I Am the Izola Beach

Diary of a self-proclaimed sea diva with 5 kilometers of moods

7:15

I woke up bathed in golden light reflecting on the stunning cliffs of the Strunjan Landscape Park. The sea beside me is calm, the parasols still closed, the pines still a little sleepy. I wave to the fishermen, who rose even before I opened my eyes. The first footsteps are already taken by the locals heading into their day. Many of them are opening shops, restaurants, little cafés where the smell of freshly brewed morning coffee wafts through the air. Following the locals come the visitors and holidaymakers – some running or cycling, others already carrying their towels under their arms. I greet them with a quiet breeze. I love that they’ve known me for decades.

8:30

At the Lighthouse it’s lively! That’s where I feel most at home. If I were a person, I’d be a fair-haired beauty at this iconic Izola spot, with a rich history and a wonderful view of Trieste. My favorite moments are when a strong wind whips me about and the sunlit Alps appear in the background. True, this rarely happens in summer, but like most blondes, I always dream of what I don’t have in the moment … Yet now, children’s voices wake me from my reverie, as they chase each other in the shade of the pines. Is the trampoline already open? Someone is leafing through a book from the outdoor library.

10:00

San Simon is in full swing. That’s where my family spirit and maternal instinct come alive. In the little bay, children splash around, enthusiastic shouts echo from the slide, there’s volleyball on the sand, adrenaline-seekers head out to sea on tubes, and moms on pedal boats apply sunscreen. Maybe they’re hoping to catch five precious minutes of silence out there? Maybe they even succeed. The kids kick me, build towers on me, laugh, and sometimes cry. But I let them do as they please, because I know I’m their first great love, the one they’ll remember for the rest of their lives.

11:37

Perhaps those childhood memories float along at Delfinček. Here, I’m a little more mature, capable of calming down. I always wear a hat and sometimes even listen to chansons. My companions here are seniors in baseball caps, who discuss football and the best recipe for homemade pastries while standing in the water. And couples, holding hands as if it were still 1968. The lifeguard watches me strictly but gently because he knows I’m kind. By now, the scent of fish soup wafts from the nearby restaurant, but to me, it smells more of home and warmth here.

13:04

Time to retreat back to myself! Bele skale … Here lies my wild side. Here I’m unfiltered. Just as I am: raw, authentic, almost a little too honest. Here come those who dislike rules and shade. They bring a cooler, two books, and – best of all – respect for me. I don’t need much. Just that they pick up after themselves and let me breathe. For here, I’m at my freest and therefore perhaps also at my most vulnerable. Once you visit this part of me, if you come with an open heart, you feel it immediately.

15:23

I quickly slip under Belvedere, where I’m young, playful, and ready for action. I blend in with those who still carry traces of graduation trips on their sunburned skin. Jumps into the sea, selfies, and then another cocktail (or two). Here my heart beats to the rhythm of live music. When the Pod Belvederjem bar comes alive in the evening, I fall a little in love with life. Sometimes I even dance – secretly, but the waves always give me away.

17:50

As the day slowly tilts toward evening, I long for some quiet. I find it on the promenade between Izola and Koper. Here I’m not just a beach, I’m a story. I’m the reshaped road that once connected the two towns; now I connect people to the sea. I’m the longest thought of Izola. Cyclists ride past me, paddleboarders play with the waves, runners sip water from fountains along the way, lovers walk hand in hand … And then, at a certain bend, someone says “wow.” And I know exactly where they’re standing. Right there, where the sun most beautifully touches the sea. I don’t want to sound pretentious, but – do you know that under my waves sleeps the Rex? A ship, almost like the Titanic! And every evening, it’s me who gently tucks it in under a blanket of foam.

19:30

At Floramare, I’m gentle, attentive, and quiet. Here I always remember how important kindness is to all my visitors. Especially to those who can’t just run into the sea. Here I’m well-kept, adapted, and accessible. I’m not loud, but I’m heartfelt. My pool isn’t huge, but the sun shines into it, and a smile lights it up. I’m not just for resort guests. If you need me, I always open my doors to you. Here I’m at my calmest. Maybe even my most human. Because I’m the only one who lets the sea embrace even those with mobility challenges, I’m especially proud to hold those who are so often overlooked elsewhere.

20:12

When the summer heat subsides, furry friends peek out from houses, apartments, and hotels. And me, well, I get a little playful again. That little cove by the old Delamaris factory isn’t glamorous, but it has character. Here dogs race through the water, and their human companions laugh under the pergola. I laugh with them too. If I had a tail, it would be wagging wildly! I love that I have space for our canine friends too; after all, summer is their time to enjoy carefree moments too.

21:40

The sun sets. The Lighthouse is bathed in golden rays. I feel like, for a moment, I’ve become a painting. Perfect. And yet so ordinary. Around me, the last conversations, the scent of salt and sea adventures linger. I am one. But I am not the same every day. Like every true woman, I have my tides and ebbs, my calm days and my stormy thoughts. If you accept me as I am, I promise I’ll remind you of the most carefree moments of your summer.

Epilogue

I am the Izola beach.
I am one and only. Long and unique.
But within me, eight faces hide. Eight moods. Eight chances to find your moment.
If you come to me, be gentle.
Put the pebble back into the sea if you’ve picked it up.
Pick up a bottle, even if it isn’t yours.
Let me breathe. Love me.
And I promise, I’ll keep teaching you every single day how to live with a full heart.
Good night, Izola.
Good night, sea.