Piran played an important role, mainly because of its salt panning and maritime trade. Salt played a vital role as the people of Piran owned the nearby Sečovlje and Strunjan saltpans, which were for a long time among the most important salt pans in the Venetian Republic. The amount of salt produced was great, and they had quite enough buyers. They sold a lot of salt to Venice because it was one of the top quality merchandises.
During the salt harvesting season, whole families temporarily moved to the saltpans. Salt harvesters lived in summer in special houses on the salt pans. One of those houses is today a museum of salt making. Local people still use the procedures and tools that are centuries old. Workers are focused mainly on preserving the specific natural environment.
Another part of the salt pans is home to a modern outdoor spa centre with several pools, where visitors can enjoy several healing therapies.