Believed to have been named after an Albanian nobleman, Giovanni Dukagjini, Dekani is a small village near the Slovenian coastal town of Koper. It lies just a stone’s throw from the border with Italy and the lively port city of Trieste and is a short drive from the beaches of the Ankaran Peninsula.
One of Dekani’s most important architectural landmarks is the Church of the Assumption of Mary, which was originally built in 1229 and remodelled two centuries later. On the banks of the Rižana River is Bordon Wines, where you can sample locally grown organic wines and charcuterie.
If you’re visiting in the summer months, head to the sandy shores of Plaža Ankaran, which fronts the Gulf of Trieste’s turquoise waters. Birdwatchers shouldn’t miss a visit to the Scottish Bay Nature Reserve, a semi-saline wetland that provides an important habitat for migratory birds, butterflies and frogs.
Getting there
Dekani is around 10 minutes’ drive from Koper and 20 minutes from Trieste. Trieste Airport is 45 minutes away and has flights to destinations across Europe. Regular buses connect to Dekani while renting a car is the most convenient way of getting around the region.