Ankaran

Ankaran (Italian: Ancarano) is a settlement in the Municipality of Ankaran, located near the border with Italy, in the Littoral region of Slovenia. It is 5 km from the Italian town of Muggia near Trieste, 6.5 km from Koper, and 33 km from the nearest Croatian town, Buje. The settlement of Ankaran is located at the south end of the Muggia Peninsula (also called the Ankaran Peninsula) and extends across the territory of former village of Ankaran, Valdoltra, and Debeli Rtič. It is the northernmost of all the coastal settlements of the Slovenian Riviera and one of the last settlements in Istria before the Karst region. In ancient times it was one of the most important routes along the Adriatic coast. The Mediterranean climate allows grape and olive cultivation. The mild climate sparked the development of health resorts in the late 19th century. Tourism begun to develop when the monastery was converted into a hotel. The Ankaran's camping site was claimed to be the most clean among camping sites on Slovenian coastline. By the St. Katerina is a learning trail, including the only salty meadow in Mediterranean.