is a small pond in the Karst landscape of the Obalno-kraška region in southwestern Slovenia. Ponds like this, called kal, were traditionally kept as water sources in the dry limestone countryside, and they remain quiet spots for a short stop. It makes a natural pause on a walk or drive through the karst villages and fields of the area.

Nova štirna is a small lake in the Obalno-kraška region of southwestern Slovenia, set in the karst landscape of the Kras plateau. It is a quiet spot for a short stop where open water stands out in otherwise dry limestone country. It suits a stroll on the way through the Kras villages rather than a long hike.

Lijakov kal is a small pond on the Karst plateau in the Obalno-kraška region of southwestern Slovenia. Ponds like this, called kal, were traditionally used on the dry Karst to collect rainwater for livestock and are now quiet spots for wildlife. It makes a short stop on a walk or drive through the Karst countryside.

Dolc is a small lake in the Karst area of the Obalno-kraška region in southwestern Slovenia. Bodies of water are rare in this limestone landscape, which makes a stop at the lake an interesting addition to a day of walking or cycling across the Karst plateau. It lies in the countryside of the western Karst, close to the Italian border.

Jezerce v Planini is a small lake in the Goriška region of western Slovenia. It is a quiet spot to stop and look at standing water in a landscape otherwise shaped by hills and karst. The lake lies near the village of Planina, which makes a good starting point for a short walk to the shore.

Lake Klivnik is a reservoir in the Primorsko-notranjska region of southwestern Slovenia, created by damming a stream in a quiet, wooded landscape. It is a calm place for a lakeside walk and a break from driving through the Karst hinterland. The lake lies in the countryside south of Ilirska Bistrica, close to the border with Croatia.

Lake Vogrsko is a small lake near the village of Vogrsko in the Goriška region of western Slovenia, a short drive east of Nova Gorica. It offers a quiet stretch of water in the open lowland of the lower Vipava Valley, suited to an easy stroll along the shore. It makes a calm stop when exploring the countryside around Nova Gorica and the Vipava Valley.